Romania is one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most compelling and most affordable study destinations — and in 2027-2028, it is offering a range of scholarship opportunities that make its excellent university education genuinely accessible to international students from every corner of the world.
Home to Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca’s world-ranked multilingual university), the University of Bucharest (Romania’s most comprehensive research institution), Politehnica University of Bucharest (one of Eastern Europe’s leading technical universities), and West University of Timișoara (Romania’s westernmost and most internationally oriented university) — Romania combines rapidly improving academic quality with some of Europe’s lowest living costs and a rapidly expanding English-taught program portfolio.
In 2027-2028, ten scholarship programs provide meaningful financial support for international students — from the Romanian Government’s fully funded award including a free language course, to Erasmus Mundus’s €1,400/month European flagship scholarship.
This guide covers every scholarship, complete coverage details, eligibility, and official application links.
Why Study in Romania in 2027?
Extremely affordable EU education. Romania is one of the most affordable EU member states for international students — monthly living costs range from approximately €350–€600 depending on the city, with Bucharest at the higher end and Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Brașov offering excellent quality of life at lower costs.
Growing English-taught programs. Romanian universities have substantially expanded English-taught programs — particularly at Babeș-Bolyai University (which offers programs in Romanian, Hungarian, German, and English), University of Bucharest, and West University of Timișoara.
EU degree recognition. Romania’s EU membership means degrees are recognized across all 27 EU member states — providing access to the full European labor market upon graduation.
Rapidly improving research quality. Romania has invested significantly in research infrastructure, particularly through EU Structural Funds — universities like Babeș-Bolyai and Politehnica Bucharest have substantially improved their research output.
Rich history and culture. From Transylvania’s medieval castles to the Danube Delta’s biodiversity, Romania offers an extraordinary natural and cultural environment that makes it one of Europe’s most personally rewarding places to spend academic years.
The Top 10 Romania Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Romanian Government Scholarship (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: 100% tuition + Free dormitory + Monthly stipend (€65–€85) + Free 1-year Romanian language course Eligibility: Non-EU citizens — most fields except Medicine and Pharmacy
The Romanian Government Scholarship — administered jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Education (ME) — is Romania’s flagship international scholarship program and one of Central Europe’s most comprehensive government scholarship packages for non-EU students.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition fee coverage for the full degree program
- Free university dormitory accommodation — on-campus housing at no cost
- Monthly stipend of €65–€85 (~$70–$92 USD) — a modest but meaningful supplement in Romania’s affordable cities
- Free 1-year Romanian language course before the degree program begins — enabling students to pursue Romanian-taught programs or simply integrate into Romanian society
Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA citizens from any country applying to Romanian state universities. Most academic fields are covered — with the exception of Medicine and Pharmacy, which have separate fee structures.
Application process: Applications are submitted through Romanian diplomatic missions (embassies or consulates) in your home country, or in some cases directly through the Romanian Ministry of Education’s international scholarship portal.
Why the language course matters: The included Romanian language course is a genuinely valuable feature — within 6–12 months of intensive study, most students achieve sufficient proficiency for daily life and basic academic communication in Romanian, which dramatically improves social integration and post-graduation employment prospects in Romania and the broader Romanian-speaking world.
Deadline: Typically March–May annually — contact the Romanian Embassy in your home country for country-specific deadlines
👉 Official Website: studyinromania.gov.ro 👉 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mae.ro/en/scholarships
2. Ministry of Economy Scholarships
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition + Free dormitory + Monthly living allowance stipend Eligibility: Foreign citizens — promoting trade and economic cooperation
Romania’s Ministry of Economy administers additional scholarship programs specifically designed to promote economic and trade cooperation between Romania and partner countries — providing full financial support for international students from countries with active economic bilateral agreements with Romania.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees at designated Romanian universities
- Free university dormitory accommodation
- Monthly living allowance for personal expenses during the study period
Who can apply: Citizens of countries with bilateral economic cooperation agreements with Romania — typically focusing on trade, business, and economic development fields. Applications processed through Romania’s economic attaché offices or Ministry of Economy channels.
Field focus: Priority given to students in economics, business, engineering, and technology — fields directly relevant to trade and economic cooperation objectives.
Deadline: Varies by bilateral agreement — contact Romania’s Ministry of Economy or your country’s Romanian Embassy
👉 Official Website: mae.ro/en/scholarships
🏆 3. Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) Excellence Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full/partial tuition + Monthly research stipend + Accommodation support Eligibility: High-achieving international research and master’s students at UBB
Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca — Romania’s largest university and one of Europe’s most uniquely multilingual institutions, offering programs in Romanian, Hungarian, German, and English — provides Excellence Scholarships for outstanding international graduate students.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage depending on scholarship tier and academic merit
- Monthly research stipend — funding for research activities and academic expenses
- Accommodation support — contribution toward on-campus or near-campus housing
Who can apply: International students with exceptional academic records applying to UBB’s master’s or doctoral programs. Selection is merit-based — academic GPA, research potential, and publications (for PhD applicants) are the primary evaluation criteria.
Why UBB is exceptional: Babeș-Bolyai is Central Europe’s most multilingual university — its trilingual (Romanian, Hungarian, German) academic structure and growing English programs make it Romania’s most internationally accessible and culturally diverse institution. UBB’s Cluj-Napoca campus is in one of Romania’s most vibrant and affordable university cities — consistently rated Romania’s best student city.
Deadline: Aligned with UBB admissions — typically April–June for September intake
👉 Official Website: ubbcluj.ro/en/scholarships
4. University of Bucharest International Student Grants
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Partial to full tuition + Monthly living allowance Eligibility: Merit-based academic performance across faculties
The University of Bucharest — Romania’s most comprehensive research university and its capital city institution — offers international student grants for outstanding non-Romanian students admitted to its master’s and doctoral programs across its 19 faculties.
What it covers:
- Partial to full tuition fee coverage based on merit assessment
- Monthly living allowance for personal expenses — amounts vary by program and scholarship tier
Key faculties for international students:
- Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures
- Faculty of Political Science
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Law
Why the University of Bucharest: As Romania’s capital university in one of Eastern Europe’s most rapidly developing capital cities, University of Bucharest graduates gain access to Bucharest’s expanding technology, finance, and international business ecosystem — increasingly home to European and global corporate offices.
Deadline: Typically March–June for September intake — check individual faculty scholarship pages
👉 Official Website: unibuc.ro/en/scholarships
🏆 5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD in Romania)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: 100% tuition + €1,400/month stipend + Travel + Visa support + Health insurance Eligibility: EU-funded consortium programs with study tracks in Romania
Several Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — funded by the European Commission — include Romanian universities as consortium partners, making Romania one of the study destinations within some of Europe’s most prestigious and financially generous joint Master’s programs.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition fees across all consortium universities
- €1,400/month for non-EU students throughout the program (up to 24 months)
- Travel and visa support — grant for international travel
- Health insurance included as part of the package
Romanian universities in EMJMD programs:
- Babeș-Bolyai University — cultural heritage, European studies programs
- University of Bucharest — literature, social sciences programs
- Politehnica University Bucharest — engineering programs
- Alexandru Ioan Cuza University Iași — computational linguistics, social sciences
Deadline: Program-specific — typically October–January
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
6. Transilvania Academica Scholarship (Transilvania University of Brașov)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition + Free dormitory + Monthly stipend (~800 RON/month) Eligibility: Outstanding non-EU students at Transilvania University of Brașov
Transilvania University of Brașov — located in one of Romania’s most beautiful and historically significant medieval cities — offers the Transilvania Academica Scholarship for outstanding non-EU international students at all degree levels.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee coverage for the enrolled program
- Free university dormitory accommodation
- Monthly stipend of approximately 800 RON (~€160 USD/month) — sufficient for basic personal expenses in Brașov’s affordable environment
Why Brașov: Brașov is one of Romania’s most visited and most livable cities — surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, with Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) minutes away, a beautifully preserved medieval old city center, and a rapidly growing technology and tourism industry. Living costs in Brașov are among Romania’s lowest for any major university city.
Transilvania University’s strengths: Engineering and technical sciences, economics, medicine, law, and social sciences.
Deadline: Typically April–June for September intake
👉 Official Website: unitbv.ro/en/scholarships
7. Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB) Merit Scholarships
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: 25% to 100% tuition reduction — merit-based Eligibility: Top-ranked international students in engineering, computer science, and tech
Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB) — one of Eastern Europe’s oldest and most respected technical universities, founded in 1818 — provides merit-based tuition reductions for outstanding international students in its engineering, computer science, and technology programs.
What it covers:
- Tuition fee reduction ranging from 25% to 100% based on academic merit
- Higher GPA and academic achievement = higher percentage reduction
- Available across all engineering disciplines and computer science programs
UPB’s strengths: Electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, and industrial design. UPB’s Bucharest location provides excellent access to Romania’s rapidly growing technology sector.
Romania’s technology ecosystem: Bucharest has become Central and Eastern Europe’s fastest-growing technology hub — home to Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and hundreds of tech companies that actively recruit UPB graduates. For engineering and computer science students, a UPB degree provides direct access to this ecosystem.
Deadline: Aligned with UPB admissions — typically April–June for September intake
👉 Official Website: upb.ro/en/scholarships
8. West University of Timișoara (UVT) Excellence Grants
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Partial tuition reduction + Reduced dormitory fees Eligibility: Foreign students with strong academic GPAs
West University of Timișoara (UVT) — Romania’s most Western-oriented and most internationally integrated university, located in Timișoara (European Capital of Culture 2023) — offers Excellence Grants for high-achieving international students.
What it covers:
- Partial tuition fee reduction based on academic GPA
- Reduced dormitory fees — subsidized on-campus accommodation
Why Timișoara: Timișoara is unique in Romania — it is the country’s westernmost major city, with direct connections to Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade, and a longstanding tradition of multicultural coexistence (historically Romanian, Hungarian, German, and Serbian communities). Timișoara’s European Capital of Culture designation has accelerated its transformation into a vibrant arts and technology hub.
UVT’s strengths: Social sciences, humanities, arts and music, economics, mathematics, computer science, and chemistry.
Deadline: Typically April–June for October intake
👉 Official Website: uvt.ro/en/scholarships
🏆 9. CEEPUS Exchange Program (Central European Exchange Program for University Studies)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD (Exchange/Mobility) Coverage: Full tuition at host university + Monthly living stipend by host country + Accommodation Eligibility: Students from partner Central European universities — exchange mobility
The CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Program for University Studies) is a multilateral scholarship program supporting student and faculty mobility among Central European countries — including Romania, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, and Montenegro.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees at the host university during the exchange
- Monthly living stipend — amount varies by host country (Austrian host institutions provide the most generous stipend at approximately €440/month; Romanian host institutions provide lower amounts)
- Accommodation support — on-campus housing prioritized for CEEPUS students
For international students coming to Romania: Students from CEEPUS partner countries can apply for exchanges at Romanian CEEPUS network universities including Babeș-Bolyai, University of Bucharest, UVT, and others.
For Romanian students going abroad: Romanian students can access CEEPUS mobility to Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and other partner countries — expanding their European academic experience.
Deadline: Applications submitted through your home university’s international office — CEEPUS has biannual application windows typically in March and October
👉 Official Website: ceepus.info
10. Fulbright Romania Student Grants
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Research + Monthly stipend + Tuition support + Airfare + Health insurance Eligibility: US scholars and researchers conducting research in Romania
The Fulbright Romania Student Grant — administered by the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission — supports academic exchange between the United States and Romania, funding American students and researchers for study and research in Romania.
What it covers (US applicants in Romania):
- Monthly research stipend for the duration of the grant
- Tuition support at Romanian host institutions
- International airfare — round-trip travel grant
- Health insurance for the grant period
Who can apply:
- US citizens for graduate study, research, or teaching in Romania
- Romanian citizens for equivalent programs in the USA
Research areas prioritized: Romanian history, culture, and literature; Central and Eastern European studies; environmental sciences (Danube Delta, Carpathian ecology); post-communist transition and EU integration studies; economics and business.
Deadline: US applicants: typically October annually
👉 Official Website: fulbright.ro/en
Quick Reference — All 10 Romania Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romanian Govt (MFA & ME) | All levels | 100% tuition + dorm + €65–85/mo + language | Mar–May |
| 2 | Ministry of Economy | All levels | Full tuition + dorm + living allowance | Varies |
| 3 | Babeș-Bolyai (UBB) | Masters/PhD | Full/partial tuition + research stipend | Apr–Jun |
| 4 | University of Bucharest | Masters/PhD | Partial/full tuition + monthly allowance | Mar–Jun |
| 5 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | 100% tuition + €1,400/mo + travel | Oct–Jan |
| 6 | Transilvania Academica | All levels | Full tuition + dorm + 800 RON/mo | Apr–Jun |
| 7 | Politehnica Bucharest UPB | All levels | 25%–100% tuition reduction | Apr–Jun |
| 8 | West Univ Timișoara UVT | Bachelors/Masters | Partial tuition + reduced dorm | Apr–Jun |
| 9 | CEEPUS Exchange | All levels | Full tuition + stipend + accommodation | Mar / Oct |
| 10 | Fulbright Romania | Masters/PhD | Stipend + tuition + airfare + insurance | October |
Health Insurance in Romania — What International Students Need
All international students in Romania need health insurance. Romania has a public health system — but access for international students varies by residency and bilateral agreement status.
Romanian Public Health Insurance (CNAS): Non-EU students can access public health insurance through voluntary enrollment in Romania’s National Health Insurance (CNAS) system. Monthly contribution approximately 70–100 RON (~€15–€20) — one of Europe’s most affordable national health insurance options.
EU Students: Use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for emergency and essential care at Romanian public hospitals.
Private Health Insurance options:
Signal Iduna Romania Widely used private health insurance among international students with good hospital network access. 👉 signaliduna.ro/en
Allianz Romania Student Insurance Comprehensive student plans accepted for Romanian student residence permit applications. 👉 allianz.ro/en
Generali Romania Good coverage network across Romania’s major university cities. 👉 generali.ro/en
Romanian Government Scholarship recipients: Health insurance coverage is typically included as part of the scholarship package — check your specific award documentation for details.
University health centers: All major Romanian universities maintain student health centers providing basic medical care at minimal or zero cost — register with your campus medical center immediately after enrollment.
Banking in Romania — Complete Setup Guide
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Romanian Leu (RON) account openable from your home country. Scholarship stipends received from day one. 👉 wise.com
BCR (Banca Comercială Română) — Largest Romanian Bank BCR is Romania’s most widely used bank with branches near all major university campuses. Student account available with simplified documentation. 👉 bcr.ro/en
BRD — Groupe Société Générale Romania Strong digital banking, particularly popular among Bucharest students. English-language customer service available. 👉 brd.ro/en
ING Bank Romania — Best Digital Banking ING’s digital banking platform is Romania’s strongest — fully English-language, no monthly fees for basic account. 👉 ing.ro/en
Raiffeisen Bank Romania — Good Student Account Popular among international students in Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara with good multilingual support. 👉 raiffeisen.ro/en
Romanian Residence Permit: Apply for your Romanian Residence Permit (Permis de ședere) at the local IGI (General Inspectorate for Immigration) office within 90 days of arrival. Required for opening traditional bank accounts, health insurance enrollment, and long-term residence. Bring your passport, admission letter, accommodation proof, and health insurance certificate.
Romania Student Visa — Financial Requirements
Non-EU students need a Romanian Long-Stay Visa for Studies (Type D) before arrival.
Financial proof required:
- Evidence of approximately €500/month in available financial resources
- Scholarship award letters (Romanian Government Scholarship) serve as comprehensive financial proof
- Bank statements from home country for self-funded students
Application: Through the Romanian Embassy or Consulate in your home country
Processing time: Typically 3–8 weeks — apply well in advance of your program start date
5 Tips to Maximize Your Romania Scholarship Success
Romanian Government Scholarship is your highest-value target. If you are a non-EU citizen, the Romanian Government Scholarship’s combination of 100% tuition, free dormitory, AND free language course represents the most financially complete package available in Romania. Apply through your country’s Romanian Embassy in March–May.
CEEPUS is underutilized by students from partner countries. If you are from any Central European country (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia), CEEPUS provides funded exchange to Romanian universities that many students from eligible countries simply don’t know exists.
Babeș-Bolyai is Romania’s most internationally accessible university. UBB’s multilingual structure (Romanian, Hungarian, German, English) and its Cluj-Napoca location — consistently Romania’s highest-quality-of-life student city — make it the best overall value proposition in Romanian higher education.
Erasmus Mundus with Romanian consortium partners is the highest-value scholarship. The €1,400/month EMJMD allowance dramatically exceeds any Romanian university scholarship. Identify EMJMD programs listing Romanian universities as partners — worth the additional application effort.
Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca offer the best value-to-quality ratio. While Bucharest has the most universities, its higher living costs reduce the effective value of scholarship stipends. Timișoara and Cluj-Napoca offer equivalent or better academic quality at 20–35% lower living costs — making scholarship money stretch significantly further.
Final Thoughts — Romania Is Central Europe’s Most Affordable EU Study Destination
Romania in 2027 offers international students something genuinely rare in the EU: meaningful scholarship support at already-affordable universities, in a country where €400–€600/month covers comfortable student living in cities with genuine cultural richness, historical depth, and a rapidly growing technology ecosystem.
The Romanian Government Scholarship’s complete package including free language course. Babeș-Bolyai’s multilingual excellence in Romania’s best student city. Erasmus Mundus’s €1,400/month at Romanian consortium universities. CEEPUS’s Central European mobility network. Fulbright Romania’s underutilized research bridge. The Bucharest technology ecosystem that makes UPB engineering degrees increasingly valuable.
Romanian Government Scholarship: March–May. UBB Excellence: April–June. CEEPUS: March and October. Erasmus Mundus: October–January. Fulbright Romania: October.
Plan your future in Romania. Your application starts today.
👉 Romanian Government Scholarships: studyinromania.gov.ro 👉 Babeș-Bolyai University: ubbcluj.ro/en 👉 CEEPUS Program: ceepus.info 👉 Fulbright Romania: fulbright.ro/en 👉 Erasmus Mundus: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
