Studying in Romania
Romania is a popular choice for Iranian students with affordable tuition fees, the ability to study in English, and prestigious universities in the fields of medicine and engineering. The low cost of living and convenient geographical location in the heart of Europe make this country an affordable and practical destination for study and student life.
Growing demand from foreign students for Romanian scholarships
The use of the “Study in Romania” platform to apply for scholarships and attract international students to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs is increasing. The number of countries submitting applications has also increased.
Low cost of living for international students
Average monthly living costs for foreign students in Romania: between 350 and 600 euros (smaller cities are cheaper than Bucharest and Cluj).
Why Romania? Advantages and Challenges
Studying in Romania is an attractive option with its low tuition fees, English-language programs, accredited degrees, and rich culture. However, language barriers, complicated administrative processes, and cultural differences can be challenging. Adjusting to Romania’s cold climate and diverse diet can also be difficult.
Challenges
Benefits
Romanian education system
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctorate
Schools
Application Period: April to June for the following year
Studying in Romanian schools
Public schools in Romania are free for citizens, but students may be charged for school supplies and uniforms. The school day in Romania is 32 hours per week.
Bachelor's degree in Romania
The duration of a bachelor's degree in Romania depends on your field of study. Most bachelor's degrees, such as history, management, mathematics, physics, engineering, etc., take 3 to 4 years, but medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and architecture take 5 to 6 years. To study a bachelor's degree in Romania, you must have a high school diploma and be at least 17 years old.
Documents required for admission to a bachelor's degree program in Romania
• Certified copy of high school diploma
• Certified copy of high school transcripts
• Copy of birth certificate
• Health certificate
• Copy of valid passport
• 2 passport-sized photos
• English, French, German or Romanian • language certificate
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letter
• Certificate of financial means
• Art portfolio for fields such as design and…
• Certificate of passing the aptitude test for sports discipline
Master's degree study in Romania
The final grade for each semester depends on the final theory exam and your class activity. The final exams are held in February and in May or June. As in other countries, as a master's student studying in Romania, you must submit a thesis. After completing your research, you must answer questions about your thesis in front of a group.
Required documents for admission to a master's degree in Romania
• Completed admission application form
• Certified copy of bachelor's degree
• Certified copy of undergraduate transcripts
• Academic and work resume
• Copy of birth certificate
• Health certificate
• Copy of valid passport
• 2 passport-sized photos
• English, French, German or Romanian • language certificate
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letter
• Certificate of financial means
"Master's degrees in Romania are taught in Romanian, English, French, Hungarian or German. You can take Romanian language courses and then take an exam to receive your Romanian language certificate."
PhD study in Romania
Cost of studying in Romania
Tuition fees at Romanian universities range from 1,980 to 9,700 euros per year. Tuition fees at Romanian universities depend on the field and level of study.
The cost of studying medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy in Romania ranges from 3,200 to 5,000 euros per year.
Scholarships in Romania
Every year, the Romanian government offers scholarships to foreign students in this country. If you score a score of 7 on the Romanian scoring assessment, you can use the scholarships in this country. To receive a Romanian scholarship, proficiency in Romanian is necessary at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, if you are studying in Romania at the doctoral level in English, you can use the Romanian scholarship.
Requirements for receiving a Romanian scholarship:
- Submitting documents: You should contact your university for detailed information about the required documents.
- Registration Deadline: December 15, 2025 to March 1, 2026
- Obtaining a minimum score of 7 according to the Romanian scoring system
The Romanian scholarship covers the following costs:
- Education costs include registration fees, tuition, etc.
- Dormitory fees
- Medical expenses
- Transportation cost
- Monthly financial aid: 65 euros for undergraduate students, 75 euros for master’s students, 85 euros for doctoral students
It should be noted that the Romanian government scholarship does not cover studies in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.
The deadline for the Romanian scholarship for 2026 has not yet been announced.
Top universities in Romania
Among the top 1,500 universities in the world in the QS Rankings, only 10 are Romanian. In the table below, you can see the top universities in Romania in the 2026 QS Rankings.
Steps for studying in Romania
Requirements and documents required to study in Romania
There are more than 100 higher education institutions and schools in Romania. According to the website umultirank , Romania has more than half a million students studying in its public institutions, 75% of whom are undergraduates and 20% are postgraduates. Like many Eastern European countries, Romania also has specialized universities for fields such as medicine. Of course, in addition to medical and specialized universities, there are also large comprehensive universities in the country that offer a wide range of fields.
Obtaining a Romanian student visa
• Acceptance letter from the Romanian Ministry of Education
• Proof of payment of university tuition fees for one year
• Proof of sufficient financial means (approximately €2,500)
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Health insurance
• Parental or legal guardian approval (for minors)
• Paying 120 euros for a long-term visa
"After you arrive in Romania and enroll in a university, you must apply for a Romanian student residence permit. This permit is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually."
Entrance exams
For sports fields, a sports aptitude test is required.
Artistic fields, such as design, may require a portfolio.
Preparation courses
Some universities may impose age restrictions for certain fields (such as medicine), usually a maximum of 35 years for international students.
Non-EU students whose qualifications are not equivalent may need to complete one-year preparatory courses.
These courses are usually held to learn Romanian or to strengthen academic prerequisites
Age requirement
General documents required to study in Romania
- Completed admission application form
- Certified copy of high school diploma (for undergraduate) or bachelor’s/master’s degree (for higher degrees)
- Certified copy of academic transcripts
- Copy of birth certificate
- Medical health certificate
- Copy of valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- 2 passport-sized photos
- Language certificate (English: IELTS minimum 6.0 or TOEFL minimum 80, or Romanian, French, German depending on the program)
- Proof of financial means (around 2,500 to 5,000 euros per year for non-EU students)
“Some universities may require additional documents, such as a letter of motivation or recommendation. Check the university’s website for exact details.”
Cities suitable for studying in Romania
According to the QS Best Student Cities 2024 ranking and reputable sources such as Study in Romania and Educations.com, the best cities in Romania for international students are:
- Cluj-Napoca : Ranked 1st in Romania (135th globally QS); technology and IT hub with Babeș-Bolyai University, vibrant student life, beautiful nature and moderate cost of living (300-500 euros/month). Suitable for science and engineering majors.
- Bucharest : 2nd place (143rd QS world); capital with the largest student population, University of Bucharest and high job opportunities, rich culture and easy access to Europe, but higher costs (400-600 euros/month). Ideal for economics and humanities majors.
- Timișoara : Western city with a focus on innovation and the arts, the University of West Timișoara, low cost of living (250-450 euros/month) and multicultural atmosphere. Suitable for students interested in economics and law.
- Iași : Eastern cultural capital with Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, very affordable costs (200-400 euros/month), great nightlife and focus on medicine and the arts. A relaxed option for international students.
Student dormitories and residences in Romania
As a student studying in Romania, you can stay in student dormitories in Romania or in private apartments in Romania. Rents depend on the student’s lifestyle. You can rent a room in a house where a family lives. If you stay on campus, you will have to go to nearby restaurants and fast food outlets for food. Housing prices are lower during the summer, when all students return to their cities and countries.
To rent an apartment in Romania, you usually have to pay 50% of the first month’s rent as a commission to the real estate agent when you sign the contract with the landlord. The price of a room on student campuses varies from university to university and ranges from 20 to 50 euros per month. Most students who immigrate to Romania without financial support prefer to live on student campuses.
To reduce the cost of renting housing, you can rent an apartment for all 3 students together. Renting an apartment for a long period (e.g. 6 months) is also affordable. If your study period is long (e.g. 6 years), you can consider buying a house in Romania.
All Romanian universities have dormitories, but priority is given to students who come from cities and towns in Romania. Next priority is given to students who use the country’s scholarships. At least 2 students live in each dormitory room.
Student work in Romania
As a student in Romania, you can get part-time jobs by submitting your resume. Job sites are a good option for finding student jobs in Romania . If you are fluent in Romanian, your chances of finding a job increase. The maximum working time while studying in Romania is 4 hours a day. Some companies also accept interns. You can get paid by participating in internships in some companies, but most companies in Romania do not pay interns.
You can get a work permit and start working within 9 months of completing your studies in Romania. Employers must verify your qualifications and skills. If you plan to change jobs, you will need to get a permit for your new job.
Conditions for residence in Romania through study
after the short-term residence permit in Romania expires, you can apply for a long-term residence permit in Romania. Please note that during the 5 years of your short-term residence in Romania, you should not be outside the country for more than 6 months. To obtain a long-term residence permit in Romania, you must first submit your application to the General Directorate of Immigration Inspection in your country. After your application is approved, you must submit the following documents:
- Application form
- Original and copy of valid passport
- Original and copy of residence documents in Romania
- Proof of financial means
- Health insurance certificate
- Certificate of no criminal record
You can obtain Romanian citizenship after residing in Romania for at least 8 years. To obtain Romanian citizenship, you must have no criminal record and be proficient in the Romanian language. You must also have knowledge of the Romanian Constitution and the country’s national anthem.
Documents required to obtain Romanian citizenship
Successful experiences studying in Romania
O2TR’s experienced experts, with thousands of successful immigration cases on their resumes, can help you with all stages of applying to study in Romania, such as preparing documents, obtaining a Romanian study visa , etc. In the image opposite, you can see a successful Romanian study visa case obtained by GO2TR experts.
Comparing Romania with other countries
Romania has lower tuition and living costs than Western European countries like Germany or the UK. English-language programs in Romania are extensive and similar to those in Poland and Hungary, but fewer than in the Netherlands or Sweden.
The quality of education in medicine and engineering in Romania is high and its degrees are recognized in the European Union, but it has a less global reputation than France or Italy.
The visa process for non-EU students in Romania is simpler than in Austria, but more complicated than in Turkey. Student life in cities like Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest is vibrant, but the leisure facilities are less than in London or Berlin.
Job opportunities after graduation in Romania are lower than in Germany or the Netherlands, but similar to Poland and better than in Greece.
