💻 Engineering & Computer Science in Romania: Programs, Universities & Job Market
Bucharest and Cluj are among Eastern Europe's fastest-growing tech hubs. Romanian engineering degrees are EU-accredited, affordable, and increasingly valued by international tech companies.
Romania's Tech Scene: Why It Matters for Students
Romania is home to the largest tech outsourcing industry in Eastern Europe. Companies like Amazon, Oracle, Adobe, Bitdefender, UiPath (Romania's first tech unicorn), and hundreds of scale-ups have engineering offices in Bucharest and Cluj. This means strong internship pipelines for students and post-graduation local employment opportunities.
Top Universities for Engineering & CS
| University | City | Top Programs | Tuition/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politehnica Bucharest (UPB) | Bucharest | CS, EE, Mechanical, Civil, Industrial | €2,700 – 3,500 |
| Technical Univ. Cluj (UTCN) | Cluj-Napoca | CS, Automation, Electrical, Telecom | €2,400 – 3,200 |
| Technical Univ. Iași (TUIASI) | Iași | CS, EE, Civil, Mechanical | €2,200 – 3,200 |
| Politehnica Timișoara (UPT) | Timișoara | CS, Electronics, Mechanical, Civil | €2,200 – 3,200 |
| UBB Cluj — CS Faculty | Cluj-Napoca | Computer Science, AI | €2,000 – 3,000 |
English-Taught Programs Available
- ✓BSc Computer Science (4 years) — most universities
- ✓BSc Electrical Engineering (4 years)
- ✓BSc Mechanical Engineering (4 years)
- ✓BSc Industrial Engineering / Automation (4 years)
- ✓BSc Civil Engineering (4 years)
- ✓MSc Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (2 years) — UBB, UPB
- ✓MSc Software Engineering (2 years)
- ✓MSc Embedded Systems (2 years)
Bucharest vs. Cluj for Tech Students
| Factor | Bucharest | Cluj-Napoca |
|---|---|---|
| Tech company presence | Largest in Romania | Growing fast, more startups |
| University options | UPB, Univ. of Bucharest | UTCN, UBB |
| Cost of living | Higher | Slightly lower |
| International vibe | Very cosmopolitan | More student-city feel |
| Nightlife & culture | Excellent | Excellent |
| Internship opportunities | Highest | High |
For pure Computer Science, UBB Cluj ranks higher academically. For networking with large multinationals and internships, Politehnica Bucharest has more direct industry ties.
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Engineering graduates from Romanian universities have multiple pathways: stay in Romania (salaries have risen significantly — senior developers earn €2,500–5,000/month), move to Western Europe (degree is EU-recognised, no conversion needed), or return home with a European credential and experience. The Romanian tech industry has a severe talent shortage — foreign graduates who stay are in high demand.
What to Expect from Romanian Engineering Programs
- ✓Strong theoretical foundations — Romanian engineering education is academically rigorous.
- ✓Mix of theory and lab work from year 2 onward.
- ✓Final-year project or thesis required — many students do this in partnership with a company.
- ✓English medium instruction with Romanian professors who typically have industry experience.
- ✓Access to university IT labs, makerspaces, and student clubs.
Apply to a Romanian Engineering or CS Program
We'll match you to the right university based on your specialisation, grades, and budget — and handle the full application.