Bologna process: Romania

Introduction

Higher education in Romania is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Research and of the 112 universities in Romania, 54 are public and the rest are run by the private sector but such universities need to receive accreditation from the Ministry. Whatever the governance, there are many forms of higher education institutions provided and include universities, academies and colleges. The length of study varies from 3 years of short university education offered, 4-6 years of long university education and 1-2 years of postgraduate university education. A separate body, the National Council for Academic Evaluation and Accreditation, provides the regular review of quality assurance.

Overview of Types of Universities and Qualifications at Undergraduate and Post graduate Level

(i) Structure

Higher education in Romania is classified into six different forms:

Universitate (University): generally the dominant form of provision and can be broad based in terms of discipline coverage. Also engaged in research activities.

Academie (Academy): reflecting a more specialised type of activity in one area general area (e.g. music).

Universitate Politehnică (Polytechnical University): these were former polytechnics which saw their status change in 1990 and tend to focus on technical/vocational study.

Institut (Institute): reflecting study based on professional experience and thus degrees are professional in nature.

Colegiu Universitar (University College): such institutions offer a diploma for 2-3 year courses. Students graduating cannot go on to take a Masters (second cycle) programme.

Postgraduate schools independent from universities.

Higher education programmes can be classified as either short-term (ending in the diplomă de absolvire/graduation diploma) or long-term (diplomă de licenţă/licensure diploma). Universities can offer both lengths of programmes based on their specialisms.

(ii) Access

To gain entrance to short or long term programmes students must have the Diploma de Bacalaureat as a minimum. In additoon there is a competitive examination that must be passed called the Examen de Admitere. Generally, an overall score of 5 is required for higher education programmes.

Graduates from scolii profesionale (professional schools) do not have the right to apply for postsecondary education programmes.

At the end of the undergraduate programme, students take a final comprehensive exam called “Licenta”.

(iii) Qualifications

The delivery of degrees is through many different institutions but the structure of provision is based on the Bologna principles. As such there are three cycles of study.

• first cycle of 180 to 240 ECTS[1] (three to four years) leads to a bachelor’s degree (diploma de licenta)
• A second cycle of 60 to 120 ECTS (one to two years) leads to a master’s degree Diploma de Studii Aprofundante (diploma of advanced study) or the diploma de master (master diploma).
• A third cycle of 120 to 240 ECTS leads to a PhD degree (called the Diploma de Doctor)

Universities in Romania (teaching either economics or business)

Public institutions of higher education

1. University of Bucharest
2. Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies
3. National School of Administration and Political Science of Bucharest
4. 1 Decembrie 1918 University, Alba Iulia
5. Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad
6. University of Bacău
7. Northern University
8. Transylvania University of Braşov
9. Babeş-Bolyai University
10. University of Craiova
11. University of Galaţi
12. University of Iaşi
13. University of Oradea
14. University of Petroşani
15. University of Piteşti
16. Eftimie Murgu University of Reşiţa
17. Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu
18. Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava
19. Valahia University of Târgovişte
20. Constantin Brâncuşi University
21. Petru Maior University of Târgu Mureş
22. West University of Timişoara

Private institutions of higher education (Accredited)

1. Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University
2. Titu Maiorescu University
3. Nicolae Titulescu University
4. Romanian-American University
5. Hyperion University
6. Spiru Haret University
7. Bioterra University
8. Athenaeum University
9. Artifex University of Bucharest
10. Vasile Goldiş West University of Arad
11. George Bacovia University of Bacău
12. University of Brasov
13. Bogdan Vodă University of Cluj-Napoca
14. Andrei Şaguna University of Constanţa
15. Danubius University of Galaţi
16. I.C. Dragan European University, Lugoj
17. Petre Andrei University of Iaşi
18. Mihail Kogălniceanu University of Iaşi
19. Emanuel University of Oradea
20. Constantin Brancoveanu” University of Pitesti
21. Commercial Academy of Satu Mare
22. Romanian-German University of Sibiu
23. Dimitrie Cantemir University of Târgu Mureş
24. Tibiscus University of Timişoara

Temporarily authorized to function

1. British Romanian University
2. Sapientia University
3. Mihai Viteazul University
4. Gheorghe Zane University
5. Agora University
6. Alma Mater University of Sibiu
7. Ioan Slavici University of Timişoara
8. University of Wales, Romania
9. Tomis University

Temporarily authorized to function and undergoing accreditation:

1. Romanian Banking Institute
2. Avram Iancu University
3. Partium Christian University
4. Institute of Business Administration in Bucharest

References

• www.rosteu.net/docs/Higher_Edu_2006.pdf
• www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/romania_facts.html
• www.wes.org/ewenr/03May/Practical.htm
• www.enic-naric.net
• www.wikipedia.org
• www.uaic.ro/uaic/