Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) is a public research university in Cluj-Napoca with 23 faculties. It was created in 1959 by merging the Romanian and Hungarian universities of Cluj.[1] It is in the 851–900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, the second-placed Romanian university after the University of Bucharest.[2]
For 2026/27 non-EU students pay between €2,200 and €9,000 a year in bachelor’s and master’s programmes, depending on the programme; examples are €2,500 for Finance and Banking and €7,000 for Mathematics for Computer Science.[3] Teaching is in Romanian, Hungarian, German and English.[1][3]
Key facts
| Official name | Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai (Babeș-Bolyai University, UBB) |
| Location | Cluj-Napoca, Romania (Str. Mihail Kogălniceanu nr. 1, 400084)[1] |
| Type | Public research university[4] |
| Founded | 1959, by merging the Romanian University in Cluj with the Hungarian University (six faculties at the time); academic roots in 1581[1] |
| Students | 48,620 in 2021–22 (Wikipedia; the university gives no current total on the pages we read)[4] |
| Faculties | 23 on the university’s own pages (Wikipedia says 22)[1] |
| Languages of teaching | Romanian, Hungarian, German and English[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 851–900 (second in Romania)[2] |
| Tuition 2026/27, bachelor’s, non-EU | €2,200–€9,000 per year, by programme[3] |
| Tuition 2026/27, master’s, non-EU | €2,200–€9,000 per year, by programme[5] |
| Processing fee, non-EU | €50, non-refundable[3] |
| Application route, non-EU | Online international admission platform[3] |
| Official website | ubbcluj.ro |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Babeș-Bolyai University
Babeș-Bolyai University was created in 1959 by merging the Romanian University in Cluj with the Hungarian University, with six faculties at the time. The university also refers to 440 years of academic tradition.[1] Wikipedia traces the roots to the Jesuit Academia Claudiopolitana of 1581.[4]
Today the university lists 23 faculties and offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes as well as distance, part-time and continuing education. It has lines of study in Hungarian and German.[1] The main address is Str. Mihail Kogălniceanu nr. 1, Cluj-Napoca.[1]
Spelling: the name is written with a comma-below “ș” in Romanian; some lists use the older cedilla form “Babeş”. It is the same university.
How is Babeș-Bolyai University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Babeș-Bolyai University is in the 851–900 band. It is the second of the eight Romanian universities listed, behind the University of Bucharest (801–850). Only these two Romanian universities are in the top 1,000.[2] The University of Bucharest’s own release gives the same 851–900 band for Babeș-Bolyai.[6]
The ranking publisher’s own page could not be read because it blocks automated access, so the band comes from Romanian press. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Babeș-Bolyai University?
The 2026/27 academic offer for international students is split by language of teaching: programmes fully in English, in Romanian, in French, in German, and in more than one language.[3][5] Bachelor’s programmes taught fully in English include, for example:[3]
- Mathematics for Computer Science (Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science)
- Finance and Banking, Management and Economics (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration)
- International Relations and European Studies (Faculty of European Studies)
- Business Administration (Faculty of Business)
- Security Studies (Faculty of History and Philosophy) and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering)
Master’s programmes in English include Advanced Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries, International Business Management, Solid State Physics, British Cultural Studies and Global Security and Human Rights Policies.[5] The full lists, with descriptions and coordinators, are on the bachelor’s and master’s pages of the International Relations Office.
How much does Babeș-Bolyai University cost for non-EU students in 2026/27?
| Programme (taught in English) | Level | Fee per year (2026/27) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Banking | Bachelor’s | €2,500 |
| International Relations and European Studies | Bachelor’s | €3,000 |
| Business Administration | Bachelor’s | €5,000 |
| Mathematics for Computer Science | Bachelor’s | €7,000 |
| International Business Management | Master’s | €2,500 |
| Solid State Physics | Master’s | €2,700 |
| Global Security and Human Rights Policies | Master’s | €3,000 |
| Advanced Mathematics | Master’s | €9,000 |
These are examples from the 2026/27 offer for international students: the bachelor’s offer lists fees from €2,200 to €9,000 per year across all languages[3], and the master’s offer from €2,200 to €9,000 as well.[5] Fees are set per programme, so check the programme you want.
Two ways of quoting the same fee: the university’s separate foreign-currency fee page quotes non-EU tuition per month by faculty. For 2026/27 it shows, for example, €250 a month for Economics and Law, €270 for Engineering, €360 for Letters and €900 for Computer Science.[7] The international offer quotes per year. Confirm with the International Relations Office which figure applies to your programme and how many months it covers.
Applicants also pay a non-refundable €50 processing fee, due only after the application form is complete. It covers two verifications of the file; a third upload needs a new fee.[3][5] After the Letter of Acceptance you have 21 calendar days to pay the tuition and upload proof of payment.[5] For living costs, see the Romania guide.
How do you apply to Babeș-Bolyai University?
Non-EU candidates apply online through the university’s international admission platform. The steps are:[3]
- Read the admission information, check your documents and test your eligibility with the platform’s testing function (no account needed). Do not pay yet.
- Create one account only; duplicate accounts are deleted.
- Fill in the form. From the moment you start, you have 24 hours to pay the processing fee and upload the file. Changing the specialisation afterwards is not allowed.
- Upload one PDF with all documents: signed application form, passport valid for at least 8 months, school or bachelor’s diploma and transcripts, language certificate, motivation letter (one A4 page), birth certificate and a medical certificate not older than 3 months.
Foreign documents need legalisation or an Apostille.[3] Seats are limited per country and assigned first come, first served.[3] The Ministry of Education and the embassy also review the file, and a seat can be freed if either rejects a candidate.[3] After you receive the Letter of Acceptance, you pay the tuition, receive a confirmation, apply for the study visa and then upload a copy of the visa.[5] Master’s applicants must also hold a bachelor’s diploma that meets the programme’s eligibility criteria.[5]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the platform shows the current registration period. The same office runs separate pages for doctoral studies and the Romanian preparatory year.[8]
Which language level do you need?
You need a language proficiency certificate for the language of your programme, taken from the university’s list of accepted certificates. Certificates issued by a school or university are not accepted. Candidates from countries whose official language is the language of the programme may be exempt; the university refers to a separate document for the details.[3][5]
Programmes run in English, Romanian, German, or in several languages. Journalism, for example, is taught in Romanian, Hungarian, German and English.[3] The pages we read do not state a minimum CEFR level; check the accepted-certificates list on the platform before you book a test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tuition fees at Babeș-Bolyai University for non-EU students?
Can I study in English at Babeș-Bolyai University?
How do I apply as a non-EU student?
How is Babeș-Bolyai University ranked?
It is in the 851–900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, second among Romanian universities.[2]
Is Babeș-Bolyai the same as the University of Cluj?
Babeș-Bolyai University is the university of Cluj-Napoca. It was formed in 1959 from the Romanian and the Hungarian university of Cluj.[1]
More about studying in Romania
- Romania: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Romania
- Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- University of Bucharest
- National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest
Sources
[1] Babeș-Bolyai University: About UBB (page without a date)
[2] Edupedu.ro: Romanian universities in QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article dated 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Babeș-Bolyai University, International Relations Office: Bachelor studies for candidates from other countries (page without a date; academic offer 2026–2027)
[4] Wikipedia: Babeș-Bolyai University (history, type and 2021–22 student figures; secondary source)
[5] Babeș-Bolyai University, International Relations Office: Master degree for candidates from other countries (page without a date; academic offer 2026–2027)
[6] University of Bucharest: QS World University Rankings 2027 release (confirms the Babeș-Bolyai band) (release of 18 Jun 2026)
[7] Babeș-Bolyai University: Tuition fees in foreign currency for non-EU citizens (page without a date; 2026/27 tables load per faculty)
[8] Babeș-Bolyai University, International Relations Office: home page (page without a date; links to doctoral and preparatory-year pages)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.