Université Paris-Saclay is number 1 worldwide in Mathematics in the Shanghai academic ranking (ARWU) for years running, ahead of universities such as Princeton or MIT in this field. It brings together some of the most powerful mathematics laboratories in the world and has 12 Fields medalists associated with it (the Fields Medal is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for mathematics). In Physics it is 3rd worldwide and number 1 in Europe. For a Romanian student passionate about the exact sciences, it is one of the strongest destinations in Europe.

As an EU citizen, you pay French national tuition, set by ministerial decree: EUR 178 per year for a bachelor's, EUR 254 for a master's, EUR 397 for a doctorate, plus the CVEC contribution of EUR 105. That means roughly EUR 283 per year in total tuition for a bachelor's. The rest of the budget goes on living costs: accommodation EUR 400-700 per month (subsidized CROUS halls or a flat), food EUR 250-350 per month, Île-de-France transport roughly EUR 38 per month with the Imagine R pass. Total all-in year: roughly EUR 9,000 to EUR 13,000, drastically lower than the UK or the USA.

Bourses CROUS: need-based scholarships from the French state, open to EU students who meet the conditions. CAF (APL): a monthly rent allowance to which EU citizens are entitled, which can reach EUR 100-200 per month. Paris-Saclay scholarships (IDEX): excellence scholarships for international master's, especially in the sciences. Erasmus plus: a monthly grant for an academic exchange of 1-2 semesters. Scholarships of the Romanian Ministry of Education: for Romanians admitted to a university abroad, combinable with the French sources. Important: the EU national tuition you pay automatically (EUR 178 per year for a bachelor's) is already a huge advantage compared with costs in the UK or the USA.

Most bachelor's programs at Paris-Saclay are taught in French, so you need a B2 French level (DELF B2 or DALF C1). However, there is a growing set of programs in English, especially at master's level: international master's in Mathematics, Physics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, Biology. For these you need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 plus. The university also offers French courses (FLE) for international students, useful if you want to integrate better and access more programs.

Parcoursup is the French national platform for bachelor's admissions. The procedure opens in January, the submission of choices (voeux) takes place in March, and the responses begin in June. As a Romanian student, you create an account, upload your high school grades, the Baccalaureate (or predicted results), a motivation letter (projet de formation motivé) and select the specializations you want. You can submit up to 10 choices. For competitive science programs (Mathematics, Physics, Engineering), grades in the relevant subjects count decisively. For a master's, you do NOT use Parcoursup, you apply directly on the Paris-Saclay faculty portals, usually in spring.

Yes, the Romanian Baccalaureate is recognized as a qualification for access to French higher education, being part of the European education area. Bachelor's applications go through Parcoursup, where you upload the diploma and transcript. For competitive science programs (Mathematics, Physics, Engineering), grades in the relevant subjects (mathematics, physics, computer science) and any olympiads count a lot in the assessment. Recommendation: an ideal profile includes high averages on the BAC and in the key subjects, plus a clear motivation letter. Campus France Romania can help you for free with recognition and checking your file.

No. As a Romanian (EU) citizen, you have the right of free movement and residence in France. You do not need a study visa and you are not required to go through the "Études en France" procedure (mandatory only for non-EU citizens). You can settle freely in France with your Romanian passport or ID card. Recommended after arrival: open a French bank account, obtain a social security number (for student health insurance) and register with CAF for the rent allowance (APL), to which EU citizens are entitled.

Yes, as an EU citizen! Unlike the UK or the USA where you need a work visa, as a Romanian (EU) citizen you automatically have the right to work in France without a visa or permit. France is the 2nd-largest economy in the EU, with a strong market for science and engineering graduates. The Paris-Saclay region is a research and technology hub, with companies and laboratories in AI, energy, aerospace, pharma and deep-tech (CEA, Thales, EDF, Air Liquide, Dassault, plus startups). A Paris-Saclay degree in Mathematics, Physics or Engineering opens excellent careers in France and, with an EU degree, you can work anywhere in the European Union without a visa.