Student Life in Romania: Scholarships and Housing

Published on May 5, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Choosing Romania for your student life can prove to be an excellent decision, thanks to its renowned universities, affordable cost of living, and picturesque landscapes. This Eastern European country not only offers a stimulating academic environment but also provides a wide range of scholarship opportunities that help students reduce their expenses.

Moreover, the student housing system is designed to meet everyone’s needs, whether it’s university dormitories or private apartments at competitive rates. In this dynamic and culturally rich environment, international students can have an enriching experience both personally and professionally.

Guiding Students to Study in Romania

Key Steps to Study in Romania as an International Student:

• Choose a university and study program.
• Prepare and submit the application file to the chosen university.
• Receive a letter of acceptance issued by the Ministry of Education.
• For non-EU nationals: obtain a study visa from the Romanian embassy in the home country.
• Pay tuition fees for the first nine months upon initial enrollment.
• Report to the university to finalize administrative registration.

Administrative Procedures and Visa Requirements

Step	Description
Application File	Form, diplomas, transcripts, language certificate, passport, etc.
Document Translation and Legalization	Translation into Romanian/English/French/German and legalization required
Letter of Acceptance	Obtained after file validation by the Ministry of Education
Study Visa (non-EU)	Visa application with letter of acceptance at the Romanian embassy
Diploma Recognition (EU)	By the National Center for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas (CNRED)

Available Academic Programs

• Many universities offer programs in English, French, German, in addition to Romanian.
• Popular fields in English include medicine, engineering, economics, computer science, and social sciences.
• Most major universities (e.g., University of Bucharest, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, University of Medicine and Pharmacy) offer multilingual curricula.

Enrollment Procedures at Romanian Universities

• Submit the application file directly to the university (by mail or in person, sometimes through an intermediary).
• File evaluation by the university, then forwarded to the Ministry for issuance of the letter of acceptance.
• Non-EU students are generally exempt from entrance exams; admission is based on the application file.
• For EU students, access conditions and fees are the same as for Romanian students.

Resources for Academic and Social Integration

• Student Associations: present in every university, facilitate integration, organize events, and represent the interests of international students.
• Orientation Services: support upon arrival, help with administrative procedures, information on university life.
• Welcome Events: integration weeks, guided tours, intercultural workshops, welcome parties.
• International Relations Offices: support for housing, health, visa, and cultural adaptation issues.

Study Funding and Scholarships

Type of Funding	Description
University Scholarships	Some universities offer merit-based or social situation-based scholarships
Romanian Government Scholarships	Programs for non-EU students, mainly for studies in Romanian
International Programs	Erasmus+, mobility scholarships, bilateral agreements
Fee Reductions or Waivers	Possible for European students or based on specific criteria
Student Work (regulated)	Possibility to work in Romania under certain conditions (visa, limited hours)

Key Takeaways

International students benefit from specific support, multilingual curricula, and various funding opportunities to succeed in their academic journey and integration in Romania.

Available Student Scholarship Options

Student Scholarship Options in Romania

Students wishing to pursue their studies in Romania have access to several categories of scholarships:

Organization/Scholarship Type	Target Audience	Programs Covered	Amount/Benefits	Language of Instruction
Romanian Government (ARICE, MAE)	Foreign students (non-EU)	Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD (excluding medicine)	Tuition fees, monthly allowance, administrative support	Mostly in Romanian
Local Universities	National and international students	Specific programs per university	Variable (reduced fees, housing, merit scholarships)	Romanian, sometimes English/French
Private Organizations	National/international students	Various fields, often targeted (STEM, arts, etc.)	Financial or material support, depending on the organization	Variable per organization

Scholarships Offered by the Romanian Government

• ARICE Scholarships:
  • 40 fully funded scholarships for international students (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD).
  • Benefits: tuition fee waiver, monthly allowance, administrative support.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • Be a foreign citizen (excluding Romania and EU).
    • Hold a diploma allowing access to the requested level.
    • Minimum average of 7/10 or equivalent to “Good” on the last obtained diploma.
    • Two official letters of recommendation.
    • Not have previously benefited from a scholarship at the same level.
  • Application Process:
    • Electronic file (PDF) sent by email.
    • Selection based on file (transcripts, letters of recommendation).
    • Intermediate results published in July, final results in August.
  • Deadlines:
    • Deadline: generally mid-March to mid-May depending on the academic year.
    • Example: May 15, 2025 (for ARICE), March 12, 2025 (for MAE scholarships).
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) Scholarships:
  • Aimed at citizens from non-EU countries.
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s programs only in Romanian, PhD sometimes in other languages.
  • Excluded fields: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy.
  • Online application, selection based on academic merit.

Scholarships Offered by Local Universities

• Many Romanian universities offer:
  • Merit scholarships for high academic results.
  • Social scholarships for disadvantaged students.
  • Merit scholarships specific to certain programs (e.g., engineering, computer science).
  • Some universities offer programs in English or French, especially at the Master’s or PhD level.

Scholarships from Private and International Organizations

• Foundations, companies, NGOs offer:
  • Thematic scholarships (sciences, technologies, arts…)
  • Support for internships, short mobilities, or research projects.
  • Variable conditions and amounts, often posted on specialized sites or university portals.

Common Eligibility Criteria

• Strong academic results (school records, diplomas).
• Letter(s) of recommendation.
• Complete file before the deadline.
• For government scholarships: non-EU citizenship, proficiency in Romanian (or enrollment in a preparatory year).

Application Process

• Collect and prepare documents (diplomas, transcripts, motivation and recommendation letters, CV).
• Scan and compile into a single PDF file (for ARICE, for example).
• Submit online or send by email according to specific instructions.
• Strict adherence to deadlines: incomplete or late files are not considered.

Important Deadlines (Examples for 2025)

Program	Application Start	Submission Deadline	Results
ARICE (government)	March 1, 2025	May 15, 2025	July 31 (intermediate), August (final)
MAE (government)	January 29, 2025	March 12, 2025	June 30

Field-Specific Scholarships

• Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy: government scholarships unavailable for these fields.
• STEM, computer science, arts: often eligible for targeted university or private scholarships.

Online Tools and Resources for Research and Application

• Study in Romania Portal: official information, scholarship lists, application procedures.
• University websites: announcements of scholarships specific to each institution, detailed criteria, contacts.
• Government websites (ARICE, MAE): application forms, FAQs, call for applications calendars.
• Specialized platforms: international scholarship aggregators (e.g., ScholarshipPortal, DAAD, CampusBourses).

Key Takeaways:

Scholarships in Romania require rigorous file preparation, adherence to deadlines, and close attention to specific criteria depending on the organization and field of study.

Finding Student Housing in Romania

Student Housing Options in Romania

Type of Housing	Estimated Cost/Month	Location	Main Amenities
University Dormitory	50–150 €	On or near campus	Wired internet, laundry, cafeteria, security
Shared Apartment	200–400 €	City center/popular student/residential neighborhoods	Larger space, equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, possible common living room
Private Housing (studio/apartment)	>250 € (depending on city and standard)	Throughout the city	Maximum privacy, variable amenities depending on the property

University Dormitories

Advantages:

• Very affordable cost, utilities often included.
• Immediate proximity to university facilities: quick access to classrooms and libraries.
• Fosters student community life: easy meetings with other international or local students.

Disadvantages:

• Limited spots; priority given to Romanian scholarship students.
• Less privacy, rooms often shared (2 people), shared bathroom.

Application Process:

Done through the international relations office or the university portal after admission. Allocation is based on grade order or scholarship status.

“I shared a room at Hasdeu during my first year in Cluj. Despite the lack of privacy at first, I quickly appreciated the evenings with neighbors and the multicultural atmosphere of the campus.”

Shared Apartment

Advantages:

• Greater independence in organizing daily life.
• Possibility to choose roommates (often other international students).
• Housing is generally better equipped and more spacious than traditional university dormitories.

Disadvantages:

• Higher rent, especially in central neighborhoods or those popular with young professionals/Erasmus students.
• Utilities not always included; collective management can sometimes lead to logistical disagreements (cleaning, bills…).

Process:

• Search on specialized student/local real estate platforms starting in June-July for the following academic year.
• Mandatory signing of a lease with a security deposit.

Practical Tip:
Prioritize an in-person visit before signing; some Facebook groups also offer reliable listings recommended by former students.

“Our international shared apartment was located near the historic center – we shared a large modern apartment five minutes from the tram stops. The time spent together was well worth the slight budget increase!”

Private Individual Housing

Advantages:

• Total freedom over interior layout.
• Perfect for those who want a quiet environment to study.

Disadvantages:

• Among the highest rents.
• Potential isolation if not involved in the local community life.

Practical Tips for Finding Affordable Housing

• Start your search early (at least three months before the start of the academic year).
• Regularly check official university websites as well as specialized Facebook groups for “student housing.”
• Always check what is included in the listed price: central heating is often included in dormitories but rarely in private rentals.
• Ask local student associations for advice; they can recommend reliable agencies and suitable neighborhoods.

For many international students arriving in Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca, starting with a few months in a dormitory allows for a quick adaptation to the local pace before possibly opting for an independent solution.