History of medical education in Romania
In the nineteenth century, the foundations of medical study in Romania were laid. Thus, the first university of its kind was founded National School of Medicine and Pharmacy, founded by Carol Davila and Nicolae Kretzulescu, in Bucharest, which is currently called Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy.
Over time, other universities of medicine and pharmacy have been built in various cities in the country, contributing to the diversification and development of medical education in Romania. Today, medical universities in Romania are internationally recognized for the quality of training of future medical professionals.
Medical universities in Romania are made up of different fields and are divided into faculties, which are adapted to the requirements of the labor market. I will present you some of the medical branches that you will find if you choose to study medicine in Romania:
- General medicine: in this program you will train to become a general practitioner, you will take care of all ages, providing them with diagnosis and treatments. You will learn about short-term health problems, such as some skin conditions, like hives, but also about long-term diseases such as diabetes or diseases affecting the respiratory system and their treatments;
- Dentistry: This program prepares you in oral health practice. This training includes the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases;
- Pharmacy: if you choose to attend such a university, you will learn here about the chemical and biological substances used in the creation of medicines, about how to prepare and administer them and about the effects on the body;
- Nursing: in this faculty you will be prepared to become a qualified nurse, work under the observation of doctors and provide medical care to patients
These were just some of the study programs at medical universities in Romania. Each university can have different specializations and programs, depending on its interests. Medical universities in Romania offer all study programs (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral studies) and residency programs with various specializations; to help and improve the skills you will learn during the years of study. Below I will leave you some details about each level of medical education in Romania:
- Bachelor degree: this program lasts between 3-6 years (depending on the faculty you choose) and provides you with training on basic skills in various medical fields; These levels of study give you the chance to learn and develop your professional skills in your medical career, starting from the basis of medicine, to the specialization you have proposed from the beginning.
- Master degree: level of study spanning approximately 2 years, which can be followed after obtaining the license and provides more detailed training in the medical or pharmaceutical field;
- Doctoral degree: the program usually lasts between 3-5 years, during which you will have the chance to continue your academic evolution under the guidance of a mentor and develop your own research projects;
- Residency: to this program you will be able to apply only after graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, where you will undergo training in a medical specialization, under the supervision of experts, and depending on the chosen specialty, this level lasts between 3 and 6 years.
Universities and faculties of medicine in Romania
We know how difficult it is to find a university that meets all your requirements, so we will present you the best medical universities in Romania and some top faculties within universities that also have medical fields in their structure:
Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Bucharest
Located in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila; (UMF & Carol Davila;) is the first higher education institution with specializations in medical fields in the country. It was founded in 1857 under the name of National School of Medicine and Pharmacy.
This medical university in Romania bears the name of Carol Davila, a doctor and educator of French origin who had an important role in modernizing the health system and medical education in Romania.
As a student you will benefit from several facilities at this medical university that will help you during your study: accommodation, access to the university library, student camps that will be beneficial in your personal development, scholarships of all kinds, medical services, etc.
The university consists of four faculties that have several specializations included and study programs: bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and postgraduate studies. I will leave you a few lines about each, with some general information:
- Faculty of Medicine: this faculty is divided into preclinical education which is made up of 3 departments (functional sciences, morphological sciences and complementary sciences) and clinical education consisting of 14 departments (medical semiology, cardio-thoracic pathology, clinical neuroscience, pediatrics, general surgery, ophthalmology, obstetrics, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, etc.). As a foreign student, you will have the chance to study at this faculty also in English, and for admission will be evaluated the files or documents equivalent to them;
- Faculty of Dentistry: if you choose this faculty you will participate in theoretical and practical courses (with the help of collaborations with hospitals and clinics in Bucharest) in various fields, such as: anatomy, physiology, oral pathology, dental radiology, oral surgery, etc.
This faculty is divided into 3 departments (dentistry department I, dentistry II and dentistry III), all of theme have modern, well-equipped equipment and laboratories to receive quality training. For international students, the university offers courses taught in English.
- Faculty of Pharmacy: if you are passionate about research and science, then this is the right faculty for you. As a structure, it is divided into two departments: department of pharmacy I – Fundamental sciences and department of pharmacy II – Profile sciences (specialty). Here you will learn about the process of creating medicines, the substances used in this process and the impact of medicines on the human body. The faculty also offers foreign students’ courses taught in French;
- Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing: here you will gain skills in nursing and health care and become a qualified professional. The courses are theoretical and practical and will help you become a health professional, midwives, nurses, health managers, etc.
The faculty is composed of two departments: the department; fundamental disciplines (physiology, pathophysiology, hygiene, nutrition, radiology and medical imaging) and the department specific disciplines (social medicine, dental technique, general and specific nursing, etc.).
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
If you are an animal lover and you are concerned about their well-being, then your place is at this university. Reached the current form in 1995, it consists of 7 faculties, with bachelor, masters and doctoral study programs and with the forms of education, full-time, part-time and distance learning, depending on the specifics of the chosen faculty.
Our attention goes to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, which is the first faculty of its kind in Romania and is among the top faculties of veterinary medicine in Romania. In 2002, it was approved on the list of faculties by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).
The duration of studies is 6 years and the diploma obtained is recognized throughout Europe. At this institution you will gain knowledge that you will apply in a specialized clinic.
Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest – Faculty of Medicine / Faculty of Dental Medicine
- The Faculty of Medicine, based in Bucharest, has been internationally certified by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) and the World Health Organization (OSM);
- The Faculty of Dentistry, located in Bucharest, consists of 3 study programs: bachelors degree, which consists of two specializations (Dental Medicine and Dental Technique), masters studies and doctoral studies. The courses will be theoretical, but also practical at the Private Clinical Center for Dental Medical Assistance Titu Maiorescu;
- The Faculty of Nursing, based in Târgu Jiu, is the newest faculty within Titu Maiorescu University. The duration of studies is 4 years, with full-time education.
The recognition of studies conducted by foreign candidates will be done by the specialized department within the Ministry of Education, before enrolling candidates in the admission contest, each candidate having the obligation to present, when registering for the competition, the certificate of recognition of studies.
University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova
The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, also recognized as UMF Craiova, is the only higher education institution in the Oltenia area that offers training in the medical field. The study programs are bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and postgraduate studies, within the 4 faculties:
- Faculty of Medicine: is among the best medical colleges in Romania;
- Faculty of Dentistry: is focused on building a bright future for the students by providing them with the necessary resources. The Faculty operates through two departments: Department 1 which includes general medicine, dental prosthetics, oral rehabilitation, prosthesis technology, dental materials, stomatognathic system morphology and Department 2 which includes the disciplines of Oro-maxillofacial surgery, odontotherapy, endodontics, pedodontics, orthodontics, Oro-dental prevention, oral pathology, periodontology and oral health.
The bachelors program operates according to two specializations (Dental Medicine and Dental Technique), and the master’s program specializes in Protein restorations with implant support;
- Faculty of Pharmacy: following this faculty you will discover the branches of pharmaceutical science and take part in research and development programming. The duration of studies is 5 years, and the form of education is full-time.
- The Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing: offers three specializations within the bachelor’s program: nursing, midwifery and balneo-physio-kinetotherapy. For the master’s program, the specialization Development of Community Nursing Services; is offered.
"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca
Being among the most prestigious medical universities in Romania, Iuliu Haţieganu; University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca or UMF CLUJ for short, offers bachelor, master, doctorate and residency programs within the 3 faculties:
Faculty of Medicine that aims to prepare professionals in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, to successfully perform in any medical system in the world. As a field of study within the bachelors program, the faculty supports the following specializations:
medicine (taught in Romanian, English and French, the duration of the courses being 6 years), general medical assistance in Cluj or Baia Mare (the duration of the courses is 4 years, and the courses are taught in Romanian language), balneo physio-kinetotherapy and recovery (teaching is done in Romanian language, and courses span 3 years) and radiology and imaging (courses last 3 years);
- Faculty of Dental Medicine with the specializations: dental medicine (duration of 6 years, taught in English, French and Romanian) and dental technology (teaching in Romanian language, and courses lasting 3 years);
- Faculty of Pharmacy which has the specializations: pharmacy (student years span a period of 5 years, and the languages of instruction are Romanian and French), nutrition and dietetics (duration of 3 years, teaching in Romanian language) and medical cosmetics and technology of cosmetic product (duration of 3 years and teaching inRomanian language).
Both Romanian citizens, who graduated from high school, and foreign citizens (from EU countries, European Economic Area states and Switzerland) can participate in admission, all having to meet the same conditions, there being no differences in terms of tuition fees.
Transilvania University of Brasov – Faculty of Medicine
Transilvania University of Brasov, among the most important higher education institutions in Romania, was founded in 1948. The university consists of 17 faculties, one of them being directed towards medical specialization and is among the best faculties of medicine in Romania. The undergraduate study programs within the Faculty of Medicine are divided into 4 categories:
- Medicine: the duration of studies is 6 years, being about 5500 hours of theory and practice, to gain as much basic and specialized knowledge as possible. As disciplines you will find the following: anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, biophysics, internal medicine, histology, bacteriology-virology-parasitology, genetics, pathophysiology, morphopathology, surgery;
- General medical assistance: has a training period of 4 years, having a series of disciplines that will help you gain theoretical and practical knowledge: anatomy, patient care technique, physiology, genetics, pathophysiology, morphopathology, surgery, internal medicine;
- Balneophysiokinetotherapy and recovery: it will prepare you for offering prevention services and treatments through specific therapies, both for minor cases and for more serious cases;
- Clinical laboratory: it will prepare you, with the help of modern equipped spaces and academic activities, to qualify you in a profession as a clinical laboratory assistant, which will offer you employment opportunities both in the country and abroad.
"Ovidius" University of Constanța – Faculty of Medicine
Being near the Black Sea shore, Ovidius; University of Constanta is among the prestigious universities in Romania and is concerned about the academic performance of students. Consisting of 14 faculties, which have all forms and educational programs, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Dentistry also meet:
- Faculty of Pharmacy comprises three study programs: pharmacy, pharmacy assistance and medical cosmetics and product technology;
- Faculty of Medicine consisting of study programs: medicine, general medical assistance and balneo physiokinetotherapy and recovery;
- Faculty of Dentistry which consists of study programs: dental medicine (in Romanian or English) and dental technology.
In addition, here are some more universities and faculties that offer medical training in Romania and are at the top of the lists of higher education in Romania:
- Grigore T. Popa; University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iași;
- George Emil Palade; University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Târgu Mureș;
- Dunărea de Jos; University of Galați – Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy;
Why choose to study medicine in Romania?
Studying at one of the medical universities in Romania might be one of your best choices. With our help you will find the best medical colleges (general medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, etc.) and you will find out some reasons why you pursue your studies in Romania.
- Variety of options
In Romania you will find a multitude of state or private universities, which also have faculties with medical fields. In addition, you will find a medical faculty in almost every city. - Favorable costs
Choosing a medical faculty, there will always be unpredictable costs, but considering only the countries of Europe, the cheapest medical universities are in Romania. - Admission
Compared to other countries, in Romania you will have the chance to apply to the faculty you want, knowing one of the English, French or Romanian languages, this being a general rule for many universities in the country and rarely found in others in Europe.
Our interest is to help you as much as possible to find the best university or faculty that suits you the most, where you will be able to apply your skills.
