The University of Bucharest is a public research university in Romania’s capital with more than 30,000 students and 20 faculties.[1] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is in the 801–850 band and is the highest-placed Romanian university.[2]
Tuition for non-EU students depends on the field of study and the first year must be paid in full in advance.[3] The one 2026/27 amount we could read is the doctoral fee of €3,900 a year;[4] bachelor’s and master’s fees are not published on the pages we could read. Non-EU students also need a Letter of Acceptance from the Romanian Ministry of Education before they can apply for a study visa.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universitatea din București (University of Bucharest) |
| Location | Bucharest, Romania (International Relations Directorate: Șos. Panduri 90-92, 050663 Bucharest)[6] |
| Type | Public research university[7] |
| Founded | 4 July 1864 by decree of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza; roots in the Princely Academy of 1694[7] |
| Students | 30,000+ (own figure); 32,576 in 2022–23 according to Wikipedia[1] |
| Faculties | 20 on the International Hub list; the “About UB” page and Wikipedia say 19[8] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 801–850 (first among Romanian universities)[2] |
| Languages of teaching | Romanian; English or French in some programmes[3] |
| Tuition, doctoral, non-EU, 2026/27 | €3,900 per year[4] |
| Tuition, bachelor’s and master’s, non-EU | Varies by field; amounts not shown on the pages we could read[3] |
| Application fee, non-EU | €100, non-refundable (page without a year)[5] |
| Start of the academic year | 1 October[5] |
| Official website | unibuc.ro |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the University of Bucharest
The University of Bucharest was founded in its current form on 4 July 1864 by a decree of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Its roots go back to the Princely Academy founded by Constantin Brâncoveanu in 1694.[7] It describes itself as a research and education university with more than 30,000 students.[1]
The university is spread across the city. The International Relations Directorate sits at Șos. Panduri 90-92, Bucharest;[6] the university’s main site gives 90 Panduri Street, Sector 5, as its footer address and names Bulevardul Mihail Kogălniceanu 36-46 as a further seat in its privacy notice.[9]
Faculty count: the International Hub list names 20 faculties,[8] while its “About UB” page and Wikipedia say 19.[6][7]
How is the University of Bucharest ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Bucharest is in the 801–850 band, the highest of the eight Romanian universities listed. Babeș-Bolyai University follows at 851–900; Alexandru Ioan Cuza University and POLITEHNICA Bucharest are both in 1201–1400.[2] The university’s own release also reports first place in Romania for Employment Outcomes and Employer Reputation.[10]
Wikipedia lists the university in the 761–770 band for the 2026 edition,[7] so the 2027 band is lower. The ranking publisher’s page could not be read because it blocks automated access; the band comes from the university’s release and Romanian press. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Bucharest?
The International Hub lists these faculties:[8]
- Administration and Business; Law; Political Science; Journalism and Communication Sciences; Sociology and Social Work
- Letters; Foreign Languages and Literatures; History; Philosophy; Psychology and Educational Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Geography; Geology and Geophysics
- Orthodox Theology; Baptist Theology; Roman-Catholic Theology; Interdisciplinary Studies
A programme is offered in English or French only where the programme itself lists that language; programmes taught only in Romanian require Romanian language skills.[3] The list page does not show which programmes those are; each faculty links to its own study programmes.[8] Applicants without Romanian who want a Romanian-taught programme can take a one-year Romanian preparatory course first.[3]
How much does the University of Bucharest cost for non-EU students?
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral tuition, non-EU | €3,900 per year | 2026/27; paid in full in advance[4] |
| Application fee, non-EU | €100 | Non-refundable; the page states no year[5] |
| Bachelor’s and master’s tuition, non-EU | Not confirmed | Varies by field of study[3] |
The €3,900 figure comes from the fees page of the Interdisciplinary School of Doctoral Studies (ISDS-UB), so it applies to doctoral students only. The same page lists tuition for Romanian citizens in RON, and non-EU students pay in EUR.[4] For bachelor’s and master’s programmes the university says fees vary by field and that the full first-year fee must be paid up front, by online bank transfer or at a bank.[3] The only fee document linked from the university’s fees page is a PDF for 2022–23, which is too old to use,[11] so ask the International Relations Directorate for the current amount before you apply.
The university does not offer scholarships of its own. Non-EU students selected through Romanian Government scholarship programmes can study there after receiving an admission letter, and those scholarships cover tuition.[3][12] Tuition is only part of the bill; see the Romania guide for living costs.
How do you apply to the University of Bucharest?
Non-EU applicants who pay their own fees follow these steps:[5]
- Prepare your documents as coloured PDF scans and upload them through the admission platform on the International Hub.
- The Admissions Committee evaluates the file. Some programmes also require an admission exam or interview.
- If recommended, you receive a Letter of Acceptance from the Romanian Ministry of Education. The university submits recommended candidates to the Ministry, which can issue or refuse the letter regardless of the university’s decision.
- Apply for the Romanian study visa yourself (the university is not involved in visa decisions) through eViza, then enrol.
The Letter of Acceptance is issued for visa purposes only and does not prove student status; you must enrol in person.[3] Foreign documents must be legalised by the Romanian Embassy or carry an Apostille if the issuing country belongs to the Hague Convention.[3] The older bachelor’s page still describes handing in original documents in person at the International Relations Office, which differs from the upload procedure on the Hub, so follow the Hub for the current round.[3][5] Doctoral fees are published on the ISDS-UB site.[4]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year.
Which language level do you need?
For English-taught programmes the Hub names level B1 on the CEFR scale (the European scale from A1 to C2). Accepted certificates include IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English and Pearson PTE Academic; the Duolingo English Test is not accepted for the Preparatory Year.[5] The bachelor’s page adds that applicants who studied in English or French generally do not need a certificate, though some faculties may interview candidates.[3]
Romanian-taught programmes require Romanian. Applicants without it must first complete the Preparatory Year of Romanian Language.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tuition fees at the University of Bucharest for non-EU students?
Do I need a Letter of Acceptance?
Yes, if you are a non-EU applicant. The Romanian Ministry of Education issues it on the university’s recommendation, and you need it for the study visa.[5]
Can I study in English at the University of Bucharest?
How is the University of Bucharest ranked?
It is in the 801–850 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest of eight Romanian universities listed.[2]
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
- Babeș-Bolyai University
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest
Sources
[1] University of Bucharest International Hub (home page) (page without a date; states 30,000+ students and 20 faculties)
[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] University of Bucharest: Admission for non-EU students, bachelor (page without a date)
[4] ISDS-UB (Interdisciplinary School of Doctoral Studies): Fees (page without a date; states the 2026–2027 academic year)
[5] University of Bucharest International Hub: Fee paying Non-EU citizens (page without a date; refers to the 2026 admission round)
[6] University of Bucharest International Hub: About UB (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: University of Bucharest (history, 2022–23 student figures, QS 2026 band; secondary source)
[8] University of Bucharest International Hub: Faculties (page without a date)
[9] University of Bucharest: About UB (page without a date; footer and privacy notice give the seat addresses)
[10] University of Bucharest: QS World University Rankings 2027, the University of Bucharest remains Romania’s leading university (release of 18 Jun 2026)
[11] University of Bucharest: Regulations and fees page (page without a date; links only a 2022–23 fee document)
[12] University of Bucharest International Hub: Scholarship opportunities (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.