Scholarships

Scholarships offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1 General information

Scholarships for studies to accredited higher education institutions in Romania are granted through a file-based application assessment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Education and Research (MER).


To whom is it addressed?

Foreign citizens from all non-EU countries, with the following exceptions of persons not eligible under this programme:

  • Citizens of Romanian origin or who are part of the Romanian historical communities in the proximity of Romania (entitled to different scholarship programmes);

  • Citizens who have requested or acquired a form of protection in Romania;

  • Stateless persons whose stay on the territory of Romania is officially recognized according to the law;

  • Members of the diplomatic and consular corps or family members of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited to Romania; members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions and consular offices accredited to Romania;

  • Staff members of international organizations based in Romania or family members of staff of international organizations based in Romania;

  • Beneficiaries of a scholarship from the Romanian state for the same cycle of study.

2 Scholarship eligibility criteria

To be eligible, the scholarship applicant must:

  • Submit a complete file (see below, point 5);

  • Present study documents issued by accredited/recognized education institutions in the country where they were issued;

  • Comply with the file submission methodology (see below, point 3);

  • Comply with the enrolment dates (see below, point 4).


The scholarships are granted for 3 study cycles

The scholarship applicant can choose from any of the following three study cycles in accredited higher education institutions in Romania:

  • Bachelor’s degree: bachelor's degree programmes are addressed to graduates of high school studies or pre-university studies at the end of which they obtained a baccalaureate degree or equivalent, as well as candidates applying for further university studies in Romania. The complete programme runs for a period of 3-6 years, depending on the specialization followed and ends with a bachelor's exam;

  • Master’s degree: master's degree programmes are addressed to undergraduates, run for a period of 1 year, 1.5 years or 2 years and end with the dissertation exam;

  • PhD: doctoral programmes are addressed to graduate students or equivalent and run for a period of 3-5 years, depending on the profile of the chosen faculty and end with the presentation of a PhD thesis.


Language of study

In order to promote the Romanian language and culture, the beneficiaries of the scholarships granted by the Romanian state for undergraduate and master's studies study only in Romanian.

The exception is doctoral scholarship holders, who can opt for studies in Romanian or in a foreign language set by the doctoral school. For candidates who do not speak Romanian, a preparatory year is granted for the study of the Romanian language prior to the actual university studies, with the exception of doctoral scholarship holders who have opted for the form of education in a foreign language set by the doctoral school.

The following categories of persons are exempted from enrolling in the Romanian language preparatory year:

  • Those who present Romanian study documents (diplomas or certificates) or study documents, school records attesting at least four consecutive years of studies attended in Romanian in an educational unit/institution from the Romanian national system;

  • Those who, in order to enrol in university education, pass the Romanian language test, organized according to the regulations in force;

  • Those who, in order to enrol in university education, present a certificate of linguistic competence in Romanian, minimum level B1, issued according to the regulations in force.

3 Steps to submit the application files

The application files must be sent by the candidates, in electronic or physical format (preferably in electronic format), only through the diplomatic missions of Romania.

As an exception, application files may be submitted by candidates, in electronic or physical format (preferably in electronic format), also through the diplomatic mission of the state of citizenship accredited in Bucharest, if the diplomatic mission in question accepts it (a dedicated email address will be made available to foreign missions accredited in Romania for this purpose).

To the extent that the diplomatic mission refuses to take over the application file for transmission to the MFA, the file must be submitted in accordance with the procedure described in paragraph 1.

REJECTED
Applications submitted directly by the applicants to the registry offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Education and Research, or to the e-mail addresses of the MFA employees / departments of the MFA Headquarters will not be taken into consideration.

4 Enrolment dates

The enrolment period begins each year on November 15 for the following year's university session.

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, the following year. The candidate has the obligation to inquire about the dates and conditions of enrolment with the diplomatic mission where he/she wishes to submit the application or on the MFA website.

INELIGIBLE
Application files submitted after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.

5 Documents required for the application

The application file for the scholarship selection process must include the following documents:

5.1 Complete the application form

The application form for a scholarship in Romania and application for the issuance of the letter of acceptance, completed in full ANNEX 1.

It is mandatory that the information entered in the form is accurate.

In order to facilitate the candidates' option, the complete list of accredited higher education institutions in Romania can be accessed here.

Please note that scholarships are NOT awarded in the fields of medicine, dental medicine and pharmacy.

5.2 Collect your obtained degrees

Copies of the diplomas obtained (baccalaureate diploma or its equivalent, plus bachelor's, master's, doctorate degree, if applicable) and their authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable.

5.3 Collect your obtained transcripts

Copies of transcripts of the completed studies and their authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable.

5.4 Find your birth certificate

Copy of the birth certificate (or equivalent document) and the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable.

5.5 Photo your passport

Copy of the first three pages of the passport.

5.6 Update your CV

Curriculum Vitae in English or French in the format of ANNEX 2 , and for the doctoral cycle also a letter of intent from the applicant in English, French or Romanian.

The files will also include the following documents (only for candidates who belong to the specific category mentioned for each document):

  • Copy of the proof of name change (if applicable) and the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable;

  • Copy of the certificate proving the passing of the baccalaureate, bachelor's or master's exam, as the case may be, for graduates who do not hold yet the diploma and the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable;

  • Copy of the certificate proving that the person in the final year of studies is to take the graduation exam at the end of the school/university year and the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable;

  • Copy of the transcript attesting the academic record of the person in the final year of studies, until the moment of submitting the application file, and the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable;

  • Copy of the certificate of completion of the Romanian language preparatory year or the certificate of linguistic competence, if applicable;

  • Copy of the notarized declaration of parental consent in the case of candidates who have not reached the age of 18 by the date of commencement of the courses and the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable.

6 Announcement of application results

The results of the scholarship selection process will be announced each year, on July 15, to each diplomatic mission that has submitted application files to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • For admitted students, the Ministry of Education and Research will issue a “Letter of acceptance for studies in Romania”, which will mention the obligation (where applicable) to complete a Romanian language preparatory year and the higher education institution(s) where the studies will take place;

  • The Letter of acceptance will be sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the applicant through the diplomatic mission to whom the application was submitted, based on the personal request submitted with the application;

  • The “Letter of acceptance for studies in Romania” is required in order to obtain a long-stay visa and for the enrolment.

  • If the candidate mentions in the application form in ANNEX 1 only an option for his/her enrolment and that specific option cannot be honoured by the specified university, the Ministry of Education and Research reserves the right to propose to the candidate an alternative in the same field of study, subject to the availability of higher education institutions in Romania.
    Upon receiving the letter of acceptance for studies with this alternative, the candidate is free to accept the scholarship or to give it up (being able to opt for continuing studies in Romania on his/her own expense, i.e. with the payment of tuition fees).

  • After receiving the letter of acceptance, the students will send to the Romanian diplomatic mission to which he/she submitted the application, within the term indicated by it, a response regarding the acceptance/refusal of the scholarship, and in case of acceptance, will request a long study visa. Students who have submitted applications through foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest and who have been accepted will be contacted by the MFA in order to give a response regarding their acceptance/refusal of the scholarship, following, in case of acceptance, the procedure for obtaining a long-term visa for studies.

7 Rights and obligations

7.1 Scholarship beneficiaries

Scholarship beneficiaries are provided with the following facilities:

  • Exemption from the payment of registration fees or any other fees required by application processing, testing for the Romanian language skills, taking the admission contest for doctoral studies and the specific aptitude tests;

  • Financing the tuition expenses for the Romanian language preparatory year;

  • Financing the tuition expenses for the actual studies, but not more than the duration of a university cycle, corresponding to the study programme followed;

  • Granting a monthly scholarship, for students enrolled in the Romanian language preparatory year;

  • Granting a monthly scholarship, for students enrolled in bachelor's, master's or doctoral studies, but not more than the duration of a university cycle;

  • Financing the accommodation expenses in the student dormitories, within the allocated subsidy granted through the budget of the Ministry of Education and Research;

  • Medical assistance in case of medical-surgical emergencies and diseases with endemic-epidemic potential, in accordance with the legislation in force;

  • Local public, ground, naval and underground transport, as well as domestic car, railway and naval transport, in the same conditions as those offered to Romanian students, according to the legal provisions.

These facilities are granted throughout the study period, as follows:

  • For students enrolled in the Romanian language preparatory year, during its courses;

  • For students enrolled in bachelor's and master's studies, during the academic year and during the legal holidays, but not during the summer vacation. If students have to stay at the faculty during the summer vacation for curricular activities or if there are specific legal provisions, the rights are maintained during the summer vacation;

  • For doctoral students enrolled in full-time learning, throughout the calendar year;

  • Another 30 days after completing university studies lasting at least 1 year.

7.2 Foreign citizens

Foreign citizens have the following obligations:

  • To respect the Romanian Constitution and the laws of the Romanian state;

  • To comply with the internal regulations of the educational institution in which they study;

  • To comply with the provisions of this methodology;

  • To present at the time of enrolment at the university where they were accepted a medical certificate stating that he/she is fit for studies and free of contagious diseases, and its authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if appropriate.

8 Other information for the scholarship

In Romania, the academic year usually begins on October 1. Universities establish their own calendar, in accordance with the principle of university autonomy. Host universities may also decide on specific measures regarding the teaching and learning process, in accordance with the public health guidelines. Romanian authorities may impose additional public health requirements.

The scholarship obtained, including the preparatory year where applicable, consists of:

  • Financing tuition fees;

  • Financing the accommodation expenses in the dormitories, through the budget of the Ministry of Education and Research, within the limit of the subsidy allocated for this purpose (accommodation will be provided to the extent of available places);

  • Granting a monthly financial aid, as follows: the equivalent in lei of the amount of 65 EURO, for undergraduate students; the equivalent in lei of the amount of 75 EURO, for master and specialization students, the equivalent in lei of the amount of 85 EURO, for PhD students.

The scholarships do not cover the costs of international transport and those of domestic transport from the Romanian border crossing point to the university. In this regard, candidates must be prepared for the personal financial support of the additional costs.

Students of the Romanian language preparatory year programme, as well as those of the undergraduate and master's degree programmes, must obtain, at the end of the academic year, the minimum number of credits established by the university regulations for passing to the next academic year. The rights deriving from the scholarship can be regained in the following academic year after obtaining the necessary number of transferable credits, provided that the number of scholarship years does not exceed the duration of the academic cycle. During the suspension of the scholarship and the financing of the tuition expenses, the students will have to pay a fee, in the amount established in accordance with the legal provisions in force.

During the period indicated by the university, the admitted candidates must present themselves at the Office of International Relations/ Rector’s Office of the university where they were accepted.

Students will present:

  • A complete file with the original documents from the application file; the hostuniversities may request that all registration documents be accompanied by authenticated copies and legalized translations into Romanian;

  • Letter of acceptance for studies;

  • Passport (original and copy) with a valid visa (long stay visa for studies);

  • The medical certificate attesting that the student is free from contagious diseases or other diseases incompatible with the requested studies, as well as the authorized translation into English, French or Romanian, if applicable;

  • Other documents required by universities.

9 Visa application process

Candidates who have obtained the Letter of Acceptance for studies can get up-to-date information regarding the visa application procedure.

For more information please access the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and https://portaligi.mai.gov.ro/portaligi/ or the General Inspectorate for Immigration http://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/content/studies .


For more information please visit the official website of the MFA http://www.mae.ro/en/node/10251 .



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