All About Free Study in Romania

Romania is a good destination for citizens of European or non-European countries to pursue their education. In this post, we will be focusing on free study in Romania. Choosing to study in the European Union, especially in Romania, is one of the best choices a prospective international student can make. Today, most Romanian universities exchange students with hundreds of other well-known universities around the world. In this article, we will be discussing the conditions of free study in Romania.

About Romania

Geographically, Romania is a country located in the southeast of Europe, and its capital is Bucharest. Romania is bordered by Hungary and Serbia to the west, Moldova and Ukraine to the northeast and east, and Bulgaria to the south.

After a decade of economic problems after the revolution of 1989 and the reduction of living standards, extensive reforms were carried out by the government of this country, which resulted in economic recovery. All these measures made Romania a middle-income country with a high human development index in 2010.

Romania joined NATO on March 29, 2004, and the European Union on January 1, 2007. This European country is at a high level in terms of science and the majority of immigrants come to this country to study, one especially attractive option for international students coming to this country is the possibility of free study in Romania. Romania is a favorable destination in terms of scientific and educational levels, and the universities of this country provide credible degrees at the world level.

The top universities of this country are located in the capital. This European country has made considerable progress in terms of economy and various industries in the past year. One of the best ways to immigrate to Romania is through education. Students with good academic records can consider free study in Romania as a viable option. Considering that this country is a member of the European Union, Romania boasts advanced facilities and research opportunities.

Study in Romania

Studying in Romania gives the student a great opportunity as the student’s degree will be recognized worldwide. Studying in this country means studying in the European Union, and all educational qualifications issued in this country are recognized in the entire European Union.

In addition to the possibility of free study in Romania, higher education in this country is also the cheapest in the whole European Union in terms of the cost of living. High academic standards are accessible with reasonable tuition fees and low living expenses by studying in Romania. While the education sector is very competitive in all European countries, Romania is famous for its cheap costs.

Higher education in Romania is world-renowned as a center of excellence in learning, teaching, and practice. Romanian universities and colleges welcome hundreds of students from all over the world, especially from developing countries.

Possibility of Free Study in Romania

Romanian universities offer different degree programs (Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.) in different languages (Romanian, English, French, German, Hungarian). From leading research universities to small colleges, the study program or choice of major seems to be limitless, especially in the national language of this country.

In Romania, education is free until the age of 18, and after that, provided that the student studies in Romanian language in public universities, this education will continue to be free.

In order to promote the Romanian culture and language among international students, the Romanian government grants a generous scholarship to the students who choose to study in Romania and provides with a one-year Romanian language course for free as well. Any major can apply for the Romania government scholarship, except for medical majors.

Multilingual programs, affordable prices, transferable credits, and a multicultural community are just a few of the features that make free study in Romania even more attractive to international students.

If you want to study abroad for free, Romania is one of the countries that you should definitely consider because the higher education institutions welcome international students, including those from non-EU countries, by offering many benefits. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to study in another country for one or two semesters or visit Romania’s neighbors during your vacations.

Free Education in Romanian Universities

Studying in Romania offers a unique cultural experience in a dynamic and multinational environment. In addition to earning a global degree, international students in Romania have the opportunity to learn new languages, acquire international skills that are invaluable to future employers, gain fundamental advantages in the dynamic world of technology, make International friendships, and form a professional network with other students.

The possibility of free study in Romania as well as the exchange programs available are among the key advantages that encourage international students to study in Romania. Higher education in Romania allows international students to grow and develop a lot thanks to the multicultural experience they provide with free study in Romania.

Even studying in different sub-groups of medical fields in Romania (for which the government of Romania does not offer scholarships) will cost about 5000 to 8000 Euros for two semesters or one academic year, which is very affordable compared to many other European countries.

Cost and tuition free universities in Romania for international students

Romanian education system is compulsory since first to grade 12. Therefore, this country has provided free education for its citizens from preparatory school to grade 12 which is 11 years in general. Afterwards, higher education will require paying tuition fees due to the fact that the country lacks the budget to cover all the universities with great education and facilities. Although, Romanian government is working on the possibility of free education for university students.

Until then, students will have to pay the tuition fee in order to study at universities in Romania. Unfortunately, foreign students and international applicants who are not official citizens of Romania, will still need to pay tuition fee in order to study at their favorite university.

If you want to study for free at Romanian universities, then you must apply for offered scholarships. Keep in mind, that obtaining scholarships are based on your resume and if your educational records were acceptable, then you might have the opportunity to begin your studies for free! Several university scholarships will be accessible for you as an international student. Some of them are financial aids and others are full fund scholarships.

Generally, tuition fees in Romanian universities depend on the courses and degrees that you choose! Typically, university tuition fees might range from 3000 EUR to 4500 EUR for undergraduate and bachelor programmes. On the other hand, they range from 4000 EUR to 7000 EUR for Engineering or healthcare fields of study and sometimes more for postgraduate programmes.

Do Romanian universities have free tuition fees?

Meanwhile university tuition fees in Romania are between 600 RON and 5000 RON annually, Engineering and Medicine programmes are far more expensive. Applicants who are EU citizens, will pay the same amount of tuition fee as Romanian students. Whilst, non-EU students pay slightly higher fee to the universities!

The way students pay their tuition fees in Romania, varies and depends on the fact whether they need a student visa or not. If obtaining a student visa is a necessity, then applicants must pay the tuition fee for a whole year in a single instalment before filling the visa application.

On the other hand, pupils and students who don’t require a visa for entering the country, can decide to pay their tuition fee either in 1 installment or several over the course of the year. In case you need to gain further information about who might need a student visa and what the requirements are, please call our consultants at Applyro complex.

Accommodation fees for Romanian universities

In this article, we have discussed the tuition fees for Romanian universities and until here, we have realized that higher education institutions in Romania are not quite free and you have to pay in order to study in your favorite major. In this following section, we will be discussing the accommodation conditions and fees.

Most of the universities in Romania, provide students with dormitories as accommodation options. The prices usually start at about 60 RON monthly. Also, rooms are shared with other students.

In case you want to stay at university dormitories, then we suggest you check with your chosen university for accurate information about this type of accommodation and the procedure of applying for them. If your future plan is to stay at a private accommodation, then you will need to ask for advice and recommendation from your “International Relations office” that is situated in the campus of your university.

Although on-campus accommodation dormitories and facilities are not completely free, but if you apply for free study in Romania via scholarships, the government might pay for you! It is worth mentioning that, private dormitories and accommodations tend to be way more expensive.

Free study in Romania with scholarships

The government of Romania offers multiple generous grants and loans to students. Some of these financial aids are full fee waivers. Typically, scholarships are awarded to students before the academic year begins. Although, commonly some of the universities award highest-performing students with covering their following year’s tuition fee.

EU and Romanian students, can benefit from the same scholarships in order to be able to use the advantages of free study in Romania. Alternatively, some grants have been defined specifically for non-EU students.

Every grant and scholarship, will be awarded to applicants based on their social situation, academic merit or extracurricular activities. One of the main financial aids that Romanian government offers students, is “The Romanian Government Scholarships for International Students”.

This program will be offered to you by “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs” or “MFA”. Applicants who are from non-EU countries, can apply for this scholarship in order to study Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD programmes. Most of your expenses such as, tuition fees, health insurance, accommodation and even monthly stipend will be covered. Applications for this financial aid program will be opened since January to March every year.

Free study in Romania conditions

As we have discussed before, the government of Romania, offers and provides a certain number of scholarships to applicants who are from non-EU countries. You can choose your field of study from a wide range of disciplines except for “Medicine”, “Dental Medicine” and “Pharmacy”.

This scholarship will be available for Master’s and Bachelor’s degree levels only in Romanian language, Due to the fact that this country wants to promote its language.

Generally, there is no other option for students to apply for free study in Romania except for scholarships. If you want to study at a PhD level, then you can apply for an English programme of study or other languages of instruction.

Besides the academic years of studying in university, you can apply for a preparatory year in Romania in order to study the Romanian language. Those who are not fluent in the Romanian language, will need to enroll in this course. Also, the state-owned scholarship will cover this preparatory year.

Advantages of free study in Romania

There are so many advantages and upper-hands to studying in Romania and one of them, is the wide recognition of the degrees that are issued by the higher education institutions of this country. Therefore, you will have a valid university degree that will be recognized all around EU and beyond. The higher education system in Romania, has been known for its rich academic legacy.

Although you can’t apply for free study in Romania directly without scholarships, but you will have the opportunity to study in Romanian, English, French, German and Hungarian languages of instruction. A wide choice of university programmes will be offered to you in Romanian universities.

Despite of the fact that you can’t apply for free study in Romania without obtaining financial aids, But the tuition fees and living expenses in this country will be way lower and more affordable than other European countries! Students who apply for free study in Romania via the state-owned scholarships, will benefit from the exemption of paying registration fees.

Besides, every other required fee for the application process will be covered by this scholarship. Romanian language skills tests, admission contest for PhD studies and specific aptitude tests, are some of the items that the fees for them will be exempted by the government scholarship program.

Final Word

Free study in Romania means that students do not have to pay tuition fees to register at the university. It is possible to study for free in Romania by receiving scholarships provided by government and private organizations for international students. Most Scholarships in Romania cover students’ living expenses as well.

The full-fund Romania government scholarship is awarded to students who are not citizens of EU countries with the aim of promoting the culture and language of this country. Students of all levels of Romanian universities, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate in various fields, can be among the recipients of this scholarship.

Completely free Romanian government scholarships are available to study in a large number of universities in the country and provide many international students with the possibility of free study in Romania.

Is Romania cheap for study and living?

One of the important advantages that Romania offers to applicants, are low-cost tuition fees and living expenses! Tuition fees of the Romanian universities are significantly affordable, specially in comparison with other countries in Europe.

Is studying in Romania free for international students?

Unfortunately, studying in Romania isn’t free in general and students must pay tuition fees of at least 600 RON to 5000 RON annually. Although Engineering and Medicine programmes can be far more expensive. It is important to note that, EU applicants will pay the same amount of tuition fee as Romanian students. Meanwhile, non-EU students are going to pay slightly higher fees.

Does scholarships of Romanian universities have age limits?

Scholarships will be opened to students from all around the world (international applicants). This means that students with Romanian citizenships can apply for scholarships offered by the universities and the government of this country. For bachelor and master’s study programs, candidates must be under 35 years old.

How can we apply for Romanian universities scholarships?

If you want to apply for the Romanian universities scholarships, then you must access through https://studyinromania.gov.ro. Candidates should submit between 16 January to 16 March in 2024. After that, selection results will be announced to you around July 15.

What are the requirements for Romanian scholarships?

Required documents for completing the application of university scholarships are, Copies of former educational degrees(high school, baccalaureate diplomas or equivalent). Besides, these documents must be translated to French, English, Spanish or Romanian.