The Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, the University of Bucharest and the Politehnica University of Bucharest occupy the first positions in the National Metaranking. In 2023, the top 10 universities in Romania remained similar to the one in 2022, including comprehensive, technical and medical universities.
The best Universities in Romania – Photo Archive
The National Metaranking evaluates and ranks Romanian universities based on international rankings recognized by the International Ranking Expert Group, Inventory of International Rankings (IREG). In 2023, only 30 of the 89 public and private universities were included in this metaranking, which facilitates the equitable allocation of research funds and supports academic excellence.
The first five universities in Romania, in 2023, are the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, the University of Bucharest, the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest and the “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, according to the Ministry of Education.
Other top universities are: Transilvania University in Brașov and “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Iași, Western University in Timişoara, Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Polytechnic University of Timişoara, Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” from Iasi, the University of Oradea and the “Lucian Blaga” University from Sibiu.
The 2023 ranking reflects a stability compared to the previous year, with the mention that the “Ferdinand I” Military Technical Academy has left the ranking.
This metaranking monitors indicators from eight international rankings in order to improve the position of Romanian universities internationally. Metaranking serves as an accurate and unbiased tool to promote equitable funding of university research and to identify needs for excellence in education and research, the Ministry of Education reports.
Admission process
Admission procedures may vary from one faculty to another. If you can enter some of them based on the Baccalaureate average, in others the selection takes place through a written exam, while in others it is a mixed admission procedure.
ITof the Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB), for example, admission to some faculties, such as Mathematics and Computer Science, Medicine or Law, requires a written exam, while others, such as Letters or Sociology, is based on the average of the Baccalaureate and a motivational essay. There are also faculties that combine the entrance exams with the evaluation of the application file, such as Biology and Geology or Political Science. Also, at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, applicants must go through the application route. At other UBB faculties, such as Theater and Film, those who enroll take practical tests and interviews for various specializations (Acting, Directing, etc.). The competitions represent an academic alternative to the admission tests, UBB announces instead, where no pre-admission is organized.
Admission to the various faculties of of the University of Bucharest (UB) it may involve written exams or evaluation of the application file, depending on the faculty and study program. For example, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics organize written exams, and the Faculty of History and the Faculty of Political Sciences admit on the basis of a file. There are also faculties that combine exams with file assessment, such as the Faculty of Biology or the Faculty of Economic Sciences. Admission procedures may also include aptitude tests for certain faculties, such as the Faculty of Theater and Film or the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports.
to Polytechnic University of Bucharest (UPB), admission to various faculties may involve written exams or evaluation of the application file. For example, faculties such as Automation and Computers or Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology organize written exams in Mathematics and Physics or Computer Science. Others, such as Materials Science and Engineering, admit on a case-by-case basis in addition to the average of the Baccalaureate and a motivational essay. There are also faculties that combine exams with file assessment, such as Medical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
In addition, the Polytechnic has also organized an early admission session for all faculties, whether admission is done through a file contest, a contest with written tests, a contest with vocational tests or a mixed contest.
“Already at this year's early admission we have over 3,400 candidates present. Early admission is given on the basis of the results during the years of study, without the Baccalaureate grade counting in this early admission. It counts towards the average from July, but if you want to enter the Polytechnic, you can do it and you will be enrolled provided you obtain the Baccalaureate diplomaMihnea Cosmin Costoiu, rector of the Polytechnic recently explained to “Adevărul”.
to “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest (UMFCD), admission requires passing a written exam. For example, at the Faculty of Medicine, subjects from Biology and Chemistry or Physics are covered, while at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, the exam includes subjects from Biology and Chemistry. At the Faculty of Pharmacy, the exam includes subjects from Organic Chemistry and Plant Biology, and at the Faculty of Midwifery and Medical Assistance, the knowledge in Biology is tested.
And at “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca (UMF Cluj), admission to the faculties of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy and Midwifery and Medical Assistance requires passing a written exam.
The most sought after faculties
The summer session for college admissions starts in July, and the exact period may vary from one college to another. The University of Bucharest, the Academy of Economic Studies and the Transilvania University of Brașov are among the higher education institutions that recorded record enrollments for admission in 2023.
Psychology was the field that attracted the most candidates, almost 40 candidates fought for a place in this specialization, within the faculty belonging to the University of Bucharest. Economic studies, for which ASE announced a record number of candidates, ranks first in the number of enrollments at UBB as well. Other institutions, such as the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest and the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University in Iași, also reported a large number of applicants.
No less than 44,000 candidates registered in the summer of 2023 at UB, thus the highest number of registrations in the last 14 years, a significant increase of 42.11% compared to the previous year. Competition was fierce, with an average of 7.15 applications per budgeted place for undergraduate programs. The most sought after majors were in Psychology and Cognitive Science, Spanish, Information Technology and Technological Biochemistry.
In the summer session for the academic year 2023-2024, more than 20,600 candidates submitted their application files to “Babeș-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca.
At the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest (UMFCD), almost 4,000 candidates registered for the 1,625 available places. Over 1,200 candidates registered at the Faculty of Law, within the UB.
Romanian universities, at the bottom of the international rankings
At the international level, Romanian universities are positioned towards the tail of the ranking: Babeș-Bolyai University is on places 801-850 in this ranking. The University of Bucharest is ranked 851-900. Politehnica Bucharest – on 1,201-1,400, Technical University of Cluj Napoca – on places 1,201-1,400, and Transilvania University of Brașov and West University of Timișoara are on the same places. These are the only universities featured in the prestigious QS World University Rankings for 2024.
Top 10 Romanian universities in 2023:
1. Babeș-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca
2. University of Bucharest
3. Polytechnic University of Bucharest
4. “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest
5. “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Cluj-Napoca
6. Transilvania University of Brașov
7. “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University from Iasi
8. Western University of Timișoara
9. Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest
10. Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
