Study in Romania from Pakistan: Costs, Scholarships and Student Visa (2026)

Why study in Romania?

Romania does not get the attention that Germany or the Netherlands get, and that is part of its appeal. Fewer Pakistani students apply, the fees are low, and a Romanian degree carries full EU recognition. You finish with a qualification that employers and universities across Europe accept, at a fraction of what Western Europe charges.

Medicine is the headline subject. Romania has several long-established medical universities that teach in English, and their degrees are recognised across the EU and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. For students chasing an affordable English-medium MBBS in Europe, Romania is one of the first names that comes up, alongside Hungary and Poland.

Beyond medicine, Romanian universities run solid programmes in engineering, IT, business, and the sciences. The country has a growing technology sector, especially in cities like Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest, which gives technical graduates somewhere to apply their skills.

How much does studying in Romania cost?

Romania is genuinely cheap by EU standards, both for tuition and daily life.

Tuition fees

Most bachelor and master programmes at public universities cost between 2,000 and 5,000 euros a year. Medicine and dentistry sit at the higher end, often 5,000 to 8,000 euros a year for English-taught programmes, which is still well below what private medical study costs in many countries. Business and humanities programmes tend to be the most affordable.

Living costs

A student can live comfortably on 350 to 500 euros a month. University dormitories are very cheap, sometimes under 100 euros a month, though places are limited and fill quickly. Renting a shared flat costs more but gives you more space. Food, transport, and mobile plans are all reasonably priced, and students get discounts on public transport and trains.

Upfront costs

Plan for document attestation and translation, health insurance, the visa fee, and your flights. You will also need to show proof of funds for the visa, so factor that into your timeline rather than your spending.

Which universities should you consider?

For medicine, the well-known names include Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Iuliu Hatieganu University in Cluj-Napoca, Grigore T. Popa University in Iasi, and the Victor Babes University in Timisoara. These have English-medium tracks and large international student bodies.

For general subjects, the University of Bucharest, Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, and the Politehnica University of Bucharest are among the strongest. Cluj-Napoca in particular has become a student city with a lively technology scene, which makes it attractive for IT and engineering students.

As always, match the university to your field and check the recognition status that matters for your career, especially if you intend to practise medicine in Pakistan or another country later.

What scholarships are available?

The main option is the Romanian Government Scholarship offered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is aimed at students from outside the EU, including Pakistan, and the full version covers tuition, free accommodation in a dormitory, and a monthly stipend. It is competitive and the application window opens once a year, usually in the early part of the year, so you watch the dates and prepare your documents ahead of time.

Some universities also offer their own tuition discounts or merit awards, and a number of bilateral cultural agreements bring extra places. Even without a scholarship, the self-finance cost in Romania is low enough that many families simply pay, because the total over a full degree stays manageable.

How do you apply for admission?

Romanian admission for non-EU students runs through a recognition process handled by the Ministry of Education. In practice the university or its representative collects your documents and applies for a Letter of Acceptance to Studies on your behalf, which is the document the visa depends on.

The documents you need

You will need your matric and FSc certificates for a bachelor, or your bachelor degree and transcripts for a master, plus your passport, photographs, a medical certificate, and your language proof. Documents are usually translated and attested, and many require the Hague Apostille or embassy legalisation. Start the HEC attestation and Ministry of Foreign Affairs steps early, because this is the part that slows people down.

Once the Letter of Acceptance arrives, you confirm your place, pay any required first instalment, and move to the visa stage.

How does the Romanian student visa work?

Pakistani students apply for a Romanian long-stay study visa, known as a type D visa, at the Romanian embassy. The Letter of Acceptance from the Ministry of Education is the central document. Alongside it you submit your passport, the visa form, proof that tuition for the first year is paid, proof of funds to cover living costs, accommodation details, health insurance, and a clean medical certificate.

The proof of funds requirement matters. You need to show you can support yourself for the year, so prepare your bank documents properly rather than at the last minute. After you arrive in Romania, you register with the immigration office and apply for a residence permit, which replaces the entry visa and is renewed each year for the length of your studies. Your university international office helps with this registration.

Can you work and stay after graduation?

International students in Romania are allowed to work part-time during their studies, generally up to a set number of hours a week, which helps with pocket money rather than tuition. Wages are modest, so plan your finances as if work income is a bonus.

After graduation, Romania allows graduates to stay and look for work, and finding a job can lead to a work residence permit. The technology and engineering sectors in cities like Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest are where many graduates find roles. As an EU country, Romania can also be a stepping stone toward opportunities elsewhere in Europe, though moving to another EU state for work has its own rules.

What is life like for students in Romania?

Romania is affordable, friendly to students, and safe in its main university cities. Bucharest is the large capital with the most happening, while Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, and Timisoara are smaller student cities that many international students prefer for their lower costs and easier pace.

Halal food is available in the bigger cities, and many students cook for themselves. There is a Pakistani and wider South Asian student community at the larger universities, which makes the first few months easier. English is widely understood in university settings and among younger people, though learning some Romanian helps with daily errands and shows respect for the place you are living in.

If you are comparing affordable European routes, read our guides on Hungary, Poland, and Germany, or see all our destinations to find the best fit for your budget and field.