136,087
#43.1 km²
Bacău
Moldova
Bacău, an affordable Moldavian university city, is an increasingly attractive study destination for international students seeking a quieter Romanian hub with strong industry ties (aerospace, IT, education) and quick links to the rest of the country. The city hosts “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău (UBc)—a public institution with English/French-taught programmes at the Faculty of Letters—and the George Bacovia University (UGB)—an accredited private university focused on economics, law, and public administration.
UBc reported international students from 20+ countries in 2023–2024 (over 200 non-EU and several EU students), reflecting a growing multicultural campus. Daily life is compact and budget-friendly, with airport and rail access, reliable buses, and green riverfront spaces along Bistrița. For many non-EU students, Bacău offers lower living costs than larger centers while maintaining recognized degrees and Erasmus mobility.
Bacău is the seat of Bacău County in the historical region of Moldavia, on the right bank of the Bistrița River close to its confluence with the Siret. Official municipal documentation places the city at 46°35′N, 26°55′E, with a surface area of 43.1 km², and an elevation zone around ~165 m in a broad valley corridor—contributing to four distinct seasons and easy, flat urban walking/cycling.
Rail (north–south mainline) and European road E85 run just west of the centre, while George Enescu International Airport (BCM) sits on the southern edge with direct links to Bucharest and multiple European capitals. From Bacău, distances by rail/road are practical to Iași, Suceava, Brașov, and Galați, making short trips for internships and culture feasible. For official statistics and territorial profiles, use the county statistics directorate and INS territorial portals.
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Population | 136,087 |
Area | 43.1 km² |
County | Bacău |
Region | Moldova |
Timezone | EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3 summer) |
Climate | Temperate-continental (4 seasons) |
Average Temperature | Summers warm; winters cold (valley microclimate) |
Monuments | Statuia lui Ștefan cel Mare, Ansamblul monumental “România Biruitoare”, George Bacovia Memorial House |
Bacău’s higher-education ecosystem centers on UBc (public) and UGB (private). UBc offers comprehensive faculties—Engineering, Sciences, Letters, Economics, and Sports—with English/French options in Letters. UGB focuses on Economics, Law, Administrative Sciences, including Bachelor/Master options and new programmes aligned with regional labor needs
UBc student body reference: 2023–24 institutional file lists foreign students (≈211) from EU & non-EU; totals vary by cycle/faculty annually.
Subject | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation | €180–€400 – Dorm vs studio/private |
Food & Groceries | €150–€220 – Cooking saves most |
Transportation | €4–€14 – With student bus discounts (see law) |
Utilities | €60–€100 – Heating/Internet vary by season |
Entertainment | €60–€120 – Cafés, cinema, clubs |
Healthcare | €10–€25 – Insurance co-pays/meds |
Total Monthly | €460–€880 – Conservative/student-style |
Transportation | Status |
|---|---|
Metro (Metrorex) | No |
Bus/Tram/Trolley (STB) | Yes |
Taxi/Ride_hailing | Yes |
The Bacău County Police Inspectorate publishes annual criminality coefficients at the level of municipalities/towns/communes; consult the 2024 table for locality-level benchmarking, and follow usual urban safety practices.
Safe Areas for Students
Options | Cost |
|---|---|
University Dorms | €70–€120 – Shared rooms, campus proximity |
Private Student Dorms | €150–€250 – Newer facilities, private |
Shared Apartments | €180–€280 (per room) – Furnished 2–3 rooms near bus lines |
Studios | €250–€400 – Independent living, central/south |
Host Families | €350–€500 – Cultural immersion, limited |
Multiplex cinema, live music venues, student cafés around the centre and UBc faculties.
Nightlife clusters in/near Centru; café culture is strong; growing international food scene along key boulevards.
Spring (Mar–May):
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Local Cuisine Highlights: Moldavian stews, sarmale, grilled meats, papanși, and bakery specialties. Affordable canteens and daily menus abound.
Popular activities: football/basketball leagues, running/cycling along Bistrița, fitness/kineto labs at FȘMSS (UBc).
Breakfast near campus (€4–€6). Walk/bus to faculty (5–15 min). Lectures/seminars in core buildings.
Lunch menu (€5–€7). Study in library or project labs; coffee on the main boulevard (€2–€3).
Cook at home or dine out (€7–€12). Meetups, language exchange, or gym session.
Day trips by CFR (Iași, Suceava, Brașov); budget flights via BCM for EU city breaks.
