Overview
The Romanian Language Preparatory Year at the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (ULBS) is a one-year, full-time pathway designed for foreign citizens who wish to study in Romanian but do not yet meet the required language level. Organized by the Romance Studies Department within the Faculty of Letters and Arts, the programme develops reading, writing, listening and speaking skills up to at least B1 level and introduces students to Romanian culture, civilisation and field-specific terminology (medicine, law, economics, engineering, etc.).
At graduation, students receive a certificate of linguistic competence accepted for admission to Romanian-taught degree programmes nationwide. Academically, the preparatory year is part of the national network of PPLR (Preparatory Programmes of Romanian Language for Foreign Citizens), regulated by the Ministry of Education and organized only in accredited universities following ARACIS quality standards and the Bologna/ECTS framework.
This makes it a strategic entry route for international students targeting competitive fields such as medicine, engineering, business, social sciences or the arts at ULBS and across Romania. By combining intensive language training with intercultural support, the programme enhances students’ academic readiness, employability, and mobility within the European Higher Education Area.
Preparatory Year at the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu Highlights
- Duration & structure: 1 academic year (≈10 months), full-time, organised in 2 semesters; preparatory years in Romania typically correspond to about 60 ECTS, supporting transparency and mobility.
- Curriculum focus: General Romanian (grammar, vocabulary, oral and written communication) plus culture & civilisation and specialist language tailored to the student’s future field (medicine, engineering, law, economics, etc.).
- Learning methods: Interactive, modern teaching with textbooks, additional course materials and audio-video/IT equipment; strong emphasis on practical communication skills and continuous assessment.
- Teaching language: Romanian (Romanian as a Foreign Language), with English-speaking administrative support through the International Relations Office.
- International outlook: Part of a national PPLR network; ULBS hosts over 13,800 students, including 260+ internationals from 35 countries, and is active in Erasmus+ and the FORTHEM alliance.
Programme organized in an ARACIS-accredited public university with institutional rating “High Trust”, integrated into the Bologna/EHEA quality framework. If you are enthusiastic about studying in Romania, you can contact Stinwo experts for further info.
Programme Structure
Because this is a stand-alone one-year programme, the structure of Preparatory Year at the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, is best understood within the single academic year rather than by 3–6-year progression.
Preparatory Year at the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu Curriculum
- Semester 1 – Foundations of Romanian:
Focus on basic grammar, core vocabulary, pronunciation and everyday communication. Students build reading and listening comprehension on familiar topics and learn to participate in simple conversations. Courses in Romanian culture and civilisation introduce history, geography, traditions and arts, easing social and academic integration.
- Semester 2 – Academic & Specialized Romanian:
The second semester deepens written and oral skills, moving towards more complex texts and structured oral presentations. Dedicated modules cover specialist language for the student’s chosen field (e.g., medical terminology, legal language, business communication, technical Romanian), as well as academic skills such as note-taking and summarising lectures.
- Final Examination & Certificate:
At the end of the year, students sit final exams (written and oral) assessing all four skills. Successful candidates obtain a Romanian language competence certificate at approximately B1 level, required for enrolment in Romanian-taught programmes across the country.
After completion, graduates can apply directly to Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral studies in Romanian at ULBS or any other accredited university, subject to meeting each programme’s academic criteria.
