The Romania government scholarships give non-EU students free tuition, dormitory housing, and a monthly stipend, yet the 2026 application window lasted only six weeks, from 16 February to 31 March. So many candidates applied that the ministry postponed its results announcement. Worse, the platform locks every file after submission, so one missing or unauthenticated certificate sinks the whole application with no second chance. Many Nigerians also learn too late that Bachelor and Master programmes run only in Romanian, and that Nigerian documents need authentication before upload. Add a Nigerian abroad chasing ministries in Abuja from another time zone, and the stress multiplies fast.
Naturally, serious applicants keep asking the same questions:
- Do Nigerians qualify for the Romania government scholarships?
- Which fields and study levels do the scholarships cover, and which do they exclude?
- What does the scholarship pay, and which costs stay with the student?
- How do Nigerians authenticate certificates for the Romanian application platform?
- When does the next call open, and how can a Nigerian abroad prepare now?
Scattered blog posts rarely answer these questions clearly, and outdated figures mislead many candidates. This guide answers each one using the official Study in Romania rules, then shows exactly how to authenticate your documents. DocuTrust Africa takes the paperwork off your plate, handling authentication, affidavits, and newspaper publication, so Nigerians submit a complete file on the first attempt.
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Start AuthenticationWho Offers the Romania Government Scholarships?
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has run its scholarship programme for non-EU citizens under Government Decision No. 288/1993, and Nigerians qualify to apply because Nigeria sits outside the European Union. The Romania Government Scholarships cover tuition, dormitory housing, and a monthly stipend, yet many Nigerian applicants lose their place for one avoidable reason: a certificate or birth record that fails the document rules.
Accuracy note: The Romanian ministries update the rules each cycle, and blogs often quote different numbers. Confirm every detail on the official Study in Romania scholarship portal before you apply.
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Education and Research jointly award the scholarships through a competition of files. UEFISCDI, Romania’s national agency for higher education and research funding, operates the technical application platform.
The official programme name is “Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarships for non-EU citizens.” Romanian universities do not run it individually, so you apply once through the national platform and not to each school.
Why Apply for the Romania Government Scholarships?
Several reasons make this award worth your time:
- A European degree: You earn a degree from an accredited Romanian public university.
- Tuition-free study: The scholarship finances tuition for the full cycle of study.
- Housing support: The programme funds dormitory accommodation, subject to available places.
- No application fee: The platform waives registration and processing fees for scholarship holders.
- A language head start: Candidates who do not speak Romanian receive a funded preparatory year.
- No age limit: The official FAQ states that no age limit applies.
How Much Are the Romania Government Scholarships Worth?
The official FAQ lists the benefits but leaves the exact stipend to “the legislation in force.” Third-party guides report these monthly amounts:
| Level | Monthly Stipend |
| Bachelor and preparatory year | €65 |
| Master | €75 |
| PhD | €85 |
The state pays the stipend in Romanian lei, so the euro value shifts slightly. Here is what the Romania Government Scholarships cover:
| Benefit | Details |
| Tuition | Covers the preparatory year and the full study cycle |
| Accommodation | Dormitory costs, within the subsidy and subject to availability |
| Fees | Exemption from application, language testing, and doctoral admission fees |
| Medical help | Assistance for emergencies and diseases with epidemic potential |
| Transport | Local and domestic public transport at Romanian student rates |
Costs you still carry: Scholars pay all costs tied to the visa application, according to the official FAQ. One government notice also states that round-trip airfare stays the applicant’s responsibility. Because the stipend stays modest, budget for extra living costs.
How Many People Will Win the Romania Government Scholarships?
Official notices say the Romanian Government provides “a number of scholarships” each year, and they publish no fixed total or Nigeria-specific quota. Treat any website that quotes a precise Nigerian number with caution, and watch the official announcement when the next call opens.
What Is the Acceptance Rate of the Romania Government Scholarships?
No official acceptance rate exists. However, the platform itself signals strong competition: the ministry postponed the 2026 results announcement “due to the high number of applications received”. A complete, accurate file and a strong academic average give you the best chance, since the committee reviews each year’s applications fresh and ignores earlier results.
Which Courses Are Eligible for the Romania Government Scholarships?
You can apply for most study programmes in almost every domain. The one big exception: the Romania Government Scholarships do not cover medicine, dental medicine, or pharmacy. Covered areas include engineering, architecture, political science, education sciences, social sciences, humanities, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and oil and gas studies.
Language matters most here. Bachelor and Master programmes run only in Romanian under this scheme. PhD candidates alone can choose Romanian or a foreign language that the doctoral school sets, such as English.
Which Levels Are Eligible for the Romania Government Scholarships?
| Level | Duration | Key Rule |
| Bachelor | 3 to 6 years | You need a baccalaureate or equivalent secondary diploma |
| Master | 1, 1.5, or 2 years | You need a completed Bachelor’s degree |
| PhD | 4 years | You must secure a written agreement from a doctoral tutor and pass an admission interview before you apply |
The scholarship funds one cycle only, and it covers no longer than the official length of that cycle.
Age Requirements
The official FAQ confirms no age limit for the Romania Government Scholarships. However, applicants who will not reach 18 before courses begin must upload a notarized declaration of parental consent.
You still need a minimum academic average. The programme accepts candidates whose average for the last completed school reaches at least 7 on the Romanian scale or the “Good” grade in the home system. Nigerian applicants should check how their grading scale and class of degree map to “Good,” and they can ask the platform’s contact form when the mapping looks unclear.
How to Apply for the Romania Government Scholarships
The ministry accepts applications only through the online platform. Emails, postal mail, and applications sent to embassies or universities do not count.
- Check eligibility. Confirm you hold non-EU citizenship and meet the academic average.
- Choose a study domain. Pick a Romanian-taught programme, unless you apply for a PhD.
- Secure your PhD tutor, if relevant. Doctoral applicants need the tutor’s written agreement and a passed interview first.
- Gather and authenticate documents. Do this early, because it takes the longest.
- Create an account. Register on the Study in Romania scholarship portal. You need a valid passport, since no one can apply without one.
- Select two universities in order of preference.
- Upload everything and submit. The platform allows one application per cycle, and you cannot edit or add documents after you submit.
What Documents Do the Romania Government Scholarships Require?
The official FAQ lists these documents:
| Document | Notes |
| Diplomas | Baccalaureate or equivalent, plus Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral degrees where relevant |
| Transcripts | For all completed studies |
| Birth certificate | Or an equivalent document |
| Passport | Copy of the first three pages of a valid passport |
| Curriculum Vitae | In English, French, or Romanian |
| PhD extras | Letter of intent, publication list, research project description, and tutor agreement |
| Proof of name change | If your documents carry different names |
| Graduation certificate | For graduates who do not hold the diploma yet |
| Parental consent | Notarized declaration for applicants under 18 |
| Language certificate | Romanian preparatory year or B1 certificate, if applicable |
Documents in other languages need an authorized translation into English, French, Spanish, or Romanian. English-language Nigerian documents need no translation. The platform also requires that all study documents carry an apostille under the Hague Convention or authentication from the competent home-country authorities, such as the ministry of education.
Authenticate Your Documents with Confidence
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Start AuthenticationIs the Romania Government Scholarships Ongoing Now?
No, not at this moment. The 2026/27 call ran from 16 February to 31 March 2026, and the ministry announced results around 15 July 2026. As of October 2026, the 2027/28 call has not opened.
Past calls give you a planning pattern:
| Academic Year | Call Window |
| 2024/25 | Opened January 2024, closed 16 March 2024 |
| 2025/26 | Opened 4 February 2025, closed 12 March 2025 |
| 2026/27 | 16 February to 31 March 2026 |
Based on this pattern, expect the next call in early 2027, but wait for the official announcement.
What Can I Do to Win the Romania Government Scholarships This Year?
Use the months before the next call to build a stronger file:
- Protect your average. The committee ranks files, so strong grades matter.
- Start Romanian early. Free courses and apps help, and a B1 certificate exempts you from the preparatory year.
- Line up your PhD tutor now. Doctoral applicants without a written tutor agreement submit an incomplete file.
- Authenticate documents ahead of time. A finished, correct file beats a late scramble.
- Fix name mismatches first. Resolve any difference between your certificates and passport before you upload.
Application Deadline
Deadlines change each cycle, and the 2027/28 date remains unannounced. The 2026/27 deadline fell on 31 March 2026, and the platform applied it strictly. Plan to finish your file by January 2027, so you can submit as soon as the platform opens.
Selection Procedures
- File competition: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Research evaluate complete files through a selection committee.
- Results by email: The platform notifies each candidate through the registered email address.
- Your reply: You must confirm by email whether you accept the offer, and refusing quickly frees the place for another candidate.
- Letter of acceptance: The Ministry of Education issues a letter that states any preparatory-year obligation and names the host university.
- Visa and enrolment: You apply for the long-stay visa, then present a medical certificate at enrolment. The e-visa portal at eviza.mae.ro shows the visa rules.
You cannot defer the award, because the scholarship cannot transfer to the next academic year.
Do the Romania Government Scholarships Have Past Questions?
No. The programme runs a competition of files, not a written exam, so no past question bank exists. Only specific groups face a test: candidates who want a Romanian language exemption sit a language test, doctoral applicants pass an admission interview, and some arts or sports programmes use aptitude tests.
Do You Need IELTS to Get the Romania Government Scholarships?
No. The official document list contains no IELTS, TOEFL, or other English tests. Bachelor and Master study happens in Romanian, so language preparation focuses on Romanian, and PhD candidates who choose English-language doctoral schools should check that school’s own language expectations.
Tips for Applying for the Romania Government Scholarships
- Submit one complete application, because the platform locks your file after submission.
- Choose your two universities with care, and match each to a programme taught in Romanian.
- Keep scans clear and in the format the platform requests.
- Use the same name spelling on every document and on your passport.
- Check your passport validity early, since you need a valid one to apply and to get a visa.
- Save email and platform notifications, and respond to the result email fast.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Win the Romania Government Scholarships?
You can bounce back in several ways. Take these steps:
- Reapply next year. The committee ignores earlier results, so a fresh, stronger file gets a clean evaluation.
- Explore other Romanian funding. The Study in Romania site lists Ministry of Education awards and Erasmus+ options, and the Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade has offered 40 scholarships to foreign citizens.
- Improve your profile. Raise your language level, publish or complete a research project, and keep your documents valid.
- Keep your authenticated documents safe. Reuse them when you reapply, if the rules allow.
How Can Nigerians Authenticate Documents for the Romania Government Scholarships?
The platform accepts documents that carry a Hague apostille or authentication from the competent home-country authorities. Nigeria has never joined the Hague Apostille Convention, so Nigerian documents follow the authentication route.
| Step | Action | Agency |
| 1 | Get certified copies of your diplomas, transcripts, and birth record | Your university, registry, or the National Population Commission |
| 2 | Notarize the documents | Licensed Notary Public |
| 3 | Attest educational documents | Federal Ministry of Education |
| 4 | Authenticate the documents | Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja |
| 5 | Ask your host university whether it needs extra legalization at enrolment | Host university |
Fix any record problems first. If your name differs across documents, swear a Change of Name Affidavit under the Oaths Act and publish a newspaper notice, because the platform asks for proof of name change. If you lost a certificate, replace it before authentication. If you need a birth record, the National Population Commission issues it, and an Age Declaration Affidavit helps when no certificate exists.
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Request an AffidavitWhere Can Nigerian Students Authenticate Their Academic Documents for the Romania Government Scholarships?
Nigerian students use several offices in sequence:
- Notary Public offices in Abuja, Lagos, and other cities handle notarization.
- The Federal Ministry of Education attests academic certificates.
- The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja performs the authentication.
- Trusted document support services like DocuTrust Africa coordinate the whole chain for students outside Abuja or abroad.
How DocuTrust Africa Helps You Submit a Winning File
A strong academic record means little when the file fails a document check. DocuTrust Africa handles document authentication for study abroad, embassy verification, and immigration, plus affidavit services and newspaper publication for name corrections, age declarations, and lost documents.
The team’s five-step process, consultation, requirement review, document submission, processing support, and confirmation, gives you a clear timeline and a complete file. Students in Lagos, Kano, or Houston follow the same process, and the team tracks every ministry stage. Reach DocuTrust Africa at support@docutrustafrica.com or +234 704 029 4819, or start an application through the DocuTrust Africa portal.
Conclusion
The Romania Government Scholarships give Nigerian students a path to a European degree with free tuition, dormitory housing, and a monthly stipend. Success depends on four things: a solid academic average, a realistic plan for studying in Romanian, a complete file, and correctly authenticated documents.
The 2026/27 call has closed and the next one probably opens in early 2027, you have time to prepare. Start Romanian classes, authenticate your documents, and resolve any name or birth-record issue now. When you want an expert to handle the authentication chain, affidavits, and newspaper publication, DocuTrust Africa stands ready to guide every step.
Authenticate Your Documents with Confidence
Professional assistance for document authentication, verification, certification, and legalization services to help ensure your documents are accepted by the required institutions and authorities.
Start AuthenticationFrequently Asked Questions
Can Nigerians apply for the Romania Government Scholarships?
Yes. Citizens of all non-EU countries can apply, with a few exceptions such as people who hold Romanian protection status or diplomatic staff.
Do the Romania Government Scholarships cover Master's programmes in English?
No. Bachelor and Master scholars study in Romanian only. Only PhD scholars can choose a foreign-language doctoral programme.
How much is the monthly stipend?
Third-party guides report €65 for Bachelor and preparatory-year students, €75 for Master students, and €85 for PhD students, paid in Romanian lei. Confirm the figure in the current rules.
Does the scholarship pay for flights?
Official notices state that airfare stays the applicant’s responsibility, and scholars also cover their own visa costs.
Is there an age limit?
No. The official FAQ confirms that no age limit applies, though applicants under 18 need notarized parental consent.
Can I apply for medicine or pharmacy?
No. The scholarships exclude medicine, dental medicine, and pharmacy.
Can DocuTrust Africa help if I live abroad?
Yes. DocuTrust Africa coordinates authentication, affidavits, and newspaper publication for Nigerian students at home and abroad.
References
- Study in Romania — MFA Scholarships portal
- Study in Romania — “About the Programme“
- Study in Romania — “Scholarship FAQ“
- Study in Romania — “Scholarships for International Students“
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania — “Scholarships offered by the Romanian state through the MFA“
- Embassy of Nigeria in Bucharest — “Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarships for non-EU citizens 2025“
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, St Kitts and Nevis — “Scholarship Programs offered by the Romanian Government“
- Mastere.tn — “Romanian Government Scholarships 2026-2027“
- ScholarshipUnion — “Romanian Government Scholarship Guide 2027″
- ScholarshipTab — “Undergraduate scholarships in Romania”
- ScholarshipBob — “Scholarships in Romania“
- Sudan Career — “Romanian Government scholarships to Study Bachelor, Master and PhD“
- Lexology — “Procedure for Authentication of Documents in Nigeria”
- Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004
