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Bucharest, Romania

Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Romania's #1 university and one of Eastern Europe's oldest and most prestigious medical schools, teaching medicine in Bucharest since 1857.

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Romania

Country

Bucharest

City

#1 in Romania

Ranking (URAP 2025)

English

Medium of instruction

Introduction

Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMFCD) in Bucharest is one of the oldest and largest medical universities in Romania and Eastern Europe. Its origins go back to the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy founded by the physician Carol Davila in 1857, with the Faculty of Medicine of Bucharest established in 1869; it took the name Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 1991. Ranked #1 among all universities in Romania in the URAP 2025 rankings and classified as an advanced research and education university, it teaches across more than twenty Bucharest clinical hospitals. The six-year Medicine programme is taught entirely in English and leads to the Romanian Doctor-Medic degree, equivalent to an MBBS. Admission is based on academic performance and document evaluation with an English-language requirement, rather than NEET, though Indian students still need to qualify NEET to obtain the eligibility certificate the National Medical Commission (NMC) requires for studying MBBS abroad and for licensing later. The degree is recognised across the European Union, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, internationally accredited on WFME standards (via IAAR) and recognised by the NMC.

  • Study program:Medicine (MD / Doctor-Medic), equivalent to MBBS
  • Language:English
  • Duration:6 Years
  • University type:Public university
  • Per academic year fees:€10,000 · ₹10,40,000 (approx.)
  • Admission:Academic file evaluation + English (B2); no NEET-based ranking
  • Ranking:#1 in Romania (URAP 2025); Shanghai top 101–150 Clinical Medicine
  • Accreditation:WFME-accredited (via IAAR); WDOMS-listed; EU-recognised; NMC-recognised
A Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy teaching building in Bucharest
Medical students and facilities at Carol Davila University, Bucharest
A Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy campus view in Bucharest

A Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy teaching building in Bucharest

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Recognition & Prestige

Rankings & Recognition

Carol Davila is ranked the #1 university in Romania, one of Eastern Europe's oldest and most prestigious medical schools, WFME-accredited on international standards, and recognised across the EU and by the National Medical Commission of India.

  • #1

    university in Romania (URAP 2025)

  • 101–150

    ShanghaiRanking — Clinical Medicine subject

The medical degree is recognised internationally. Carol Davila University is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS); it holds international institutional accreditation on the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), granted in December 2023 by the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), a WFME-recognised agency, meeting the 2024 ECFMG requirement; the degree is recognised across the European Union; and it is recognised by the National Medical Commission of India, so eligible graduates can sit the Indian screening examination (FMGE/NExT) for licensing.

Accreditations and Recognition

  • National Medical Commission (NMC) of India emblem

    NMC (India)

    Recognised for Indian students: Carol Davila University is recognised by the National Medical Commission, so eligible graduates who have qualified NEET can sit the FMGE/NExT screening examination and pursue licensing in India.

  • World Directory of Medical Schools emblem

    WDOMS

    Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), the global directory of medical schools recognised by the WHO and ECFMG.

  • World Federation for Medical Education emblem

    WFME

    Carol Davila holds international institutional accreditation on WFME standards, granted in December 2023 for five years by the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), a WFME-recognised agency — meeting the 2024 ECFMG requirement for the US route.

  • European Union emblem

    European Union (EHEA)

    As a Romanian degree, the qualification is recognised across the European Union and the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process), supporting registration and practice across the EU.

Complete Information About Carol Davila University

Get complete information about Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, including tuition, living costs, admission and the licensing route for Indian students.

Success stories

Student Success Stories

Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.

Academic Excellence

Why Study MBBS at Carol Davila University

Carol Davila pairs Romania's #1 university and one of Eastern Europe's most prestigious medical schools with a WFME-accredited, EU-recognised degree, over twenty Bucharest teaching hospitals and an affordable capital-city student life.

Romania's #1 University

Carol Davila is ranked the #1 university in Romania (URAP 2025) and sits in the ShanghaiRanking top 101–150 for Clinical Medicine, and is classified by the Ministry of Education as an advanced research and education university.

One of Eastern Europe's Oldest Medical Schools

With roots in 1857, Carol Davila is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in Romania and Eastern Europe, the alma mater of the Nobel Laureate George Emil Palade and of Nicolae Paulescu, who discovered insulin.

WFME-Accredited, EU-Recognised Degree

The university holds international accreditation on WFME standards (via IAAR, 2023) meeting the ECFMG requirement, and its degree is recognised across the EU, giving graduates strong options in India, the EU, the UK and the USA.

Recognised by the NMC

Carol Davila University is recognised by the National Medical Commission of India, so eligible graduates can appear for the FMGE, transitioning to the NExT, and go on to practise medicine in India.

Over 20 Teaching Hospitals

The university teaches across more than twenty clinical hospitals throughout Bucharest, giving students broad, hands-on clinical exposure across all the major specialties.

Affordable Capital-City Living

Bucharest is one of Europe's more affordable capitals, with typical student living costs of about ₹35,000 to ₹60,000 a month, well below Western Europe, in a large and lively city.

A Large International Community

Carol Davila teaches thousands of students, including a substantial international and Indian community in its English-taught programme, so new students find a welcoming, well-established environment.

Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure

Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.

How to Apply

Admission Process for MBBS

Admission to Medicine in English at Carol Davila University is based on academic performance and document evaluation, with an English-language requirement, following the faculty's published entrance methodology. Indian students must also qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required to study MBBS abroad, but admission to Carol Davila itself is decided on the academic file and English, not on NEET rank.

Admission Timeline

  1. 1
    April – May 2026Applications Open

    International applicants submit the online application and required documents to the UMFCD international office during the spring application window.

  2. 2
    June 2026Evaluation & Interview

    Admission is assessed on academic performance and document evaluation, with an English-language requirement (a recognised B2 certificate), and online interviews or the faculty's entrance assessment in Biology and English where applicable.

  3. 3
    After evaluationRanking & Offers

    Applicants are ranked on their academic file and assessment, and offers (including the Letter of Acceptance from the Romanian Ministry of Education) are issued to selected candidates.

  4. 4
    On acceptanceEnrolment & Fees

    Admitted students confirm their place and pay the first-year tuition to secure their seat.

  5. 5
    Summer 2026Visa & Residence

    Students complete the Romanian student visa and residence-permit steps using the Ministry Letter of Acceptance and university documents.

  6. 6
    October 2026Classes Begin

    The academic year begins for the new intake in Bucharest.

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualification

Applicants must have completed Class 12 (or equivalent) with strong grades in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and Indian students must have qualified NEET for NMC eligibility. A strong biology background helps for the English-taught programme.

Subjects:

BiologyChemistryPhysicsEnglish

Age Requirement

Candidates should be at least 17 years old in the year of admission, in line with standard MBBS-abroad and NMC requirements.

  • Minimum 17 yearsRequired age in the year of admission

Requirements

Applicants submit an academic file with certificates and an English-language certificate (B2), and follow the faculty's entrance methodology; a Letter of Acceptance from the Romanian Ministry of Education is required for enrolment.

  • Academic File & English

    Class 12 certificate and mark sheets with strong science grades, plus a recognised English certificate at B2 level (not older than two years), where required.

  • NEET (for Indian students)

    Indian students must qualify NEET to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate required for studying MBBS abroad and for the screening examination on return.

Entrance Examination

Admission is primarily by academic file evaluation and English proficiency; the faculty also publishes an entrance methodology covering Biology and English, and may hold an interview or assessment as part of the process.

ComponentRequirement
Selection basisAcademic performance and document (file) evaluation, with an English-language requirement (B2).
Faculty methodologyUMFCD publishes an entrance methodology for English-taught programmes covering Biology and English; an interview or assessment may apply. Confirm the exact 2026 procedure with the faculty.

Required Documents

To apply, students need to submit essential academic and identification documents:

  • Completed online application and application fee
  • Class 12 / secondary-school certificate and mark sheets (legalised/apostilled)
  • NEET result (for Indian students, for NMC eligibility)
  • English-language certificate (B2) and valid passport
  • + More

Admission Guidance & Document Checklist

Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.

Program Structure

MBBS Curriculum & Internship Structure

Students follow a structured six-year curriculum: the first three years cover theoretical and pre-clinical science, and the fourth to sixth years bring diverse clinical experience across Bucharest's teaching hospitals, taught entirely in English.

Medicine Course

  • Total Duration:

    6 Years (360 ECTS)

  • Degree:

    Doctor-Medic (MD), equivalent to MBBS

Curriculum Phases at Carol Davila University

  • Years 1–2

    Theoretical (Pre-Clinical Foundations)

    Basic medical sciences focused on the structure and function of the healthy human body, taught through lectures, laboratories and practical classes:

    AnatomyHistology & EmbryologyBiochemistryBiophysics
    PhysiologyCellular & Molecular Medicine
  • Years 3–4

    Pre-Clinical to Clinical Transition

    Paraclinical sciences and the first clinical experience in Bucharest's teaching hospitals, bridging laboratory science and bedside medicine:

    PathologyPathophysiologyPharmacologyMicrobiology
    ImmunologyInternal Medicine propaedeuticsSurgery propaedeutics
  • Years 5–6

    Clinical Training & Final Year

    Diverse clinical rotations across the specialties in Bucharest's teaching hospitals, leading to the final licensing examination and the Doctor-Medic degree:

    Internal MedicineSurgeryPaediatricsObstetrics & Gynaecology
    NeurologyPsychiatryClinical rotations

Clinical Rotations

Clinical training takes place across the university's network of more than twenty Bucharest teaching hospitals from the third and fourth years onwards, building to full clinical rotations and a final year.

PhaseFocus
Years 1–3Theoretical and pre-clinical lectures, laboratories and practical classes.
Years 4–5Diverse clinical experience across the specialties in Bucharest teaching hospitals.
Year 6A final clinical year and the graduation licensing examination for the Doctor-Medic degree.

Get the full curriculum

Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.

Global Exchange

Erasmus+ Partner Universities

Carol Davila University reports more than fifty bilateral agreements and takes part in the Erasmus+ programme, so students can spend a study period or clinical placement at partner medical schools across Europe. These are confirmed medical Erasmus+ partners by country.

CountryErasmus+ Partner Universities (Medicine)
ItalyUniversity of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano); University of Bologna; Marche Polytechnic University (Ancona)
AustriaMedical University of Vienna; Paracelsus Medical Private University (Salzburg)
BulgariaMedical University of Sofia

Explore Your Erasmus+ Options

The table above shows confirmed Erasmus+ partners for Medicine. Get the latest details and guidance from our experts.

Legacy

Prominent Figures of Carol Davila University

Across more than a century and a half, Carol Davila University has produced some of the most important figures in the history of medicine, including a Nobel Laureate and the discoverer of insulin.

George Emil Palade (Nobel Laureate)

George Emil Palade studied at Carol Davila and later served as a professor there. Described as the most influential cell biologist of his era, he won the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries on the structure and function of the cell, and received the US National Medal of Science.

Nicolae Paulescu

Nicolae Paulescu was a Romanian physiologist and professor at the university who first isolated insulin (which he called pancreine) in 1921, work central to the treatment of diabetes and the subject of a well-known controversy over the 1923 Nobel Prize.

Aurel Babeș

Aurel Babeș was a Romanian scientist connected with the university who was one of the early developers of the cytological screening test for cervical cancer, a forerunner of the modern Pap test that has saved countless lives worldwide.

Mina Minovici

Mina Minovici was a pioneering Romanian forensic scientist who founded the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bucharest, one of the oldest in the world, and helped establish modern legal medicine in Romania.

Faculty

Carol Davila University is led by its Rector, Professor Viorel Jinga, and teaching is delivered by more than 1,600 academic staff, including physicians, surgeons and scientists across its institutes and Bucharest's teaching hospitals.

Academic Expertise

  • Led by Rector Professor Viorel Jinga

  • More than 1,600 academic staff

  • Advanced research and education university

  • Alma mater of a Nobel Laureate and the discoverer of insulin

Student Support & Mentorship

  • Clinical teaching across 20+ Bucharest hospitals

  • Personal mentorship

  • Clinical supervision during rotations

  • An active Erasmus and international student network

About University

History Information

A historic Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy building in Bucharest

A historic Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy building in Bucharest

Founded in 1857

The university's origins go back to 1857, when the physician Carol Davila, with Nicolae Kretzulescu, founded the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, the beginning of modern medical education in Romania.

Faculty of Medicine (1869)

On 12 November 1869 the Faculty of Medicine of Bucharest was established within the University of Bucharest, with the first doctoral degrees granted in 1873. The grand faculty building was inaugurated in 1903.

A Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy facade in Bucharest

A Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy facade in Bucharest

A Legacy of Discovery

The university is the home of landmark discoveries, including the first isolation of insulin by Nicolae Paulescu in 1921, and the alma mater of George Emil Palade, winner of the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Carol Davila Today

Renamed Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 1991, it is today ranked #1 among Romanian universities, teaches medicine in English and Romanian, and trains doctors across more than twenty Bucharest teaching hospitals.

Get all information about Carol Davila University in our free brochure

Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Carol Davila University.

Role in medicine

Role in medical education

A student at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest

A student at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest

Where Modern Romanian Medicine Began

As the successor of the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy founded in 1857, Carol Davila effectively launched modern medical education in Romania and has trained a large share of the country's doctors ever since.

A Hub of Discovery and Research

Home to the isolation of insulin and the alma mater of Nobel Laureate George Emil Palade, the university remains an advanced research and education institution with a strong tradition of scientific discovery.

An International Medical Community

The English-taught programme attracts students from across the world, including a substantial Indian community, making Carol Davila an established and prestigious choice for MBBS abroad in the European Union.

Get all information about Carol Davila University in our free brochure

Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying MBBS at Carol Davila University.

Affordable education

MBBS Living Cost at Carol Davila University, Bucharest

Bucharest is one of Europe's more affordable capital cities. Here is the approximate monthly breakdown for an international student, quoted in Indian rupees.

Monthly Living Cost

Cost ComponentApproximate Amount
Accommodation (dormitory or shared flat)₹12,000 – ₹30,000
Food₹14,000 – ₹20,000
Transportation (student pass)₹1,000 – ₹2,000
Other Expenses (utilities, internet, leisure)₹6,000 – ₹12,000
Get Free MBBS Guide

Average monthly living cost

₹35,000 – ₹60,000

Housing

Accommodation

Carol Davila University offers places in its student dormitories, and many international students also rent private flats in Bucharest. Both options are affordable by European standards and keep students within reach of the faculty and teaching hospitals.

University Dormitories

Carol Davila operates student dormitories (camine) that provide affordable accommodation for Romanian and international students, a popular base for first-year students.

Rooms and Facilities

Dormitory rooms are typically shared, with communal kitchens, study areas and laundry, and are connected to the faculty and hospitals by Bucharest's metro and bus network.

Affordable Monthly Cost

University dormitory places are among the most affordable options in Bucharest, well below private rents, making them popular with new students.

How to Apply

Dormitory places are requested through the university after admission and are limited, so students should apply early once they receive an offer.

Private Shared Flats

Many students rent private flats, often shared with classmates. A room in a shared flat in Bucharest typically costs about €200 to €350 per month, before utilities.

Living Near the Faculty

The university is centrally located on Eroii Sanitari Boulevard, and Bucharest's metro and tram network makes it easy to reach the campus and clinical sites.

Support for New Students

The university's international office and Erasmus Student Network help new arrivals find housing and settle into Bucharest.

Getting Around

Bucharest has an extensive, affordable metro, tram and bus network with low-cost student passes, and Henri Coandă International Airport connects the city to India and the world.

Need accommodation details?

Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.

Food & Dining

Vegetarian Options and Indian Food in Bucharest

Bucharest is a large capital city with a growing international community, so Indian and vegetarian food is readily available alongside affordable canteens, grocery stores and easy self-catering.

University canteens (cantine) and nearby cafes serve affordable daily meals near the faculty and hospitals, with vegetarian options available for students who prefer them.

Location

How to Reach Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Address

8, Bulevardul Eroii Sanitari, 050474 Bucharest, Romania

  • Nearest Airport

    Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), Bucharest's main airport, is about 40 minutes from the city centre and connects to India via European and Gulf hubs.

  • Local Transport

    Bucharest has an extensive metro, tram, trolleybus and bus network with low-cost student passes, connecting the faculty on Eroii Sanitari with dormitories and the teaching hospitals.

Your Roadmap to Success

Career Pathways After MBBS at Carol Davila University

On completing the programme, graduates earn the Carol Davila Doctor-Medic (MD) degree, equivalent to an MBBS, from a WFME-accredited, EU-recognised university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway

A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.

Practising in India

FMGE & NExT Details

To practise medicine in India after graduating from Carol Davila University, Indian students follow a clear pathway set by the National Medical Commission. NEET qualification is required from the start to obtain the NMC eligibility certificate.

  1. Step 1

    Screening Examination (FMGE / NExT)

    Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. This is currently the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is transitioning to the National Exit Test (NExT).

  2. Step 2

    Clinical Internship (CRRI)

    After qualifying, students complete a one-year Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) in India, gaining supervised clinical experience across the major departments.

  3. Step 3

    Medical Registration

    The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council, after which the graduate can practise as a doctor in India.

Student Life Style

Student life at Carol Davila University

Being an MBBS student in Bucharest is a mix of intensive academics, a large and lively EU capital and an affordable, well-connected city with a big international student community.

Academics

The curriculum is intensive, well structured and aligned with European standards. Students learn from experienced clinical teachers and gain hands-on exposure across Bucharest's many teaching hospitals from the middle years.

Capital-City Life

Bucharest is Romania's largest city and capital, with grand boulevards, parks, a lively café and cultural scene and an affordable cost of living, plus an international airport for easy travel home.

Challenges and Growth

The course is demanding, but it builds important skills like time management, resilience and independence, and living abroad in a large capital helps students grow personally as well as academically.

Social Life

Student associations and the Erasmus Student Network run events, trips and a buddy system, and a large Indian and international community makes social life welcoming, with the rest of Europe within easy reach.

Overall Experience

Studying MBBS at Carol Davila is about growing as a professional and as a person, building lifelong friendships and gaining a WFME-accredited, EU-recognised medical education at Romania's leading university.

Scholarship & Financial

Scholarship & Financial Aid

Carol Davila students can explore government and university scholarship routes, though most international students in the English-taught programme self-fund their studies.

The Romanian state offers a limited number of scholarships for international students through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education programmes; eligibility and quotas vary by year and country.

Ratings

Reviews & Ratings

Hear from students and alumni about their experience at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

4.6

150 reviews

Academics4.7
Infrastructure4.5
Hostel4.4
Campus Life4.7
Value for Money4.7
  • Romania's most prestigious medical school

    Student — Medicine 2022

    Studying at Romania's #1 university, with its long history and WFME accreditation, gives real confidence. Bucharest is affordable and lively, and the clinical exposure across so many hospitals is excellent.

  • Strong clinical training

    Student — Medicine 2021

    The clinical years across Bucharest's many teaching hospitals give real hands-on experience, and the EU-recognised degree opens doors across Europe. The Indian community here is large and welcoming.

Compare

Compare Colleges

Compare Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy with a leading Indian medical college.

Quick Comparison:

Carol Davila University vs CMC Vellore

University
Carol Davila UniversityBucharest, Romania
CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India
University TypePublicPrivate (minority)
MediumEnglishEnglish
Course Duration6 years (Doctor-Medic, MBBS-equivalent)5.5 years (MBBS)
Tuition (per year)~₹10.4 lakh (€10,000)~₹3–4 lakh
AdmissionAcademic file + English (NEET needed for NMC eligibility)NEET-UG
RecognitionWFME-accredited (via IAAR); WDOMS-listed; EU-recognised; NMC-recognisedNMC-recognised
Ranking#1 in Romania (URAP 2025); Shanghai top 101–150 Clinical MedicineAmong India's leading medical colleges

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Our blog

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy.