Affordable tuition, EU-accredited degrees, and a student-friendly lifestyle. Here's why thousands of international students choose Romania every year.
Most students looking at European universities think of the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, or France. Romania doesn't usually come up in that first conversation. That's a mistake. Romania offers everything those countries offer — accredited degrees, English-taught programs, a vibrant student life — at a fraction of the cost. Once you look at the numbers, the choice becomes obvious.
As of 2025, Romania hosts over 65,000 international students from more than 120 countries. That number has grown steadily every year for the past decade. According to Eurostat, Romania ranks among the top 10 EU destinations for international higher education enrollment, a position it has held since 2020.
The student population spans every continent. You'll find large communities of students from Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, Nigeria, Jordan, Pakistan, and across sub-Saharan Africa — alongside growing numbers from Southeast Asia and Latin America. Over 50 Romanian universities and faculties offer programs taught entirely in English, French, or German, meaning students from almost any academic background can enroll without knowing a word of Romanian.
The Romanian Ministry of Education reports that the number of foreign students enrolled in state universities rose by 11% between 2023 and 2025. Medicine and dentistry drive much of that growth, but engineering, business, and IT programs attract significant numbers too.
This is where Romania becomes hard to argue against. Tuition for international students in English-taught programs at Romanian public universities runs between €2,000 and €9,000 per year depending on the field. Medicine and dentistry sit at the higher end — around €5,000 to €9,000. Engineering and business programs typically cost €2,000 to €4,500 per year.
Compare that to equivalent programs elsewhere in Europe:
| Country | Average annual tuition (international students) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | €18,000 – €38,000 |
| Netherlands | €8,000 – €20,000 |
| Germany (private universities) | €5,000 – €15,000 |
| France | €3,000 – €12,000 |
| Romania | €2,000 – €9,000 |
Germany's public universities charge low or no tuition — but German is required for most programs, and the admission process is highly competitive. Romania gives you the same EU-accredited credential at comparable or lower cost, in English, with a more accessible application process.
This question comes up constantly: will a Romanian degree count outside Romania? The answer is yes. Romania is a full EU member state. Degrees from accredited Romanian universities fall under EU Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. That means a medical degree from a Romanian university allows you to apply for a license to practice medicine across all 27 EU member states, plus the UK (under separate post-Brexit arrangements), Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland.
The same principle applies to engineering, architecture, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry. For non-regulated professions — business, IT, law — employers across Europe and internationally recognise degrees from accredited Romanian institutions.
"Romanian medical degrees earned at state universities fully meet EU standards under the Professional Qualifications Directive. Graduates can apply for recognition in any member state by submitting their diploma and transcript through the host country's competent authority." — European Commission, Regulated Professions Database guidance, 2024
The key is accreditation. The Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS) evaluates and accredits all institutions. If your university and program are ARACIS-accredited, your degree carries full EU weight. Always verify accreditation before you enroll.
Romania sits at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe. From Bucharest, you're three hours from Istanbul, two and a half hours from Vienna, and under three hours from Frankfurt by air. Budget carriers including Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Blue Air connect Romanian cities to dozens of European hubs. A flight from Cluj to London costs less than €60 if you book ahead.
Romania joined the Schengen Area in January 2024. That's a significant change for students. As a legal resident studying in Romania, you can now travel freely across the Schengen zone — 29 countries — without additional border checks. Weekend trips to Budapest, Prague, or Athens are realistic on a student budget.
Romania also borders Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia. If you're from a country where European travel was previously logistically complex, Romania's central position and Schengen membership change your options considerably.
Tuition is only part of the equation. Living costs in Romania are among the lowest in the EU. In cities like Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara, a student can live well on €500 to €700 per month including rent, food, transport, and social expenses. Bucharest runs slightly higher — €650 to €900 depending on your accommodation choices.
Student dormitories at public universities cost between €50 and €150 per month. Private rooms in shared apartments run €150 to €350 in most cities. A full meal at a local restaurant costs €4 to €8. Monthly public transport passes are €10 to €20. Internet is fast, widely available, and inexpensive.
For context, a student in the Netherlands or UK spends €900 to €1,500 per month on living costs alone — before tuition. In Romania, your total yearly expenditure (tuition plus living) for a medicine program can come in under €15,000. The same program in the UK costs over €50,000 per year all-in.
Read our detailed breakdown in the cost of living guide for international students in Romania.
Romania has a deep university culture. Cities like Cluj-Napoca and Iași have student populations that make up 15 to 20% of the total city population. The social infrastructure — cafes, student bars, cultural events, sports facilities, student associations — reflects that. You won't feel like an outsider.
Safety is a reasonable concern for students moving abroad. Romania consistently ranks as one of the safer countries in Europe by crime statistics. The Global Peace Index 2024 places Romania in the top 40 globally. Street crime in student areas is low. The main cities are well-lit, well-policed, and have active student communities where newcomers integrate quickly.
The climate varies by region. In the south and west, summers are hot and dry — 30 to 35°C from June through August. Winters are cold, particularly in Transylvania and the north, with regular snowfall. Spring and autumn are mild across the country. If you're used to a Mediterranean or West African climate, the winters take adjustment, but the infrastructure handles them well.
Culturally, Romania is warm and social. Romanians are direct, hospitable, and welcoming toward international students. English proficiency among younger Romanians is high, particularly in university cities. You won't struggle to communicate from day one, even before you pick up any Romanian.
"What surprised me most was how quickly I felt at home. The international student community in Cluj is huge, and Romanian students genuinely want to connect with you. Within two weeks I had friends from five different countries." — Amara D., Medicine student from Nigeria, UMF Cluj, 2025
The number of English-taught programs in Romania has expanded significantly over the past decade. Medicine and dentistry have offered English tracks since the 1990s and now have well-established international cohorts. But the expansion has reached engineering, computer science, business administration, architecture, and law programs too.
Major Romanian universities including UBB Cluj, UMF Iași, University of Bucharest, and the Polytechnic University of Timișoara all run dedicated international offices staffed with English-speaking advisors. Student services — housing, health insurance enrollment, visa registration support — are available in English at these institutions.
The international student community itself provides a support network. Existing students from your country are often the best source of practical advice on housing, the best local restaurants, and how to navigate bureaucracy. Student associations organised by nationality — Nigerian students associations, Arab student unions, Pakistani student societies — operate at most large Romanian universities.
Explore where you want to study on our cities and fields guide, or read about studying medicine in Romania if that's your field. If you're not sure which city fits your lifestyle and priorities, our city comparison guide breaks it down clearly.
Ready to find out if Romania is the right move for you? Talk to an advisor and we'll walk you through your options.
Yes. Romania is one of the safer countries in Europe. The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks it in the top 40 worldwide. Student cities like Cluj, Iași, and Timișoara have active international communities and low rates of violent crime. Take the same precautions you would in any European city and you'll have no problems.
No. Over 300 programs across all major fields are taught entirely in English. You can complete your full degree without learning Romanian. That said, picking up basic Romanian helps enormously with daily life outside campus — shopping, transport, navigating administration — and most students pick up functional conversational Romanian within a year.
Yes. Romania is an EU member state and degrees from ARACIS-accredited universities fall under EU Directive 2005/36/EC on professional qualifications. Medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, and architecture degrees are automatically eligible for recognition across EU member states. Always confirm that your specific university and program hold ARACIS accreditation before enrolling.
Most students live comfortably on €500 to €700 per month in cities like Cluj, Iași, and Timișoara — covering rent, food, transport, and social spending. Bucharest costs slightly more. Combined with tuition, your total annual cost for a medicine program runs roughly €10,000 to €15,000. That's significantly less than equivalent programs in Western Europe.
Non-EU students on a student visa can work part-time — up to the equivalent of half a full-time schedule under Romanian law. You need a work permit, which your university's international office can help you obtain. Many students work part-time in tutoring, hospitality, or within their university department. The local minimum wage is low by Western standards, so this supplements your budget but won't cover full living costs.
Cluj-Napoca is the top choice for most international students — it has the largest international student community, excellent universities, a lively cultural scene, and a strong job market. Iași is the leading medical education hub and has a well-established international student community at low cost. Bucharest offers the most diverse program options and the widest job market, but living costs are higher. Timișoara has strong engineering and business programs and a relaxed, multicultural atmosphere. Read our full city comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.
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