Romania is one of Eastern Europe’s most affordable and underrated study destinations, combining EU membership, world-recognized medical education, affordable living costs, and a growing English-medium program landscape.
For international students from developing countries — particularly those interested in medicine, engineering, and sciences, Romania offers genuine academic quality at some of the lowest costs in the EU, with scholarship pathways that are significantly less competitive than Western European alternatives.
This guide covers every major pathway to studying in Romania for free in 2026.
Why Study in Romania?
EU membership. A Romanian degree carries EU recognition — valuable for career mobility across Europe.
Most affordable EU country. Romania consistently ranks among the cheapest EU countries for tuition and living, monthly costs of €400–€700 in most cities.
Medical excellence. Romanian medical schools — particularly Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine in Cluj-Napoca and Carol Davila University in Bucharest are EU-recognized and globally respected for international MBBS programs.
English-medium programs. Romanian universities have expanded English-taught programs significantly, particularly in medicine, engineering, business, and IT.
Growing IT sector. Romania has one of Europe’s fastest-growing technology sectors, particularly in software development, cybersecurity, and IT services. Cluj-Napoca is increasingly called “Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe.”
Erasmus+ access. As an EU member, Romanian universities are fully integrated into Erasmus+ — providing additional mobility funding.
Top Scholarships to Study in Romania for Free 2026
1. Romanian Government Scholarship (MFA/MEC) 🇷🇴
The Romanian Government Scholarship — administered by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MEC), offers fully funded study at Romanian state universities for international students.
What’s Covered:
- Full tuition waiver at Romanian state university
- Monthly stipend RON 1,500–2,000 (~$330–$440 USD)
- Free dormitory accommodation
- Health insurance
Eligibility:
- Citizens of eligible countries — check mae.ro for current list (includes many Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries)
- Pakistan ✅, Bangladesh ✅, Nigeria ✅, Egypt ✅, and many others
- Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applications
- Strong academic record — typically 70%+ equivalent
- Under 35 years old
Types of Romanian Government Scholarships:
- Scholarships for study and research (Master’s, PhD, postdoc)
- Short-term scholarships for language and culture study
- Bilateral program scholarships
How to Apply: Apply through the Romanian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Each country’s Romanian Embassy manages the scholarship application process locally.
Deadline: Typically March–May 2027
2. Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) Scholarships 🇷🇴
Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca — the largest university in Romania and one of the most internationally recognized, offers scholarships for outstanding international students.
UBB Excellence Scholarship:
- Partial to full tuition waiver
- Merit-based for outstanding international applicants
UBB Research Scholarships (PhD):
- Full funding through research contracts
- Monthly salary ~RON 3,500 (~$770 USD)
Strongest Programs at UBB: Sciences, social sciences, humanities, economics, law, IT, and environmental sciences.
Deadline: February–April 2027
3. Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine — Cluj-Napoca 🇷🇴
Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy — Romania’s most respected medical university, is one of the most popular destinations globally for international MBBS students.
Medical Scholarships:
- Romanian Government Scholarship covers tuition and accommodation
- University merit awards for outstanding academic performance
English-Medium MBBS:
- 6-year program in English
- EU-recognized ✅
- PMC Pakistan recognized ✅
- MCI India recognized ✅
- WHO listed ✅
Tuition without scholarship: €5,500–€6,500/year — affordable by European standards.
Deadline: July–September 2027 (medicine applications typically open later)
4. Carol Davila University — Bucharest 🇷🇴
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest — Romania’s capital city medical school, offers English-medium MBBS and is one of the most internationally recognized.
Scholarships:
- Romanian Government Scholarship — tuition + accommodation
- University merit awards
Recognition: EU ✅, WHO ✅, PMC Pakistan ✅, MCI India ✅
Deadline: July–September 2027
5. Polytechnic University of Bucharest (UPB) Scholarships 🇷🇴
Polytechnic University of Bucharest (UPB) — Romania’s leading technical university, offers scholarships for international engineering and IT students.
UPB International Scholarship:
- Partial tuition reduction
- Research contracts for PhD students
Strongest Programs: Computer science, electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and IT.
Deadline: March–May 2027
6. Erasmus Mundus Programs at Romanian Universities 🇪🇺
Several Erasmus Mundus programs include Romanian universities as partners.
Programs With Romanian Partners:
- EMJMD in Central European Studies — Romanian partner
- EMJMD in Environmental Sciences — Romanian partner
- EMJMD in Heritage Studies — Romanian partner
What’s Covered: Full tuition + €1,400/month + travel + health insurance
Deadline: January–March 2026
7. Visegrad Scholarship — Romania Adjacent 🇷🇴
While Romania is not a Visegrad country, some Visegrad Fund programs have expanded to include Romanian partner universities. Check visegradfund.org for current Romania-included programs.
Romanian University Tuition
| University | Annual Tuition (Non-EU, English) |
|---|---|
| Medical Universities (MBBS) | €5,500–€8,000 |
| Technical Universities | €2,500–€5,000 |
| Humanities/Social Sciences | €2,000–€4,000 |
| Romanian-medium programs | €0–€1,500 |
Romania is among the cheapest EU countries for university education, even without scholarship.
Living Costs in Romania
| City | Monthly Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Bucharest | €450–€700 |
| Cluj-Napoca | €400–€650 |
| Timisoara | €350–€550 |
| Iasi | €300–€500 |
Romania is the most affordable EU country for student living, significantly cheaper than Poland, Czech Republic, or Hungary.
IELTS Requirements
| University | Min IELTS |
|---|---|
| Medical Universities | 5.5–6.0 |
| UBB | 5.5–6.0 |
| UPB | 5.5–6.0 |
| Erasmus Mundus | 6.5 |
📖 Use our Free IELTS Practice Tests
Free Tools for Your Romanian Scholarship Application
- 📄 Free SOP Generator
- 💌 Free Motivation Letter Generator
- 📑 Free CV Builder
- 📜 Free Reference Letter Generator
- 📖 Free IELTS & TOEFL Practice
FAQ — Study in Romania Free 2026
Q: Is MBBS in Romania recognized internationally?
Yes, Romanian medical degrees are EU-recognized, WHO-listed, PMC Pakistan accepted, and MCI India recognized.
Q: Can Pakistani students get Romanian Government Scholarship?
Yes, Pakistan is typically on Romania’s eligible countries list. Check with the Romanian Embassy in Islamabad for current program availability.
Q: How much does it cost to live in Romania as a student?
€300–€700/month depending on city, the most affordable EU country for students. Bucharest is cheapest of European capitals.
Q: What is Romania’s strongest academic field?
Medicine, Romania’s medical schools are among Eastern Europe’s most respected for international students. IT and computer science are growing rapidly.
Q: Is Romania English-friendly?
Growing, English-medium programs are expanding rapidly. English-medium MBBS, engineering, and IT programs are widely available.