How to Apply to Universities in Moldova: Requirements, Deadlines and Portals

Before you apply: get your diploma recognized

Moldova requires foreign school and university diplomas to go through official recognition before you enroll. The Ministry of Education handles this through the National Qualifications Framework Department, Moldova's ENIC-NARIC contact point, following the Law on Education no. 547 of 1995. The stated processing time is 30 working days from the date you submit a complete file, according to ENIC-NARIC . Start this step early, since most universities will not confirm your place without a recognized diploma or an application in progress.

Applications go directly to each university

Moldova has no single centralized application portal for international students, unlike UCAS in the UK. You apply directly through the international admissions office of the university you want, and each institution sets its own online form, fees and document checklist. Check the specific international student page of your target university before you start, since requirements differ between technical, medical and general universities.

Application windows and deadlines

At Moldova State University , the main international intake for bachelor and master programs (Cycles I and II) runs from April 1 to June 30. Students who need a preparatory year, usually to reach the required Romanian or English language level, must apply by August 1. In both cases, the academic year begins on September 1. Other universities run similar spring-to-summer windows, but always confirm exact dates on the institution's own site since they can shift year to year.

Documents you need

Expect to submit your passport, secondary school or bachelor diploma, academic transcripts, and any language certificates your program requires. Universities that recruit internationally, including Moldova State University, list a short standard checklist: passport copy, diplomas, transcripts and the completed online application. Some programs also ask for a motivation letter or reference, so check the exact list for your course rather than assuming it matches a generic guide.

State-funded vs fee-paying places

Moldovan higher education splits into state-funded places, which carry no tuition fee, and fee-paying (contract) places. Foreign students, including those from other European countries, generally enroll on the fee-paying track. Contract tuition for Moldovan and Romanian-language programs ranges roughly from 6,000 to 19,000 MDL a year for most bachelor fields, higher for medicine and arts, while foreign students on English-taught tracks typically pay 1,500 to 1,850 EUR a year, according to Eurydice . Romanian and Ukrainian citizens often pay domestic rather than foreign rates. See our dedicated cost guide for full figures by university.

Applying as a European student

If you hold a passport from another European country, your application process looks the same as any other foreign applicant: diploma recognition, then a direct application to your chosen university. Bring certified copies and, where required, an apostille or embassy legalization on your diploma before recognition, since Moldova is not an EU member and does not automatically recognize EU qualifications without this step.

Visa and arrival

Non-Moldovan students typically need a long-stay D or student (AS) visa before traveling, applied for at a Moldovan embassy or consulate in your home country. Requirements and exemptions vary by nationality, so confirm with the embassy that covers your country well before your intended start date. Once your visa is approved, your university's international office usually issues an invitation letter to support the application.

Step-by-step: a typical application

1. Gather your passport, diplomas and transcripts.

2. Submit your diploma for recognition through the National Qualifications Framework Department.

3. Complete the online application and pay any processing fee on your university's international admissions page.

4. Receive your invitation letter from the university's international students office.

5. Apply for your student visa at the Moldovan embassy.

6. Travel, register with local authorities, and start orientation before the September 1 term start.