Romania is usually not the first choice among many students, but it can be worth considering. After all, the country offers strong higher education options at prices that can be more affordable than many Western European destinations. This can be especially appealing for aspiring doctors. Several Romanian medical schools offer Medicine in English, and some also offer French or Romanian-taught tracks, which makes them accessible to a wider range of international applicants.
How long does it take to study in Romanian medical schools?
The Romanian Medicine program is generally a six-year integrated program totaling 360 ECTS credits. The curriculum usually starts with fundamental and preclinical medical sciences and progressively moves into clinical and practical training.
What are the application documents required in medical schools in Romania?
The basic requirements usually include a high school diploma that grants access to university studies, academic transcripts, a copy of your passport, a birth certificate, proof of language proficiency when required, application forms, and a medical certificate. Depending on the university and your citizenship, you may also need certified translations, legalized or apostilled documents, proof of payment for application fees, or a Romanian Ministry of Education recognition document. Applicants should always check the current admission page of each university before applying.
Top Medical Schools in Romania
1. Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Faculty of Medicine
Also known as the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy is one of Romania’s long-standing public medical institutions. Its Faculty of Medicine was established in 1867.
For international applicants, the English-taught Medicine program is a six-year, 360-ECTS program. The university publishes admission rules and seat numbers for each intake, with the current methodology setting the maximum enrollment capacity for Medicine at 300 places.
The medical curriculum combines fundamental theoretical knowledge with clinical practice. Students build a foundation in the medical sciences before moving into clinical training, laboratories, hospital-based education, research opportunities, and international mobility.
2. Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Faculty of Medicine
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy is a public medical university located in Iași, in Romania’s Moldavia region. Its medical education tradition dates to 1879, when the Faculty of Medicine was founded. The institution later became a university and took the name Grigore T. Popa in 1991.
The university offers Medicine in Romanian, English, and French. The Medical Doctor program is a six-year course totaling 360 credits. Admission numbers and tuition fees are published for each cycle, so applicants should check the current admission page before applying.
The program is supported by laboratories, research centers, university hospitals, and clinical training. Students may also have access to international mobility opportunities.
3. Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Faculty of Medicine
Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, also known as UMF Cluj, is a state medical university in northwestern Romania. Romanian medical education in Cluj was inaugurated in 1919, and the institution was later named after Iuliu Hațieganu.
The Faculty of Medicine offers Medicine in Romanian, English, and French. The English and French Medicine programs are six years long and total 360 ECTS credits. Applicants to the English or French tracks generally need to provide proof of language proficiency, unless they qualify for an exemption listed by the university.
The curriculum covers core subjects such as anatomy, physiology, histology, semiology, and pharmacology before students progress into clinical education. Clinical training includes hospital-based learning in areas such as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and related specialties.
4. University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș
Known to many as UMFST, the university is based in Târgu Mureș, Romania. It offers an English-taught Medicine program through the Faculty of Medicine in English, with study opportunities connected to its Târgu Mureș and Hamburg campuses.
The English-taught Medicine program is a six-year course. The program is accredited by ARACIS, has also received IAAR accreditation, and has an annual enrollment capacity of 150 students. Graduates receive the Medical Doctor title and a bachelor’s diploma recognized within the European Union.
The curriculum moves from fundamental medical sciences to specialized and clinical medicine. Applicants should consult the current admission page for up-to-date information on campus options, fees, and scholarships.
5. Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara is a public medical university that offers Medicine pathways in Romanian, English, and French.
The university’s admission materials describe Medicine and Dental Medicine as 360-ECTS programs. Available places are set by the university for each admission cycle, so older seat numbers should not be used. For example, the 2025 admission update listed Medicine in French at 90 places and noted an approved increase for Medicine in French, Medicine in English, Dental Medicine in English, and the Romanian preparatory program.
The curriculum begins with preclinical subjects such as anatomy, biology, histology, biophysics, and biochemistry, before moving into clinical and surgical disciplines. The program also includes broader training intended to support well-rounded medical education.
6. Transilvania University of Brașov – Faculty of Medicine
Next in our list of best medical schools in Romania is Transilvania University of Brașov, also known as UNITBV. The university has about 21,000 students across 18 faculties and is one of the major higher education institutions in central Romania.
Its Faculty of Medicine was established in 1991. Unlike several universities listed above, UNITBV lists its Medicine degree among Romanian-taught bachelor’s programs. The Medicine program is six years long, totals 360 ECTS credits, and includes thousands of hours of theoretical and practical training.
The objective of the course is to help mold doctors with basic and specialized knowledge of Medicine. It integrates theoretical lessons, practical clinical competencies, and research activities in different medical fields.
7. Ovidius University of Constanța – Faculty of Medicine
Ovidius University of Constanța is a public higher education institution located in one of Romania’s oldest cities. Founded in 1961, it became a comprehensive university in 1990.
The university has more than 15,000 students, including about 1,200 international students. It is also one of the major universities in southeastern Romania and the Black Sea region.
Ovidius University lists Medicine among its English-taught bachelor’s programs. Applicants should check the current admission page for the latest details on language tracks, tuition, seat numbers, and required documents.
8. University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova – Faculty of Medicine
UMF Craiova is a public medical university situated in southwestern Romania. The university is organized into four faculties, including the Faculty of Medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine offers Medicine and Medicine in English. Both programs are six years long and total 360 ECTS credits. The current international admissions information lists the English-taught Medicine module for candidates applying on their own expense.
The program follows a structured curriculum that combines theoretical learning, practical medical training, and evaluations through examinations. Students develop medical knowledge and clinical skills as they progress through the program.
9. Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad – Faculty of Medicine
Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad, also known as UVVG Arad, is a private university based in western Romania. Its Faculty of Medicine is one of the university’s main academic divisions.
The Faculty of Medicine offers a Medicine in English program in Arad. The program is six years long, totals 360 ECTS credits, and is listed with Romanian and English as teaching languages.
The six-year medical program is designed to give students a foundation in the medical sciences before they move into specialized and clinical study. Applicants should review the current admission methodology for exact eligibility, file requirements, and application deadlines.
10. University of Oradea – Faculty of Medicine
The final candidate in our list of top medical schools in Romania is the University of Oradea, which is located in northwestern Romania. The university has 15 faculties and offers programs in Romanian and English.
Its English-taught bachelor’s program list includes Medicine, a six-year program offered through the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. The university’s current international admissions guidance also lists language proof and application documents for non-EU candidates.
The preclinical phase covers fundamental, domain, specialty, and complementary disciplines. Clinical education then helps students apply medical knowledge in professional settings and prepare for medical practice.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page and Open Courses Page for International Students!
