271,692
#93.9 km²
Iași
Moldavia
Iași is Romania’s historic academic capital in the northeast, famous for centuries of scholarship, culture, and innovation. As a study destination, the city blends a dense university ecosystem—ranging from foundational humanities and sciences to engineering, medicine, life sciences, and the arts—with a walkable center anchored by the Palace of Culture and lively student neighborhoods like Copou and Tudor Vladimirescu.
International students choose Iași for its broad range of English- and French-taught programs, competitive fees, and a strong public transport network (tram + bus) offering nationally regulated student discounts.
Major universities include Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (UAIC), “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University (TUIASI), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMF Iași), the University of Life Sciences (IULS) and UNAGE (arts). For population and planning baselines, use the latest official census/INS releases and county statistical bulletins as reference points for 2025 decisions.
Located near the Prut River, close to the Republic of Moldova border, Iași sits in Romania’s Northeast Region and serves as the county seat of Iași County. It is one of the country’s largest university cities and the main urban hub of the Iași Metropolitan Area.
For official population baselines at municipality level, consult the 2021 Population and Housing Census (RPL 2021) tables issued by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the County Statistics Directorate (DJS Iași). Geographic and administrative data for the municipality and metropolitan area are provided by local authorities and affiliated public bodies.
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Population | 271,692 |
Area | 93.9 km² |
County | Iași |
Region | Moldavia |
Timezone | EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3 summer) |
Climate | Temperate-continental (ANM). |
Average Temperature | Summer & winter conditions per ANM national climatology (local variation by station). |
Monuments | Palace of Culture, Metropolitan Cathedral, Union Square (Piața Unirii) & Union Monument, Three Hierarchs Monastery |
Iași hosts one of Romania’s most comprehensive university clusters, with broad English/French offerings and extensive research/clinical infrastructure. International admissions, dorms, and campus services are managed institution-by-institution; consult each university’s portal for study languages, calendars, and fees.
Aggregate 2025 figures vary by university; consult each institution’s annual reports and the Ministry of Education for official totals and international student counts.
Subject | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation | €300–550 – Shared room vs. studio; outside center is cheaper. |
Food & Groceries | €160–240 – Cooking at home lowers costs. |
Transportation | €6–15 – With 90% student reduction on local public transport; operator tariff varies. |
Utilities | €70–120 – Season/heating dependent. |
Entertainment | €50–120 – Student museum/theatre rates available. |
Healthcare | €10–30 – Co-pays, over-the-counter meds; insurance per status. |
Total Monthly | €596–1,075 – Typical single-student range (off-campus). |
Transportation | Status |
|---|---|
Metro (Metrorex) | No |
Bus/Tram/Trolley (STB) | Yes |
Taxi/Ride_hailing | Yes |
For crime statistics and alerts, monitor official police/authority communications; use common urban safety habits (well-lit routes, licensed taxis/e-hail).
(National emergency system and inspectorate resources are authoritative references for incident handling.)
Options | Cost |
|---|---|
University Dorms | €70–160 – Shared rooms, on-campus convenience; allocations via each university. |
Private Student Dorms | €200–350 – Newer facilities, mixed international cohorts. |
Shared Apartments | €250–400 (per person) – 2–4 students; near tram lines. |
Studios | €350–600 – Independent living; center vs. outer districts. |
Host Families | €400–600 – Meals/cultural immersion (limited availability). |
cinemas, theatres, museums, and music venues are concentrated around Centru–Palas and Copou. Many venues list student deals—carry your student card.
Universities in Iași, Campus & Student Life, Nightlife & Social Life, Culture & Events, Free Time & Relaxation, Cost of Living
Spring (Mar–May):
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Local highlights: Moldavian cuisine (sarmale, placinte, soups), strong café culture around center/Copou, and fast affordable canteens near dorms.
EU students—free movement; non-EU—must comply with IGI residence/permit rules; check IGI for conditions and any work-hour limitations tied to study permits. Minimum wage: verify the current national figure on gov.ro before signing contracts.
Popular: football, basketball, running in Copou parks, cycling corridors; winter trips to nearby Carpathian foothills.
Tram/bus to campus; lectures in Copou/Tudor; quick coffee on campus.
Lunch at faculty cafeteria; study at library; errands at Palas/center.
Dinner with flatmates or affordable eateries; rehearsal/concerts/exhibitions; tram home.
Museums & parks, day trips by rail, campus club activities.
