Study in RomaniaLanguage Preparatory Year

Romanian Language Preparatory Year

For students intending to study in Romanian or those lacking sufficient language proficiency for direct entry, Romanian universities offer a language preparatory year prior to starting the main degree program. For the exact cost of this course, please visit the specific university's website.

Source: University of Bucharest (international.unibuc.ro) — Last reviewed: August 2026

Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca — Photo: Wikimedia Commons

1Who is it for

Applicants wishing to study in Romanian (instead of English or French).
Applicants without a recognized language certificate (such as IELTS/TOEFL for English programs).

2Course Structure

Typically one academic year, focusing on language instruction and specialized terminology for the chosen field.
A language proficiency exam is held at the end of the course.

3After Completion

Passing the final exam opens the pathway to the main degree program (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD).
This must be verified based on current regulations and individual circumstances.

💶A Real Fee Example (Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj)

As one real, sourced example: Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) Cluj lists its preparatory year fee at 3,015 EUR plus a 50 EUR enrollment fee. This figure is specific to UBB only — other universities (especially medical schools) typically charge different, often higher fees, which should be confirmed directly on that university's international office website.

Source: cci.ubbcluj.ro (Babeș-Bolyai University international office).

Update: per several Romanian universities (Politehnica București, Ovidius Constanța, UMF Iași), the completion certificate is typically called "certificat/atestat de absolvire a anului pregătitor" (institutions use either "certificat" or "atestat"), issued after completing 60 credits and passing the final language exam — but there is no standardized English name; universities translate it differently (e.g., "Certificate of Proficiency in Romanian Language" or "certificate of linguistic competence"). This naming is not confirmed against the primary text of the governing ministerial order (No. 5516/2024) itself, but drawn from several independent university pages. The second question (whether a separate residence permit is required) remains unclear; confirm both directly with your university and IGI.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've already completed a similar language-preparation year in another country (e.g. Turkey). Am I exempt from Romania's preparatory year?

Under Romania's current Ministry of Education framework, no official exemption mechanism was found based on completing a similar program abroad. The only official ways to be exempt from Romania's language preparatory year are: holding Romanian academic credentials or at least 4 consecutive years of study within Romania's own school system, or passing a Romanian-language proficiency test administered by your target university or another accredited institution in Romania. Completing a similar program in another country by itself does not create an exemption.

Who organizes the Romanian preparatory year?

The preparatory year is run by the Romanian universities themselves; exact cost and program details vary by university (for example, Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj lists about €3,015 + €50 registration fee — this is just one example; medical faculties are typically more expensive). Always confirm with your target university's international office.