Moldova, also known by its official name of the Republic of Moldova, is a country located in Eastern Europe. Its capital is the city of Chisinau, which is situated in the south-central region of the country. The official language in Moldova is Romanian (also called Moldovan).
Moldova is a hilly country with a slightly cold climate during autumn and winter, and rather cool in the spring and summertime. It is a landlocked country that borders both Ukraine and Romania.
When it comes to its education, its system is divided into pre-school, primary, secondary, and higher education. The organism responsible for education in the country is the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research. This is the place where you’ll have to validate your diplomas as an international student.
There are 15 private and 16 state institutions of higher education in Moldova. Moldovan students are taught approximately 20 hours of classes weekly, which happens to be among the highest amounts of hours per week taught in the world. The good news is that there are many cheap universities in Moldova for international students, starting from $700/year! Also, the cost of living is extremely cheap, making it affordable for international students.
Affordable Schools in Moldova for International Students
1. University of European Studies of Moldova (USEM)
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from 12,000 MDL/year (Bachelor’s) | from 13,000 MDL/year (Master’s)
The University of European Studies of Moldova (USEM) is a private university in central Chișinău offering Law, Journalism & Communication, International Relations, Economics, and Psychology. It serves local, EU/Ukraine, and non‑EU students and emphasizes practical training, internships, and mobility windows. Administrative processes are streamlined, and most courses are taught in Romanian, with foreign‑language support where needed.
For non‑EU international students, USEM sets tuition at double the domestic rates (citizens of the EU/Ukraine pay the same as locals). For bachelor’s programs, this is roughly 12,000–18,000 MDL per year (about $700–$1,000), e.g., Journalism & Media (lower band), International Relations (mid‑band), and Law (upper band). Master’s programs are typically 13,000–18,000 MDL/year (about $700–$1,000), e.g., Educational/Organizational Psychology (mid‑band) and Law (upper band).
2. Moldova State University (USM)
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €1,500/year (Bachelor’s) | €1,800/year (Master’s)
Moldova State University (USM), founded in 1946 in Chișinău, is the country’s flagship public research university. It spans humanities, social sciences, law, natural sciences, and IT across compact central-city campuses, and maintains active Erasmus+ partnerships and a growing number of English‑taught courses. International students benefit from straightforward admissions support and strong ties with public institutions and local industry for internships and early career placement.
For international students, USM posts flat fees. The bachelor’s fee is €1,500 per year, covering popular majors such as Computer Science, Law, and Economics. Master’s programs are €1,800 per year, for example, Public Policy, Finance, and Applied IT. With these fees, Moldova State University is the cheapest university in Moldova for international students.
3. Technical University of Moldova (UTM)
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €2,300/year (Bachelor’s) | from €2,500/year (Master’s)
The Technical University of Moldova (UTM) is another affordable university in Moldova for international students. It is the national hub for engineering, architecture, design, food technology, and information technology. Modern labs, an energetic startup and hackathon scene, and strong links to Moldova’s growing IT sector make it a go‑to for applied STEM in English or Romanian. Campuses are spread across Chișinău, and the university is among Moldova’s most internationalized institutions.
International tuition varies by faculty and language of instruction. For bachelor’s degrees, English‑taught programs generally range from about €2,300 to €2,800 per year. Most master’s programs run about €2,500 per year.
4. Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM)
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €2,300/year (Bachelor’s) | €2,500/year (Master’s)
The Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) is the country’s specialist university for business and economics. Located in central Chișinău, it trains accountants, financiers, marketers, and business‑IT specialists, and runs double‑degree links with Romanian universities. Curricula are case‑based and industry‑connected, making ASEM a pragmatic pick for the local and regional job market.
ASEM publishes simple, flat fees for foreign citizens. Bachelor’s programs are €2,300/year (about $2,500), with examples including Accounting, Marketing, and Business Informatics. Master’s programs are €2,500/year (about $2,800), for instance, Corporate Finance, Business Administration, and Economic Cybernetics. A registration fee of €150 applies.
5. Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF)
Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF) is Moldova’s premier medical university, drawing students from across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It offers Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, and other biomedical disciplines with modern simulation labs and a teaching‑hospital network in Chișinău. While medical programs are pricier than other Moldovan degrees, they remain comparatively affordable versus Western Europe.
International fees depend on the specialty. Integrated/undergraduate tracks start at €3,150/year for fields like Public Health and rise to €7,800/year for Dentistry. Master’s programs (e.g., Public Mental Health) start at €3,150/year.
FAQs About Studying in Moldova
What are the characteristics of the Moldovan higher education system?
Higher education in Moldova is divided into short-term college-type studies and university-type studies. Since 2000, degrees of Bachelor’s and Master’s studies have been implemented to adapt the Moldovan system to international standards. There are both public and private institutions for higher education in this country. Private education became an alternative to state education since the end of the 1990s. These types of institutions obey the regulations established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Moldova.
Is it possible to study in English in Moldova?
The language of instruction before 1989 was Russian. After the fall of the Soviet rule in Moldova, the language of instruction started to be Moldovan and continues to be so nowadays. However, there are some schools in the country that serve the needs of minority groups and teach in languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, French, Gagauzian, and Bulgarian. In the case of English, not many universities offer programs completely taught in English. It is more usual to find programs that mix Moldovan with another language, like English.
How is the application process at Moldovan universities?
In order to apply to higher education institutions in Moldova, international students must have a series of legal documents. These are similar to what you need in other countries. A copy of a passport, a copy of a document that proves successful completion of secondary education, and a copy of a visa or a residence permit of the domicile country of the international citizen are some of the documents required. It is also necessary to have an official letter from the chosen university and take it to the Ministry of Education of Moldova.
How much should I budget for tuition fees?
Moldova is one of the most affordable countries in the world to get your degree. Tuition fees for international students go from 1,000 to 5,000 USD per year. Prices will vary depending on the major, type of studies, and the university, but they usually stay below 2,500 USD.
Is living in Moldova also affordable?
As it happens with tuition fees, living costs in Moldova are low. Depending on the size and location of housing, monthly rent can cost between 186 USD and 434 USD. You’ll find great places for 200 USD. When it comes to basic utilities such as electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage, prices can go up to 123 USD per month. This is usually lower during the summer. Regarding groceries, you should budget 150 USD approx. Public transportation would cost 10 USD per month. Take into consideration that their official currency is the Moldovan Leu (MDL), and 100 MDL is about 9 USD. However, it is usual to see prices expressed in euros.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Moldova was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
