Romania has strong programs in law, business, and economics — and they cost a fraction of what you'd pay in Western Europe. Here's what you need to know.
Social sciences in Romania get less attention than medicine or engineering in conversations about studying here. That's a mistake. The Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest is one of Eastern Europe's largest and most respected business schools. The law faculties at Bucharest and Cluj have produced two generations of lawyers and judges operating at the EU level. And across both fields, you pay tuition that would be laughably cheap by UK, Dutch, or Scandinavian standards.
This article covers what's available in law, business, and related fields, which universities are worth your attention, and the practical things you need to understand before you apply — including what a Romanian law degree does and doesn't give you.
Romanian universities cover the full range of social science disciplines. The strongest fields for international students, with English-medium options, are:
| Field | Degree types available | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Law (LLB) | Bachelor (LLB) | 4 years |
| International and European Law (LLM) | Master | 2 years |
| Business Administration (BBA) | Bachelor | 3 years |
| MBA | Master | 1.5-2 years |
| Economics | Bachelor / Master | 3 years / 2 years |
| International Relations and European Studies | Bachelor / Master | 3 years / 2 years |
| Political Science | Bachelor / Master | 3 years / 2 years |
| Psychology | Bachelor | 3 years |
| Sociology | Bachelor | 3 years |
Not all of these programs run in English at every institution. Business and economics have the broadest English availability. Law in English is offered at select institutions — confirm availability before applying.
Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest (ASE) is the reference institution for business, economics, and finance education in Romania. With over 15,000 students, it is one of the largest dedicated economics and business universities in Central and Eastern Europe. ASE's international programs run in English and French, and its MBA program draws students from across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Employers across the region recognise an ASE degree as a meaningful credential. The ASE official website lists current English-taught programs and intake dates.
Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB), Cluj-Napoca has a large law faculty and a strong economics department. UBB operates in three languages — Romanian, Hungarian, and German — and its law faculty covers Romanian civil law, EU law, and international law. The university's European Studies program attracts students who want to work in EU institutions or international organisations.
University of Bucharest houses one of Romania's most established law faculties. Graduates from this faculty fill the Romanian judiciary, bar associations, and legal departments of major corporations. For international students, the law faculty offers Romanian-medium instruction primarily, but some international law and EU law courses run in English or French.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (UAIC), Iași offers strong programs in law, economics, and political science. Iași is the lower-cost option among the major university cities, and UAIC's law faculty has a particularly strong tradition in civil law and international private law — relevant for students interested in cross-border commercial legal practice.
This is the section most prospective law students need to read carefully.
A Romanian law degree (LLB) is a civil law degree. Romania operates under the French-inspired civil law tradition, as do most EU member states. If you want to practice law in a common law country — the UK, Australia, Canada, parts of the US — a Romanian LLB does not directly qualify you to do so. You would need to complete a conversion course or additional bar qualification in your target country. This is not unique to Romania: it applies to any continental European law degree.
If you want to practice law in your home country, you need to check whether your home jurisdiction recognises Romanian legal qualifications and what bar admission requires. Some countries accept EU law degrees with additional exams; others require full requalification. Do not assume portability without checking the specific rules of the jurisdiction where you intend to practice.
Where a Romanian law degree carries clear, immediate value: EU law careers, international arbitration and commercial law, academic legal careers, legal advisory roles in multinational companies, and careers in European institutions. Romania's membership in the EU means that EU law, which is common to all member states, is a significant component of the curriculum. A Romanian law graduate with strong EU law knowledge is a credible candidate for legal roles in Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg.
"International students who study law here with clear career intentions — EU institutions, international commercial law, human rights practice — get real value from the program. The curriculum covers EU law rigorously. What we tell students from outside Europe is to be honest about where they want to practice before they enroll. If the answer is back home in a country with a different legal system, they need to plan for additional qualification steps. But for EU-facing careers, this degree opens doors."
— Prof. Adriana Mihailescu, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest
Business and economics degrees from Romanian universities sit on firmer ground in terms of immediate professional portability. A business degree is not a regulated professional qualification the way a law or medical degree is. Employers assess the institution's reputation, the student's academic performance, and their language skills — not a government recognition process.
ASE Bucharest's MBA carries genuine regional recognition. Major Romanian and international companies operating in Romania — Oracle, Renault, Deutsche Bank, ING, Philip Morris — recruit from ASE directly. The university's alumni network across Central and Eastern Europe is substantial and active.
Economics degrees open paths into international organisations, policy roles, research, banking, and graduate programs at European universities. Romania's growing role in EU economic governance means that economists who understand both Romanian and EU economic frameworks are in demand. Several ASE graduates work at the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the International Monetary Fund's European offices.
Double-degree options are available through Erasmus+ partnerships at most Romanian social science faculties. A student who spends one or two semesters at a partner university in France, Germany, or the Netherlands adds a significant credential to their profile — while paying Romanian tuition rates for the full degree period. The Erasmus+ official programme page describes how the exchange framework operates.
Social sciences programs run at the more affordable end of the Romanian tuition range. Business and economics programs typically cost €2,000-€4,000 per year for international students. Law programs run €2,500-€4,500. MBA programs vary more widely — €4,000-€8,000 per year — depending on the institution and the program's international accreditation status.
Compare this to MBA programs in the UK (£20,000-40,000/year) or the Netherlands (€15,000-25,000/year). A Romanian MBA from ASE at €4,000-6,000 per year represents a serious business education at a price that no longer requires debt financing.
Living costs in Bucharest — the main hub for business education — run approximately €550-750 per month. In Cluj, Iași, or other university cities, expect €350-550. Over a three-year bachelor program in business, your total investment in tuition and living typically falls between €16,000 and €26,000.
For business and MBA: Bucharest and ASE are the reference point. If you want the strongest alumni network and the best access to corporate recruiters, apply to ASE. Cluj's UBB economics and business faculty is a strong second option, particularly if you prefer a smaller city environment.
For law: decide first what you want to do with the degree. EU-facing career? Bucharest or Cluj. Home country practice? Research your home jurisdiction's recognition rules before committing. Iași law faculty offers strong civil law training at lower cost — worth considering if budget is a primary constraint.
For international relations and political science: Bucharest and Cluj both have strong faculties. The proximity to EU institutions, embassies, and international organisations matters here — Bucharest gives you more access to the diplomatic and international policy ecosystem.
Our admissions service includes program selection guidance for social science students, covering English-taught availability, application requirements, and the full process from document preparation to enrollment. The cities guide and city comparison article cover each location in practical detail. Read the application guide to understand the steps, and contact us when you're ready to start.
Some Romanian universities offer law programs or specific law courses in English, particularly in international law and EU law. Full LLB programs in English are available at select institutions. Availability is more limited than for business or engineering — confirm with the specific university that the program you want runs in English before applying.
A Romanian law degree is a valid EU degree, recognised within the EU. However, law is a regulated profession in most countries, meaning you need to meet the specific bar admission requirements of the country where you want to practice. In most EU member states, a Romanian LLB gives you a basis for application to the local bar with possible bridging requirements. For countries outside the EU, and for common law jurisdictions (UK, Australia, Canada), additional qualification steps are typically required. Research your specific target jurisdiction before enrolling.
ASE (Academia de Studii Economice) is the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest — one of the largest and most respected business and economics universities in Central and Eastern Europe. It offers undergraduate programs in economics, business, finance, and accounting, as well as MBA and other master programs in English and French. It is the reference institution for business education in Romania.
Yes. Business degrees are not regulated professional qualifications, so recognition depends on employer assessment rather than a formal government process. Romanian business degrees from recognised institutions are accepted by employers across the EU. ASE Bucharest in particular has a regional reputation that extends well beyond Romania's borders.
MBA programs at Romanian universities typically cost between €4,000 and €8,000 per year, depending on the institution and whether the program carries international accreditation. Total cost for a full MBA program runs roughly €6,000-€16,000 — a fraction of the cost of comparable programs in the UK (£40,000-80,000) or Western Europe (€30,000-60,000).
For students who want an EU economics degree at low cost, with access to a strong alumni network across Central and Eastern Europe, yes. ASE Bucharest's economics faculty has a genuine track record of placing graduates in EU institutions, international organisations, and multinational companies. The degree's value is strongest for students who plan to work in Europe or in their home country's international economic policy sector.
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