Moldova is a small, emerging country sandwiched between Ukraine and Western Russia. Having been occupied by two great empires in history, Moldova offers a unique transnational experience to those who set their foot within its borders for the very first time. With its lands littered with both Soviet and Ottoman architecture, the country often leaves a surreal impression to its visitors that lasts a lifetime.
Moldova interests a great many with the evolution of its cultural traditions too. The Romanian origins of Moldova may be traced as far back as the Roman colonization of Dacia in the 2nd century. And being a country undoubtedly heavily influenced by Romanian, Slavic, and Gagauz peoples, the remnants of the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia paint a picture that perfectly showcases the contrast between Moldova’s classical culture and Russification.
For this article, we will be introducing to you the best scholarships in Moldova you can find to help you experience and further learn more about this country.
Related Scholarships
Living Costs in Moldova for International students
Moldova is one of the most budget-friendly European countries to live in. Every euro counts in this country–you may even take home an entire bag of groceries for only under €15!
Though living costs usually vary greatly across cities within any given country, Moldova is special in that the expected expenses for its more expensive cities are still considered cheap for ex-pats, despite their differences.
For reference, the average rent one would pay for a one-bedroom apartment in Chișinău, Moldova’s capital and university hub is around €300; that’s roughly equivalent to the average monthly grocery bill in the US. On the other hand, food and utility costs in the capital are more or less the same as the general national average (which are about €60 and €100 respectively). The same goes for monthly passes for public transport, which is priced at ~€9.
Can international students work in Moldova?
International students can work in Moldova during their stay after securing work permits from the National Agency for Employment of the Ministry of Economy. Work hours, however, are limited to 20 hours/week as per standard with most European countries. Apart from these general prerequisites, international students mostly enjoy few restrictions when it comes to Moldovan employment.
Top Universities in Moldova:
Moldova has a practical education system with a curriculum patterned after the tried and true US syllabus. It is especially known for its MBBS program being one of the best options for prospective medical students on a budget, both local and international alike.
There are eighteen universities in Moldova with Chișinău being home to fifteen with the most revered among these being Academia de Studii Economice din Moldova, Universitatea de Stat de Medicina si Farmacie, Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), Universitatea Tehnică a Moldovei, and Universitatea de Stat din Moldova.
Best Scholarships in Moldova
1. USDC Scholarship
The State University “Dimitrie Cantemir” (USDC) also known as the University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (UNAM) is a public higher-ed institution under Moldova’s Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research. It is one of the few, if not the only, Moldovan universities that offer scholarships to international students.
The USDC has an exhaustive list of scholarships, all of which are either government-sponsored or from external charity foundations. All of these Moldova scholarships are competitive and merit-based, though some must fall under context-based criteria for eligibility. These scholarships may either come in full or half-bursaries, with the best among the best scholars sometimes even receiving additional support to cover accommodation, meals, and other costs related to study.
2. Moldova Government Scholarship
The Moldovan Government, like most countries, opens up scholarships to get some of the best students in its borders. This scholarship is open to both local and foreign students. Scholarship amounts vary by educational level, merit, course, and context.
Starting 2024, students getting this scholarship at Moldova taking their post-secondary degrees will be receiving between 945 lei and 1,015 lei while exceptional students can expect to receive between 990 lei and 1,640 lei. Medical students and resident physicians will also receive scholarships depending on the academic year – from 1,245 lei up to 1,420 lei under the same scheme.
3. Visegrad Scholarship
Moldova is one of the countries the Visegrad Group sponsors scholarships for its master and post-master students as part of its academic mobility scheme. These scholarships are enabled through the Visegrad Fund, which was established by the V4 (i.e. Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) to strengthen its diplomatic ties with each other and its neighboring European countries. Successful candidates are set to receive €2,300/semester (as of 2018) at a maximum of 4 semesters each and are all eligible to apply for travel grants throughout the scholarship period.
4. WMI Scholarship
The Wells-Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a private non-profit organization from America that aims to enable social development worldwide, especially for those in developing countries. One of the ways they set upon this agenda is through sponsoring and enabling potential global leaders by offering them scholarships to aid them in their studies and their community projects. This scholarship in Moldova is being awarded to around 50 – 60 students per year, with each successful candidate given a scholarship amounting to approximately $1,500 – $3,000 intended to cover tuition fees and instructional materials.
5. Boren Awards
Where else better to study Moldovan but in Moldova itself? The Boren Awards program is one of the US Government’s most prestigious scholarships. This program is unique in that it was established with the main purpose of promoting language and cultural exchange by sponsoring some of its best students in getting their undergraduate degrees and supporting researchers in their academic pursuits abroad. In this program, interested American international students enrolled in a US university may apply for scholarships with amounts ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 for study periods of 8 to 52 weeks in their chosen countries.
Successful candidates of the Boren Awards can customize their own study programs, the only condition being that language must be the focus of their studies.
