10 Best Medical Schools in Romania
Romania is usually not the first choice amongst many students – but it should be. After all, the country offers high-quality education at a price that’s cheaper compared to the rest of Europe. This is especially true for aspiring doctors, as Romania’s medical schools are on par with the rest of the continent. They teach in a couple of languages too, which are good for English or French-speaking students.
How long does it take to study in Romanian medical schools?
The Romanian medical program is a 6-year undergraduate course. It covers 3 years of basic education, followed by 6 years of clinical studies.
What are the application documents required in medical schools in Romania?
The basic requirements are a high school diploma and transcript of records. Other necessary documents include a copy of your passport, birth certificate, and a marriage certificate if applicable. A medical certificate may be required as well.
Top Medical Schools in Romania
1. Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Faculty of Medicine
Also known as the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, this public health science institution is one of the oldest in Romania. It was established as St. Sava College in 1694 before it became UMFCD in 1857. Its Faculty of Medicine was opened a decade after in 1867. Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy is considered the best medical school in Romania.
The medical curriculum, which is taught in English, is divided into 2 parts: pre-clinical and clinical education. The first department covers studies in the functional, morphological, and complementary sciences.
As for clinical education, different departments are tasked to teach the courses in medical semiology, infectious disease, internal medicine, clinical neuroscience, pediatrics, radiology, rehabilitation medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, ENT, and obstetrics & gynecology.
The university only accepts 300 applicants every year.
2. Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Faculty of Medicine
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy is a public medical school located in Moldavia. Popularly known as UMF Iași, it was established in 1979. It is currently recognized as an advanced research and education university.
The university offers a 6-year medical program in English, French, and Romanian, which cost 5000 EUR a year for international students. Given the school’s strong international academic positioning, admission is competitive with slots limited to 200 per year.
The 360-credit course is complimented by immersions in laboratories, research centers, and university hospitals. Clinical rotations are done in the departments of pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, dermatology, surgery, psychiatry, family medicine, and public health, to name a few.
International mobility programs are available for students as well.
3. Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Faculty of Medicine
Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy or UMF Cluj is a state medical school in northwestern Romania. Founded in 1919 as the Superior Dacla University, it is considered one of the more prestigious institutions in the country.
UMF Cluj’s Faculty of Medicine is the only Romanian medical school to be recognized by the Association of Medical Schools in Europe. It is also the only Romanian medical faculty to be accredited by the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel. Add to that, it is a recipient of the Quality Certificate from the National Conference of the Francophone Faculties of Medicine.
The English curriculum covers fundamentals such as Anatomy, Biophysics, Physiology, Histology, Semiology, and Pharmacology, to name a few. By the end of the 3rd year, students are required to undergo practical work at Cardiology Rehabilitation Institute.
Clinical education includes immersions in cardiovascular surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics, to name a few.
4. University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș
Known to many as UMFST, it was founded in 1945. Based in Târgu Mureș, Romania, it is known as one of the 6 traditional medical schools in Romania.
UMFST is one of the newest institutions to offer a Medicine degree in English. Like most universities, the program is divided into the pre-clinical and clinical phases. Foreign students are required to take Romanian lessons as part of their studies.
UMFST remains a popular choice amongst many applicants as it is one of the few schools to provide a scholarship for international students. This is outside the 3 slots open for young researchers.
5. Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Popularly called UMF Timișoara, the university is a public institution established in 1945. It is named after Victor Babeș, one of the founders of modern microbiology.
It is one of the few medical schools to offer the course in 3 languages: English, French, and Romanian. The slots are quite limited though, as there are only 15 available for the English program and 30 for the French course.
The pre-clinical cycle covers subjects in anatomy, biology, histology, biophysics, and biochemistry. Unlike other universities, this phase also includes practical courses in neuroscience and first aid.
The clinical phase, meanwhile, focuses more on the medical and surgical disciplines. True to its goal of making well-rounded physicians, the curriculum also includes lessons in the social sciences, sports, and foreign languages.
6. Transilvania University of Brașov – Faculty of Medicine
Next in our list of best medical schools in Romania is Transilvania University of Brașov, also known as UNITBV. This university is the biggest institution in central Romania. It is home to 18 faculties, with an enrollment number of 19,500 local and foreign students. While it was founded in 1948 as the Institute of Silviculture, the university was only formally founded in 1971.
Its Faculty of Medicine was established in 1991, a score after the university’s establishment. Unlike other universities, it only offers a Romanian-taught medical program.
The objective of the course is to help mold doctors with basic and specialized knowledge of Medicine. It integrates lectures and theoretical lessons into practical clinical competencies in different medical fields.
7. Ovidius University of Constanța – Faculty of Medicine
The Ovidius University of Constanța is a public educational institution located in Romania’s oldest inhabited city. Founded in 1961, it is named after the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso who lived in Constanța some 2,000 years ago.
Its Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1990 as the Faculty of General Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. In 2002, the administration was divided into two departments. The medical school is currently housed in the campus’ building B, which was constructed in 2008.
Ovidius University offers a medicine program in both Romanian and English, the latter of which was first launched in 1993. It is one of the more popular courses in the university, as it hosts 800 students – compared to the 200 students enrolled in the Romanian course.
Medical students take the most of the international assembly, as the school is currently home to 1,100 students from India, South Africa, Israel, Albania, and Turkey, to name a few.
8. University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova – Faculty of Medicine
UMF Craiova is a public educational institution situated in southwestern Romania. It was initially part of the University of Craiova before it was formally separated in 1998.
The Faculty of Medicine is one of the university’s 4 departments. This Romanian medical school is guided by the mission of providing more than just medical training, but scientific research as well.
The faculty is comprised of 15 departments that are manned by 300 physician-teachers. Unlike other universities, it has quite a big student population. After all, it accepts 1,500 applicants every year.
Each academic year is divided into 2 semesters, with each spanning 15 weeks long. The program follows a structured curriculum, with evaluations done through written and oral examinations.
9. Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad – Faculty of Medicine
The Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad, also known as UVVG Arad, is a private university based in Western Romania. Founded in 1990, it is named after Vasile Goldiș, a prominent Romanian figure.
It has 6 faculties, one of which is the Faculty of Medicine. Of the many Romanian universities, it is one of the few to offer courses in both English and Romanian. The 6-year medical program is designed to be student-centered, and one that aims to promote the concept of “Medicine without borders”.
Apart from the mandatory fundamental, complementary, and specialty subjects, the university also offers unique study options. Such courses include legislation for foreigners, complementary therapies, even Chinese Traditional Medicine and Vitalopathy.
The internship for the last year includes rotations in 11 departments, including family medicine, infectious disease, obstetrics & gynecology, and emergency care, to name a few.
10. University of Oradea – Faculty of Medicine
The final candidate in our list of top medical schools in Romania is the University of Oradea, a public institution founded in 1990. It is located in its namesake town, which is situated in the northwestern region of Romania.
It is one of the Romanian universities to offer an English Medicine program for international students. The program is governed by the Faculty of Medicine, which was established in 1991. It has 2 strategic objectives, which are to provide vocational education for physicians and to promote scientific research in the medical field.
The pre-clinical phase covers the fundamental, domain, specialty, and complementary disciplines. As for clinical education, the subjects range from compulsory to optional – both of which are vital to the student’s assumption of a professional role.
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