Romanian Government Scholarship

The Romanian Government Scholarship is a state-funded programme that allows international students from outside the European Union to study at Romanian universities with tuition covered, a monthly allowance, dormitory accommodation and medical assistance. It is open to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates, and most applicants also complete a preparatory year of Romanian language study before starting their degree. Applications are submitted online and then processed through Romania’s diplomatic missions, which means the process rewards candidates who prepare early and submit clean, complete files. This guide explains who qualifies, what the scholarship pays for, which documents matter most, and how to build a competitive application.

What the Romanian Government Scholarship Actually Is

This is not a university-specific award. It is a programme run by the Romanian state through the Ministry of Education, and places are distributed across public universities in cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Timișoara, Brașov and Craiova.

The scholarship exists to build academic and cultural ties between Romania and partner countries, so the selection process looks at both academic quality and the candidate’s potential to act as a bridge between the two countries.

• Funded by the Romanian state, not by an individual university.
• Available for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies.
• Usually includes a preparatory year of Romanian language for candidates who do not speak the language.
• Applications pass through the Romanian diplomatic mission in the applicant’s country of residence.
• Places are limited, and each country typically has its own allocation.

What the Scholarship Covers

The coverage is broader than most applicants expect, but it is designed for a modest student life rather than a comfortable one. You should plan on living simply, especially in the first months.

• Tuition fees are paid directly to the host university for the normal duration of the study cycle.
• A monthly allowance is paid to the student, with different rates for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
• Accommodation in a university dormitory is normally provided, subject to availability.
• Medical assistance is available in the public system under the conditions set for scholarship holders.
• Romanian language preparation is covered for students who need it before beginning their degree.
• Travel costs to and from Romania are generally not covered, so budget for flights yourself.

Treat the scholarship as a strong base, not a full budget. Most holders top it up with tutoring, small remote jobs where legally permitted, or family support.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

Eligibility rules are strict on citizenship and on the level of study you already hold. A single missing condition usually means automatic rejection, so verify everything before you start writing.

• You must be a citizen of a country outside the European Union.
• You must not already hold a Romanian state scholarship at the same study level.
• You must hold the diploma required for the cycle you are applying to — a secondary school diploma for bachelor’s, a bachelor’s degree for master’s, a master’s degree for doctoral studies.
• Your previous studies should be in a field that allows progression into the programme you choose.
• Applicants for doctoral studies normally need a research topic and a supervisor who is willing to take them on.
• Age limits apply to some cycles, so check the current call carefully.
• You must be medically fit for study and able to provide the required health documents.

Study Cycles, Fields and Language Options

Romania offers a wide range of programmes in Romanian, and a smaller but growing number in English, French and German. The language you choose affects both your study plan and your chances.

• Romanian-taught programmes: the widest choice of fields, and the preparatory language year is included.
• English-taught programmes: available mainly at master’s and doctoral level, and usually require proof of English proficiency.
• Popular fields: engineering, medicine, computer science, economics, agriculture, architecture and political science.
• Medicine and dentistry are extremely competitive and often require strong grades in biology and chemistry.
• Arts programmes may require a portfolio or an entrance audition in addition to the standard file.

The Application Process, Step by Step

The process has two layers: an online submission and a diplomatic review. Both must be handled properly, because a strong online file can still stall at the embassy stage.

1. Read the current call for applications published by the Romanian Ministry of Education.
2. Choose two or three study programmes and check their admission requirements directly on university websites.
3. Create an account on the official online application platform and complete the form accurately.
4. Scan and upload every required document in the specified format and size.
5. Submit the application before the platform closes — late files are not accepted.
6. Contact the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country and confirm how it wants to receive your printed dossier.
7. Attend an interview at the mission if one is requested.
8. Wait for the selection results published by the ministry.
9. If you are selected, confirm your place, apply for a long-stay study visa and prepare your travel documents.

Documents You Will Need

Most rejections come down to paperwork, not talent. Use this table as a checklist and prepare clean, certified copies well in advance.

How Selection Works

Selection is centralised, but the embassy in your country plays a real filtering role. That means two different reviewers may look at your file, and both need to be convinced quickly.

• The diplomatic mission checks that your file is complete and that you genuinely meet the eligibility conditions.
• Academic performance carries significant weight, especially grades in subjects related to your chosen field.
• Consistency matters: your past studies, motivation letter and chosen programme should tell one coherent story.
• The quality of your written Romanian or English matters, since reviewers judge how you will cope with coursework.
• Country quotas mean you compete against applicants from your own country, not the whole world.

Timing to Plan Around

The cycle repeats every year in roughly the same rhythm, so you can plan backwards from the start of the academic year.

• Early in the year: the call for applications is published and the online platform opens.
• Spring: submission window for the online file and the printed dossier at the embassy.
• Late spring to summer: evaluation, interviews in some countries, and publication of results.
• Summer: confirmation of places, visa applications and travel arrangements.
• Early autumn: arrival in Romania, enrolment and the start of the preparatory language year or the degree itself.

Language certificates and legalised diplomas are the two things that most often cause delays. Start them months before you intend to submit.

Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Small details decide close cases. These are the habits that consistently separate successful candidates from near-misses.

• Write your motivation letter for each programme separately instead of sending one generic text everywhere.
• Name specific courses, laboratories or professors that connect to your goals.
• Explain clearly what you will do after graduation and how it links your country with Romania.
• Ask for recommendation letters early, and give the writer your CV and a summary of your plans.
• Check every scanned page for legibility — blurry documents annoy reviewers and delay processing.
• Keep the file under the size limits and use the accepted file formats.
• Follow up politely with the embassy to confirm your dossier arrived.
• Have a backup plan, such as a paid programme or a scholarship at another university, in case results do not go your way.

The applicants who succeed are rarely the ones with the highest grades alone. They are the ones whose file answers every question before the reviewer has to ask it.

Living and Studying in Romania as a Scholarship Holder

Romania is an affordable country by European standards, and student life is concentrated in lively university cities with strong public transport and cheap food.

• Dormitory places are shared, usually two to four students per room, with communal kitchens and study areas.
• Private rent is possible but costs far more than the allowance covers.
• Romanian language skills transform daily life, from shopping to internships, even if your degree is in English.
• Student cards often give discounts on transport, museums and cultural events.
• Non-EU students must respect visa and residence permit rules, so keep your paperwork current.
• Part-time work is regulated, and permission depends on your residence status and local rules.

The first semester is the hardest. Culture shock, administrative tasks and language barriers all arrive at once, so build a routine, join student associations and ask older scholarship holders for advice.

Conclusion

The Romanian Government Scholarship is a realistic path to a European degree for students outside the European Union, provided you treat it as a project rather than a lottery. The programme covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly allowance and medical assistance, and it accepts candidates at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, with a preparatory Romanian language year for those who need it. Your job is to read the current call closely, prepare legalised documents early, choose programmes that match your background, and write a motivation letter that shows genuine knowledge of Romania and of the university you are targeting. Start months before the window closes, submit a clean file, and follow up with the diplomatic mission. Even if you are not selected in one cycle, the same preparation improves your chances everywhere else you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Romanian Government Scholarship?

It is open to citizens of countries outside the European Union who hold the diploma required for the cycle they are applying to. You must not already benefit from a Romanian state scholarship at the same level, and you need to meet the health and documentation requirements set out in the current call. Because each country has its own allocation, you compete mainly against applicants from your own country.

Do I need to speak Romanian to apply?

Generally no. Most applicants are admitted with a preparatory year of Romanian language study, which is covered by the scholarship and takes place before the degree begins. If you apply to a programme taught in English, French or German, you will need proof of proficiency in that language instead, and the preparatory Romanian year may not be part of your plan.

Is there an application fee?

The scholarship application itself is normally free, and you submit it through the official platform and the diplomatic mission rather than paying an agent. Be cautious with intermediaries who promise a place in exchange for money. Costs may still arise for translations, legalisation of diplomas, medical certificates, courier delivery of the printed dossier and the visa application.

Can I apply for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies at the same time?

You are expected to apply for one study cycle in a given round, not several at once. Your choice must follow logically from the qualifications you already hold, so a secondary school graduate applies for a bachelor’s degree, and a bachelor’s graduate applies for a master’s. Applying for an unrelated or lower-level cycle usually weakens the file.

What exactly does the scholarship pay for?

It covers tuition fees for the normal duration of the study cycle, a monthly allowance paid to the student, dormitory accommodation subject to availability, and medical assistance under the conditions set for scholarship holders. International travel, personal expenses, visa fees and the cost of legalising documents are generally your own responsibility, so plan a realistic personal budget.

Can I bring my family with me?

Scholarship benefits are personal and are not designed to support dependants. A spouse or children would need their own legal basis to stay in Romania, separate finances and separate accommodation, since dormitory places are allocated to students. If family relocation is essential to your plans, research this carefully before accepting a place.

Can I work while studying in Romania?

Work rights for non-EU students depend on your residence permit and current national rules, so the answer can change. Even when work is permitted, the scholarship allowance is intended as the main support and is not enough for a comfortable lifestyle in a large city. Tutoring, freelance or remote work is common among students, but always check the legal conditions first.

What happens if I fail a year or change my programme?

Scholarship holders are expected to make normal academic progress. Failing repeatedly or abandoning the agreed programme can put your funding and your residence status at risk. If you want to change your field or university, you usually need approval, and the decision is not automatic. Speak to the international office at your university as soon as a problem appears.

Should I apply through the embassy or only online?

Both steps matter. The online submission creates your official record, while the diplomatic mission in your country verifies your documents and may interview you. Some missions ask for a printed copy of the dossier, and requirements differ from one country to another. Confirm the exact procedure with your local Romanian embassy or consulate before the deadline.

How competitive is the scholarship, and can I reapply?

It is competitive because places are limited and distributed by country, and popular fields such as medicine attract far more applicants than there are seats. Reapplying in a later cycle is generally allowed if you still meet the eligibility conditions and were not previously selected. Use the feedback you receive, strengthen your language certificates and recommendation letters, and submit an earlier, cleaner file next time.