Overview
Preparatory year at Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, is a one-year, full-time university program designed for international students who wish to continue their Bachelor, Master or PhD studies in Romanian.
It builds the linguistic and academic skills required by Romanian-taught degree programs, under a national framework that sets the duration at a minimum of 28 teaching weeks and 60 ECTS credits. As a private, accredited institution in Bucharest with “High Confidence” rating from ARACIS, UCDC offers an academically secure and supportive entry route into Romanian higher education.
Throughout two intensive semesters, the program develops general and specialized Romanian language skills (B1–B2 level CEFR) and introduces students to Romanian culture and university life. Courses include practical seminars and Romanian for specific purposes (economics, engineering, biomedical sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts), aligned with the fields in which students later choose their degrees.
Graduates of Preparatory year at Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, receive a nationally recognized certificate of completion, enabling them to apply competitively to Romanian-taught programs at UCDC and other universities across Romania.
Preparatory year at Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University Program Highlights
- Duration & structure: 1 academic year, 2 semesters, 60 ECTS, fully aligned with Bologna/ECTS and national regulations for the Romanian preparatory year.
- Curriculum focus: Intensive Romanian language, culture & civilization, plus Romanian for specific disciplines (economics, engineering, biomedical sciences, social sciences, humanities & arts).
- Learning methods: Practical language seminars, specialized vocabulary workshops, continuous assessment, and a final B1–B2 proficiency exam.
- Teaching language: Romanian (with English and other international languages often used informally as support, especially in guidance and orientation).
- International outlook: Designed specifically for foreign citizens, embedded in Erasmus+ and internationalization strategies of UCDC.
- Capacity: 100 places per year for the Preparatory Year – Romanian Language for Foreign Citizens.
Programme Structure
The Preparatory Year at UCDC is structured as an intensive, two-semester program that gradually moves from general language acquisition to specialized academic Romanian. It is regulated nationally as a 60-ECTS university study program, ending with a final language competence exam at minimum B1 level.
Year 1 – Semester 1 (Foundations)
- Core modules in General Romanian (grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, writing).
- Introduction to Romanian culture and civilization.
- Basic academic skills: note-taking, presentations, academic reading strategies.
- Orientation to Romanian higher education and fields of study (humanities, social sciences, engineering, biomedical sciences, etc.).
Year 1 – Semester 2 (Specialization & Applied Work)
- Romanian for specific purposes, tailored to future study directions (e.g., economics and business, engineering and technology, social sciences, biological & biomedical sciences, arts & humanities).
- Continued culture & civilization and academic communication.
- Preparation for the final language proficiency exam (minimum B1, often aiming at B1–B2).
- Final examination and issuance of the Certificate of Completion/Certificate of Romanian Language Proficiency, which allows graduates to apply for Romanian-taught degrees nationwide.
Because Preparatory year at Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University is a one-year preparatory program, there are no Years 3–4 or 5–6 within this program; instead, successful graduates progress into full Bachelor, Master or PhD programs in their chosen disciplines.
