The application process has several moving parts. Here's exactly what to do, in the right order, so you don't miss anything.
Applying to a Romanian university as a non-EU student is not complicated. But it has more steps than a domestic application, and missing or misordering any one of them creates delays that can push your start date back by a full year. The process runs through two separate authorities — the university and the Romanian Ministry of Education — plus the immigration system and your home country's Romanian embassy. Each has its own timeline.
This guide walks you through every step in the correct sequence. Follow it and you'll avoid the mistakes that derail most first-time applicants.
Here's the complete sequence before we go into detail:
For an October start date, you need to begin step one no later than March. Ideally, you start in January or February. The Ministry of Education review process in step five takes 30 to 60 days, and the visa application process adds another 30 to 90 days depending on your country. Work backwards from October and you'll see why starting late is a serious risk.
This sounds obvious, but many students start gathering documents before they've decided where to apply. That's a waste of time. Different universities have different document requirements, different deadlines, and different admission criteria. You need to know exactly where you're applying before you do anything else.
Think through three things: field of study, city, and budget. Each university city in Romania has different strengths — Cluj-Napoca for medicine and IT, Iași for medicine and dentistry, Bucharest for business and architecture, Timișoara for engineering. Our cities and fields guide gives you a full overview, and our city comparison article helps you match your priorities to the right location.
Pick your top two or three universities. You can apply to more than one simultaneously, which is smart risk management.
Document preparation is the step most students underestimate. Getting your high school diploma translated and apostilled, sourcing a medical certificate, and obtaining a bank statement for the visa all take time. Some steps depend on your home country — apostille processing can take days in some countries and weeks in others.
The core documents every non-EU applicant needs:
Additional documents appear at later stages — you'll need a bank statement and housing proof for the visa application, for example. See the complete document checklist for the full breakdown with details on each item.
"The most common reason applications stall is documents — either missing items or items that don't meet specifications. Apostille, translation, and medical certificate issues account for over 60% of the delays we see. Start document preparation at the same time you start your university research, not after you've chosen." — ScholarPath Romania, Admissions Advisor, 2025
Each university has its own application form and submission process. Most Romanian universities accept applications online through their international admissions portal, with physical document submission following by post or courier. Some require in-person submission — check the specific requirements for your target institution.
Application fees vary. Most Romanian universities charge €50 to €200 for application processing. Pay fees only through official channels listed on the university website. If someone asks you to pay an intermediary, that's a red flag.
When you submit your application, make clear you're applying for the English-language track if one exists for your program. Include your language proficiency proof at this stage.
Deadlines vary by university. Most accept international applications from January through July for an October start. Some medicine programs close earlier — as early as May or June — because international cohort places fill up fast. Check your target university's specific deadline and apply well ahead of it.
If the university approves your application, they issue two documents: an acceptance letter (confirming your admission) and a Scrisoare de Acceptare — the Letter of Schooling. The Scrisoare de Acceptare is a formal document issued by the university and countersigned by the Romanian Ministry of Education's Department for International Relations.
This document is critical. You cannot proceed with the Ministry approval (step 5) or the visa application (step 6) without it. It proves that a Romanian institution has formally accepted you and that your admission complies with Romanian higher education law.
Processing time for the Scrisoare de Acceptare varies. Some universities issue it within two to three weeks of acceptance. Others take four to six weeks because it requires Ministry countersignature. Factor this into your timeline.
This step is mandatory for all non-EU students and is separate from the university application. The Romanian Ministry of Education reviews your application to confirm that your academic qualifications meet Romanian entry standards and that your chosen program is accredited.
You submit the same core documents you sent to the university, plus the Scrisoare de Acceptare. The Ministry's review typically takes 30 to 60 days. They issue an approval letter (Adeverință de echivalare) confirming that your foreign diploma is recognized as equivalent to the Romanian baccalaureate.
If your diploma comes from a country where education standards require additional scrutiny — some African, Asian, or Middle Eastern education systems — the review can take longer or request supplementary documents. Starting the process early gives you buffer time to respond to requests without missing your enrollment window.
With your Ministry approval in hand, you apply for a Type D Long-Stay Student Visa at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country. The visa application requires your passport, Ministry approval, Scrisoare de Acceptare, proof of accommodation in Romania, proof of financial means (bank statement showing sufficient funds for tuition plus living costs), and medical insurance.
Processing time varies significantly by country. Plan for 30 to 90 days. In countries with high visa application volumes — Nigeria, Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt — processing can run longer. Apply as soon as you receive your Ministry approval. Do not wait.
Read our full Romanian student visa guide for a complete breakdown of the visa application process. For the immigration side — what happens after you arrive — check the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) website.
Once you arrive in Romania, you complete formal enrollment at your university. Bring all original documents — universities verify originals against the copies you submitted. Pay your first semester tuition fee. Collect your student card and access credentials.
Most universities run orientation programs for international students in September, before the academic year starts in October. Attend these. They cover practical issues — registering for classes, finding accommodation if you haven't already, opening a bank account, getting a local SIM card — and introduce you to the international student support staff.
Within 30 days of arriving in Romania, you must register your presence with the local office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). This is a legal requirement for all non-EU nationals. Your university's international office will guide you through this process — it's routine for them. Failing to register within 30 days creates legal complications that affect your residence permit renewal the following year.
Our how it works page explains exactly how ScholarPath supports you through each of these steps. If you want help managing the full process, our services cover everything from program selection through post-arrival registration. Ready to start? Book a consultation.
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| January – February | Research programs and cities, begin document preparation |
| February – March | Submit university applications |
| March – May | Receive acceptance letters and Scrisoare de Acceptare |
| April – June | Submit Ministry of Education application |
| May – July | Receive Ministry approval |
| June – August | Apply for student visa |
| August – September | Receive visa, book travel, arrange accommodation |
| September | Arrive, attend orientation, complete enrollment |
| September – October | Register with IGI within 30 days of arrival |
| October | Academic year begins |
These are the errors we see most often. Avoid them.
Yes — you apply directly to the university just like any student. The additional step for non-EU students is the Ministry of Education approval, which happens after the university accepts you. The university application itself is the same process. You don't need to go through a government portal first.
Yes. All non-EU students need approval from the Romanian Ministry of Education before they can enroll. The Ministry reviews your academic qualifications and confirms equivalence with Romanian education standards. Without this approval, you cannot legally enroll or apply for a student visa.
For an October start date, the full process from submitting university applications to arriving in Romania takes six to eight months. The Ministry of Education review takes 30 to 60 days. Visa processing adds another 30 to 90 days. Starting in January or February gives you adequate buffer for delays.
Yes. There's no rule against applying to multiple universities simultaneously. Applying to two or three universities in parallel is sensible — it protects you if one application is rejected or delayed. Once you receive acceptances, you choose which offer to proceed with and withdraw your other applications.
The Scrisoare de Acceptare (Letter of Schooling) is a formal document issued by the university confirming your admission, countersigned by the Romanian Ministry of Education. It proves you have a legal place at an accredited institution. You need it for the Ministry approval stage and for your visa application. The university issues it after they accept you — it is not the same as the initial acceptance letter.
It depends on the program. Many programs — business, engineering, IT — admit based on secondary school grades and English proficiency alone. Some medicine programs at competitive universities require an entrance exam testing biology and chemistry knowledge. Check the specific admission requirements of your target program directly with the university before you apply.
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