Carol Davila University of Medicine
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMFCD), founded in 1857, is Romania's oldest and most prestigious medical university, named after the Italian-born Romanian physician Carol Davila who established modern medical education in Romania. Located in Bucharest, UMFCD has shaped Romanian healthcare for over 165 years, training generations of physicians, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals who serve in Romania and around the world. The university's mission focuses on excellence in medical education, biomedical research, and healthcare delivery. UMFCD maintains teaching hospitals and clinical facilities that provide both educational opportunities and patient care, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experience. The institution is committed to advancing medical science, promoting public health, and developing healthcare leaders who can address evolving health challenges. UMFCD holds international recognition with degrees recognized throughout the European Union under EU directives for regulated healthcare professions. The university is a member of international medical education associations and maintains partnerships with medical schools across Europe, North America, and beyond. With approximately 10,000 students, including a significant international student population, and over 1,500 faculty members, UMFCD serves as Romania's leading center for medical education and health sciences research.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
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- Avg GPA
- 3.25
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Student Life & Environment
Student life at Carol Davila centers on the demanding requirements of medical education. The six-year program consumes enormous time and energy, leaving students with less free time than their peers at liberal arts universities might enjoy. Study groups form naturally as students work together to master material for examinations. International students form a significant community within the university. Students from Germany, Italy, Israel, and numerous other countries create a multicultural environment within the medical program. These connections span borders, with classmates potentially becoming professional colleagues in various countries after graduation. Housing options include university dormitories and private apartments throughout Bucharest. Many international students rent apartments near the university, creating neighborhoods with concentrations of medical students. The cost of living in Bucharest remains low by European standards, helping stretch budgets further. Student organizations exist covering professional interests, national groups, and recreational activities. The medical student association provides community and advocacy for student concerns. Social events help students decompress from academic pressures. However, the demanding nature of medical school limits participation for many students. Bucharest offers urban amenities including restaurants, nightlife, cultural attractions, and entertainment. Students who make time for city exploration find genuine European urban culture at affordable prices. The challenge lies in balancing enjoyment with academic responsibilities that never fully pause.
Location & Surroundings
Bucharest sprawls as Romania capital and largest city, home to roughly two million people with a metropolitan area reaching further. The city blends architectural styles from Ottoman influences through Belle Epoque elegance to communist-era blocks and modern developments. This layered history creates visual variety that reflects Romania complex past. The university facilities spread across central Bucharest, with teaching hospitals in various locations. Students navigate the city throughout their training, becoming familiar with neighborhoods and transportation routes. The fragmented layout contrasts with compact campus-based universities but reflects how medical education integrates with actual healthcare delivery. Climate brings continental seasons with cold winters and hot summers. Snow and freezing temperatures occur in winter months, while summer can feel oppressively hot and humid. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for city exploration. Transportation includes metro lines, buses, and trams covering most areas. Traffic congestion makes driving frustrating during peak hours, so public transit often proves faster and easier. Many students walk or use transit for their regular commutes. Living costs in Bucharest remain remarkably low for a European capital. Rent, food, and entertainment cost fractions of what equivalent expenses run in Western Europe. This affordability helps international students manage on limited budgets. However, some lower prices reflect lower quality, and students should set appropriate expectations for housing standards and services.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition for international students in English-language programs runs approximately 5,000 to 6,000 euros per year, with dental programs costing somewhat more. Compared to medical school costs in the UK, Germany, or especially the United States, these fees represent substantial savings over the six-year program duration. Living expenses in Bucharest add modest costs. Students should budget roughly 500 to 800 euros monthly for housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Total annual costs including tuition reach perhaps 12,000 to 15,000 euros, making complete medical education financially accessible for middle-class families. Career outcomes depend on where graduates choose to practice. The medical degree from Carol Davila is recognized throughout the European Union, meaning graduates can seek licensing in EU member states. However, each country maintains its own licensing requirements, and some require additional examinations or training before allowing independent practice. Many international students attend Carol Davila specifically to practice elsewhere after graduation. German students may return to Germany, Israeli students to Israel, and so forth. The Romanian degree provides a pathway to medical credentials when home country medical schools are unaffordable or impossibly competitive. Graduates who remain in Romania enter a healthcare system with lower physician salaries than Western Europe but also lower living costs. Some graduates value the opportunity to practice in Romania while others view the degree as a stepping stone to careers elsewhere. Understanding personal career goals before enrollment helps students make the investment worthwhile.
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