Besides being a destination worth visiting, Romania is a good place to study. The East European country has 90 universities of which 50 percent are public institutions. Moreover, according to Studying in Romania, the tuition fees and living expenses are reasonable. The schooling costs are between $2,200 for the undergraduate or graduate programs to $10,800 for the postgraduate and post-doctoral studies.

Every year, a large number of international students come to Romania via mobility programs. Also, many foreign scholars choose to study in the East European country.

Here are four of the best Romanian universities, as stated in the 2016 QS University Rankings for the institutions in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi

The Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi (UAIC) is the oldest higher education institution in Romania. According to the QS University Rankings EECA 2016, it holds the 49th position among the other top universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

As its official website presents, the UAIC takes initiatives to incite research and promote creative education, with a focus on involving the best students in its academic life. Located in Iasi, the university consists of 16 faculties:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Law
  • Economy and Business Administration
  • Sports
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Geography and Geology
  • Computer Science
  • History
  • Letters
  • Mathematics
  • Psychology and Education Sciences
  • Orthodox Theology
  • Roman-Catholic Theology
  • Center for European Studies

The faculties offer Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral Studies in three languages: Romanian, English, and French. The university has more than 23,500 students.

Some of its notable alumni include former Prime Ministers of Romania, Nicolae Iorga and Titu Maiorescu, filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, sociologist Dimitrie Gusti, and novelist Marin Sorescu.

Babes-Bolyai University

The Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) is one of the most prestigious universities in the East European country. According to the QS University Rankings EECA 2016, it occupies the 36th position among the other top universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

As its official website states, it is an academic institution that encourages the development of particular components of culture within the national and international community. Located in Cluj-Napoca, the university contains 21 faculties:

  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Law
  • Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  • Economics and Business Management
  • Biology and Geology
  • Geography
  • Letters
  • Environmental Science
  • European Studies
  • Physical Education and Sport
  • Business
  • Sociology and Social Work
  • Orthodox Theology
  • History and Philosophy
  • Reformed Theology
  • Greek-Catholic Theology
  • Roman-Catholic Theology
  • Theatre and Television
  • Psychology and Education Sciences
  • Political, Administrative, and Communication Sciences

UBB is the only university in Europe that has four faculties of theology. The 21 departments offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in four languages: Romanian, English, German, and Hungarian. They have more than 41,000 students.

Some of its notable alumni include Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, basketball player Gheorghe Muresan, the former Prime Minister of Romania Emil Boc, poet George Cosbuc, and gymnast Sandra Izbasa. Moreover, many international personalities are on the list of honorary alumni, after receiving titles, such as Doctor Honoris Causa or Professor Honoris Causa. Other examples include Pope Benedict XVI, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa.

University of Bucharest

The University of Bucharest is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Romania. According to the QS University Rankings EECA 2016, it occupies the 31st position among the other top universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

As its official website stated, it is a leading academic center and has a significant role in the society promoting the use of knowledge. Located in Romania’s capital of Bucharest, it consists of 19 faculties:

  • Business and Administration
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Law
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Geography
  • Geology and Geophysics
  • History
  • Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Letters
  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Psychology and Educational Sciences
  • Sociology and Social Work
  • Political Science
  • Baptist Theology
  • Orthodox Theology
  • Catholic Theology and Social Work

The University of Bucharest offers Bachelor, Master, Doctoral, and post-Doctoral Studies in three languages: Romanian, English, and French. It has over 31,800 students.

Some of its notable alumni include playwright Eugene Ionesco, historian Neagu Djuvara, literary critic George Calinescu, Nobel Prize laureate George Emil Palade, and writer Mircea Eliade. Moreover, several international personalities are on the list of honorary alumni, after earning the award of Doctor Honoris Causa or Professor Honoris Causa. Examples include novelist Amos Oz, historian Neagu Djuvara, marketing author Philip Kotler, and former King of Romania, Michael I.

West University of Timisoara

The West University of Timisoara (WUT) is one of the newest institutions of higher education in the East European country. According to the QS University Rankings EECA 2016, it occupies the 59th position among the other top universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

As its official website reflects, it is an academic center that equips people with the skills necessary for contributing to society. Located in Timisoara, the city that will be one of the European Capital of Culture in 2021 and it contains 11 faculties:

  • Mathematics and Informatics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry, Biology, Geography
  • Letters, History, and Theology
  • Sociology and Psychology
  • Economic Sciences
  • Arts and Design
  • Music
  • Physical Education and Sport
  • Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Communication Sciences
  • Law and Administrative Sciences

The 11 faculties offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in four languages: Romanian, English, French, and German. They have approximately 25,000 students.

One of its notable alumni includes novelist Herta Muller. Also, many European personalities are on the list of honorary alumni, after receiving the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. Examples include actor Florin Piersic, the first Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu, linguist David Crystal, and poet Ana Blandiana.

Polytechnic and Medicine

Besides the faculties presented above, the country holds a significant number of polytechnic or medical universities. However, more details about why to study in Romania and how to get there are available on the website established by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.

By Bianca-Ramona Dumitru
Edited by Leigh Haugh

Sources:

Study in Romania: Reasons to study in Romania
Studying in Romania: Student tuition fees in Romania
Top Universities: Country Guides – Study in Romania
UAIC: About the university
UBB Cluj: The multicultural feature
UniBuc: The University of Bucharest
UVT: Presentation of the West University of Timisoara

Image Courtesy of CSU Monterey Bay‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License