Study in Romania at Universitatea Politehnica Timişoara

Universitatea Politehnica Timişoara (UPT), established in 1920, is a prominent institution located in Timişoara, Romania. With a diverse academic landscape encompassing 11 faculties and numerous research centers, UPT boasts a faculty of over 1,000 members, including 400 full and associate professors, renowned for their expertise and dedication to education and research excellence. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, with a strong emphasis on engineering, computer science, architecture, economics, and applied sciences.

UPT is committed to fostering a globally inclusive environment, evident through its vibrant international community comprising over 1,500 international students from more than 80 countries. This diverse student body reflects the university’s dedication to fostering cross-cultural exchange and global education opportunities.

At UPT, students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, modern laboratories, and extensive research infrastructure, enabling them to engage in cutting-edge research and innovation projects. The university encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and provides ample opportunities for students to participate in internships, industry collaborations, and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Embracing a holistic approach to education, UPT offers a rich campus life experience with a plethora of extracurricular activities, cultural events, and sports facilities. The university’s commitment to excellence extends beyond academia, instilling values of leadership, innovation, and social responsibility in its graduates, and preparing them to make meaningful contributions to society.

 Admission calendar for the academic year 2024-2025:

• 1st of April  – 15th of September, 4 PM (Romania time zone, GMT+3): Online file submission via e-mail
• 16th of September  – 15th of January:  Enrolment at Politehnica University of Timișoara (UPT)

Bachelor’s Documents:

The application file shall comprise the following documents:

1. Application for the issuance of the letter of acceptance for studies. (This fill will be provided during your application)
2. Baccalaureate diploma or its equivalent – copy and legally certified translation (in Romanian, English, or French). The document shall be authenticated by the competent authorities in the issuing country;
3. Copy and legally certified translation of the certificate attesting to the successful passing of the Baccalaureate examination for graduates of the current year if the original diploma has not yet been issued;
4. Transcripts of academic records – copies and legally certified translations, afferent to the studies completed;
5. Certificate attesting the graduation of the Romanian language Preparatory Year or the language certificate, as applicable;
6. Copy and legally certified translation of the birth certificate;
7. Copy and legally certified translation of the marriage certificate or other documents attesting to the change of name (if applicable);
8. Copy of the document attesting the permanent residence abroad;
9. Copy of the passport;
10. Medical certificate (in a widespread international language) attesting that the person to be registered for studies does not suffer from contagious diseases nor other deficiencies incompatible with the future profession;
11. Consent for processing personal data. (This fill will be provided during your application)
12. Proof of payment – processing file fee.

Master’s Documents:

The application file shall comprise the following documents:

1. Application for the issuance of the letter of acceptance for studies. (This fill will be provided during your application)
2. Baccalaureate diploma or its equivalent – copy and legally certified translation (in Romanian, English, or French). The document shall be authenticated by the competent authorities in the issuing country;
3. Bachelor’s degree diploma or its equivalent – copy and legally certified translation (in Romanian, English, or French). The document shall be authenticated by the competent authorities in the issuing country;
4. Copy and legally certified translation of the certificate attesting to the successful passing of the bachelor’s degree examination for graduates of the current year if the original diploma has not yet been issued;
5. Transcripts of academic records/ Diploma supplements – copies and legally certified translations, afferent to the studies completed;
6. Certificate attesting the graduation of the Romanian language Preparatory Year or the language certificate, as applicable;
7. Copy and legally certified translation of the birth certificate;
8. Copy and legally certified translation of the marriage certificate or other documents attesting to the change of name (if applicable);
9. Copy of the document attesting the permanent residence abroad;
10. Copy of the passport;
11. Medical certificate (in a widespread international language) attesting that the person to be registered for studies does not suffer from contagious diseases nor other deficiencies incompatible with the future profession;
12. Consent for processing personal data. (This fill will be provided during your application)
13. Proof of payment – processing file fee.

Preparatory Year in learning Romanian language:

Politehnica University Timișoara is accredited to organize the Romanian Language Preparatory Year in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts, Biological and biomedical sciences. This intensive language course is mandatory for international students who wish to enroll in full-degree study programs taught in Romanian.

The Preparatory Year in learning the Romanian language is a perfect way to get accustomed to the culture and vocabulary. It is an intensive one-year program, very well structured, which guarantees you the skill to continue with the dream program in Romanian in Architecture, Chemistry, or any other further engineering choice. Besides indoor classes, we also do many outdoor activities. The melting pot of cultural backgrounds of students makes the UPT Language Preparatory Year a world within the world and a great opportunity to make global friends. We have students from Algeria, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Syria, Cambogia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Ecuador, Congo, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Kazakhstan, Comoro Islands, Colombia, and Cameroon. Come and join us!

Tuition fees for foreign citizens from third countries:

The following types of applicants can enroll in this program:

1. Citizens from third countries who wish to study in Romanian at Politehnica University Timișoara or another university in Romania.
2. Citizens from EU countries who wish to study in Romanian at Politehnica University Timișoara or another university in Romania.
3. Romanian ethnics from abroad who want to learn/improve their Romanian language level before attending a study program at Politehnica University Timișoara or another university in Romania.

Maximum number of students per academic year: 100

Documents: check the bachelor’s/master’s necessary documents. According to the program you wish to study with UPT (Romanian language preparatory year, bachelor, master), candidates will also specify in the second section of the application form the university that they wish to study the Romanian language preparatory year at.

For study programs conducted in foreign languages, admission is conditioned by the successful passing of an internationally acknowledged language examination such as TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, LCCI, TRINITY ISE, or ECL.

Accommodation Details:

• The accommodation in the dormitories of the university is available for all UPT students who need it at the cost of approximately 50 euros/month.
• The rooms available in the dormitories of UPT are shared by 2 students. Upon arrival, a deposit of 122 euros in cash will be necessary. The money will be reimbursed to the student at the end of the stay (generally, at the end of the study cycle, two weeks before they finish their studies in UPT).

Admission criteria and ranking of candidates:

List of high school diplomas recognized by the Ministry of Education for the admission of foreign citizens to bachelor studies:

VISA  APPLICATION

STEPS:
1. Once you have received the Letter of Acceptance from UPT, you have 60 days to pay the entire academic first-year fee, which is:

• 1.980 EUR/academic year for the Romanian Language preparatory year,
• 2.430 EUR for Engineering studies,
• 1.980 EUR for Communication Sciences,
• 3.150 EUR for Architecture and City Planning.
• For PhD in Engineering the tuition fee is 2.610 EUR/year  and
• For PhD Engineering in Architecture – 3.330 EUR/academic year.

2. From the day you receive the acceptance letter, you have 60 days to apply for the VISA

3. Go to evisa.mae.ro, find out if you have in your country a Romanian Diplomatic Mission (Embassy) or Consular Post. Let’s call them DM&CP, like a cool hip-hop band. So, if you want to check if there is a DM&CP in your country or nearby just press: http://www.mae.ro/en/romanian-missions

4. The Visa you are looking for is called D/SD – it means a long-stay visa for studies, and it costs around 120 euros to apply.

5. Application procedure

Application procedure: This depends from country to country. The standard procedure is that you identify a DM&CP, and you send the documents online so the DM&CP checks them. If everything is in order, you have to check the schedule, then make an appointment online or physically, and the embassy will announce to you when to be present. Then, gather the documents and put them nicely in a file.

We mentioned it depends on country to country and if you are from the Republic of the Congo it is enough to apply online. But, for example, if you are from Cameroon, you have to go to Nigeria, present all the documents that you have previously sent online, the originals and certified this time, and come back for the Visa in your passport when it is approved.

6. Documents

The file must contain:

• Photographs – two recent 3 x 4 cm coloured photographs
• Valid travel document (eg. Passport), on which a visa can be affixed. The validity of the travel document must exceed the validity of the visa you apply for, by at least 3 months, and must have been issued no later than 10 years ago.
• Proof of letter of acceptance for studies – it is issued by the Romanian Ministry of Education, attesting that the visa applicant will attend a full-time course at UPT.

7. Proof of payment of the tuition fee at UPT

• proof of payment of the tuition fee for at least one academic year
• means of support – this is a bank statement as proof of means of support at the level of the minimum guaranteed gross salary in Romania, for the entire period specified in the visa. This sum is subject to change according to the changes in Romania in salaries. It is usually from 2500 dollars to 4000 dollars.
• criminal record or any other document of equivalent legal value
• travel medical insurance that covers the entire duration of the requested period of stay, with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR.

Important: It is highly important to check and be aware your health insurance covers Romania. Sometimes, the immigration office in Romania does not accept any health insurance from your home country. This is why, it is good, if you have friends in Europe or Romania, to make a health insurance for you.

• consent of the legal representative – If you are underage, the consent of your parents or of your legal guardian for the purpose of residing in Romania for studies.
• accommodation – proof of accommodation will be among the statements received from UPT. UPT assures accommodation for all international students, and, the costs are low: close to 50 euros per month.
• proof of appropriate language knowledge – Proof of knowledge of the English language under the form of TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Advanced English test, with the exception of the preparatory year in Romania for foreign nationals, who do not need to prove any level of English.

8. You will be announced by a message from the embassy, if you have received or not the VISA. Either way, please announce UPT as soon as possible.

Important: The proof of Visa application is important for you to receive your tuition fee back from UPT, in case your VISA is denied. You will not receive a full refund back. For example, in the case of a tuition fee of 2.430 Euro, you will receive back 2308 EUR (the Ministry in Romania will tax UPT with 5% of the paid tuition fee). In case you will receive the VISA, it is very important to book your flight fast so to apply at the Immigration Office in Timisoara for the Residence permit (Permis de sedere). If you arrive during the weekend or after office hours, please announce us in advance. Once in Timisoara, come to the office number 107 from, UPT headquarter: Rectorat Building, Piata Victoriei, nr. 2, et. 1.

RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION

STEPS:

1. Upon your arrival, you will be handed the following documents: a student certificate and a copy of the acceptance letter. You will also need proof that you are student at UPT to be able to open a bank account.
2. You have to go to the General Immigration Inspectorate Timis: igi.mai.gov.ro/timis/. Let’s call it GIIT.
3. At GIIT you also have to present: a) Bank statement of around 3.000 euro in a bank account. Please be aware this sum is subject to change; b) Health insurance that is accepted in Romania; c) Accommodation proof – the accommodation contract will be handed to you by UPT ; d) A student certificate and a copy of the acceptance letter.
4. GIIT expects you to make an appointment. The appointment must be made some months ahead, this is why sometimes students who do not make online booking, stay in big queues. So, if you know you will be in Timisoara, just book your appointment from time to receive the residency without much time dedicated to it. This appointment must happen during the visa valid duration, at least 30 days before the expiry of the right to stay granted by the visa. You also have the possibility to submit the documents through the online service, available at https://portaligi.mai.gov.ro/portaligi/

At GIIT you have to pay a consular tax of 120 EURO and around 60 euro (300 RON (Romanian Lei)) – residence permit tax, and you should have the residence permit (permis de sedere) in one month.

Important:

→  You have 60 calendar days from the moment you receive the letter of acceptance to apply for the Romanian visa for studies. If your visa application is rejected by the Romanian embassy, you need to inform UPT’s Department for International Relations within 15 calendar days from receiving the notification, so that the procedure for returning the tuition fee be initiated.

→  Candidates with diplomas issued in NIGERIA shall also provide a double-sided copy of the NECO results card for the higher school certificate issued by NECO or of the WAEC Scratch card for the West African senior school certificate.

WORK PERMIT

→ It is not necessary to obtain an Employment Permit for employment in the territory of Romania of foreigners holders of the right of Temporary Residence for Studies.

→ Foreigners holding the right of temporary residence for studies can be employed in Romania without an employment permit only with a part-time individual work contract with a maximum working time of 4 hours per day.

→ During their stay in Romania, foreigners are obliged to declare to the territorial formation of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, which granted them the right of residence, any changes made in related to their employment within 30 days.