Your EU business career could start in Romania. Meet the three universities worth putting on your shortlist.
Every year, thousands of Pakistani students ask the same question: which business university in Romania is actually worth my money? Romania offers EU-recognised degrees at a fraction of Western European prices, but its three leading business universities differ sharply in cost, programme choice and English requirements. This guide puts them side by side, with current fees, rankings and admission rules, so you can build your shortlist with confidence.
If you want to study in Romania, business is one of the smartest fields to aim at. Several public universities teach it in English, the fees are far below Western Europe, and the degree is recognised across Europe as part of the EU system. The real decision is which of the three leading universities fits your marks, budget and career plan.
Short answer: Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) is our number one: a clear fee, the longest English programme list and strong subject rankings. Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca) is the best all-rounder, and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Iași) is the heritage pick. Fees differ by programme.
Last updated: October 2026.
How We Picked the 3 Best Business Universities in Romania
“Best” is an editorial call, so here are the criteria: English-taught business programmes for non-EU students, clear fees, strong subject rankings, the size and history of the business faculty, and how realistic the city is for a student budget. Here is how the three line up.
Order reflects our criteria, not an official ranking.
Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE)
If Romania has a business capital, it is Bucharest, and ASE is its economics powerhouse. Founded in 1913, it has around 22,000 students across eleven faculties. International students can study in English, French or German, and the English list covers Accounting and Management Information Systems, Finance and Banking, International Business and Economics, Management, Marketing, Economic Informatics and Business Administration.
Why students pick it. The fee is clear: €3,500 a year plus a €350 registration fee for non-EU bachelor’s students in 2026/27, and €4,500 plus €450 for master’s. ASE holds a 2025 QS subject ranking of 351–400 in Economics and Econometrics and 501–550 in Business and Management, and it is placed 442nd in the QS Europe table and 52nd in Eastern Europe.
Entry requirements. FSc or an equivalent 12-year qualification with an average of at least 6/10 (about 60%) for English-taught programmes, or 8/10 (about 80%) for French-taught ones, plus transcripts, passport, birth certificate and medical certificate. For English, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 87, or four years of study in English. Master’s applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree.
Read this twice. English proof is stricter than many students expect. ASE asks for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 87 for its English programmes, so aim for those scores. ASE also does not guarantee housing for self-funded students.
Programmes, entry requirements and the full admission process.
Babeș-Bolyai University (FSEGA), Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca is one of Romania’s liveliest student cities, and BBU’s Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FSEGA) is the largest faculty at the university, with roots in higher economic education that go back to 1878. Its English-taught bachelor’s programmes include Accounting and Management Information Systems, Finance and Banking, International Business and Economics, and Management, with English master’s options such as Entrepreneurship and Business Administration and International Business Management.
Why students pick it. A big, research-active university, a vibrant city and a broad choice of programmes. Its QS 2026 subject bands are 351–400 for Economics and 451–500 for Business and Management, so it sits level with ASE in economics.
Entry requirements. FSc or an equivalent 12-year qualification with at least 60%, plus passport, birth certificate and medical certificate. For English, IELTS, a Cambridge certificate or another approved certificate, or previous study in English.
Read this twice. Fees at BBU depend on the programme and level, and non-EU tuition runs from about €2,500 to €7,000 a year. The English bachelor in International Business and Economics sits at the lower end of that range.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (FEAA), Iași
Iași is Romania’s old university city, and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (UAIC) is the country’s oldest university. Its Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEAA) offers Business Administration, the first undergraduate programme at the faculty taught entirely in English, over three years in Iași.
Why students pick it. A historic university, a student-friendly city and a focused English business programme. It suits students who want a calmer, smaller-scale experience than Bucharest or Cluj.
Entry requirements. FSc or an equivalent 12-year qualification with at least 60%, plus passport, birth certificate and medical certificate. The application fee is €100. As the programme is fully in English, you need a recognised English certificate or previous study in English.
Read this twice. Non-EU tuition for economics and business bachelor’s studies at UAIC runs from about €2,500 to €3,500 a year, depending on the programme.
How Much Does a Business Degree in Romania Cost?
Fees are the first question students ask, so here is a side-by-side comparison of the three universities. Tuition varies by programme and level, so the figures below are yearly ranges for non-EU bachelor’s students.
| University | City | Tuition per year | English programmes | English requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 ASE BucharestBest overall | Bucharest | €3,500plus €350 registration | 8 bachelor’s 10–14 master’s | IELTS 6.0TOEFL 87 |
2 Babeș-Bolyai (FSEGA)Best all-rounder | Cluj-Napoca | €2,500–€7,000depends on programme and level | 4 bachelor’s plus English master’s options | IELTS or CambridgeEnglish-medium study |
3 Alexandru Ioan Cuza (FEAA)Heritage pick | Iași | €2,500–€3,500depends on programme | Business Administration 3 years, fully in English | Recognised certificateEnglish-medium study |
Bars show each university’s yearly tuition range on a €0 to €7,000 scale.
Tuition is only part of the bill. Romania’s long-stay study visa fee is $350, and living costs average about €600 a month. Add health insurance, flights and document costs. At ASE, three years of tuition comes to €10,500 before registration and living costs.
Weigh the pros and cons before you shortlist universities.
Which Business Degree Should You Choose?
All three universities teach the core business fields. Pick the programme by the work you want to do, not only by the university name.
Love numbers? Look at Accounting, or Finance and Banking. Enjoy leading people and projects? Management is the broad choice. Drawn to brands and customers? Marketing. Curious about trade and global companies? International Business and Economics. Comfortable with data and technology? Economic Informatics, or Business Analytics at master’s level at ASE.
Do You Need IELTS for a Business Degree in Romania?
Not always. Romanian universities generally accept proof of English in more than one way: study history in English, a recognised certificate, or sometimes the university’s own test. At ASE, applicants who cannot show four years of study in English must provide a recognised certificate, and ASE asks for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 87. BBU and UAIC set their own English requirements.
How to Apply from Pakistan: The Road in 5 Stops
If you plan to study in Romania from Pakistan, the route is similar at every university. For ASE, the 2026/27 non-EU application window ran from 1 April to 30 August 2026. The 2027/28 dates had not been announced at the time of writing, so use that as a pattern, not a promise.
Board, IBCC and MOFA steps take weeks. Finishing them early lets you apply the day applications open.
Practise the questions students are asked before the visa is approved.
Can’t pick between the three?
Send your marks, budget and the career you want to Global Migration Advisors on WhatsApp. We will match you to the right programme, walk you through fees, documents and visa. Your first chat is free.
Chat on WhatsAppCareers, Work Rights and Degree Recognition
Business graduates move into accounting, banking, marketing, consulting, logistics and start-ups. Students with a valid study residence permit can take jobs in Romania part-time without a separate work permit, under an individual part-time contract. The daily limit is 6 hours under recent rules (older rules said 4). Eligible graduates can also apply for a stay extension of up to 9 months to look for work.
If you plan to work in Pakistan, check HEC degree equivalence for your exact degree programme before you commit, and keep every transcript and certificate organised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best business university in Romania?
There is no single official winner. For overall value we rank ASE Bucharest first, then Babeș-Bolyai in Cluj-Napoca, then Alexandru Ioan Cuza in Iași. Choose by programme, fee, English requirements and city.
Are business degrees in Romania taught in English?
Yes. ASE offers 8 English-taught bachelor’s and 10 to 14 master’s programmes, BBU’s FSEGA offers English-taught bachelor’s programmes in four fields, and UAIC offers Business Administration in English.
How much does a business degree cost in Romania?
At ASE, 2026/27 non-EU tuition is €3,500 a year for a bachelor’s and €4,500 for a master’s, plus registration fees. BBU runs from about €2,500 to €7,000 a year depending on the programme, and UAIC from about €2,500 to €3,500.
Do I need IELTS to study business in Romania?
Not always. You can sometimes use study history in English or another accepted certificate. ASE asks for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 87.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Non-EU applicants apply through the university’s international admissions process, receive a Letter of Acceptance from Romania’s Ministry of Education and then apply for a long-stay study visa.
How long is a business bachelor’s in Romania?
English-taught business bachelor’s programmes at these universities run three years, and master’s programmes usually run two.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, part-time, with a valid study residence permit and an individual part-time contract. The daily limit is 6 hours under recent rules (older rules said 4).
Final Thoughts
Romania is one of Europe’s best-value places to study business, and the right university is the one that fits your marks, budget and career plan. ASE leads on clear fees and programme choice, Babeș-Bolyai on all-round strength, and Alexandru Ioan Cuza on heritage. Apply early.
If you want a second opinion on your shortlist, speak with professional study abroad consultants for Romania before you pay any university.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or immigration advice. Fees, calendars, entry requirements, rankings and visa rules change frequently. Last updated: October 2026. Global Migration Advisors does not guarantee admission or visa approval.
