Romania – Education and Schools

How good is the education system in Romania?

Romania’s education system operates on a principle of equal access and free tuition. The right to education is enshrined in Article 32 of the Romanian Constitution, and the entire system is administered by the Ministry of National Education. Structurally, Romania’s schooling model shares characteristics with the French system — notably its centralised organisation and focus on academic content — though results across the country remain inconsistent.

Romania’s 2022 PISA results fell roughly 50 points short of the OECD average in every tested domain. The widest gap appeared in science, where Romanian students scored 428 points against an OECD average of 485. PISA — the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment — is conducted every three years and evaluates 15-year-olds globally. Romania recorded the weakest performance of any European country across all three indicators in 2022. The most up-to-date assessment data is available via the OECD PISA Romania country note.

Socio-economic background accounted for 26% of the variation in mathematics scores in Romania’s 2022 PISA results, considerably higher than the OECD average of 15%. Pupils attending rural schools scored 119 PISA points lower in mathematics than their urban counterparts, and almost 42% of students in primary and lower-secondary education were enrolled in rural schools in 2023. This divide between urban and rural provision is among the most pressing issues facing the Romanian system.

Romania’s current education reform agenda represents the country’s most far-reaching attempt to modernise its schools and skills framework since the transition to democracy. Significant financial investment is backing efforts to raise educational quality, broaden access, and prepare learners for an evolving labour market. Expatriate families should note that standards differ substantially from one school — and one city — to the next. Urban centres such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara generally offer stronger provision, while rural areas may lag considerably behind.

Despite middling PISA scores, Romania has a strong tradition in high-level academic competitions. The country holds 6th place in the all-time medal rankings at the International Mathematical Olympiad, with 316 medals accumulated since 1959. This points to a deeply rooted culture of advanced academic achievement at the elite level, even if overall attainment sits below Western European norms. For independent assessments, the European Commission’s Education and Training Monitor and the Eurydice Romania overview are valuable references.

At what ages is education compulsory in Romania?

Compulsory general education in Romania spans 14 school grades and encompasses the middle and senior groups of preschool education (children aged 4 to 6), primary education, lower secondary education, and upper secondary (high school) education. In practical terms, compulsory schooling begins at around age 4 and continues through to the completion of Grade 12 at approximately age 18.

Starting in 2030, the junior preschool group — covering children aged 3 to 4 — will also become compulsory. Once this reform comes into effect, formal compulsory education in Romania will therefore begin at age 3. Public education throughout the compulsory phase is provided without charge.

Compulsory schooling rules are applied uniformly throughout Romania through its centralised national framework, and there are no regional variations of the kind found in federal or cantonal systems. Expat children residing legally in Romania are bound by the same attendance requirements as Romanian nationals. Families on short-stay visas or still formalising their residency status should seek clarification on their specific obligations from their local county school inspectorate (Inspectoratul Școlar Județean).

What types of schools are available in Romania, and how is education structured by age?

Romania’s education system is built on an open model that facilitates pupil movement — between schools, between class groups, and between different educational tracks or profiles. It is also a pluralist system, encompassing public and private institutions, faith-based schooling, and alternative educational approaches. Instruction may be delivered in Romanian, in the mother tongue of recognised national minorities, or in international languages.

The stages of the Romanian school system from infancy through to the end of secondary education are as follows:

• Creșă (Nursery/Crèche): Ages 0–3. Attendance is not compulsory. Participation rates for children under 3 in formal childcare stood at just 11.4% in 2024, well below the EU average of 39.3%.
• Grădiniță (Kindergarten/Preschool): Ages 3–6, organised into three groups (junior, middle, and senior). The middle and senior groups (ages 4–6) are currently compulsory; the junior group (ages 3–4) will become compulsory from 2030.
• Clasa Pregătitoare + Școala Primară (Preparatory Class + Primary School): Grades 0–4 (ages 6–10/11). The preparatory year (Clasa Pregătitoare) functions as the opening year of primary school.
• Gimnaziu (Lower Secondary/Gymnasium): Grades 5–8 (ages 11–14/15). At the close of Grade 8, students sit a national assessment (Evaluarea Națională) that determines which upper secondary school they may attend.
• Liceu (Upper Secondary/Lyceum) or Vocational/Technical School: Grades 9–12 (ages 15–18/19). Students choose between an academic lyceum (theoretical, technical, or vocational) and professional or apprenticeship pathways. All four years of upper secondary are now part of compulsory education.

With the exception of kindergarten and tertiary education, private schooling represents a very small share of Romania’s overall education landscape. Most children attend state institutions, and the system is coordinated centrally, with the Ministry of Education (edu.ro) setting the national framework. Individual schools are governed in partnership with local public administration bodies.

What curriculum and qualifications do schools in Romania follow?

Romanian state schools deliver a national curriculum established by the Ministry of Education. At primary level, 46% of instructional time is devoted to mathematics and to reading, writing and literature; this proportion drops to 29% at lower secondary level. The curriculum is broadly academic in character, placing strong emphasis on Romanian language, mathematics, the sciences, history, geography, and foreign languages — English in particular is introduced from the early years of primary school.

Two major national examinations punctuate the state school journey. At the end of Grade 8 (around age 14 or 15), students sit the Evaluarea Națională (National Assessment), whose results determine placement in upper secondary schools. At the end of Grade 12, students take the Bacalaureat, Romania’s school-leaving examination, which is required for admission to university within the country.

Under School Education Law 198/2023, mechanisms have been established to enable automatic recognition of Romanian school diplomas at European level, in support of the European Education Area target for 2025. This means that Romanian qualifications, including the Bacalaureat, enjoy growing recognition across EU member states. Families intending to return to their country of origin should confirm recognition with their national qualifications authority, as procedures outside the EU vary.

Private local schools generally follow the same national curriculum as state schools, though they may supplement it with additional subjects, bilingual instruction, or a broader extracurricular offering. International schools operate under entirely distinct curricula, as described in the relevant section below.

What are typical school hours, term dates, and holidays in Romania?

The Romanian academic year generally runs from mid-September through to mid-June, divided into two semesters. The first semester typically spans September to late January or early February, while the second runs from February through to June. This two-semester arrangement is comparable to systems in France and parts of southern Europe, though it differs from the three-term model common in many other countries.

Combined school holidays in primary education amount to 16.6 weeks per year in Romania, compared to an OECD average of 13.5 weeks — meaning Romanian children enjoy more total holiday time than pupils in most OECD member states. Key breaks typically include a winter holiday around Christmas and the New Year (approximately two weeks), a mid-winter break in February (roughly one week), an Easter or spring break (one to two weeks), and a long summer holiday running from mid-June to mid-September (approximately 10 to 11 weeks).

Typical school hours for primary and gymnasium (lower secondary) pupils generally run from around 08:00 to 13:00 or 14:00, though this varies by school and year group. Some schools — particularly in cities — operate morning and afternoon shifts due to building capacity limitations. Romanian students receive 540 hours of compulsory instruction per year at primary level and 834 hours at lower secondary level, both below the respective OECD averages of 804 and 909 hours. Upper secondary students generally experience longer days with a wider range of subjects and may finish later in the afternoon. Specific term dates and timetables should always be confirmed with the individual school, as these can differ.

How do you enrol a child in school in Romania?

State school enrolment in Romania is handled at the local level through the county school inspectorate (Inspectoratul Școlar Județean) and the school itself. Primary schools operate catchment zones (circumscripție școlară): children are assigned to the nearest state school to their registered home address, though applications to alternative schools may be considered if places are available. Competition for well-regarded urban state schools can be considerable.

1. Establish your child’s entitlement: Confirm that your child meets the relevant age and residency criteria. Expatriate children holding legal residency in Romania are entitled to attend state schools on an equal footing with Romanian nationals.
2. Register your address: Secure proof of residence — such as a tenancy agreement or property ownership document together with residency registration — as this is needed to identify the correct catchment school.
3. Contact the school or inspectorate: Reach out to your local school or county inspectorate to establish the intake calendar. Registration for a September start typically opens in spring, between March and May.
4. Prepare documentation: Documents commonly required include the child’s birth certificate (with a certified translation if not already in Romanian), proof of residence, the child’s medical certificate and vaccination record (fișa medicală), and any prior school records or transcripts.
5. Complete the enrolment form: Submit the application at the school in person. For private local schools, contact each institution individually, as admissions procedures and timelines differ between them.
6. Language assessment: Children who do not yet speak Romanian may be informally assessed or offered supplementary language assistance. There is no formal Romanian language requirement for entry to a state school, but parents should anticipate an environment where all teaching is conducted in Romanian from day one.

Requirements and timelines can differ by county and may change from year to year. Always verify the current process with the relevant school or via the Ministry of Education website (edu.ro). Enrolment at private international schools is an entirely separate process — see the section below for details.

What international schools are available in Romania?

Most international schools in Romania teach globally recognised programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), British GCSEs and A-Levels, or the American Advanced Placement (AP) framework, equipping students to pursue further education anywhere in the world. The great majority of international schools are located in Bucharest, with a smaller number in Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and other major urban centres.

Established international schools in Romania include:

• American International School of Bucharest (AISB): AISB is a coeducational international day school offering a continuous educational programme from early childhood through Grade 12, open to students of all nationalities. Founded in 1962, annual tuition fees at AISB range from EUR 11,150 to EUR 23,830 depending on the student’s grade level and programme (as of 2025/2026). Website: aisb.ro
• British School of Bucharest (BSB): A well-established and well-resourced international private school situated on an extensive campus in Pipera, to the north of Bucharest. BSB provides a thorough international education grounded in the National Curriculum for England. Annual tuition fees range from EUR 6,895 to EUR 21,767 depending on year group and programme (as of 2025/2026). Website: britishschool.ro
• International British School of Bucharest (IBSB): Delivers the British National Curriculum from Nursery through to Year 13. Fees comprise a registration fee, an enrolment deposit, and an annual school fee, structured across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary stages. Website: ibsb.ro
• Cambridge School of Bucharest (CSB): An IB World School that also offers the British curriculum. Annual tuition fees range from EUR 12,900 to EUR 21,397 depending on year group and programme (as of 2025/2026). Website: cambridge.ro
• Verita International School (Bucharest): Offers both British and IB curricula, including IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme. Secondary students in Years 12 and 13 enrolling in the IB Diploma Programme are subject to a supplementary fee of EUR 1,950 on top of annual tuition (as of 2024/2025). Website: veritaschool.ro

The international school fees listed above are as of the 2025/2026 academic year. Always check each school’s website for the most current fee schedules, as these are updated annually and may not include registration fees or other one-off charges. For a broader directory of international schools across Romania, the International Schools Database and World Schools are useful independent resources.

What are the options for higher education in Romania?

Romania has a well-developed university sector with a long-standing academic tradition. Admission to tertiary education is selective, with applicants applying directly to individual institutions. The higher education system is structured according to the Bologna Process — the framework shared by EU member states — comprising three cycles: a Bachelor’s degree (3 years), a Master’s degree (1–2 years), and a Doctoral degree (3 years). This structure broadly mirrors those found in France, Germany, and other European countries.

Among Romania’s most internationally recognised institutions are the University of Bucharest, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (one of the largest universities in the country and a consistent presence in Eastern European rankings), the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest. Completing a university degree in Romania carries strong employment prospects: the employment rate for graduates stands at 92%, compared to an OECD average of 87% (as of 2024).

Tuition fees at public universities are generally very low for EU citizens and Romanians who secure a state-subsidised (bugetat) place — often free or close to it for qualifying students. Non-EU international students are charged higher fees. Average annual tuition fees for foreign students at master’s level in Romania stand at USD 8,150 (as of 2025), significantly above what national students pay. Fees differ considerably between institutions, faculties, and programmes — always verify figures directly with the university and the Ministry of Education website. Many universities in Bucharest and Cluj now offer degree programmes taught entirely in English, French, or German, making them increasingly attractive to international applicants.

In Romania, 62% of bachelor’s degree students complete their programme within the standard timeframe — a figure that rises to 65% one year after the expected end date and 66% three years later. These rates are notably higher than the OECD average, indicating that enrolled students generally progress through their studies successfully.

What should expat families know about education costs in Romania?

State education is entirely free of charge — no tuition fees are levied at public schools. Families should nevertheless budget for indirect expenses: school supplies and textbooks (some are provided at no cost, but exercise books and stationery are typically purchased by families), uniforms (not universally required but worn at some schools), and optional extracurricular activities. These costs tend to be quite modest — usually a few hundred lei per year — and are substantially lower than equivalent expenses in Western European countries.

Private local schools — Romanian-language private institutions operating outside the state sector — charge fees that fall well below those of international schools, typically in the range of EUR 2,000 to EUR 6,000 per year (as of 2025/2026), though this varies significantly by city and school. These institutions follow the national curriculum but may offer smaller class sizes, better facilities, and bilingual programmes. Current fees should be confirmed directly with each school.

International schools occupy the highest cost bracket. As noted above, annual tuition broadly ranges from around EUR 7,000 at the more affordable end to over EUR 23,000 at premium institutions (as of 2025/2026), depending on the school, year group, and curriculum offered. Beyond annual tuition, families should also budget for a one-off registration fee (often EUR 500–EUR 2,000), an enrolment deposit, exam fees for IGCSE or IB assessments, school trips, and extracurricular activities. At the International School of Bucharest, students in Years 3–10 placed in an ESL programme are charged an additional EUR 2,000 per year on top of standard tuition (as of currently published fees).

All figures cited here are as of the 2025/2026 academic year. Fees at private and international schools are reviewed annually and often increase in line with inflation. Always obtain the most current cost information directly from the school before making any commitment.

Are there any language considerations or support available for expat children in Romania?

Romanian state schools use Romanian as the language of instruction. The system also accommodates teaching in the mother tongues of national minorities and in international languages. In areas with substantial Hungarian, German, or other minority communities — particularly in Transylvania — state schools may deliver part or all of their teaching in those languages. Well-regarded German-language state lyceums, for instance, operate in cities such as Sibiu, Brașov, and Cluj-Napoca.

For expatriate children who have not yet acquired Romanian, integrating into a state school can be a considerable challenge. Unlike some national systems — for example, those in the Netherlands or Belgium, which have structured newcomer immersion programmes — Romania does not have a nationwide standardised support scheme for children arriving without Romanian language skills. In practice, the level of assistance available depends entirely on the individual school: some urban schools, especially in Bucharest, have accumulated experience in supporting non-Romanian-speaking pupils and can arrange supplementary Romanian lessons, while others may have little capacity to do so.

Children who enter Romanian state schools without the language typically acquire working fluency through immersion over a period of one to two years, depending on their age and prior exposure to other languages. Younger children at primary level generally adapt more readily than older pupils. Parents are encouraged to have an honest discussion with the school about available support before completing enrolment.

International schools address the language barrier directly by teaching primarily in English — or in French or German in some cases — and most provide dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. The British School of Bucharest, for example, includes EAL tuition for the first twelve months as part of its standard school offer. This makes international schools a particularly practical choice for families arriving with no Romanian, especially when the duration of their stay is expected to be short to medium term.

Frequently asked questions: education and schools in Romania

Are foreign school qualifications recognised in Romania?

In Romania, only documents of studies recognised by the Romanian State in accordance with the laws in force are considered valid. The regime for study documents issued by educational establishments and institutions is determined by an order of the education minister. Foreign school qualifications can be recognised through a formal process managed by the Ministry of Education. Qualifications from EU countries benefit from automatic recognition mechanisms introduced under School Education Law 198/2023. If you need your child’s previous schooling formally credited, contact the Ministry of Education’s recognition directorate or consult the Eurydice Romania page for the procedures currently in force.

How do I find a good school in a specific city in Romania?

The Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Pre-University Education (ARACIP) is the national body responsible for school inspection and quality evaluation, and publishes its assessment results at aracip.eu. Expat community groups and international school networks in cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara can also provide practical recommendations. The county school inspectorate is the appropriate point of contact for information on state school catchment areas and available places.

Do children need to speak Romanian to attend a public school?

No formal Romanian language proficiency requirement exists for admission to a state school, and children with legal residency are entitled to enrol regardless of their linguistic background. All teaching, however, takes place in Romanian (or in the relevant minority language where applicable), and a nationally standardised language support programme for non-Romanian-speaking children does not exist. Younger children tend to achieve functional fluency through classroom immersion, while older students may find the adjustment more demanding and could benefit from private Romanian tuition taken alongside regular schooling.

How long does it take to secure a school place in Romania?

For state schools, the enrolment window for a September start typically runs from March to May, with places confirmed over the summer. Children enrolling outside the standard period — for instance, families arriving part way through the school year — can generally be placed at their catchment school subject to available capacity, and this is coordinated through the county inspectorate. For highly sought-after international schools in Bucharest, waiting lists are not unusual, especially at primary level. Families are advised to apply as early as possible — ideally six to twelve months before the intended start date.

What happens to a child’s education if the family moves mid-year?

Romania operates an open system that allows for student mobility — transfers between schools, between class groups, between study profiles, and between educational pathways. Mid-year transfers within the state system are therefore permitted and are arranged through the school and the local inspectorate. For international schools, transfer policies differ from one institution to another; the receiving school should be contacted directly to understand admissions requirements and how previously earned credits will be handled.

Is the Romanian Bacalaureat recognised by universities abroad?

The Bacalaureat is Romania’s national school-leaving qualification and the standard prerequisite for entry to Romanian universities. Within the EU, it benefits from recognition mechanisms established under School Education Law 198/2023. Outside the EU, whether and how it is recognised depends on the receiving country and the specific institution — most European and many international universities do accept it, but procedures vary. Students planning to apply to universities in other countries are strongly advised to check with that university and, where relevant, with their national qualifications authority well in advance.

Are there international schools outside Bucharest?

Bucharest is home to the greatest concentration of international schools, but options can also be found in other significant cities. Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Brașov, and Constanța all have private and/or international schools, some of which offer IB or bilingual programmes. Outside Bucharest, the international school offering is considerably more limited, and families relocating to smaller cities may need to explore state schooling or accept longer travel times. The International Schools Database Romania page is a useful tool for searching options by city.

What are the costs of higher education in Romania for international students?

Government expenditure per tertiary student in Romania amounts to USD 10,329, compared to an OECD average of USD 15,102 (as of 2025). International (non-EU) students are charged tuition fees that vary by university, faculty, and programme level. Typical undergraduate fees fall broadly in the range of EUR 2,000–EUR 6,000 per year, while postgraduate programmes can be higher. Average annual tuition fees for foreign students at master’s level stand at USD 8,150 (as of 2025). Fee schedules change annually, so always verify the current figures directly with the university and the Ministry of Education.

Is Romanian higher education recognised internationally?

Romania is a participant in the Bologna Process, meaning that its higher education degrees — bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral — are structured to align with those of other European countries and are widely recognised across the EU and beyond. Institutions such as Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca and the University of Bucharest feature in international university rankings. Graduates intending to use their Romanian qualifications abroad should contact the relevant national recognition authority in their destination country, and may wish to request a Diploma Supplement from their Romanian university to facilitate the recognition process.