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Study in Romania

With a rich academic history, Romania is a beautiful country with a diverse population. Boasting fantastic natural landscapes, a combination of European cultures and medieval castles, Romania is widely considered to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel. Universities in Romania can offer international students with a unique experience.

Why study in Romania

The higher education system in Romania is continually being improved. The system is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research, which ensures that Romanian higher education matches the standards of the rest of Europe. This means that any degree you earn in Romania will be respected internationally. At a Romanian university, you will be able to gain a bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree, in a wide range of subject areas. There are many higher education institutions in the country, both public and private. The institutions tend to focus on academic and vocational elements of education, preparing the students for the workplace.

There are 13 of Romania’s universities in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. Included in the rankings is Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Babes-Bolyai University, the University of Bucharest, University Politehnica of Bucharest and the Universitatea de Vest din Timisoara (West University of Timisoara).

About Romania

Located at the meeting point of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe, Romania is home to over 19.6 million people. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia and Moldova. Its coastline runs along the Black Sea, and the end of the Danube River, Europe’s second longest river, ends in the Danube Delta in Romania. The country was formed in 1859, by uniting the Danubian Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. Since then, Romania has experienced a turbulent history, but has been a democracy since its 1989 Revolution. It has been a member of the European Union since 2007, and is classed as a developing country.

Costs of studying and living in Romania

Romania uses the Romanian Leu (RON) as its currency.

The tuition fees you will pay depends on where you choose to study and what sort of degree you wish to pursue. A private institution will usually charge more than a public institution. On average, you should expect to pay between RON 14,000 and RON 30,000 per year for a degree in Romania. There are scholarships available, but they can be competitive. To get more information about fees, scholarships and eligibility, contact your institution.

Your living costs will depend on where you choose to live. On average, you should budget for between RON 1,400 and RON 3,300 per month. This accounts for your accommodation, groceries and travel. If you have a valid residence permit, you are able to work during your studies. As an EU/EEA student, there are no time restrictions on working. As an international student, you are permitted to work up to 4 hours per day without seeking any extra permissions. If you wish to work more than this, you will need to apply for a work permit.

Student visas

Depending on where you are from, you may need a student visa to study in Romania. If you are from an EU/EEA country, as well as Canada, Croatia, Japan, Moldova, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States and Serbia, you will not need a visa. If you are from any other country, you will need to obtain a visa before you arrive in Romania. This can be done at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country. Once you have arrived in Romania, you will need to extend your visa in order to obtain a residence permit.

Language

The official language of Romania is Romanian. There are many other recognised minority languages, including French, German and Polish, to name just a few.

It is very common for university courses to be offered in more than one language. The most popular study languages are Romanian, English, German, French and Hungarian. If you wish to study in a non-native language, you will need to provide evidence of your language proficiency. If you do not meet the required standards, you may be able to take a language course to help you improve.

Even if you are able to study in English, you should make an effort to learn as much Romanian as possible. As well as picking up Romanian, you are presented with a fantastic opportunity to learn several other languages. Communicating with locals and other students is the perfect way to practice. This is a skill that will look great on your CV/resume!

Student cities in Romania

Bucharest

The capital and largest city in Romania, Bucharest is home to almost 1.9 million people. The city has an architectural mixture of historical, interbellum, communist-era and modern styles. Buildings in the centre of the capital of Romania have been damaged over the years due to war and earthquakes. Located in the city is the Palace of Parliament. It is the second largest building for administrative purposes in the world.

You will find many public and private universities in the city of Bucharest. Included in these is the University of Bucharest, which is the second-oldest modern university in Romania. It is classed as an advanced research and education university, and offers degrees in English and Romanian. Also found in Bucharest is the National University of Music Bucharest, and the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies.

Cluj-Napoca

Once the unofficial capital of the historical province of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca is home to more than 320,000 people. Despite its damaged reputation in the 1990’s, the city is today an important cultural, academic and business centre for Romania. It boasts a famous botanical garden, many cultural institutions and was named a European City of Sport for 2018.

Located in Cluj-Napoca is Babes-Bolyai University, which is the largest university in Romania. It offers degrees in Romanian, Hungarian, German, French and English. Due to this diverse language offering, there is a large international student population at the university. Also found in the city is the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, which offers degrees in field such as science, and engineering.

Constanța

A coastal city, Constanța is located in south-eastern Romania and borders the Black Sea. The city is home to more than 315,000 people. Historically known as ‘Tomis’, Constanța is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania, and was founded around 600BC.

There are several higher education institutions located in Constanța. These include Ovidius University, Tomis University and Andrei Șaguna University, among others.

Search for courses in Romania

More information about studying in Romania

Capital City Bucharest
Currency RON, Romanian Leu
Language(s) Romanian
Universities on StudyLink 3 universities
Major Student Cities Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Constanța

Read more about studying in Europe

Study in Europe

Degree courses you may be interested in studying in Romania

Masters courses you may be interested in studying in Romania

Highlighted courses in Romania

Dental Medicine Bachelor Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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Computer Science Bachelor Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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Business Administration Bachelor Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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American Studies Bachelor Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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Medicine Bachelor Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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Anglo-American Studies Master Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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Cyber Security and Machine Learning Master Degree

Ovidius University of Constanta Romania

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