Study in Romania for international students 2026

1. Introduction: Why Study in Romania?

Romania is an increasingly attractive destination for international students who want:

A European university degree
Relatively affordable tuition fees
Low to moderate living costs compared to Western Europe
Strong programmes in medicine, engineering, business and IT

With historic cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Iași, and a long academic tradition, Romania offers a European study experience that remains within the budget of many students from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

In this guide, you will learn about:

The higher education system in Romania
Top universities and popular study fields
Admission requirements for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD
Tuition fees, scholarships and living costs
Student visa and residence permit
Practical tips for international (and Arab) students

2. Overview of Higher Education in Romania

Romanian higher education institutions include:

2.1 Universities

These focus on academic education and research, offering:

Bachelor’s degrees (3–4 years, 6 years for medicine)
Master’s degrees (usually 2 years)
Doctoral studies (3–4 years or more)

2.2 Specialized Universities and Institutes

Some institutions focus on:

Engineering and technology
Economics and business
Medicine and health sciences
Agriculture and veterinary medicine

Among the best-known universities are:

University of Bucharest
Babeș-Bolyai University (BBU) in Cluj-Napoca
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași
Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE)
West University of Timișoara

Medical universities such as Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy and other faculties of medicine also attract many international students.

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3. Why Choose Romania?

3.1 Affordable Tuition Compared to Western Europe

Romania offers relatively low tuition fees, especially for:

Medicine and dentistry (compared to many EU countries)
Engineering and IT
Business and economics

For medical programmes in English, tuition typically ranges between 5,000 and 9,500 EUR per year depending on the university.

3.2 Lower Cost of Living

The cost of living for students is generally lower than in Western and Northern Europe. Average monthly living expenses are estimated at around 300–600 EUR per month, covering accommodation, food, transport, internet and personal expenses.

3.3 European Degree and Career Opportunities

A degree from a recognized Romanian university:

Is accepted across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
Allows you to pursue further studies or professional opportunities in Europe (subject to local recognition and licensing requirements, especially in medicine and regulated professions)

3.4 Multilingual Environment

Romanian universities offer programmes in:

Romanian
English
Often French or other languages, especially in medicine and economics

This creates an international environment where you can study in English while gradually learning Romanian.

4. Top Study Fields in Romania

4.1 Medicine and Health Sciences

Romania is particularly popular for:

General Medicine (MBBS / MD equivalent)
Dentistry
Pharmacy

Many faculties offer English-taught medical programmes with competitive tuition fees compared to other European countries.

4.2 Engineering and Technology

You can find programmes in:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Telecommunications
Environmental Engineering

4.3 Computer Science and IT

Growing demand exists for:

Computer Science
Software Engineering
Information Technology
Data Science
Cybersecurity

4.4 Economics and Business

Universities such as the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) and other institutions offer programmes in:

Economics
Business Administration
Finance
Marketing
International Business

4.5 Humanities and Social Sciences

You can also study:

Law
Political Science
International Relations
Psychology
Education
Languages and Literature

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5. Language of Instruction

5.1 Studying in English

Many Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are available in English, especially in:

Medicine and health sciences
Business and economics
Engineering and IT

Each programme states its specific English requirements (e.g. minimum IELTS or TOEFL score).

5.2 Studying in Romanian

Programmes taught in Romanian may have lower tuition fees, but require:

Proficiency in Romanian, or
Completion of a preparatory year (Romanian language course)

5.3 Learning Romanian

Even if you study in English, learning Romanian will:

Help you in daily life
Improve your chances of finding part-time or full-time work
Make it easier to integrate into local society

6. Admission Requirements

6.1 Bachelor’s Degree (Undergraduate)

Generally, you will need:

A high school diploma equivalent to Romanian upper secondary education
Official transcripts with grades
Proof of English proficiency for English-taught programmes (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
For medicine and some other competitive fields:
- Entrance exams (usually in Biology and Chemistry), or
- File-based selection and possible interview

For non-EU students, a Letter of Acceptance issued by the Romanian Ministry of Education is often required as part of the visa process.

6.2 Master’s Degree

Typical requirements:

A relevant Bachelor’s degree
A good GPA / academic record
Proof of language proficiency (English or Romanian)
CV/resume
Motivation letter
Sometimes letters of recommendation or proof of professional experience

6.3 Doctoral (PhD) Studies

For PhD programmes, you generally need:

A Master’s degree in a related field
A research proposal or statement of research interests
Agreement from a supervisor or doctoral school
Evidence of research potential (thesis, publications, academic references)

7. Tuition Fees

Tuition fees depend on:

University
Programme
Language of instruction

Typical ranges:

Medicine and health: approximately 5,000–9,500 EUR per year for international students in English-taught programmes.
Other fields (e.g. humanities, social sciences, some engineering): lower fees in many cases, sometimes starting from around 2,000–4,000 EUR per year, depending on the institution.

Always verify updated fees on the official programme pages.

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8. Scholarships and Funding

8.1 University Scholarships

Some Romanian universities offer:

Partial tuition fee reductions
Scholarships for high-performing students

However, internal scholarships are limited compared to some other countries, so you should plan to cover most expenses yourself and treat scholarships as a bonus, not a guarantee.

8.2 Government Scholarships

The Romanian government occasionally offers scholarships to foreign students through:

Bilateral agreements
Public calls published by Romanian authorities or embassies

These may cover tuition, accommodation and/or provide a monthly allowance, but they are competitive and available only for certain categories.

8.3 External Funding

You may also look for:

Scholarships from international organizations or foundations
Funding from your home country (if such schemes exist)

9. Cost of Living in Romania

9.1 Average Monthly Budget

International students in Romania typically need around 300–600 EUR per month, including:

Accommodation
Food
Local transportation
Internet and phone
Miscellaneous expenses

9.2 Example Cost Breakdown

Student dormitory or shared flat: 100–250 EUR per month (higher for private apartments in big cities like Bucharest or Cluj).
Food: 100–300 EUR per month (cheaper if you cook at home).
Local transport: 15–30 EUR per month with student discounts.
Internet and phone: 15–30 EUR per month.
Other expenses (clothes, leisure, books): 50–100 EUR per month.

Overall, Romania is considered budget-friendly compared with many other EU countries.

10. Student Visa and Residence Permit

10.1 Long-Stay Study Visa (D/SD)

Non-EU students must obtain a long-stay visa for studies before travelling to Romania. Required documents typically include:

Letter of acceptance for studies
Proof of payment of tuition fees (usually for at least one year)
Proof of sufficient financial means (at least the equivalent of the national minimum net wage per month for the entire duration mentioned in the visa)
Criminal record certificate
Medical insurance
Valid passport and other supporting documents

You apply at the Romanian embassy/consulate in your country of residence.

10.2 Residence Permit in Romania

After enrolling at the university and arriving in Romania:

You must apply for a student residence permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration in the county where you live.
The permit is usually issued for one year, renewable annually for the duration of your studies.

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11. Working During and After Studies

As a non-EU student, you may work part-time under certain legal conditions; you might need additional permits depending on your status and employer.
Income from part-time work can help with living costs, but it is not usually enough to cover all expenses.
After graduation, if you find a suitable job, you may apply to change your status from student to worker and obtain a work-based residence permit.

12. Application Process: Step-by-Step

Choose your programme and university Use the official Study in Romania portal to search for English- or Romanian-taught programmes that fit your goals.
Check admission requirements Carefully review:
- Academic prerequisites
- Language requirements
- Required documents
- Application deadlines
Prepare your documents
- Passport
- High school/university diplomas and transcripts (translated and legalized, if needed)
- Language test results
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters (if required)
Submit your application Apply online or via the method indicated by the university and wait for:
- The university’s decision
- The Letter of Acceptance from the Ministry of Education (for non-EU students)
Apply for a long-stay study visa At the Romanian embassy/consulate in your country with all necessary documents.
Travel, enrol and apply for residence permit Once in Romania:
- Finalise your enrolment at the university
- Apply for a residence permit before your visa expires

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13. Tips for International (and Arab) Students

Strengthen your English and, if possible, start learning basic Romanian before arrival.
Compare cities and universities carefully: tuition, living costs, and lifestyle can differ significantly between Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Timișoara and other cities.
Plan your annual budget realistically (tuition + living + emergency fund).
Do not rely solely on part-time work; make sure you have secured enough financial resources before travelling.
Use your time as a student to:
- Participate in projects and internships
- Build an academic and professional network
- Improve your language skills and cultural understanding

14. Official Sources and Useful Links

Study in Romania – official portal for international students (programmes, universities, living information) https://studyinromania.gov.ro
Study in Romania – cost of living page https://studyinromania.gov.ro/living-cost
EU Immigration Portal – Student in Romania (visa and residence information)