Romanian Government Scholarships 2026-2027

Overview

The Romanian Government Scholarships are offered by the Romanian state through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), working with the Ministry of Education and Research, for foreign citizens from non-EU countries. The programme runs under Government Decision no. 288/1993, with the aim of internationalising Romanian higher education and promoting Romanian language and culture abroad. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the scholarships fund full-time Bachelor's, Master's and PhD study at accredited public universities across Romania.

It's fully funded in the sense that it clears the main cost barriers to studying in Romania: no tuition or registration fees, a monthly stipend, and access to dormitory accommodation where space allows. Since most degree programmes are taught in Romanian, the award also includes a free one-year Romanian language preparatory course for students who don't already speak the language. That makes it a workable route into European higher education for motivated students from outside the EU who are open to studying in Romanian.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Funding body: Romanian state, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Education and Research
• Host country: Romania
• Degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's and PhD
• Who can apply: Citizens of non-EU countries
• Language of study: Romanian (PhD may be in a foreign language set by the doctoral school); free preparatory year offered
• Coverage: Tuition and registration fees, monthly stipend, accommodation subject to availability
• Travel: International airfare is on the applicant
• Excluded fields: Medicine, Dental Medicine and Pharmacy
• Application window (2026-2027): 16 February 2026 to 31 March 2026
• Results: Around mid-July 2026
• Application platform: scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro

Eligibility Criteria

The scholarships are for foreign citizens who meet the academic and administrative requirements the Romanian authorities set. The core criteria for 2026-2027 are below.

• You must be a citizen of a non-EU country. EU citizens and applicants who already hold a residence right in Romania are generally not eligible.
• You'll need good academic results: a minimum grade-point average of 7 on the Romanian 1-10 scale, or the equivalent "Good" standing in your own grading system, from your most recently completed level of education.
• You must hold the qualification required for the level you're applying to: a secondary-school diploma for Bachelor's, a Bachelor's degree for Master's, and a Master's degree for PhD.
• You must be willing to study in Romanian, or to do the free one-year preparatory course if you don't already speak it.
• You must choose a field other than Medicine, Dental Medicine or Pharmacy, which are excluded.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers the main costs of studying in Romania for the full standard length of your programme. It includes:

• Full exemption from tuition and registration fees, both for the preparatory year (where it applies) and for your degree programme.
• A monthly stipend, paid in Romanian lei, with the amount set by study level (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD). It's meant to help with living costs and is normally kept up during the Romanian language preparatory year.
• Access to student dormitory accommodation, subject to availability, at preferential rates.
• A free one-year Romanian language preparatory course for students who don't speak Romanian.
• Exemption from certain administrative, testing and processing fees tied to admission.

International travel, medical insurance and personal expenses aren't covered and stay with the beneficiary. The exact stipend figures are published each year, so confirm the current amounts on the official platform.

How to Apply

Applications go in only through the official platform at scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro. In short:

• Create an account on the official scholarship platform during the open application window.
• Fill in the online form, choosing your study level and field and a list of preferred Romanian universities.
• Upload the required documents in the accepted formats, making sure diplomas and certificates are properly authenticated and translated.
• Submit before the deadline. The Romanian authorities review applications, and a selection committee proposes the beneficiaries.
• If selected, you'll be notified and then handle enrolment and visa formalities at your assigned university.

Apply only through the official channel and steer clear of third-party intermediaries that charge fees to submit for you.

Required Documents

The exact list is on the official platform, but you'll usually need to prepare:

• Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts from your previous studies, duly authenticated (apostille or legalisation as applicable).
• A copy of your birth certificate.
• A copy of your passport or another valid ID.
• A CV.
• A recent medical certificate confirming you're fit to study and free of communicable diseases.
• Certified translations of documents into Romanian, English, French or Spanish, as required.

Every document has to meet the authentication and translation standards in the official call before the application counts as complete.

Important Dates & Deadlines

• Application opens: 16 February 2026
• Application closes: 31 March 2026
• Results announced: around 15 July 2026
• Academic year begins: autumn 2026 (preparatory year or first year of study)

Dates are set each year by the Romanian authorities, and they can move between cycles, so check the current calendar on the official platform.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Start gathering and authenticating your documents early; apostille and translation can take several weeks.
• Be realistic when listing preferred universities and fields, and remember Medicine, Dental Medicine and Pharmacy are off the table.
• Lean into the Romanian language requirement; showing real motivation to learn it strengthens your case.
• Make sure your academic average clearly clears the minimum and that your transcripts are complete and legible.
• Double-check that every file is correct, properly translated and submitted before the deadline, since late or incomplete applications aren't considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Romanian Government Scholarship? It's open to citizens of non-EU countries who meet the academic requirements and are willing to study in Romanian.

Does the scholarship cover tuition? Yes. You're exempt from tuition and registration fees, and you get a monthly stipend plus access to dormitory accommodation where space allows.

Are flights covered? No. International airfare to and from Romania is your responsibility.

Can I study in English? Bachelor's and Master's programmes are generally taught in Romanian. PhD study may be in a foreign language set by the doctoral school. There's a free Romanian language preparatory year for non-speakers.

Which fields are not available? Medicine, Dental Medicine and Pharmacy are excluded from this programme.

Related Scholarships

• Czech Republic Government Scholarships for students from developing countries.
• Hungarian Government Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships.
• Other European government-funded scholarships for international students at Bachelor's, Master's and PhD level.