Romania’s higher education system boasts a wide selection of programs, including medicine, engineering, social sciences, economics, humanities, and more. Regardless of your academic interests, you can find a degree path aligned with your goals. Moreover, many universities have introduced special procedures to accommodate Ukrainian students seeking to start or continue their studies.
1. Types of institutions
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Universities (Comprehensive)
These are multi-disciplinary institutions offering various faculties (e.g., economics, law, languages, political science, psychology).-
Example: University of Bucharest is known for its strong humanities and social sciences faculties.
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Example: Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca is a large comprehensive university renowned for social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and more.
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Technical Universities
Specialized in engineering, computer science, architecture, and other STEM-related fields.-
Example: Politehnica University of Bucharest focuses heavily on engineering, IT, and technological research.
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Example: Technical University of Cluj-Napoca offers programs in civil engineering, electronics, and automation.
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Medical and Pharmacy Universities
Ideal if you want to pursue studies in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or other health-related disciplines.-
Example: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in Romania.
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Example: Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca has programs taught in English and French, in addition to Romanian.
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2. Accredited programs
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Ministry of Education Website
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Where to Go: List of Higher Education Institutions.
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What You’ll Find:
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An official catalog of accredited universities in Romania (both public and private).
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Program listings (undergraduate/licență, master’s, PhD/doctorat) with accreditation status.
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Links to each institution’s homepage, where you can explore admission criteria, tuition fees, campus life, and more.
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Language tracks
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Many universities now host programs in English, French, German, or Hungarian. If your Romanian language skills are still developing, look for “International Programs” or “English/French-taught Degrees” sections on each university’s site.
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3. Matching your goals
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Self-assessment
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List your professional or academic interests: medicine, business, engineering, languages, etc.
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Narrow down which Romanian institutions excel in those areas. For instance, Politehnica University of Timișoara is strong in computer science; Babeș-Bolyai University is well-regarded in social sciences and natural sciences.
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Program specifics
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Each faculty publishes a detailed “curriculum” or “plan de învățământ,” which usually indicates which subjects are taught each semester. Checking these can help you ensure the program aligns well with what you studied previously in Ukraine or what you hope to study now.
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Reputation and rankings
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Some Romanian institutions also appear on global ranking platforms (e.g., Times Higher Education, QS). Check a university’s research outputs, international collaborations, or employer feedback if you are aiming for a research-intensive path or a widely recognized degree.
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4. International offices
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Why International Relations Offices (IRO) matter?
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Almost every major Romanian university has an IRO dedicated to foreign students, exchange programs (Erasmus+), and special admission procedures for refugees or displaced persons.
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They can clarify essential details like:
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Enrollment deadlines: Some schools have rolling admissions for Ukrainian refugees.
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Required documents: Diplomas, transcripts, ID/residency permits, language certificates.
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Scholarships & waivers: Potential tuition discounts or full waivers for Ukrainian nationals.
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How to find IRO contacts
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Go to your chosen university’s official website.
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Look for the “International Students” or “International Relations” section.
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You’ll often see direct email addresses (e.g., [email protected] or [email protected]) and phone numbers for quick inquiries.
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5. Resources & next steps
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Ministry of Education’s “Alături de Ucraina” Page
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What You’ll Find:
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Official guidelines and legislative updates regarding Ukrainian citizens enrolling in Romanian schools/universities.
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Procedures for recognition of prior studies.
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Contacts of local school inspectorates for pre-university (K-12) and updates on new measures supporting refugees.
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CNRED (National Center for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas)
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What you’ll find:
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Step-by-step instructions on how to validate your Ukrainian high school or university diplomas.
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Info on partial recognition if you lack complete documents.
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Links to various forms, frequently asked questions, and contact details for specialized support.
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University websites & rankings
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Each school’s website typically has:
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Admission calendar (“Calendar de admitere”), including special calls for refugee applicants.
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Housing/Dorm Info with fees and application steps.
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Clubs & societies (student organizations, volunteer groups, sports, etc.) to help you integrate.
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Global ranking sites such as QS or Times Higher Education can show you how Romanian universities compare internationally.
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Preparing documents & language
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Even if you are missing transcripts, many universities can assess your academic background via interviews or specialized exams (under Ordinul nr. 3325/2022).
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If you are not fully fluent in Romanian, ask if the university has bridge programs or free Romanian language courses (often referred to as “preparatory year”).
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Local NGOs & student associations
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Organizations like CNRR or the International Organization for Migration in Romania sometimes offer support or bridging scholarships for Ukrainian students.
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Student groups may have peer-to-peer mentorship for newcomers, helpful for academic advice and integration.
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Starting or continuing your higher education in Romania can open doors to diverse career paths, research opportunities, and cultural experiences. By checking accredited programs, reaching out to International Offices, and utilizing resources like the Ministry of Education website, you’ll be in a strong position to find the right program and begin a successful academic journey.
Don’t hesitate to email or call the universities you’re interested in—they’re used to working with international students and, in many cases, are prepared to guide Ukrainian applicants through expedited or special admissions processes. Make a shortlist of institutions, contact each one’s International Office, and gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision about where to study in Romania.