METHODOLOGY for organizing and conducting the admission to the Third Cycle of University Doctoral Studies in 2026

 

I. GENERAL ASPECTS

 

Art. 1.

Admission to the third cycle of doctoral university studies at the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați (UDJG) is conducted thru a competition organized for each doctoral field, within the doctoral schools established according to HS no. 62/15.06.2017, HS no. 140/07.10.2019, and HS no. 286/19.09.2024.

The admission contest takes place in accordance with:

• Law on Higher Education no. 199/2023, with subsequent amendments and completions;
• Order of the Minister of Education no. 3020/08.01.2024 for the approval of the Framework Regulation regarding doctoral university studies, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 56 of January 22, 2024, Applicable form as of January 23, 2024, with subsequent amendments and completions;
• Order ME no. 3693/07.02.2024 for the approval of the Framework Methodology regarding the organization of admission to higher education in short-cycle, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral university studies, as well as those regarding the allocation of the number of places for admission to studies for the academic year 2026-2027;
• Emergency Ordinance of the Government no. 41/2016 with subsequent amendments and completions, regarding the establishment of simplification measures at the level of central public administration and for the amendment and completion of certain normative acts, approved with amendments by Law no. 179/2017, with subsequent amendments and completions;
• Order MEN no. 3236/2017 regarding the approval of the Methodology for the admission and enrollment of foreign citizens in places without tuition fees and with scholarships and in places without tuition fees, but without scholarships, in accredited state higher education institutions;
• Order MEN no. 3473/2017 regarding the approval of the Methodology for the admission and enrollment of foreign citizens starting with the 2017-2018 school/university year;
• Order MEC no. 4151/24.04.2020 regarding the amendment of the Methodology for the admission and schooling of foreign citizens starting with the 2017-2018 school/university year, approved by OMEN no. 3473/2017;
• Order MEC no. 5736/2020 regarding the amendment of the Methodology for the admission and schooling of foreign citizens starting with the 2017-2018 school/university year, approved by OMEN no. 3473/2017;
• Order MEN no. 3900/16.05.2017 regarding the approval of the Methodology for the enrollment of Romanians everywhere in the state higher education system in Romania, in study places without tuition fees, but with scholarships, respectively, without tuition fees, but without scholarships, starting with the academic year 2017 – 2018;
• Order ME no. 5774/14.12.2021 regarding the maintenance of accreditation for the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați for the organization of doctoral university study programs;
• Order ME no. 4292/22.07.2022 regarding the accreditation of the doctoral field "Marketing" within the Doctoral School – Social Sciences, organized at the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați;
• Order ME no. 4513/10.08.2022 regarding the accreditation of the doctoral field "Pharmacy" within the Doctoral School – Biomedical Sciences, organized at the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați;
• Order ME no. 3934/05.04.2023 regarding the accreditation of the doctoral field "Law" within the Doctoral School – Social Sciences, organized at the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați;
• Order ME no. 5552/2024 for the approval of the Methodology regarding the conditions of schooling for Romanians everywhere and foreign citizens within accredited state, private, and private confessional higher education institutions in Romania, with subsequent amendments and completions;
• Order ME no. 5553/2024 regarding the approval of the Procedure for issuing letters of acceptance for studies for Romanians everywhere for accredited public and private higher education, on fee-paying places in lei;
• Order no. 6.109/1.816/2024 for the approval of the Methodology regarding the granting of scholarships to Romanians everywhere who study within state higher education institutions in Romania;
• Government Decision no. 1653/2024 regarding the conditions for financing study scholarships and specialization and professional training/refinement internships granted to Romanians everywhere and foreign citizens;
• Order ME no. 5655/2024 for the approval of the Methodology regarding the admission of foreign citizens to university studies and postgraduate education, in study places with tuition fees paid in foreign currency;
• Order ME 4481/2024 for the approval of regulations regarding the accessibility of higher education for persons with disabilities.
• The institutional regulation regarding the organization and functioning of doctoral studies in the doctoral schools of the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați, approved by HS no. 411/14.10.2024, with subsequent amendments and completions.

 

Art. 2.

For the academic year 2026-2027, IOSUD - UDJG is organizing an admission competition for the third cycle of university studies for the doctoral fields specified in Annex 1, which is an integral part of this methodology.

 

Art. 3.

The organization of the admission competition for doctoral university study programs is based on the following principles:

1. high-quality professional training of doctoral candidates;
2. equality of opportunity and the principle of non-discrimination;
3. transparency regarding the information related to the admission procedure for the third cycle of university studies.

 

Art. 4.

(1) University doctoral study programs are of two types:

1. scientific doctorate and
2. professional doctorate.

These are organized in forms of education with full-time and/or part-time attendance, both in places funded by the state budget in the form of doctoral grants, and in places with tuition fees or other legally constituted sources.

(2) Admission to the doctoral program with budget funding is done within the limits of the places allocated by the Ministry of Education and Research. The number of places funded by the state budget is established by an order of the Minister of Education and Research, while the number of places on a fee-paying basis is approved by a resolution of the university senate, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați, at the proposal of CSUD.

(3) For the places funded by the state budget, doctoral university study programs organized in full-time education are with a scholarship, while those organized in part-time education are without a scholarship.

(4) The allocation of places funded by the state budget, as well as the places with tuition fees, by doctoral schools/fields of doctoral studies, is subject to Senate approval, after being reviewed by the Board of Directors of the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați, at the proposal of the CSUD. By exception, the allocation of places funded by the state budget supplemented by the Ministry of Education and Research will be approved only within the Administrative Board of the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați, at the proposal of the CSUD.

(5) The doctoral program can be conducted in Romanian, in a language of national minorities, or in an internationally spoken language, according to the doctoral study contract concluded between IOSUD, the doctoral supervisor, and the doctoral student.

(6) Doctoral studies normally last for 4 years.

 

Art. 5.

This methodology establishes the criteria for evaluating, selecting, and ranking candidates, as well as for allocating budgeted doctoral positions.

 

Art. 6.

The entrance exam for doctoral university studies, for both forms of education, is usually organized in two sessions, under identical conditions, before the start of the academic year, but no later than September 30.

 

II. CANDIDATES

 

Art. 7.

The places allocated for doctoral admission, distributed by the CSUD and approved by the university senate, by doctoral schools and doctoral fields, are communicated to the candidates by posting on the notice board and on the university website.

 

Art. 8.

For the admission competition to doctoral university studies, graduates of master's university studies can enroll, as well as graduates with a bachelor's degree or equivalent, issued until the year of graduation of the first bachelor's promotion organized in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 288/2004 regarding the organization of university studies, with subsequent amendments and completions (long-term education). The bachelor's degree of graduates from long-term higher education prior to the implementation of the three Bologna cycles is equivalent to a master's degree in the specialty. Consequently, holders of long-term higher education diplomas have the right to enrolll in doctoral studies without the obligation to complete the second cycle of master's studies.

Only graduates with a master's degree or its equivalent have the right to participate in the admission competition for doctoral studies, and the cumulative number of transferable study credits obtained for the bachelor's and master's degree cycles must be at least 300.

 

Art 9.

The university study programs (bachelor's and master's) completed by the doctoral candidate must have been accredited or authorized to operate provisionally, according to the law, at the time of the candidate's enrollment in the respective programs.

 

Art. 10.

(1) Romanian candidates from everyplace can participate in the admission for doctoral university studies on budgeted places allocated by an order of the Minister of Education and Research or on fee-paying places. The special conditions for enrollment and admission to doctoral university studies for Romanian candidates from everyplace, graduates of faculties in Romania and their countries of origin, can be found in Annex 2.

(2) Citizens of the member states of the European Union, the states belonging to the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation, as well as British citizens and their family members, as beneficiaries of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community 2019/C 384 I/01, can participate in the admission for doctoral university studies under the same conditions provided by law for Romanian citizens, including regarding tuition fees. The special conditions for enrollment and admission to doctoral university studies can be found in Annex 3.

(3)  For admission to doctoral university studies, citizens who are not part of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation (non-EU citizens) can also enroll, provided they are graduates of master's degree programs or hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree from long-term university studies (4, 5, 6 years). The recognition of studies carried out by them outside Romania will be done by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research.
For foreign candidates from non-EU countries, the special conditions for enrollment and admission to doctoral university studies can be found in Annex 4.

(4) When applying for the third cycle of doctoral studies taught in Romanian, citizens of the European Union and third countries are required to prove their knowledge of the Romanian language, according to the educational methodologies in Romania, as applicable.

(5) Romanian citizen candidates who have completed their studies outside Romania are required to present, upon registration for the competition, the certificate of recognition of studies, issued by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research.

 

Art. 11.

(1) A candidate can be admitted and enrolled as a doctoral student in at most two study programs concurrently, regardless of the cycle of studies and the educational institutions offering them. A candidate declared admitted can benefit from state budget funding for a single doctoral university program, in accordance with the legal provisions in force. A candidate admitted to multiple doctoral study programs must choose the field of study that will be funded by the state budget by submitting the original diploma/certificate of diploma recognition/certificate of the previously completed university cycle, as applicable, to the university where they wish to attend the courses.

(2) The costs associated with exceeding the duration of free education, as stipulated by law, are borne by the doctoral students.

(3) Candidates with disabilities, as well as candidates belonging to national minorities (Roma), participate in the admission competition under the same conditions as the other candidates, in the budgeted places specially allocated for them, as well as in the budgeted and fee-paying places.

Registration will be conducted in accordance with the Methodology for organizing and conducting admission to the third cycle of doctoral university studies in 2026, for the doctoral fields specified in Annex 1, at the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat or online, on the website admitere.ugal.ro.

At registration, candidates with disabilities will present, in addition to the documents provided in Article 15 of this methodology, the disability classification certificate.

Candidates belonging to national minorities (Roma) will present, upon registration, in addition to the documents provided in Article 15 of this methodology, a written recommendation issued by one of the legally constituted organizations of the Roma, regardless of its field of activity, stating that the respective candidate is part of the Roma ethnicity and not that they are a member of the organization in question. This recommendation will be endorsed by the Representative Organization of the Roma Minority in Romania, represented in the Council of National Minorities. Declarations on one's own responsibility regarding belonging to the Roma ethnicity, registered at a notary, or certificates issued by other institutions/structures, etc., will not be accepted.

The admission exam will be conducted in accordance with this methodology.

According to the law, candidates with disabilities are exempt from paying the registration fee for the admission exam and benefit from free accommodation in dormitories.

 

Art. 12.

(1) Candidates who have passed the dissertation exam in the sessions corresponding to the 2025-2026 academic year must present, upon registration, the certificate attesting to this – in original, issued by the respective educational institution.

(2) For enrollment purposes, on the date of signing the study contracts, as stipulated in the admission competition calendar, candidates declared admitted are required to present the original documents for verification and certification of their conformity with the documents submitted online. Candidates admitted to state-funded places are required to submit, in original, by the beginning of the academic year, to the secretariat of the doctoral school to which they belong, the master's diploma, respectively the certificate for candidates who have passed the dissertation exam in the 2025-2026 session.

(3) Failure to present the master's diploma or the certificate attesting the studies, in original, by the established deadline, due to the exclusive fault of the admitted candidate, will result in the loss of the state-funded place obtained thru the competition.

 

III. ENROLLMENT OF CANDIDATES

 

Art. 13.

Registration for the admission competition in a doctoral field can be done regardless of the field in which the candidate obtained their diploma for completing long-term university education, advanced studies, or a master's degree. The number of credits obtained in the bachelor's and master's degree programs must be at least 300 (ECTS) for enrollment in the doctoral program.

Art. 14.

Registration for the admission competition can be done online at admitere.ugal.ro, or by submitting the application file to the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat. The dates for the admission colloquiums are posted on the bulletin boards of the doctoral schools and the university, as well as on the website admitere.ugal.ro.

Art. 15. 

(1) Candidates who choose to register at the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat (the university's main office, Rectorate building, room U134) must submit, according to the admission exam schedule posted on the university's website, a "clip" file that will include the following documents:

• standard application form approved by the doctoral supervisor (standardized form);
• registration form with the candidate's commitment, as well as the consent declaration regarding the processing of personal data (standardized form);
• birth certificate, original and copy;
• marriage certificate or name change certificate, if applicable, in original and copy;
• ID/CI/passport, in original and in copy;
• language proficiency certificate, obtained in the last 2 years;
• high school diploma, original and copy;
• bachelor's degree (or equivalent), in original and copy;
• diploma supplement / transcript from the bachelor's degree (or equivalent), in original and copy;
• master's diploma (if applicable), in original and copy;
• diploma supplement / master's transcript, in original and copy;
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• the list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• proof of payment of the admission fee.

All copies required for the admission application file are certified as "true to the original" by the person within the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat.

Registration for the admission exam can also be done, on behalf of the candidate, by another person based on a power of attorney.

(2) Candidates opting for online registration upload the following scanned or photographed documents in pdf/jpg/png format of the registration file to the admission platform, according to the instructions provided in the online registration guide available on the website admitere.ugal.ro:

• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate or name change certificate, if applicable;
• ID/CI/passport;
• language proficiency certificate, obtained in the last 2 years;
• high school diploma;
• bachelor's degree (or equivalent);
• diploma supplement / transcript from the bachelor's degree (or equivalent);
• master's degree (if applicable). Candidates who have passed the dissertation exam in the sessions corresponding to the 2025-2026 academic year must upload the certificate attesting to this, issued by the respective educational institution;
• diploma supplement / master's transcript (where applicable);
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• proof of payment of the admission exam registration fee;
• the agreement of the doctoral supervisor (standardized form);
• the affidavit regarding the authenticity of the documents uploaded on the admission platform admitere.ugal.ro and the correspondence between the digital/scanned documents and the original ones (standardized form);
• Roma candidates also upload the document that certifies their belonging to this ethnicity.

After the validation of the application file by the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat, the candidate receives the competition badge and the registration form, generated by the platform, via email. These contain the necessary information for the admission process. The candidate is obligated to verify the accuracy of the information in the received documents and to report any discrepancies/errors to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by the end of the registration period.

Files received after the admission period has ended will no longer be considered/validated.

The IOSUD-UDJG Secretariat compiles the candidate's file and submits it to the admission committee appointed for the doctoral field to which they have applied.

(3) The file with the submitted documents remains, throughout the entire admission competition period, with the admission committee appointed for the doctoral field where the candidate has enrolled.

(4) After the registration period ends, the options, their order, and other information on the registration form cannot be modified.

(5) The amount of registration fees for organizing and conducting admissions, processing applications, as well as tuition fees are approved annually by the university senate's decision.

(6) According to the law, the children of teaching and auxiliary teaching staff who are active or retired are exempt from paying registration fees for admission competitions to higher education institutions and benefit from free accommodation in dormitories. Exemption from paying these fees is granted only based on the supporting documents presented by the candidates. The approval of the exemption is done by the IOSUD enrollment committee.

 

Art. 16.

Supervision of doctoral students by spouses, in-laws, and relatives up to the third degree is not allowed.

 

Art. 17.

After completing the admission competition, signing the study contract for the third cycle of doctoral university studies, and enrolling in the 2026-2027 academic year, the candidate declared admitted has the status of a doctoral student during the course of their studies. During periods of interruption of doctoral studies, the status of doctoral student is suspended.

 

Art. 18.

The doctoral supervisor establishes the research topic and the competition bibliography, which will be sent to the doctoral secretariat and will be made known to the candidates through posting and publication on the university's website, according to the admission calendar.

 

IV. CONDUCTING THE ADMISSION CONTEST AND ALLOCATING BUDGETED PLACES

 

Art. 19.

The budgeted places are allocated at the level of the doctoral schools of IOSUD-UDJG according to the research topics approved by the councils of the doctoral schools and for the vacant positions of doctoral students that the doctoral supervisors within the doctoral schools decide to propose for occupation during the admission sessions organized by IOSUD-UDJG. The allocation of these places is approved by CSUD.

For the allocation of budgeted places at the doctoral school level, the degree of fulfillment and exceeding of the minimum habilitation standards by doctoral supervisors, corresponding to each field, as well as the involvement of the doctoral supervisor in the activities carried out within the doctoral school, will be taken into account.

The doctoral supervisors who are not to be taken into consideration are the ones who:

1. did not submit the individual self-evaluation reports for the last evaluated year within the established deadline, or they submitted incomplete or inaccurate documents;
2. do not meet the minimum necessary and mandatory standards for the confirmation of teaching titles in higher education, the granting of professional research-development degrees, the quality of doctoral supervisors, and the habilitation certificate, standards established by current legislation for the evaluation and accreditation of doctoral schools;
3. have not been involved in the evaluation activities of doctoral study fields and doctoral schools;
4. have had under supervision in the last 10 yearsmore than 50% of the doctoral students who have not completed their doctoral theses within 5 years from the start of the doctoral program;
5. were sanctioned in the last academic year;
6. have more than 8 doctoral students registered, provided that at the level of the doctoral school the percentage of 20% of doctoral supervisors with more than 8 doctoral students registered is not exceeded, in which case places can only be allocated to doctoral supervisors who do not have more than 11 doctoral students registered.

 

Art. 20.

The distribution of budgeted places allocated by the Ministry of Education and Research will be based on a quantitative algorithm applied at the IOSUD level, doctoral schools, fields, and subfields, as follows:

• the total number of budgeted places is reported, proportionally, to the number of eligible supervisors in each doctoral school, resulting in the number of places to be assigned to each doctoral school within IOSUD-UDJG;
• the budgeted places allocated to each school are proportionally related to the number of eligible supervisors in each field, resulting in the number of places allocated to each field of the school;
• the budgeted places allocated to a doctoral field are proportionally related to the number of eligible supervisors in each subfield, resulting in the number of places allocated to each doctoral subfield.

 

Art. 21.

(1) The doctoral admission interview consists of:

• the oral presentation of a brief exposition, in which the candidate presents their own scientific research concerns, the studied bibliography, with direct references to the proposed doctoral thesis topic in agreement with the doctoral supervisor, followed by a question and answer session;
• analysis of the candidate’s file

In objectively-motivated situations, the first part of the admission colloquium can also be conducted online (remotely), with the agreement of the doctoral supervisor and the admission committee.

(2) Candidates will be evaluated based on their level of preparation and knowledge in the field, their ability to address specific research problems, formulate innovative solutions and pathways (theoretical and experimental), and the quantifiable results of their previous scientific research (published or communicated works and participation in research projects). Equally, candidates will be evaluated based on their ability to argue the innovative nature of the proposed research topic, in relation to the current state of research in the chosen thematic field and the specialized bibliography, highlighting their personal contribution in addressing the selected doctoral topic in agreement with the doctoral supervisor.

 

Art. 22.

For the admission colloquium, committees are appointed at the level of each doctoral school, by fields or subfields of doctoral university studies, consisting of a president, at least 2 full members, and at least 2 substitute members, who can be doctoral supervisors or faculty members with recognized competencies, holding the title of associate professor or university professor.

• In the event that the president cannot attend the admission colloquium for justified reasons, they will be replaced by a titular member approved by the CSD vote, and the committee will be completed with one of the substitute members.
• In the event that one or more titular members cannot attend the admission colloquium for justified reasons, they may be replaced by substitute members.

In the case where, within the same doctoral study field, doctoral supervisors from different faculties are active, two committees can be appointed to conduct the admission colloquium.

 

Art. 23.

The committees are proposed by the Council for Doctoral University Studies (CDUS), approved by the Administrative Council, and ratified by the UDJG Senate. The committees are appointed by the rector's decision, at least 10 days before the start of the entrance exams.

 

Art. 24.

Each member of the examination committee assigns each candidate a whole number grade, from 1 to 10. The final admission average is the average of the grades given by the commission members, expressed with two decimal places, without rounding.

 

Art. 25.

The minimum average that a candidate must achieve to be declared admitted is 7.00.

 

Art. 26.

The criteria for allocating budgeted places, by fields and/or subfields of doctoral studies, following the application of the provisions of Article 19:

C.1.1. The budgeted position is awarded to the candidate ranked first for each eligible doctoral supervisor.

C.1.2. If the number of budgeted places is less than the number of eligible doctoral supervisors, according to criterion C.1.1, the allocation of budgeted places will be based on a ranking by doctoral fields/subfields in the doctoral schools, allocating one budgeted place per doctoral field/subfield to the candidates in the first position from each field/subfield.The distribution of available budgeted places after this initial allocation will be based on the ranking of candidates, depending on the admission average and the candidates' choices.

C.1.3. In the event that the number of budgeted places is greater than the number assigned according to criterion C.1.1, the remaining unoccupied budgeted places will be redistributed within the subdomain/domain/doctoral school/IOSUD, based on admission averages, candidate options, and requests.

 

Art. 27.

For the ranking of candidates with the same average, the following criteria will be used, in this specific order:

1. the general average of the years of study, calculated by taking into account the years of bachelor's and master's studies;
2. the average of the final examination of the last cycle of university studies.

 

Art. 28.

(1) Any potential appeals are submitted to the university's registry and are resolved by the appeals committee. The decision of the appeals committee is final.

(2) No appeals are accepted for oral exams or sports skills tests.

(3) Appeals based on ignorance of the admission methodology are not accepted.

 

Art. 29.

The validation of the admission results for doctoral university studies is carried out by the Doctoral School Council (CSD) and the Council for Doctoral University Studies (CSUD).

 

V. FINAL DISPOSITIONS

 

Art. 30.

The results of the doctoral admission exam, by field of study, are posted on the IOSUD bulletin board and on the university's website.

 

Art. 31.

(1) The display of the results obtained in the admission contest is carried out in stages, generating at least two types of lists:

1. provisional lists with the ranking of candidates, generated after admission;
2. final lists - with the ranking of candidates, generated after the resolution of appeals, which include the final and indisputable results.

(2) The lists contain the following categories of information:

1. candidates admitted for budget-funded places, within the limit of the allocated number of places, if applicable;
2. candidates admitted for places on a fee-paying basis, within the limit of the allocated places, if applicable;
3. the rejected candidates, if applicable.

 

Art. 32.

Candidates declared admitted are enrolled and acquire the status of doctoral students after completing the registration procedure.

 

Art. 33.

Doctoral students will complete and sign, together with their doctoral supervisor, the study contract.

 

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Annex 1 to the Methodology of Organizing and conducting admission for the cycle of doctoral university studies in 2026

Fields of doctoral university studies

 

 

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Annex 2 to the Methodology of Organizing and conducting admission for the cycle of doctoral university studies in  2026

The special enrollment and admission conditions for Romanian candidates from everywhere, graduates of faculties in Romania or their countries of origin, for doctoral university studies

 

The following belong to the category of Romanians everywhere, in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 299/2007 regarding the support granted to Romanians everywhere, republished, with subsequent amendments and completions:

1. Persons belonging to national minorities, linguistic minorities, or Romanian indigenous ethnic groups or who belong to the Romanian cultural and ethnic heritage, existing in the neighboring countries of Romania and in other states, who assume their Romanian ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identity before the Romanian authorities, regardless of the ethnonym used.
2. Emigrated Romanians, regardless of whether they have retained Romanian citizenship or not, their descendants, as well as Romanian citizens residing or having their domicile abroad.
3. Ethnic individuals who recognize their Romanian origin, residing outside the country's borders, registered as another minority in the state of residence, who assume, through self-identification, their belonging to the Romanian cultural and identity space.

1.1. Romanian candidates from everywhere who have a permanent residence in Romania and are graduates of faculties in their country of origin can participate in the admission competition for budgeted and fee-paying places and will present, in addition to the documents listed below, a certificate of recognition of studies issued by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research-CNRED. This category will take the entrance exam under the same conditions as Romanian candidates and will pay the registration fee of 400 lei.

 

1.2. Romanian candidates from everywhere who have a permanent residence in Romania and are graduates of Romanian faculties can participate in the admission competition for budgeted and fee-paying places. This category will take the entrance exam under the same conditions as Romanian candidates and will pay the registration fee of 400 lei.

 

1.3. Romanian candidates from everywhere who do not have a permanent residence in Romania, with or without Romanian citizenship and who have completed their university studies in Romania or in their country of origin, can participate in the admission competition for study places without paying tuition fees, with a monthly scholarship, respectively for places without paying tuition fees, without a monthly scholarship, places specially allocated for them by ministerial order, as well as for places with fees in lei.

 

Those who opt for the fee-paying places will take the entrance exam under the same conditions as the Romanian candidates and will pay the registration fee of 400 lei.

Registrations can be done both at the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat and online on the website inscriere-admitere.ugal.ro.

The dates for the admission colloquiums are posted on the bulletin boards of the doctoral schools and the university, as well as on the website admitere.ugal.ro.

 

1. Candidates opting for registration at the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat (the university's main office, the Rectorate building, room U134) must submit, according to the admission competition schedule posted on the university's website, a "clip" file that will include the following documents:

• standard application form approved by the doctoral supervisor (standardized form);
• the registration form, the candidate's commitment, as well as the consent declaration regarding the processing of personal data (standardized form);
• birth certificate, in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document, where applicable;
• marriage certificate or name change certificate, in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document, where applicable;
• the ID card, in original and in copy;
• the foreign passport and the Romanian citizen passport with permanent residence abroad, in original and in copy;
• language proficiency certificate, obtained within the last 2 years;
• high school diploma or equivalent, in original and copy, and the certified translation of the original document, where applicable;
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document, where applicable;
• diploma supplement / bachelor's transcript (or equivalent), in original and in copy and the authorized translation of the original document, where applicable;
• master's diploma (if applicable), in original and in copy, and the certified translation of the original document, where applicable. Candidates who have passed the dissertation exam in the sessions corresponding to the 2025-2026 academic year must present, upon registration, a certificate attesting to this – in original, issued by the respective educational institution, translated by an authorized translator, where applicable;
• the diploma supplement / master's transcript, in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document, where applicable;
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• proof of payment of the registration fee for the admission contest, where applicable;
• a sworn statement, based on freely expressed will, assuming the Romanian cultural identity, according to the current legislation as per Annex No. 3 of the Methodology for the Enrollment of Romanians Everywhere (except for candidates from the Republic of Moldova) (standard form);
• a sworn statement that the applicant does not hold a Romanian ID card/identity card (standard form);
• the declaration on one's own responsibility that they have not previously benefited from tuition-free education, with a monthly scholarship/without a monthly scholarship, for the same level of studies (standard form);
• the medical certificate issued by the family doctor stating that the holder of the certificate does not suffer from contagious/chronic diseases.

All copies required for the admission application file are certified as "true to the original" by the person within the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat.

 

2. Candidates opting for online registration upload the following scanned or photographed documents in pdf/jpg/png format to the admission platform, according to the instructions provided in the online registration guide available on the website admitere.ugal.ro:

• birth certificate (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• marriage certificate or name change certificate (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• the ID card;
• the foreign passport and the Romanian citizen passport with a permanent residence abroad;
• language proficiency certificate, obtained in the last 2 years;
• high school diploma or equivalent (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• bachelor's degree (or equivalent) (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• diploma supplement / transcript of the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• the master's diploma (if applicable) (translated by a certified translator, where applicable). Candidates who have passed the dissertation exam in the corresponding sessions of the 2025-2026 academic year must upload the certificate attesting to this, issued by the respective educational institution, translated by a certified translator where applicable;
• diploma supplement / master's transcript (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• proof of payment of the registration fee for the admission contest, where applicable;
• the affidavit, based on the freely expressed will, stating the assumption of Romanian cultural identity, according to the legislation in force as per Annex No. 3 of the Methodology for the Education of Romanians Everywhere (except for candidates from the Republic of Moldova) (standard form);
• the affidavit stating that one does not hold a Romanian ID card/identity card (standard form);
• the affidavit stating that the applicant has not previously benefited from tuition-free education, with a monthly scholarship/without a monthly scholarship, for the same level of studies (standard form);
• standard medical certificate issued by the family doctor indicating that the certificate holder does not suffer from contagious/chronic diseases;
• the agreement of the doctoral supervisor (standard form);
• the declaration of authenticity regarding the documents uploaded on the platform inscriere-admitere.ugal.ro and the correspondence between the digital/scanned documents and the original ones (standardized form).

After the validation of the application file by the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat, the candidate receives the competition badge and the registration form, generated by the platform, via email. These contain the necessary information for the admission process. The candidate is required to verify the accuracy of the information in the received documents and to report any discrepancies/errors to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the end of the registration period.
Files received after the admission period will no longer be considered/validated.

For admission to university studies for Romanian citizens with a permanent residence abroad (except for the Republic of Moldova), it is necessary to obtain a study equivalence certificate. Information regarding the recognition of study documents can be accessed at https://cnred.edu.ro/echivalare-studii-superioare-de-licenta-efectuate-in-strainatate/

Original study documents issued in states that are parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Super-Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, adopted in The Hague on October 5, 1961 (Hague Apostille Convention), must be endorsed by the competent authorities of the issuing countries with the Hague Apostille.

Original study documents issued in states that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention will be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country.

The list of countries for which apostille or superlegalization is requested can be consulted at https://cnred.edu.ro/lista-statelor-pentru-care-se-solicita-apostilarea-sau-supralegalizarea/

Enrollment fee:

Romanians everywhere/Romanians in the Diaspora are exempt from the registration fee for the admission competition, according to Decision no. 1653/2024 regarding the conditions for financing scholarships and specialization and professional training/advanced training stages granted to Romanians everyplace and foreign citizens.

The budgeted places allocated specifically for Romanian candidates from abroad who do not have a permanent residence in Romania, with or without Romanian citizenship, that remain available after the July admission session, will be made available in the September session.

The admission competition and enrollment for doctoral university studies are conducted according to this methodology.

 

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Annex 3  to the Methodology of organizing and conducting admission for the cycle of doctoral university studies in 2026

The conditions for enrollment and admission to doctoral university studies for citizens of the member states of the European Union, the states belonging to the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation, as well as for British citizens and their family members

 

Citizens of the member states of the European Union, the states belonging to the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation, as well as British citizens and their family members, as beneficiaries of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community 2019/C 384 I/01, can participate in the admission to doctoral university studies under the same conditions provided by law for Romanian citizens, including regarding tuition fees, after the recognition of studies completed in their countries of origin.

The recognition of studies is carried out by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research - CNRED -https://cnred.edu.ro/.

In the case of recognition documents issued online by the specialized directorates within the Ministry of Education and Research (CNRED), these are sent electronically to the doctoral secretariat by the candidate, according to the admission calendar. For the recognition documents issued online, candidates will complete a declaration of authenticity regarding these documents.

Registrations can be made both at the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat and online on the website inscriere-admitere.ugal.ro. The dates for the admission colloquiums are posted on the bulletin boards of the doctoral schools and the university, as well as on the website admitere.ugal.ro.

 

1. Candidates opting for registration at the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat (the university's main office, Rectorate building, room U134) must submit, according to the admission competition schedule posted on the university's website, a "clip" file that will include the following documents:

• standard application for enrollment approved by the doctoral supervisor (standard form);
• registration form with the candidate's commitment, as well as the consent declaration regarding the processing of personal data (standardized form);
• birth certificate, in original and in copy, and the certified translation of the original document;
• marriage certificate or name change certificate, if applicable, in original and in copy and the authorized translation of the document in original;
• passport, in original and in copy;
• language proficiency certificate, obtained within the last 2 years, where applicable;
• high school diploma or equivalent, in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document;
• bachelor's degree (or equivalent), in original and in copy and the certified translation of the original document;
• diploma supplement / transcript from the bachelor's degree (or equivalent), in original and in copy and the authorized translation of the document in original;
• master's diploma (if applicable), in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document;
• supplement to the diploma / transcript from the master's program, in original and in copy, and the authorized translation of the original document;
  • Original diplomas from Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus will be stamped with the Hague Convention Apostille.
  • Original diplomas issued in countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention will be superlegalized by: the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country, the Embassy/Consular Office of Romania in the issuing country, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, or the Ministry of Education and Research of the issuing country, the Embassy/Consular Office of the issuing country in Romania, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. The list of countries for which apostille or superlegalization is requested can be consulted at the following address: https://cnred.edu.ro/lista-statelor-pentru-care-se-solicita-apostilarea-sau-supralegalizarea/.
• the diploma of completion of the preparatory year of the Romanian language, in original and in copy;
• the certificate of recognition of high school/ bachelor's/ master's studies issued by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research - CNRED;
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• proof of payment of the admission exam registration fee;
• the document describing the grading system applied in the educational institutions attended (the equivalent in grades of the qualifications ranging from Fail to Excellent);
• the medical certificate in an internationally recognized language stating that the holder of the certificate does not suffer from contagious/chronic diseases.

All copies required for the admission application file are certified as "true to the original" by the person in the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat.

 

2. Candidates opting for online registration should upload the following scanned or photographed documents in pdf/jpg/png format to the admission platform, according to the instructions provided in the online registration guide available on the website admitere.ugal.ro:

• birth certificate (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• marriage certificate or name change certificate, if applicable, (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• passport;
• language proficiency certificate, obtained in the last 2 years, where applicable;
• high school diploma or equivalent (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• bachelor's degree (or equivalent) (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• diploma supplement / bachelor's transcript (or equivalent) (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• master's degree (if applicable) (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
• diploma supplement / master's transcript, (translated by a certified translator, where applicable);
  • original diplomas from Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus will be endorsed with the Hague Convention Apostille,
  • original diplomas issued in countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention will be super-legalized by: the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country, the Embassy/Consular Office of Romania in the issuing country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania or the Ministry of Education and Research of the issuing country, the Embassy/Consular Office of the issuing country in Romania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. The list of countries for which apostille or superlegalization is requested can be consulted at the following address: https://cnred.edu.ro/lista-statelor-pentru-care-se-solicita-apostilarea-sau-supralegalizarea//.
• the diploma of completion of the preparatory year of the Romanian language, in original and in copy;
• the certificate of recognition of high school/ bachelor's/ master's studies issued by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research - CNRED;
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• proof of payment of the registration fee for the admission exam;
• the document describing the grading system applied in the educational institutions attended (the equivalent in grades of the classifications ranging from Fail to Excellent);
• the medical certificate in an internationally recognized language stating that the certificate holder does not suffer from contagious/chronic diseases;
• the agreement of the doctoral supervisor (standardized form);
• the declaration of authenticity regarding the documents uploaded to the platform inscriere-admitere.ugal.ro and the correspondence between digital/scanned documents and the original ones (standardized form).

After the validation of the application file by the IOSUD-UDJG secretariat, the candidate receives the competition badge and the registration form, generated by the platform, via email. These contain the necessary information for the admission process. The candidate is obliged to verify the accuracy of the information in the received documents and to report any discrepancies/errors to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the end of the registration period.

Files received after the admission period will no longer be considered/validated.

The admission competition and enrollment in doctoral university studies are conducted according to this methodology.

 

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Annex 4  to the Methodology of organizing and conducting admission for te cycle of doctoral university studies in 2026

The conditions for enrollment and admission to doctoral university studies for foreign citizens from non-EU countries

 

Non-EU foreign citizens are further defined as individuals who are not from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), the Swiss Confederation (CH), or the UK and hold the citizenship of a third country of the European Union, proven by holding a valid passport. Non-EU foreign citizens can participate in admission to study places without paying tuition fees, with a monthly scholarship, without paying tuition fees, without a monthly scholarship, or by paying tuition fees in foreign currency.

Education in Romania for non-EU foreign citizens is conducted in accordance with the current regulations presented in the "General Aspects" section of this methodology.
For details regarding the scholarships offered by the Government of Romania to foreign students, see the link: https://www.mae.ro/en/node/10251.

Non-EU foreign candidates with long-term bachelor's degrees (prior to the Bologna Process), as well as graduates of master's degree programs from non-EU third countries who have completed accredited master's programs and have accumulated at least 300 transferable study credits for both bachelor's and master's degree cycles, can apply for admission to UDJG according to the admission calendar for Romanian citizens' doctoral programs.

The recognition of studies conducted by non-EU foreign citizens will be carried out by the specialized directorate within the Ministry of Education and Research.

For admission to all cycles of university studies conducted in Romanian, all foreign citizens are required to present a Romanian language proficiency certificate issued by institutions authorized by the Ministry of Education and Research or the original certificate of completion of the preparatory year.

The procedure for enrolling foreign citizens to participate in the admission exam organized for doctoral university studies is as follows:

 

A. Candidates for study places with tuition fees paid in foreign currency (CPV):

They have to upload, for the purpose of submitting the application file and issuing the letter of acceptance for studies, the following scanned or photographed documents in pdf/jpg/png format on the platform inscriere-admitere.ugal.ro, according to the instructions provided in the online registration guide available on the website:

• preliminary agreement from the doctoral supervisor (standard form);
• the doctoral research project related to the doctoral topic for which they are applying, approved by the future doctoral supervisor;
• application for the issuance of the letter of acceptance to studies: Annex2-NON-UE;
• birth certificate (authorized and legalized translation if the document is not issued in Romanian or English);
• marriage certificate or name change certificate, where applicable (authorized and legalized translation if the document is not issued in Romanian or English);
• passport, valid for at least 6 months at the time of applying for doctoral university studies;
• document proving permanent residence abroad;
• the high school diploma and the certified translation of the high school diploma or its equivalent, authenticated by the relevant authorities in the issuing country;
• the bachelor's degree and the certified translation of the bachelor's degree or its equivalent, authenticated by the relevant authorities in the issuing country;
• the master's degree and the certified translation of the master's degree or its equivalent, authenticated by the relevant authorities in the issuing country;

Diplomas issued in states that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention will be authenticated by:

• • The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country, the Embassy/Consulate of Romania in the issuing country, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, or by:
  • The Ministry of Education of the issuing country, the Embassy/Consulate of the issuing country in Romania, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania;

Exemption from super-legalization is permitted under the law, an international treaty to which Romania is a party, or on a reciprocal basis.

• transcripts/diploma supplements – copies and certified translations, pertaining to the studies undertaken;
• the certificate of completion of the Romanian language preparatory year or the Romanian language certificate for programs taught in Romanian;
• the certificate of linguistic competence in an international language for programs of study in international languages;
• Europass curriculum vitae (signed on each page);
• medical certificate in an internationally spoken language indicating that the certificate holder does not suffer from contagious diseases or other conditions incompatible with the intended studies;
• proof of payment of the admission exam fee - 250 euros;
• the list of published scientific works (if applicable) (signed on each page);
• the declaration of personal responsibility regarding the authenticity of the documents uploaded to the platform inscriere-admitere.ugal.ro and the correspondence between the digital/scanned documents and the original ones (standardized form).

Files received after the admission period will no longer be considered/validated.

The admission competition is conducted according to this methodology.

The confirmation of the places for accepted candidates will be possible on the condition of enrollment, namely, by signing the study contract, either physically or online.

Enrollment in studies is done only after receiving the acceptance letter, but no later than December 1,2026.

 

B. Candidates for tuition-free study places:

These candidates apply in their own name because the procedures for obtaining the acceptance letter are different.

Additional information at the address: https://www.mae.ro/node/10251

1. For Non-EU candidates - Romanian State Scholarship holders according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mae.ro/node/10251), the competition file must contain, in addition to the documents mentioned above, the Acceptance Letter issued by the Ministry of Education and Research.
2. Candidates will follow the registration process according to the posted schedule.

The admission competition and enrollment in doctoral university studies are conducted according to this methodology.