Studying in Cluj-Napoca: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is Romania's second city after Bucharest, and its unofficial student capital: around a fifth of the city's population is enrolled at one of its universities. It runs a growing tech and startup scene alongside its historic center, so students studying IT or engineering find a real local job market waiting after graduation.

Universities in Cluj-Napoca

Babes-Bolyai University (UBB)

UBB is Romania's largest public university, with a history stretching back more than 400 years. It teaches across nearly every subject area, with separate Romanian, Hungarian, German and English study lines in many departments, reflecting Cluj's large Hungarian-speaking community. It also runs one of the country's largest international student support offices, helping with visas, housing and integration.

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN)

UTCN focuses on engineering, computer science, architecture and applied sciences, with close ties to the city's tech and manufacturing employers. It works well if you want a technical degree in a city where the relevant industry is hiring locally. Automotive, software and mechanical engineering count among its strongest departments, reflecting the mix of local manufacturing and IT companies based in the city.

Getting to Cluj-Napoca

Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport sits close to the city center and runs frequent, affordable routes to major European hubs on low-cost carriers, making Cluj-Napoca one of the easier Romanian cities to reach directly from abroad. Direct trains also connect Cluj-Napoca to Bucharest and other major Romanian cities.

Applying

EU applicants generally apply directly through each university's admissions office, with separate deadlines for Romanian-language and English-language study lines. Non-EU applicants also apply directly, and need a Romanian long-stay student visa before travel, then a residence permit once classes start. Apply for the visa as early as your offer allows, since processing takes several weeks.

Cost of living and housing

Cluj-Napoca costs less than most Western European university cities, though it now ranks among the more expensive Romanian cities to rent in, driven by its tech industry and steady population growth. UBB runs a housing subsidy for students who cannot secure a place in a university dorm and must rent privately: 2,244 lei a month, paid based on an application submitted at the start of the academic year (Stiri de Cluj ). That figure gives you a working sense of how far private rent has moved from dorm-level pricing in the city.

University dorms (camine) remain by far the cheapest housing option for both UBB and UTCN students, but places are limited, especially for first-year and international students. Apply as soon as your enrollment is confirmed. If you end up in the private market, expect competition from the city's growing population of remote tech workers as well as fellow students.

Getting around

Cluj-Napoca runs a citywide bus, trolleybus and tram network operated by the local transport company. Students get a discounted transport pass. Confirm the current student price directly with the operator once you register, since fares are reviewed periodically.

Working while you study

EU students work without restriction while studying in Romania. Non-EU students on a study visa generally work part time during term. Check the exact hours allowed under your specific visa category before accepting a job. Cluj's expanding tech and startup sector also offers internships relevant to IT, engineering and business students, often advertised directly through UBB's and UTCN's career offices.

Healthcare

EU students carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state-provided care while studying in Romania. Non-EU students need private health insurance for the length of their stay. Confirm the exact requirement with your university's international office before you travel.

Choosing between UBB and UTCN

Pick UBB if you want breadth: humanities, sciences, business, law and teacher training all sit under one university, with study lines in multiple languages. Pick UTCN if your goal is a technical degree with strong local hiring pipelines into Cluj's engineering and software companies. Many students share events and clubs across both universities regardless of which one they enrol at, since the two campuses sit close together in the city center.

Money and practical tips

Romania uses the leu, not the euro, despite being an EU member. Card payments work almost everywhere in Cluj-Napoca, though it helps to carry some cash for smaller shops and markets. Learning basic Romanian phrases helps with daily life outside university buildings, even on English-taught programs, since most shops and services run in Romanian.

Student life

The historic center around Piata Unirii and Piata Muzeului fills with student cafes, bars and co-working spaces, spilling over from the university buildings that surround them. Cluj hosts several major festivals through the year, including Untold, one of Europe's largest electronic music festivals, and the Transilvania International Film Festival, both a short walk or bus ride from most student housing. The city's tech cluster runs regular meetups and hackathons open to students, a practical way to build contacts before graduation if you study IT, engineering or business.