Study and find schools in Moldova

Studying in Moldova

Moldova (the Republic of Moldova) is a small country in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine, with a usually resident population of 2,365,600 on 1 January 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Its universities take part in European programmes such as Erasmus+. Romanian is the main language of instruction, Russian is also widely used, and some programmes are taught in English or French.

International student numbers are modest but significant. According to the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM), 3,179 foreign citizens held residence permits for study purposes in 2026, most of them from India (1,418), Israel (875) and Tunisia (231), and 981 study permits were issued during 2025. Our directory lists one active school in Moldova: the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) in Chișinău.

The education system in Moldova

Higher education is organised in three cycles, in line with the European Higher Education Area:

• Cycle I, bachelor's studies (licență), usually three or four years
• Cycle II, master's studies
• Cycle III, doctoral studies

Programmes use ECTS credits. At ASEM, for example, a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Administration lasts three years (six semesters) and a bachelor's degree in Law four years (eight semesters), with modules measured in ECTS. The Ministry of Education and Research also promotes dual bachelor's programmes that combine study with work in a company. The academic year starts in September.

Universities are public or private. For international students, accreditation is important: the GIM issues study residence cards for public and private institutions alike, provided that the institution is accredited.

Admission and recognition

Admission is regulated by the Education Code, and the enrolment of foreign students is carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Education and Research. Applications are submitted online through the national E-Admitere platform, and the admission campaign for higher education starts at the end of July.

At ASEM, international applicants follow these steps:

• Send their documents and receive a letter of acceptance
• The university requests an invitation to study from the migration authorities
• Pay the application fee and tuition, then apply for a visa at a Moldovan diplomatic mission if needed
• On arrival, present the original documents, legalised or apostilled and translated into Romanian

The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for the recognition and equivalence of study documents, including periods of study completed abroad. Documents are submitted to its Centre for Information and Communication Technologies in Education (CTICE), and the ministry states that its recognition services are free of charge.

Student visa and residence

After admission, foreign students need a temporary residence permit for study purposes from the GIM, under Law No. 200/2010 on the regime of foreigners. The residence card is valid for the whole duration of studies. The GIM lists the main documents, as checked in October 2026:

• An application submitted by the educational institution
• Passport and, if applicable, a long-stay visa
• Proof of enrolment and the study contract
• Proof of accommodation
• A legalised or apostilled criminal record certificate
• Valid medical insurance
• Proof of financial means (not required for holders of Moldovan state scholarships)

ASEM asks for a bank certificate of at least €3,500. Any change of passport or address must be reported to the GIM within 15 days. Whether you need a visa to enter depends on your nationality; check with the Moldovan embassy or consulate.

Costs

Fees are set by each institution. ASEM's fees for foreign citizens in the 2025-26 academic year were:

• Registration fee: €150
• Bachelor's level: €2,300 per year
• Master's level: €2,500 per year
• Doctoral level: €2,800 per year

ASEM offers dormitory places for international students from €75 per month, depending on the programme and the number of people in the room, and a campus canteen with reduced prices. Students must have medical insurance for at least one year on arrival and, once they have a residence permit, buy the compulsory national health insurance policy each year, like Moldovan citizens.

Where to study

Chișinău, the capital, is the main study city and home to most universities. ASEM, which marks its 35th anniversary in 2026, specialises in economics, business and law. It has six faculties, including business management and administration, finance, accounting, international economic relations, and economic cybernetics, statistics and informatics. Some programmes are taught in English (for example business management and hospitality and tourism), and ASEM runs double degree programmes with Romanian universities.

Practical life

Moldova uses the Moldovan leu (MDL). Some state fees for residence documents are paid in lei; ASEM lists a state fee of 180 MDL for the temporary residence right. Knowing some Romanian or Russian helps in everyday life, even for students on English-taught programmes. Students register with a family doctor at the university's primary health care clinic once they are insured.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in Moldova?

Fees depend on the institution. At ASEM, foreign citizens paid €2,300 a year for a bachelor's degree and €2,500 for a master's degree in 2025-26, plus a €150 registration fee.

Can I study in English in Moldova?

Some programmes are taught in English, such as ASEM's bachelor's degree in business management and administration. Most programmes are taught in Romanian, and many also in Russian.

Do I need a residence permit to study in Moldova?

Yes. After admission, foreign students apply to the General Inspectorate for Migration for a temporary residence permit for study purposes, valid for the whole duration of their studies.

How do I apply to a Moldovan university?

Applications go through the national E-Admitere platform and the university's international office, which requests the invitation to study needed for the visa.