Education in Romania
Romania, an EU country in Southeastern Europe, runs a state-centered education system with Romanian as the main language of instruction (Hungarian and other minority languages are used by communities). Literacy is near-universal, its universities are EU-recognized and Bologna-aligned, and Romania offers many English-taught programs, especially in medicine, that attract international students.
Structure & stages
The system is organized as:
- Primary (preparatory year + grades 1–4)Ages ~6–10
- Lower secondary / gymnasium (grades 5–8)Ending with the National Evaluation
- Upper secondary / high school (liceu, grades 9–12)Ending with the Bacalaureat
Compulsory education & enrolment
Education is compulsory from the preparatory year into upper secondary (through at least grade 10). Public education is free, and the school year runs September to June.
Public schools
Most students attend free public schools, following a national curriculum. Romania offers general (liceu) and vocational/technical secondary pathways, with minority-language schooling for communities such as Hungarians.
Private & international schools
Romania has a private and international-school sector, concentrated in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and other cities.
Curriculum & language of instruction
The curriculum covers Romanian language and literature, mathematics, the sciences, history, and foreign languages (English is widely taught).
Exams & qualifications
Two key assessments mark the path: the National Evaluation (Evaluarea Națională) at the end of gymnasium (grade 8), and the Bacalaureat at the end of high school — the basis for university admission.
Higher education
Higher education is led by the University of Bucharest and Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca, the largest), among others, plus prominent medical universities (such as Carol Davila in Bucharest). The system is Bologna-aligned and EU-recognized.
Studying in Romania from abroad
Romania is a growing destination for international students, especially in medicine:
- English-taught medicineRomanian medical universities run six-year English-medium Medicine and Dentistry programs that attract students from across Europe and beyond
- EU recognition & costDegrees are EU-recognized, and tuition/living costs are lower than in Western Europe
- VisaEU students enjoy free movement; non-EU students need a student visa/residence permit
Special education & support
Romania supports inclusive education, integrating students with additional needs into mainstream schools with support, alongside special schools.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling occupies a limited/gray legal space in Romania and is uncommon; some families use international/online programs. Verify the current legal position.
Costs & funding
Public education is free. Private and international schools charge tuition, and universities charge fees (state-funded places for Romanian/EU students plus fee-paying and international programs). The currency is the Romanian Leu (RON).
Key facts for families
- LanguageRomanian (minority languages used by communities; English widely taught)
- StructurePrimary (4) + gymnasium (4) + high school (4)
- CompulsoryThrough at least grade 10
- University entryVia the Bacalaureat
- Higher edUniversity of Bucharest, Babeș-Bolyai; English-taught medicine draws international students
- School yearSeptember to June
Accreditation & quality assurance in Romania
In Romania, higher education and its quality are overseen by ARACIS (the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education). To confirm that a specific school or university is recognized — and to understand how a qualification from Romania is recognized in the U.S. and worldwide — start with the resources below.
Where to verify the details
This guide is a starting point, not the final authority. For current details: