Institution Types & Credentials

Types of higher education institutions:
Universitate (University)
Academie (Academy)
Universitate Tehnica (Technical university)
Institut (Institute)
Colegiu (College)

School leaving and higher education credentials:
Diploma de Bacalaureat
Tehnician
Subinginer
Bachelor
Diploma
Diploma de Stat
Examen de Stat
Diploma de Arhitect
Diploma de Doctor-Medic
Diploma de Inginer
Diploma de Licenţa

Professional Title
Diploma de Absolvire a Åžcolii Post-Universitare
Diploma de Master
Diploma de Studii aprofundate
Diploma de Doctor

Structure Of Education System

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 7
Age of exit: 15

Structure of school system:

Primary
Type of school providing this education: Åžcoala Primara
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 7 to: 11

Lower Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Gimnaziu
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 11 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificat de Capacitate

Upper Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Liceu
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 15 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Bacalaureat

Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Åžcoala Profesionala
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificat de Absolvire

Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Liceu de Specialitate
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 15 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Bacalaureat + (Atestat) de (Vocational Certificate)

Specialized Tech./Voc.
Type of school providing this education: Åžcoala Post-Liceala
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 19 to: 22
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Absolvire a ÅŸcolii Post-Liceale de Specialitate

School education:

Secondary school education is organized as a second cycle of education (grades 9 through 12 or 9 through 13). The system comprises the following units of secondary school education: liceu, liceu de specialitate, ÅŸcoala profesionala and scoala post-liceu. As for the duration of studies, it is adapted to the type of secondary school (academic secondary school, industrial, agricultural, economic and administrative secondary school, normal schools: 9-12; Forestry, Fine Arts, Sports, Cybernetics and Metrology: 9-13) or the form of education (academic secondary school and industrial, agricultural, economic and administrative secondary school evening classes: 9-13). Graduates from ÅŸcoala profesionala do not have the right to apply for higher education programmes. Studies at ÅŸcoala post liceu lasts for one to three years.

Higher education:

Higher education in Romania is offered in both public and private higher education institutions. These include universities, academies, politechnics, institutes and colleges, organized in specialized departments. In accordance with its objectives, university education comprises: short university education carried out in university colleges (3 years), long university education (duration 4 to 6 years) and postgraduate university education (duration 1 to 2 years). Public higher education institutions are coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Research. University autonomy is fully guaranteed. Private higher education is an alternative to public education. It is subject to an accreditation process. Accredited private institutions may obtain state support.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Government Decision no 37/1999 concerning doctoral studies Year: 1999
Decree: Law no. 88/1993 on Accreditation of H. Ed. Institutions & Recognition of Diplomas modified 144/1999 Year: 1999
Concerns: All higher education institutions
Decree: Law on Education no. 84/1995 modified 151/1999 Year: 1999
Concerns: All higher education institutions

Academic year:
Classes from: Oct to: Jun
Long vacation from: 15 Jul to: 1 Oct
Languages of instruction: Romanian

Stages of studies:

University level studies:

University level first stage: First stage:

The first stage of university-level study comprises short-term university education carried out in university colleges (duration 3 years) or long-term university education (duration 4 to 6 years, according to the profile). Short-term university education is organized separately or for the first two years as an integral part of the long-term university education. Short-term university education leads to the Diploma de Absolvire. Long-term university education leads either to a Diploma paper and a Certificat de Absolvire, or to a Diploma paper and 2 or 3 licence examinations, and the Diploma de Licenţa.

University level second stage: Further studies or post-graduate academic studies:

Education for further studies are of 1 - 2 years' duration, full-time only. It may only be attended by graduates with a graduation Diploma and with good results. Holders of a first degree may either continue their training by taking a one- or two-year Master programme (which leads to an examination and the Diploma de Studii Aprofundate), or take specialist programmes the length of which may vary according to the field of study, but may not be less than one year (leading to an examination and the Diploma de Absolvire).

University level third stage: Doctoral Studies:

The Doctorate in Romania is the highest postgraduate stage of professional specialization, lasting for 4 - 6 years. There is only one type of Doctorate, which is comparable to the PhD. Doctorate studies can be carried out either in full-time courses (up to four years) or in extra-mural courses (up to six years). Extra-mural courses can be also organised in main foreign languages. Candidates who have passed the examination for the Doctor's Degree (Doctorate) are awarded the Diploma de Doctor în ştiinţe.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Pre-primary teachers (educatori or tutori) and primary school teachers (învaţatori) are trained in teachers' post-secondary schools or in teachers' colleges. They are trained to teach subjects such as Foreign Languages, Music and Drawing or Physical Education in lower secondary school. The length of teachers' training programmes is two years for post-secondary school graduates, and three years for university colleges.

Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary-school teachers for lower secondary, vocational, secondary and post-secondary education (instructori and profesori) are trained for two to three years, respectively, for four to six years in universities, academies and institutes, the former being known as university colleges, while the latter train the rest of the teaching staff.

Training of higher education teachers

Higher education teachers (preparatori, lectori asistenţi, lectori conferentiari, profesori asociaţi, profesori, şi profesori consultanţi) are appointed on a competitive basis from among graduates of higher education institutions who have demonstrated outstanding teaching and research qualities. Most candidates seeking positions as teachers in higher education are engaged in or have completed doctoral studies. Possession of a Doctor's Degree is compulsory for senior appointments such as confentiari and profesori. Lectori should at least be Ph.D. candidates.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

A National Centre for Open Distance Education has been created with branches in 8 main university centres and has the full support of 12 universities within the PHARE Programme for Multi-Country Cooperation for Distance Education.

Lifelong higher education

Ministries, national authorities, commercial companies or other legal entities run, jointly with education units or separately, adult training and refresher programmes to improve qualifications of their present or future employees, or re-train them. Such programmes are not certified by the Ministry of Education, except for the retraining courses offered to the unemployed jointly with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection for re-employment purposes.

Other forms of non-formal higher education

Open education institutions can be created with the Ministry of Education's consent for adult education or for the attainment of specific goals. Open Distance Learning courses lead to a final examination and graduation Certificate recognized by the Ministry of Education and Research according to the Minister's Order no 3457/23.03.1998

National Bodies

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:
Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education and Research.
Minister of Education: Ecaterina Andronescu
General Berthelot, nr. 30
70738 BucureÅŸti
Romania
Tel: +40(1)313-33-15
Fax: +40(1) 312-47-19
Role of governing body: Manages the national educational system and can establish expert structures.

Romanian Council of Rectors
President: Sergiu T. Chiriacescu
Executive Secretary: Mircea-Nicolae Colomei
Bulevardul Eroilor 29
2200 BraÅŸov BV
Romania
Tel: +40(68) 142-576
Fax: +40(68) 150-274
EMail: colomei@unitbv.ro
WWW: http://www.unitbv.ro

National Council for Accreditation and Academic Evaluation
Strada Schitu Magureanu 1
70626 BucureÅŸti
Romania
Tel: +40(1) 312-71-35

Admissions To Higher Education

Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma de Bacalaureat
Minimum score/requirement: 6
For entry to: all post-secondary schools

Alternatives to credentials:
Certificate of graduated upper secondary schools (minimum mark=5)

Entrance exams required:
Students must sit for the Examen de Admitere. A minimum mark of 5 is required for all post-secondary schools.

Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma de Bacalaureat
Minimum score/requirement: 6

For entry to: Short- and long-term university education
Entrance exams required: Students must sit for the Examen de Admitere. A minimum mark of 5 is required for all higher education institutions, except Fine Arts.

Numerus clausus/restrictions: The enrolment quota in free public university education is set by Government decision every year on the basis of projects and of proposals from the senates of higher education institutions.

Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: A foreign student is a student who does not have Romanian citizenship, or lives abroad.

Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold the Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification. The equivalence must be validated by the Ministry of Education of the student's country of origin and the Romanian Embassy. Students who wish to study Architecture, Fine Arts, or Physical Education must sit for competitive examinations.

Entry regulations: Students must hold a visa which is granted on presentation of the written confirmation of their admission.

Health requirements: Health visa

Language requirements: Usually, students follow a preparatory course in Romanian. Also accredited programmes in foreign languages.

Application procedures:
Apply to national body for entry to: All types of institutions and programmes.

Apply to:
Department for International Relations, Ministry of Education and Research
12, Spiru Haret
Bucharest
Romania
Tel: +40(1) 313-10-13
Fax: +40(1) 312-66-14

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): All courses of studies and credentials obtained from a Romanian state accredited higher education institution are recognized by the State.

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
ENIC/NARIC, National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas, Ministry of Education and Research
Director: Daniela Gîrbea
30, General Berthelot
70738 Bucharest
Romania
Tel: +40(1) 313-26-77
Fax: +40(1) 313-26-77

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession

Services provided & students dealt with: Equivalence of studies pursued by the candidates abroad; fixing the material conditions under which studies are to be carried out; affiliation to & enrolment of candidates in different public institutions; free medical control of the candidates.

Special provisions for recognition:
For access to advanced studies and research: Passing of an admission colloquium
Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: Unesco and Council of Europe Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the Europe Region
References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studiesTitle: Study in Romania: a guide for foreigners (English, French) I and II
Author:Romania. Ministry of National Education
Year of publication: 2000

Student Life

Main student services as national level
Agenţia Sociala a Studenţilor
Schitu Magureanu, 1
Bucharest
Romania
Category of services provided: Social and welfare services
Services available to foreign Students: Yes

Health/social provisions
Social security for home students: Yes
Social security for foreign students: Yes

Special student travel fares:
By road: Yes
By rail: Yes
By air: No
Available to foreign students: No
Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:
Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Leu)
Maximum: 350000 (Leu)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 320 (US Dollar)
Maximum: 760 (US Dollar)

Type of financial aid available:
Scholarships/grants/fellowships:
Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes

First Degree studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes

Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes

Loans:

Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes

First degree studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes

Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes

Bodies providing information on student financial aid:

Department for International Relations, Ministry of Education and Research
12, Spiru Haret
70738 Bucharest
Romania
Tel: +40(1) 313-10-13
Fax: +40(1) 312-66-14

Deals with: Grants and Loans

Category of students: Scholarships granted through bilateral agreements & international organizations.
Publications on student services and financial aid:
Title: Study Abroad 2000-2001
Publisher: UNESCO/IBE
Year of publication: 1999

International Cooperation & Exchanges

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Department for International Relations, Ministry of Education and Research
12, Spiru Haret
70738 Bucharest
Romania
Tel: +40(1) 313-26-77
Fax: +40(1) 312-66-14

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: CEEPUS

Name of exchange programme: COPERNICUS

Name of exchange programme: EURECA

Name of exchange programme: LEONARDO

Name of exchange programme: PECO

Name of exchange programme: PHARE

Name of exchange programme: SOCRATES

Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS

Name of exchange programme: YOUTH FOR EUROPE

Grading System

Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: A 10-point grading system is used in upper secondary school: 10 - 1.
Highest on scale: 10
Pass/fail level: 5/4
Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: A 10-point grading system is used in the higher education system: 10 -1.
Highest on scale: 10
Pass/fail level: 5/4
Lowest on scale: 1

Other main grading systems
A system of transferable credits (ECTS/RCTS) has been introduced for the main universities of Romania