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If you’ve been eyeing the Romania Government Scholarship (MFA), you’ve probably hit that one sentence that feels like a total dealbreaker:
“Scholarships are NOT awarded for Medicine, Dentistry, or Pharmacy.”
It’s a massive letdown, I know. You find a great opportunity, only to realize your dream career is the one thing they won’t fund. It leaves so many students asking: “Is studying medicine in Romania even an option for me anymore?”
Here is the good news: The answer is a huge YES. Don’t let that one “No” discourage you. While you can’t get a free ride through the MFA scholarship for medical programs, Romania is still one of the most affordable and respected places in Europe to get your MBBS or MD.
Why the “No” from the Government? It mostly comes down to how expensive and long medical degrees are—the government simply prioritizes shorter programs for that specific scholarship. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed.
For the 2026 session, we’re showing you how to take matters into your own hands. We’ll walk you through applying directly to prestigious universities like Carol Davila or UMF Cluj. The tuition at these schools is often so reasonable that, even without the MFA scholarship, your dream of becoming a doctor is still very much within reach.
Why does the MFA Scholarship exclude Medicine?
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) scholarship is designed to promote Romanian culture and language. Because medical programs are incredibly expensive to run and seats are in high demand by paying international students, the government reserves scholarship spots for other fields (like Engineering, Business, or Social Sciences).
However, “Individual Application” is the secret path taken by 95% of foreign medical students in Romania. You apply directly to the university, pay a reasonable tuition fee, and receive a degree recognized across the EU, UK (GMC), and USA (ECFMG).
Top Medical Universities for 2026 Individual Entry
When applying individually, these are the “Big Three” universities that capture the most global interest:
1. Carol Davila University of Medicine (UMFCD) – Bucharest
As the oldest medical school in Romania, Carol Davila is the “Harvard of Romania.”
- Programs: Medicine (English), Dentistry (English).
- Tuition 2026: Approximately €8,500 to €10,000 per year for non-EU students.
- Vibe: Located in the capital; high competition but massive clinical exposure.
2. Iuliu Hațieganu University (UMF Cluj) – Cluj-Napoca
Often ranked as the #1 medical school for international students.
- Programs: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy (English & French).
- Tuition 2026: Approximately €8,500 per year.
- Admission: Based strictly on an evaluation of your high school biology/chemistry grades and personal achievements (no entrance exam for English section in some years—check latest rules!).
3. UBB Medicine (Babeș-Bolyai University)
While UBB is famous for psychology and law, its medical collaborations in Cluj are growing in popularity for 2026.
How to Apply Individually: The 2026 Process
Since you aren’t going through the MFA portal, you must follow the “Self-Finance” track. Here is the 4-step workflow:
Step 1: The “Early Bird” Evaluation
Most medical universities in Romania open their portals between March and July. Unlike the MFA scholarship, medical schools often have “Early Admission” rounds. If you have your A-Level or High School transcripts ready, apply as early as April to secure a seat.
Step 2: Prepare the “Medical File”
Individual application requires more “legalization” than the scholarship path. You will need:
- High School Diploma & Transcripts: Must be legalized/Apostilled.
- Birth Certificate: Translated into Romanian.
- Medical Certificate: Proving you don’t have contagious diseases.
- English Proficiency: IELTS (6.0+) or a school certificate proving you were taught in English.
Check out more Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe for International Students
Step 3: The Ministry Letter (Letter of Acceptance)
Once the university accepts you, they send your file to the Ministry of Education in Bucharest. The Ministry issues an official “Letter of Acceptance to Studies.” This is the most important document for your visa.
Step 4: Tuition Deposit
To “lock” your seat, universities usually require you to pay the first year’s tuition fee in full before they send the original acceptance letter needed for your embassy interview.
You can find the list of accredited medical schools on the StudyinRomania.gov.ro portal.
Costs: Is it worth it without a scholarship?
Even without the MFA scholarship, Romania is cheaper than almost anywhere else in the EU:
- Tuition: €6,000 – €10,000 (Compare this to €20,000+ in Poland or Hungary).
- Living Costs: €500 – €700 per month (including rent in cities like Iasi or Craiova).
- Work: You can still work 4 hours per day on a student visa to help cover costs.
Medical tuition is high, so your Romania student visa financial proof must show a solid bank balance.
FAQs: Medicine in Romania
1. Does Romania care about my NEET score?
If you’re coming from India, the answer is a firm Yes. Most medical universities in Romania won’t even look at your application for an eligibility certificate unless you’ve qualified for the NEET. It’s essentially their way of making sure you’re serious and capable before they offer you a seat.
2. Can I “cheat the system” by switching to Medicine after a free Preparatory Year? This is a trap many students fall into, and the answer is a hard No. If you accept an MFA scholarship for a Preparatory Year in something like Engineering, you are legally tied to that field. You can’t just switch to a self-funded Medicine program later on. If you try, you’ll likely have to cancel your visa, go back home, and restart the entire expensive process from scratch. It’s much better to start on the right path from day one.
3. Will I have to sit for an entrance exam at Carol Davila? For the English-taught programs, you can usually breathe a sigh of relief. Admission is typically based on a “file competition”—meaning they look at your high school grades and your extracurricular achievements rather than a high-pressure exam. That said, universities love to tweak their rules. Make sure you double-check the 2026 methodology on the official UMFCD website before you hit “submit,” just to be 100% sure nothing has shifted.
