The historic Faculty of Medicine building, Carol Davila University (built 1903) — Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Overview & About
The oldest medical university in Romania, located in the capital. Romanian scientist Nicolae Paulescu first isolated insulin here in 1921 — one of the best-known milestones in Romanian scientific history.
Facilities, Heritage & Key Features
Key facts regarding academic heritage, clinical and research facilities, and quality standards
Romania's oldest medical university, founded 1857 as the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy
Uses the clinical facilities of over 20 hospitals across Bucharest
Nicolae Paulescu isolated insulin here in 1921; Nobel laureate George Emil Palade studied and taught here
ISO 9001:2015 certified; classified as an "advanced research and education university" by Romania's Ministry of Education
Degree Levels & Academic Programs
Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral programs offered at this institution
Medicine (incl. English-taught program), Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing
Doctoral studies across four faculties
Rankings & Global Standing (Sourced)
Documented positions in recognized global ranking systems with direct source links
701–850 band
801–1000 band
774th worldwide — 1st among Romanian universities
Tuition & Fees
Based on official publications for the 2026-2027 academic year
What does it cost to live and study in Bucharest?
Estimate monthly expenses for housing, student dorms, groceries, public transit, and utilities in Bucharest using our interactive calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tuition fee at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy?
Tuition ranges across programs: Medicine: €10,000, Dentistry: €10,000, Pharmacy: €8,500.
Is Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy's degree recognised in Iran?
For this university, the Iranian authority that evaluates degrees is the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (the "Movahed" system), not the Ministry of Science. Based on our data, this university appears on the Ministry of Health's approved list. One point that is widely misunderstood: the list of "approved foreign universities" published by the Organization for Students Affairs (SAORG) does not cover medical universities at all. That office states explicitly that it assesses "only fields that fall within the remit of the Ministry of Science." So if you cannot find this university on that list, it has not been rejected — it is simply outside the scope of that list. But one point that could change the outcome for your own degree: Ministry of Health approval concerns medical fields, not necessarily every programme the university offers. If your programme is not clinical (biomedical engineering, medical physics, or health services management, for example), the authority evaluating your degree may be the Ministry of Science rather than the Ministry of Health. We could not confirm exactly where Iran draws that line — so before enrolling, check the position for your specific programme, not just the university's name.
Are English-taught programs available at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy?
Yes, English-taught and Romanian-taught degree programs are available with preparatory language year options. However, exact teaching languages vary by degree and department and should be confirmed directly with university admissions.
What does it take to have a Romanian medical degree evaluated in Iran?
Having a degree evaluated by Iran's Ministry of Health is not only a review of documents. According to the official FAQ of the ministry's educational services centre, each field involves an examination in Iran: for general medicine the pre-internship exam, for pharmacy the evaluation exam, and for general dentistry the national exam — held, according to that same source, usually twice a year. The same source says some applicants are exempt from the exam, but refers the conditions to the "regulation on the evaluation of graduates from abroad" rather than stating them. We have not read that regulation directly, so we say nothing about who qualifies for an exemption. One specific point is stated, though: in pharmacy, even applicants exempt from the exam are required to complete 8 credits of pharmacy internship. Three further rules worth knowing before you choose a university rather than after: 1. If you study at a university that is not on the approved list, the official advice is to transfer to an approved one as soon as possible, and at least half of the programme must have been completed at an approved university. 2. Distance and correspondence study is, in the explicit words of the rules, "invalid and not evaluated". 3. For those who began studying abroad from the start of 2019, failing to finish within the permitted duration has consequences; and if you hold a student military deferment, both your studies abroad and any supplementary course inside Iran must finish within that deferment period. For your own situation, the authority is the Ministry of Health's educational services centre: mohed.behdasht.gov.ir/Assessment
More Information & Admissions
Visit the official university portal for exact requirements and academic calendar.
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