Scholarships

🎓 Fully Funded Romania ARICE Scholarship 2026 — Study in Europe Free

Gradualin

June 7, 2026
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Every year, thousands of international students dream of studying in Europe — but worry that the cost is simply out of reach. Here is the good news: Romania’s government is offering 40 fully funded scholarships for non-EU students to pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees at Romanian state universities for the 2026–2027 academic year — and applications are open right now.

Through the ARICE Scholarship 2026, the Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade is covering tuition, accommodation, monthly living costs, medical support, and even a free Romanian language preparatory year. This is one of the few European government scholarships that essentially eliminates your cost of studying abroad — and it is open to students from virtually every non-EU country in the world. At Gradualin, we break it all down for you so you can apply with confidence.

📋 Quick Summary Table

Detail	Information
Scholarship Name	Romania ARICE Scholarship 2026–2027
Offered By	Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade (ARICE)
Country	Romania 🇷🇴
Degree Level	Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Postgraduate Residency
Number of Awards	40 scholarships
Funding Type	Fully Funded (Government)
Application Deadline	June 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM Romanian time
Open To	Non-EU, Non-EFTA citizens worldwide
IELTS / TOEFL Required	Not specified as mandatory
Application Fee	None
Official Email	burse2026@arice.gov.ro
Official Website	arice.gov.ro

🎓 Scholarship Overview — What Is the ARICE Scholarship?

The Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade (ARICE), operating under the Romanian government, administers this prestigious scholarship in collaboration with the Romanian Ministry of Education. Each year, ARICE opens a window for talented non-EU international students to come and study in Romania — fully supported by the state.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, ARICE is offering 40 scholarship seats across all degree levels. This is not a partial discount — it is a comprehensive financial support package that covers nearly every cost you would face as an international student in Romania.

What makes this scholarship stand out? Romania is an EU member state, which means your degree carries full European recognition. Yet the cost of living and tuition in Romania is a fraction of what you would pay in Germany, France, or the Netherlands. This makes the ARICE Scholarship one of the smartest and most underrated pathways into European higher education in 2026. Gradualin strongly recommends this opportunity to students from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America who are looking for a serious but accessible European degree.

🎓 Scholarship Benefits — What Does It Cover?

The ARICE Scholarship 2026 is designed to make your entire study experience financially stress-free. Here is exactly what selected students receive:

✅ Full exemption from registration, testing, and admission fees
✅ Free tuition for the Romanian language preparatory year (if needed)
✅ Full tuition coverage for the main degree programme (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Residency)
✅ Monthly stipend throughout the preparatory year and the academic year (verify exact amount on official website)
✅ Free dormitory accommodation in student housing
✅ Medical assistance for emergencies and endemic diseases
✅ Free local public transport within the city
✅ Domestic travel by car, rail, and boat on the same terms as Romanian students
✅ No application fee whatsoever

The only expense NOT covered is international travel to and from Romania. Everything else — your education, housing, health, and daily transport — is taken care of.

To put this in perspective: studying in cities like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca as a self-funded international student can cost €5,000–€10,000 per year. The ARICE scholarship eliminates that burden entirely, making it equivalent to a multi-year, full-ride European scholarship.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?

The ARICE Scholarship 2026 has clear and transparent eligibility rules. Read these carefully before applying:

✅ Must be a foreign citizen from outside the EU and EFTA (e.g., from Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America, or other non-EU regions)
✅ Open to applicants for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Postgraduate Residency programmes
✅ Must have completed the academic level required to enrol in their chosen programme
✅ Must not be a Romanian citizen or belong to Romanian-origin communities near Romania’s borders
✅ Must not currently hold or have applied for protection status in Romania
✅ Must not be stateless and legally residing in Romania
✅ Must meet the admission requirements of the chosen Romanian university
⚠️ Dental medicine, stomatology, and pharmacy programmes are excluded from this scholarship
⚠️ EU and EFTA member state citizens are not eligible

🗣️ Regarding English / IELTS: Many programmes at Romanian universities are available in English or French, particularly at Master’s and PhD level. An IELTS score may be required by the specific university — but there is no IELTS requirement stated in the ARICE scholarship rules themselves. (Verify with your chosen university.)

🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not

✅ Apply If You:

Are a citizen of a non-EU, non-EFTA country (Africa, Asia, Middle East, Central Asia, Latin America, etc.)
Want a fully funded European degree without the price tag of Western Europe
Are interested in fields like engineering, economics, agriculture, IT, or medical sciences
Are open to learning Romanian language (a free preparatory year is provided)
Want an EU-recognised degree with strong global career potential

❌ Don’t Apply If You:

Are a citizen of an EU or EFTA country (you are not eligible)
Want to study dentistry, stomatology, or pharmacy (excluded fields)
Are looking for a scholarship that covers international flights (it does not)
Are a Romanian citizen or part of Romanian diaspora communities

🎓 Priority Fields of Study

The ARICE Scholarship 2026 is open to all academic fields offered at accredited Romanian state universities, but priority is given to the following disciplines:

Priority Disciplines:

📊 Economics and Business Administration
🌾 Agricultural Sciences
⚙️ Technical Sciences and Engineering
🛢️ Oil and Gas Studies
🏥 Medical Sciences (excluding dentistry, stomatology, and pharmacy)
🔬 Natural Sciences

Other Available Fields (all subject areas at Romanian universities):

Information Technology and Computer Science
Architecture and Urban Planning
Law and Social Sciences
Arts, Humanities, and Languages
Environmental Sciences
Mathematics and Physics

Special Note: Postgraduate Residency positions are available only in emergency medicine and cardiology specialisations.

If your field is not listed above, it may still be covered — check with the official ARICE website for the full list of accredited programmes.

🎓 Required Documents

Prepare the following documents carefully. Incomplete files will be automatically rejected:

📄 Completed Application Form (Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3 — download from official ARICE website)
🛂 Valid Passport copy (must remain valid for at least 6 months after start of programme)
🪪 Identity Card / National ID — photocopy with legalised translation
🎓 Academic Diplomas and Transcripts — all previous degrees, with legalised translations
📋 Curriculum Vitae (CV) — in Romanian, English, or French
🏥 Medical Certificate — original, with legalised translation, issued within 90 days before submission
🖼️ Birth Certificate — with legalised translation
📝 Motivation Letter / Statement of Purpose
📸 Passport-size photographs (verify count on official website)
Any other documents required by your chosen university or programme

⚠️ Important: All documents must be submitted as scanned PDF files via email. Original documents are only required later if you are selected.

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Applying for the ARICE Scholarship 2026 is fully email-based. Here is exactly how to do it:

Step 1: Visit the official ARICE website at arice.gov.ro/1/burse-2026/ and read the full announcement (available in both Romanian and English under the “Short Presentation” tab).

Step 2: Download the required forms — Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3, and the official Application Form — directly from the website.

Step 3: Fill in all forms completely and accurately. Do not leave any sections blank.

Step 4: Gather all supporting documents (transcripts, medical certificate, passport copy, CV, motivation letter, etc.) and have them officially translated and legalised where required.

Step 5: Scan all documents into a single well-organised PDF package.

Step 6: Send your complete application to: 📧 burse2026@arice.gov.ro — before the deadline.

Step 7: Wait for ARICE to announce the intermediate selection results on their website.

Step 8: If pre-selected, submit original documents to your host Romanian university.

Step 9: The Ministry of Education makes the final decision. Successful candidates receive their Letter of Acceptance or Enrolment Order before the academic year begins.

💡 Pro Tip: Submit well before the deadline. Last-minute submissions risk technical issues, and late or incomplete files are not considered under any circumstances.

🎓 Important Dates and Deadlines

Event	Date
Application Window Opens	May 11, 2026
Application Deadline	June 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM Romanian Time
Intermediate Results Announced	By September 15, 2026
Final Approval (Ministry of Education)	After September 2026
Academic Year Begins	October 2026 (verify officially)

⏰ The June 12 deadline is firm — no exceptions. Bookmark this page and check the official ARICE website regularly for updates.

🎓 Why Romania? Why This Scholarship?

Here is something most people don’t realise: Romania is a European Union member state. That means a degree from a Romanian university holds the same European recognition as one from Germany or Italy — but at a fraction of the cost.

Romania’s universities have strong reputations, especially in medicine, engineering, economics, and natural sciences. Cities like Bucharest — Romania’s capital — blend a rich history with a vibrant modern lifestyle. Known as “Little Paris” for its stunning architecture, Bucharest offers students world-class cultural experiences, affordable dining, and a thriving international student community.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s second-largest city, is recognised as a growing tech hub in Eastern Europe, with a booming startup scene and outstanding university campuses.

Here’s what makes the ARICE scholarship particularly valuable in 2026: it remains one of the least-saturated European government scholarships. While thousands of students apply for scholarships in Germany or France, the ARICE programme receives comparatively fewer applications — which means your chances of selection are significantly stronger if you apply with a solid file.

At Gradualin, we believe this is a genuinely life-changing scholarship that deserves far more attention from students in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Romania ARICE Scholarship 2026 fully funded? A: Yes — it covers tuition fees, dormitory accommodation, a monthly stipend, medical assistance, local transport, and a free Romanian language preparatory year. The only cost not covered is international flights.

Q: Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply for the ARICE Scholarship? A: The ARICE scholarship rules do not specifically require IELTS or TOEFL. However, individual Romanian universities may have their own English proficiency requirements for English-taught programmes. Check with your chosen university directly.

Q: Can students from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, or Egypt apply? A: Absolutely. The ARICE Scholarship 2026 is open to citizens of all non-EU and non-EFTA countries, which includes Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Indonesia, and many more. Students from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are especially encouraged to apply.

Q: What is the application deadline for the ARICE Scholarship 2026? A: The strict deadline is June 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM Romanian time. Late or incomplete applications are not considered. Submit well in advance.

Q: How many scholarships are available? A: ARICE offers 40 scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year. Competition is real, so a strong, complete application file is essential.

Q: Can I study in English in Romania? A: Yes — many Romanian universities offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes in English and French, particularly in medicine, engineering, and economics. A Romanian language preparatory year is provided for those who need it.

🎓 Official Sources and Contact

🌐 Official Website: https://arice.gov.ro/1/burse-2026/
📧 Application Email: burse2026@arice.gov.ro
📋 Download Forms: Available under the “Application File” and “Selection Procedure” tabs on the official website

🎓 Complete Summary Table

Detail	Information
Scholarship Name	Romania ARICE Scholarship 2026–2027
Administered By	Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade (ARICE)
In Partnership With	Romanian Ministry of Education
Country	Romania, European Union 🇷🇴
Degree Levels	Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Postgraduate Residency
Number of Awards	40
Tuition	Fully Covered
Accommodation	Free dormitory housing
Monthly Stipend	Yes (verify amount officially)
Medical Support	Yes — emergencies and endemic diseases
Language Prep	Free 1-year Romanian language course
Transport	Free local transport; domestic travel on Romanian student terms
Application Fee	None
Excluded Fields	Dentistry, Stomatology, Pharmacy
Eligible Nationalities	All non-EU, non-EFTA countries
Deadline	June 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM Romanian Time
Application Method	Email — PDF to burse2026@arice.gov.ro
Results Announced	By September 15, 2026
Official Website	arice.gov.ro/1/burse-2026/