Babeș-Bolyai University
Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai
Romania's largest university, teaching in Romanian, Hungarian, German, English and French in Cluj-Napoca.
- Students
- 40,388
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 18.8:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €2,200
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1581
About UBB
Babeș-Bolyai University traces its academic tradition to 1581, when Stephen Báthory founded a Jesuit college in Cluj. Its modern form dates from 1959, when the Romanian-language Victor Babeș University (founded 1919) and the Hungarian-language Bolyai University (founded 1945) merged. It is named after the bacteriologist Victor Babeș and the mathematician János Bolyai, and it is Romania's largest university: THE's 2026 data list about 40,400 students.
UBB is deliberately multicultural, with separate Romanian, Hungarian and German lines of study plus programmes in English and French. It has more than 20 faculties, from Mathematics and Computer Science, Economics and Business Administration and Psychology to four theology faculties, Theatre and Film, Engineering and a Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. It belongs to the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and the EUTOPIA alliance.
For non-EU students, UBB offers a menu of English-taught bachelor's degrees, including Mathematics for Computer Science, International Business and Economics, Psychology with Cognitive Sciences and International Relations and European Studies, at 2,500 to 7,000 euros a year. Applications run online from April to July on a first-come, first-served basis with limited seats per country, so it suits organised applicants who want a large, research-focused university in a city UBB describes as Romania's entrepreneurial capital.
Tradition and Excellence through Culture-Science-Innovation
University motto
Why students choose UBB
English-taught bachelor's degrees for non-EU students cost 2,500 to 7,000 euros a year for 2026-27, and EU students can compete for tuition-free state-funded places.
Study lines in Romanian, Hungarian and German, plus programmes in English and French, create an unusually multilingual student body.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science teaches Computer Science in four languages and Artificial Intelligence in English, in a city UBB calls Romania's entrepreneurial capital.
Membership of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and the EUTOPIA alliance opens exchange routes across Europe.
Admissions
2027-28 academic year
Selectivity
UBB does not publish an acceptance rate. Non-EU applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are admitted first come, first served, with a limited number of seats per country and programme; EU and Romanian applicants compete in faculty admission exams or file-based contests for state-funded or tuition-paying places.
Typical entry requirements
| High-school diploma (non-EU applicants) | Recognised diploma plus three relevant subjects with at least 60% each; hard-science diplomas give access to all programmes, humanities diplomas only to related fields |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Swiss applicants | Recognition of secondary studies by the Romanian Ministry of Education (about 30 working days), grade conversion, then admission under the same conditions as Romanian citizens |
| English language | A proficiency certificate from UBB's list of accepted certificates is required for the language of the programme; certificates issued by schools are not accepted. Applied Modern Languages also requires Romanian at B2. |
Deadlines
- EU and Romanian bachelor's admission, July session (2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed30 July 2026
UBB's bachelor's admission page showed the 2026 sessions as 13-30 July and 7-16 September 2026; exact registration days vary by faculty.
- Non-EU bachelor's registration (2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed31 July 2026
Registration ran from 1 April to 31 July 2026; seats are limited per country and allocated first come, first served, so early application is recommended.
Only 2026 dates were published when checked. For 2027 entry, expect non-EU registration to open around 1 April 2027; apply early because seats per country fill on a first-come basis.
How to apply
Non-EU applicants apply online through UBB's international admission platform: create one account, complete the application form within 24 hours, pay the non-refundable 50-euro processing fee and upload a single PDF with the diploma, transcripts, language certificate, birth certificate and medical certificate (with certified translations). UBB forwards accepted files to the Ministry of Education (about 40 working days in total); after the letter of acceptance you pay tuition, apply for a study visa and then book on-campus accommodation. EU applicants apply through the regular faculty admission after recognition of their diploma.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary school diploma in a stream that matches the chosen field (hard sciences for STEM, economics and business).
- At least 60% in three high-school subjects relevant to the programme.
- A recognised certificate of proficiency in the programme's language.
- A complete, correctly translated and legalised application file.
Tips for applying to UBB
- 1 Prepare every document before you start the online form: you have only 24 hours to pay the fee and upload your file, and after four incomplete uploads the system blocks new ones.
- 2 Apply as soon as registration opens in April, because seats per country are limited and allocated first come, first served.
- 3 Check that your language certificate is on UBB's accepted list; school-issued certificates are rejected.
- 4 Apply for your study visa immediately after receiving the letter of acceptance, and only then book on-campus accommodation through the platform.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Romanian and EU students can win state-funded (tuition-free) places through the admission contest. Non-EU students pay fees in euros, but can apply for Romanian Government scholarships, and those who pay tuition but cannot enrol (for example if their visa is refused) can request a refund.
- 50 euros, non-refundable
- Application processing fee (non-EU)
- 25% on enrolment, 50% by 5 December, 75% by 15 March, 100% by 15 May
- Tuition instalments (Romanian/EU students)
- Free for Romanian and EU students admitted to them
- State-funded places
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (autumn and spring)
Computer Science
Taught in Romanian, Hungarian, English and German; the German-language Informatik is offered to non-EU students at 9,000 euros a year.
Mathematics for Computer Science (English)
A three-year English-taught bachelor's combining mathematical structures and software development, at 7,000 euros a year for non-EU students.
Psychology - Cognitive Sciences (English)
Integrates psychology, neuroscience, linguistics and computer science; 3,000 euros a year for non-EU students.
International Relations and European Studies
Offered in English and German by the Faculty of European Studies, with internships at more than 30 partner organisations.
Business Administration (English)
From the Faculty of Business, aimed at future entrepreneurs; 5,000 euros a year for non-EU students.
Journalism
Taught in Romanian, Hungarian, German and English, with a focus on international media.
Research
- UBB is a member of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
- Rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth defended his doctorate on rocketry at the University of Cluj in 1923 after it had been rejected elsewhere.
- The university runs a botanical garden, an astronomical observatory and scientific field stations such as UBB-Arcalia and UBB-Danubius.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Faculty of Biology and Geology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Letters
- Faculty of History and Philosophy
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
- Faculty of European Studies
- Faculty of Theatre and Film
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
Student life
UBB's buildings are spread across central Cluj-Napoca, with the historic headquarters on Mihail Kogălniceanu Street. Separate Romanian, Hungarian and German lines of study give the university a multilingual character, and it runs a sports park, a swimming complex, museums, a botanical garden and an astronomical observatory. On-campus accommodation is available to international students once they have a visa, but places are limited. The student organisation OSUBB represents students, and the university operates canteens and cafeterias.
- Separate Romanian, Hungarian and German lines of study.
- University sports park and swimming complex.
- Botanical Garden, astronomical observatory and university museums.
- Exchange opportunities through EUTOPIA and Erasmus+.
Housing. International students book on-campus accommodation through the admission platform after uploading their visa; places are limited, so early application helps.
Location
Cluj-Napoca is the main city of Transylvania in north-west Romania and home to UBB's headquarters on Mihail Kogălniceanu Street, the site of the 1581 Jesuit college. UBB describes it as Romania's entrepreneurial capital, and the city's Romanian and Hungarian communities give it a bilingual cultural life. Cluj International Airport serves the city.
Nearest airport: Cluj International Airport (CLJ)
Notable alumni
- KI Klaus IohannisFormer President of Romania; graduated from UBB's Faculty of Physics in 1983
- LC Laura Codruța KövesiEuropean Chief Prosecutor and former head of Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate; studied law at UBB
- AB Ana BlandianaPoet, writer and civil rights activist; studied at the Faculty of Philology in Cluj (now part of UBB), admitted after a four-year political ban
- AC Andrian CanduPresident of the Parliament of Moldova (2015-2019); bachelor's degree from UBB's Faculty of Law
- SI Sandra IzbașaOlympic gymnastics champion; enrolled at UBB's Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in 2009
- HO Hermann OberthRocketry pioneer; received his doctorate from the University of Cluj (a UBB predecessor) in 1923
Frequently asked questions
How much does Babeș-Bolyai University cost for international students?
For 2026-27, non-EU bachelor's students pay 2,200 to 9,000 euros a year; English-taught programmes cost 2,500 to 7,000 euros. EU students pay the same as Romanians: nothing on state-funded places, or 4,000 to 8,000 lei a year on tuition-paying places.
Does UBB offer bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes. English-taught options for non-EU students include Mathematics for Computer Science, Finance and Banking, Management, International Business and Economics, International Relations and European Studies, Business Administration, Journalism and Psychology with Cognitive Sciences.
When is the application deadline at Babeș-Bolyai University?
For 2026 entry, non-EU registration ran from 1 April to 31 July 2026. Seats are limited per country and assigned first come, first served, so apply early; 2027 dates had not been published.
What grades do I need for UBB?
Non-EU applicants need at least 60% in three high-school subjects relevant to the programme, and a diploma stream that matches the field (humanities diplomas cannot be used for STEM, economics or business).
Is there an application fee at UBB?
Yes. Non-EU applicants pay a non-refundable 50-euro processing fee after completing the online form.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- UBB International Cooperation Centre: Bachelor Studies for candidates from other countries
- UBB International Cooperation Centre: Bachelor Studies for EU candidates
- UBB International Cooperation Centre: On-campus Accommodation
- UBB: Tuition fees in foreign currency for non-EU citizens (2026-2027)
- UBB: Tuition fees for Romanian, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (2026-2027)
- UBB: Fee regulations 2026-2027
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