Romania offers international students a diverse selection of public universities with strengths in business, engineering, medicine, technology, the social sciences, and the humanities. When comparing institutions, applicants should consider program language, academic specialization, tuition fees, scholarship availability, admission documents, and the opportunities each degree may create after graduation.
This guide introduces seven top universities in Romania and features the real journeys of four scholarship recipients. Their experiences show how applicants prepared official recommendations, developed focused motivation letters and study plans, sought advice from alumni, connected previous education with new academic goals, and applied for opportunities such as the Romanian Government Scholarship and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship.
Their results include completing a funded master’s, publishing academic research, beginning a multi-country joint degree, and winning selection for a fully funded program that awarded only 18 scholarships from around 1,000 applicants. Alongside these stories and outcomes, you can compare each Romanian university’s admissions information, tuition fees, scholarships, academic strengths, and international study environment.
| University | Selected Academic Areas |
|---|
| Bucharest University of Economic Studies | Business, Economics, Sociology, and Public Administration |
| West University of Timișoara | Arts and Design, Mathematics and Informatics, Psychology, and Music and Theatre |
| Babeș-Bolyai University | Mathematics and Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities |
| Alexandru Ioan Cuza University | Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Technology |
| University of Bucharest | Cognitive Sciences, Environmental Studies, Materials Science, and Humanities |
| Transilvania University of Brașov | Engineering, Business, and Medicine |
| National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest | Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering |
Top Universities in Romania for International Students
1. Bucharest University of Economic Studies
The Bucharest University of Economic Studies is a well-established public university in Romania and a leading institution in economics and business education. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, ASE was ranked among the world’s top 500 universities and first nationally in Economics and Econometrics, as well as Business and Management Studies. Today, education at the university is spread across 13 faculties, with programs in fields such as business, economics, sociology, business law, and public administration.
The Bucharest University of Economic Studies is a multicultural community, especially through its international MBA and foreign-language programs. It reports more than 25,000 students, around 5% international students, and more than 400 partnerships with higher education institutions around the world.
One student’s journey: Annissa Madina moved from a D3 diploma in physiotherapy with a 3.8/4.0 GPA into a bachelor’s in International Business and Economics at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, after researching ASE’s curriculum and deciding it fit her shift toward business. Her Romanian Government Scholarship application focused on academic records and supporting documentation rather than standardized tests, while also requiring official recommendations from bodies such as embassies, consulates, employers, or professional organizations; she believes her academics, FIFA and FIBA project experience, and clear career-change narrative helped her stand out. She advises applicants to start the research and document process early because coordinating and verifying the required recommendations was especially demanding. View More Bucharest University of Economic Studies recipients →
2. West University of Timisoara (UVT)
The West University of Timisoara, or Universitatea de Vest din Timișoara in Romanian, is a member of the Universitaria Consortium, an association that now brings together nine Romanian universities. This top university in Romania for international students offers higher education across 12 faculties and a wide selection of subject areas, including arts and design, physical education and sport, mathematics and informatics, sociology and psychology, music and theater, and many others.
The university’s campus is located in Timișoara, a city with cultural attractions, museums, festivals, canals, retail parks, and a modern transportation network. After classes, international students have a lot to explore in this major Romanian city.
3. Babes-Bolyai University (UBB)
Babeș-Bolyai University is one of Romania’s largest and most complex universities. UBB describes its academic community as having more than 50,000 members, and it has consistently performed strongly in national and international university rankings. A multinational student body can choose from a large selection of programs, with official academic lines in Romanian, Hungarian, and German, as well as programs taught in English, French, and other languages at some levels.
The faculties and academic units of this prestigious university in Romania are located mainly in Cluj-Napoca, or simply Cluj. As an original Roman settlement, it hosts numerous cultural institutions, lively festivals, and a creative food and bar scene. It is also a student-oriented city, so international students can feel comfortable studying here.
4. Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (UAIC)
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University was founded in 1860 and is recognized by the university as the oldest higher education institution in Romania. While it is one of the country’s earliest higher learning institutions, UAIC remains active in education and research. Its official profile notes a first-place result in a national research ranking in 2008, and the university continues to appear in current international rankings, including the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings. As a member of the Universitaria Consortium, UAIC also participates in major university networks, such as the European University Association, the Coimbra Group, and the Utrecht Network.
As one of the best universities in Romania for international students, UAIC offers degrees across 15 faculties and the Centre for European Studies, covering fields in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and technology. It also hosts the “Anastasie Fătu” Botanical Garden, which the university describes as the first Romanian university botanical garden and the largest in the country, as well as the Museum of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University.
One student’s journey: Muhammad Talha Ahmed, who entered Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași’s EC2U LIFELINE joint master’s after a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, tailored his motivation letter around his research, volunteering and community work, prepared transcripts and other supporting documents, and sought guidance from EC2U alumni. He had applied to more than 25 opportunities and said he chose the EC2U programme for its multidisciplinary curriculum and multi-country study structure; his Welfare-track degree began at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, where he was still studying in his second semester when interviewed. View More Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi recipients →
5. University of Bucharest (UB)
Formed from earlier higher education structures, including the Princely Academy of Bucharest, the University of Bucharest was established in 1864 by a decree signed by Alexandru Ioan Cuza. The university offers advanced education and research as a member of the Universitaria Consortium and remains one of Romania’s best-known public universities. Students study across 19 faculties and 21 doctoral schools in a large selection of knowledge areas. Moreover, when it comes to research, UB focuses on areas such as cognitive sciences, the environment, and new materials.
Today, this top university in Romania attracts students from Romania and abroad and is ranked in the 801–850 band in the QS World University Rankings 2027. UB’s buildings are spread across Bucharest rather than located on one single enclosed campus. Known as “Little Paris,” the city is rich in elegant architecture and attractions.
6. Transilvania University of Brașov
Transilvania University of Brașov is a public higher education institution located in Brașov, one of Romania’s major academic, cultural, and economic centers. Over more than 75 years, the institution has developed into a comprehensive university that combines education, scientific research, innovation, and engagement with the surrounding community.
The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs covering fields such as engineering, computer science, forestry, medicine, economics, business, psychology, the humanities, social sciences, and the arts. Its academic portfolio includes programs taught in Romanian as well as selected opportunities in English and German, helping it welcome students from a variety of international backgrounds.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, Transilvania University of Brașov served more than 21,000 students. Its infrastructure includes hundreds of teaching and research laboratories, student accommodation facilities, and a multidisciplinary research institute comprising 30 research centers. This broad academic environment makes the university an attractive option for international students seeking educational and research opportunities in Romania.
Khaled Omar Zakaria Zaky’s path to Transilvania University of Brașov: Khaled Omar Zakaria Zaky, who entered with a 3.17/4.00 bachelor’s GPA, completed a Master’s in International Economic Relations at Transilvania University of Brașov through the Romanian Government Scholarship. He took no SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or GMAT for the scholarship application and says he instead concentrated on a coherent package of recommendation letters, motivation letter, study plan, academic background, and related coursework. During the Master’s he published a scientific paper, and after completing the degree he began pursuing PhD opportunities in Europe while helping other students with scholarship applications. View More Transilvania University of Brașov recipients →
7. National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest
The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest traces its technical education tradition to 1818, when Romania’s first engineering courses taught in Romanian were established in Bucharest. It has since developed into one of the country’s largest and most prominent institutions specializing in engineering and technology.
The university provides undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral education across fields such as electrical engineering, computer science, electronics, aerospace engineering, robotics, materials science, chemical engineering, transportation, and medical engineering. Its Bucharest center has 15 faculties and serves more than 30,000 students.
International students can find engineering programs taught in English, French, and German through the university’s Faculty of Engineering in Foreign Languages. Available areas include information technology, applied electronics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, software engineering, and business administration and engineering.
One student’s journey: Sayyidah Humairah pursued an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Biomedical Engineering that includes study at National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest; in her intake, around 1,000 people applied and 18 were selected for the scholarship. With a bachelor’s in Informatics, she says she strengthened her application by showing biomedical-engineering-related projects, a defined research direction, and how her existing skills matched the healthcare focus. Her Erasmus Mundus Scholarship was fully funded, covering tuition, travel and health insurance plus a €1,400 monthly stipend. View More National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest recipients →
FAQs about Studying in Romania
Is Romania Good for International Students to Study In?
Romania has a wide higher education sector, with nearly 100 public and private accredited higher education institutions. Several of its universities belong to the Universitaria Consortium, an association of prominent Romanian universities. Higher education in Romania is connected to the European Higher Education Area, and students can find study options in Romanian and other languages, depending on the institution and program.
Studying in Romania means studying in a European Union (EU) nation. Tuition fees vary by university, program, and nationality. EU/EEA students usually pay the same fees as Romanian students, while non-EU/EEA students pay about €2,000 to €5,000 per year on average. Scholarships offered by the Romanian state through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are available for eligible non-EU citizens, and students can also look for university-level scholarships and external opportunities such as Romania government scholarships.
Besides academic opportunities, Romania offers a rich environment for study. International students will find multicultural settings where they can build skills, friendships, and professional networks.
Living costs in Romania are relatively affordable compared with many EU countries. The European Commission’s Study in Europe profile estimates that students typically need about €600 to €900 per month for accommodation, food, and daily expenses. Students should also plan for valid health insurance, especially when applying for a visa or residence permit.
Can International Students Work in Romania While Studying?
International students can work in Romania while studying, but the rules depend on nationality and residence status. Non-EU students holding a temporary right of residence for studies may work without a separate work permit under an individual part-time employment contract, for no more than six hours per day. Students should confirm the latest rules with the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration or their university’s international office before accepting a job.
Can International Students Stay in Romania After Graduation?
After graduation, your eligibility to stay in Romania depends on your nationality and residence status. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens benefit from EU free-movement rules. Non-EU graduates may extend their temporary residence right for studies for up to nine months after graduation to look for a job, complete employment formalities, or open a business. Longer-term residence depends on the legal route used after studies; for non-EU citizens, the General Inspectorate for Immigration states that long-term residence generally requires continuous legal stay in Romania over the last five years, and the period spent for study purposes is counted at half.
We hope that this article on the best universities in Romania for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
