Romanian Ministry of Education
Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship for Enrolled Foreign Students (performance-based)
Edit ScholarshipRomania's Ministry of Education funds a performance-based scholarship for foreign students already enrolled at a Romanian university, at Bachelor's, Master's and PhD level. Awards are ranked by a points system; top-ranked candidates get a full scholarship. Each university runs its own annual call.
Overview
The Romanian Ministry of Education awards a performance-based scholarship each academic year to foreign students already enrolled full-time at Romanian universities. This is not a pre-arrival grant — you must complete at least one full year of study in Romania before you can apply. Each eligible student is scored on a transparent 10-point scale that combines GPA, a motivation letter, extracurricular activities, and a recommendation letter. The top-ranked candidates receive a full scholarship for the following academic year.
The scheme is decentralised: the Ministry sets the rules, but each host university runs its own annual call and collects applications. At Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (ULBS), the Department of International Relations manages the process. You submit your file there, not to the Ministry directly. Other Romanian universities follow the same framework but set their own deadlines.
Because the scoring is formulaic and public, preparation is straightforward. Your GPA is the dominant factor, worth up to seven of the ten available points. The remaining three points come from documents you can prepare in advance, so every element of your file matters.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Romanian Ministry of Education (government) |
| Host Country | Romania |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Value | Full scholarship for top-ranked candidates; 10-point scoring system |
| Deadline | Annual call published by each host university |
| Eligible Nationalities | All foreign nationals (Romanian diaspora and Romanian citizens abroad excluded) |
| Official Website | ULBS International — Opportunities for International Students |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Requirements
You need a minimum GPA of 7.00 on the Romanian 10-point scale. Academic performance accounts for up to 7 of the 10 scoring points: a GPA of 9.01–10 earns 7 points; 8.01–9 earns 6 points; 7.01–8 earns 5 points. You must have completed at least one full academic year at a Romanian university and must not be in your final year of studies.
Nationality Requirements
You must be a foreign national enrolled full-time at a Romanian university. Romanian citizens and members of the Romanian diaspora — ethnic Romanians living abroad who qualify under separate Ministry programmes — are not eligible.
Age & Other Requirements
You must be enrolled full-time at the time of application. Part-time students are excluded. You must hold a valid Romanian residence permit during the application period.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full scholarship awarded to top-ranked candidates based on the 10-point scoring system
- Specific coverage — whether it includes a tuition waiver, monthly stipend, or accommodation support — is set annually by the Ministry and communicated by your host university
How to Apply
- Monitor the annual call at your university. Each Romanian university publishes its own deadline. At ULBS, watch the Department of International Relations website at the start of each academic year.
- Collect your academic transcripts. You need official transcripts for every completed year at your Romanian institution, stamped and signed by the registrar.
- Write your motivation letter. This accounts for 1 of the 10 points. Include supporting evidence of your goals and commitment to your studies in Romania.
- Document extracurricular activities. This accounts for another 1 point. Gather certificates, participation records, or letters confirming involvement in student organisations, volunteering, sports, or cultural events.
- Obtain a recommendation letter. This accounts for the remaining 1 point. The letter must come from a faculty member at ULBS or another Romanian institution. Give your recommender enough time and context to write something specific.
- Prepare your administrative documents. Gather a passport copy, a residence permit copy, and a legalized birth certificate.
- Submit the complete file to the Department of International Relations before the published deadline. Incomplete files are typically disqualified before scoring begins.
Required Documents
- Completed application form (issued by the Department of International Relations)
- Official academic transcripts for each completed year of study
- Copy of valid passport
- Copy of valid residence permit
- Legalized birth certificate
- Motivation letter with supporting documentation
- Documentation of extracurricular activities
- Recommendation letter from a faculty member at ULBS or another Romanian institution
Key Dates & Deadlines
The Ministry issues an annual call and each host university sets its own submission deadline. There is no single national deadline. Check the ULBS Department of International Relations or your own university's international office at the beginning of each academic year for the current cycle's timeline.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Keep your GPA above 9.00 throughout your studies. This earns the maximum 7 points and gives you a strong lead before any other criteria are scored.
- Build extracurricular records steadily, not just before the deadline. One well-documented activity with an official certificate carries more weight than a vague list.
- Give your recommender enough lead time and context. Share your grades, your goals, and why you are applying so the letter is specific rather than generic.
- Submit a complete file. The scoring system is clear, but missing documents can get you disqualified before scoring begins.
- Ask the international office whether they have sample forms or guidelines from previous cycles. Requirements can shift slightly from year to year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying in your final year of study — final-year students are not eligible.
- Underestimating the motivation letter. It carries one full point and can decide the outcome when scores are otherwise close.
- Submitting a residence permit that is expired or nearly expired at the time of application.
- Providing transcripts without official stamps or registrar signatures.
- Waiting for a national Ministry announcement before contacting your university — the Ministry call simply triggers each university's own process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship for Enrolled Foreign Students?
The Romanian Ministry of Education funds the scholarship, but each host university runs its own call and scores candidates. You apply through your university's Department of International Relations, not directly to the Ministry.
Can I apply for the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship in my first year of study?
No. You must have completed at least one full academic year at a Romanian university before you are eligible.
What GPA do I need to compete for the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship?
The minimum to apply is 7.00. However, the scoring system awards up to 7 points for a GPA between 9.01 and 10, so applicants with a GPA above 9.00 are significantly more competitive.
Are Romanian diaspora students eligible for the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship?
No. Romanian citizens and members of the Romanian diaspora are explicitly excluded. This scholarship is for foreign nationals only.
How is the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship for Enrolled Foreign Students scored?
Candidates are scored on a 10-point scale: up to 7 points for academic performance (GPA), 1 point for the motivation letter, 1 point for extracurricular activities, and 1 point for the recommendation letter.
Can I apply for the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship if I am in my final year?
No. Students in their final year of studies are not eligible.
Does the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship cover accommodation and living expenses?
The specific coverage is set annually by the Ministry and communicated through your host university. Contact your international office for the current year's benefit package.
Where do I submit my application for the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship at ULBS?
At Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, submit your complete file to the Department of International Relations. Other Romanian universities have their own submission procedures.
Does my birth certificate need to be apostilled or legalized for this scholarship?
The application requires a legalized birth certificate. Whether that means an apostille or full consular legalization depends on whether your home country is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Check with the Romanian embassy or your university's international office for the correct process for your country.
What happens if two applicants score the same total for the Romanian Ministry of Education Scholarship?
The general guidelines do not specify a tiebreaker. Contact your university's Department of International Relations to find out how ties are resolved at your institution.