Romania Education System & Credential Evaluation

A guide to the Romania education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.

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Overview of the Romania Education System

Romania operates a 12-year system of general education regulated by the Ministry of National Education. Romanian is the official language of instruction, with minority language instruction available in some regions (Hungarian, German). The academic year runs from September to June. Romania is a member of the European Union and has adopted the Bologna Process. Romanian universities, particularly in medicine, engineering, and law, attract significant numbers of international students.

Structure of the Education System

Primary School — Învățământ Primar (5 Years, Ages 6–10, Grades 1–4 + PP)

Compulsory. Preparatory Grade (PP) at age 6, followed by Grades 1–4. Covers Romanian language, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Studies, Arts, and Religion.

Lower Secondary — Gimnaziu (4 Years, Ages 10–14, Grades 5–8)

Compulsory. Culminates in the National Evaluation (Evaluare Națională) at Grade 8 in Romanian Language and Mathematics — determines admission to high school.

Upper Secondary — Liceu (4 Years, Ages 14–18, Grades 9–12)

Academic (Teoretic), Technological, or Vocational track. Culminates in the Bacalaureat examination administered by the National Center for Evaluation and Examination. The Bacalaureat is required for university admission.

University Education

University of Bucharest, Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca), and Carol Davila University of Medicine are major institutions. Bachelor's degrees take 3–4 years. Master's degrees are 2 years. Medical degrees take 6 years.

Grade Conversion Scale for Romania

Grade Scale	Description	US Equivalent
10	Excellent (Excelent)	A
9	Very Good (Foarte Bine)	B+
8	Good (Bine)	B
7	Satisfactory (Satisfacator)	C
6	Sufficient (Suficient)	D
5	Pass Minimum	D-
1–4	Fail (Insuficient)	F

Key Credentials

Diplomă de Absolvire a Gimnaziului — lower secondary completion
Diplomă de Bacalaureat — upper secondary leaving certificate; equivalent to a US high school diploma
Licentiat (Bachelor's) — 3–4 years
Master — 2 years

US Equivalency of Romania Credentials

The Diplomă de Bacalaureat is equivalent to a US high school diploma
A Romanian 3–4 year Licentiat is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree
A Romanian Master's degree is equivalent to a US Master's degree
A Romanian medical degree (6 years) is equivalent to a US MD

Why You Need a Credential Evaluation

A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW, O-1, L-1), and professional licensing.

If your documents are in Romanian

All Romania academic documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Evaluation World offers Romanian-to-English translation services combined with your evaluation order.