Romania is a popular place for international students to go to school, especially those from countries outside the EU. The country’s high academic standards, EU-recognised degrees, and some of the lowest living costs in Europe make it an attractive destination for international students. The Romanian government and top public universities have added more scholarships for the 2026/2027 cycle to bring in top talent from around the world in engineering, technology, and social sciences.
1. Scholarships from the Romanian government (MFA and Ministry of Education)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Romanian Government gives out the most prestigious and sought-after funding. This scholarship is only for people who live outside the EU.
- The Award: This is a scholarship that pays for everything. It pays for all of your tuition, gives you a monthly stipend to cover your living expenses, and gives you free or low-cost housing in student dorms (if there is space).
- Monthly Payments (Estimates for 2026/2027):
- For bachelor’s students, about €65 a month.
- Master’s students: about €75 a month.
- PhD students: about €85 a month.
- The Language Rule: All Bachelor’s and Master’s scholarship holders must study in Romanian to help spread Romanian culture. The scholarship includes a fully funded year of preparation to learn Romanian if you don’t already speak it. PhD students are different and can study in English or other languages if their doctoral school offers them.
- Deadline: The application period usually starts in mid-February and ends on March 31, 2026, for the October 2026 intake. Candidates should be ready to apply for the 2027 cycle by February 2027.
- Eligible Fields: Most fields are included, such as Architecture, Visual Arts, Journalism, Engineering, and Science. But this government scholarship does not cover Medicine, Pharmacy, or Dental Medicine.
2. Awards based on merit and institutions
In addition to the government scholarship, big public universities help international students in other ways.
- University of Bucharest: It is one of the best schools in the country and offers several merit-based fee cuts. In 2026, international students with excellent grades (GPA above 9.0/10) can apply for partial tuition waivers of 25% to 50%.
- Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB): UBB is in Cluj-Napoca and is known for having an international feel. UBB gives PhD students special research grants and “internationalisation Excellence” awards for Master’s students who work on cross-border research projects in 2026 and 2027.
- Politehnica University of Bucharest is the best place to study engineering. The “Politehnica Excellence” scholarship is available to non-EU students and can cover up to €2,000 of the annual tuition fee for the best applicants in the faculties of Automation and Computer Science.
3. The “Francophone” and “Eugen Ionescu” Scholarships
Romania is a well-known member of the Francophonie, which gives students from French-speaking countries unique chances.
- Eugen Ionescu Fellowships: These are only for PhD students and researchers from countries that are members of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).
- The Award: Includes a monthly payment, health insurance, and a research grant for 3 to 6 months at a Romanian university.
- 2026 Timeline: Applications for the 2026/2027 research cycle usually open in late 2026 for projects that will start in early 2027.
4. Estimated costs of living and studying in 2026
Romania is still very cheap compared to Western Europe, even for students who pay for their education.
- Costs of Tuition:
- €2,000 to €3,500 a year for the humanities and social sciences.
- Technical and Engineering: €3,000 to €5,000 a year.
- €5,000 to €7,500 a year for medicine and dentistry.
- Living Costs: A student should plan to spend between €500 and €700 a month for the 2026/2027 school year.
- Cost of housing: €150 to €250 for a private shared flat or €50 to €100 for a subsidised university dorm.
- Costs of food and daily life: €250 to €350.
- Transportation: About €10 a month (students in Romania receive a 90% discount on local public transportation and big discounts on national trains).
5. Tips for 2026 Applicants on How to Be Strategic
- Document Authentication: The Romanian Ministry of National Education says that all diplomas for students from outside the EU (like West Africa or South Asia) must be apostilled or super-legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of their home country. Start this process at least three months before your university deadline, as it takes a long time.
- In 2026, the “Study in Romania” portal introduced a more robust verification system. ensure that your National Identity Number (NIN) is exactly the same as it is on your transcripts. Any discrepancies may delay your Letter of Acceptance, which is necessary for your long-stay (Type D/SD) visa application.
- The Admission Test: Some technical schools and all medical schools require an entrance exam or a special interview. For international students, these are happening more and more online in 2026, but they need to sign up ahead of time through the university’s own portal.
