Funding

Public expenditure on higher education in the years 2020-2023 varies between 0.5 and 0.4% of GDP and constitutes 7-9% of the total budgetary expenditure on education. In the period 2020-2023, it increased from 1093 million lei (55 million EUR) in 2020 to 1307 million lei (67 million EUR) in 2023. (Source: https://mf.gov.md/ro/content/catalogul-de-date-deschise-al-mf-pentru-anul-2021 

https://mf.gov.md/ro/buget/transparen%C8%9Ba-bugetar%C4%83/bugetul-pentru-cet%C4%83%C8%9Beni (Accessed on 30.07.2024); Average official exchange rate of the National Bank of Moldova, available here: https://www.bnm.md/bdi/pages/reports/dovre/DOVRE8.xhtml  2020 = 1 EUR /19.7436 MDL; 2023 = 1 EUR /19.6431 MDL (Accessed on 30.07.2024))

The state guarantees the financing of higher education throughout their duration in accordance with the admission plan (state order) approved annually by the Government. The external assessment of higher education institutions by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research (ANACEC) or by another quality assessment agency, registered in the European Register for Quality Assurance, is taken into account when determining the number of places with funding from the state budget granted to the higher education institution.

Local public administration authorities can contribute to the financing and development of the material base of educational institutions in the administered territory.

The priority source of funding for higher education is:

• Allocations from the state budget for higher education institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Research or relevant ministries (for example – the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Health).

• Other allocations from the state and from the administrative-territorial units, intended for education.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry can financially support the development of educational institutions with an agro-industrial profile, the establishment of new study programmes in the field of agriculture and the food industry, as well as training programmes for specialized teaching staff.

Doctoral graduate programmes are conducted in doctoral schools and are funded through distinct mechanisms. The enrolment plan for higher doctoral studies with funding from the state budget is approved by the Government.

Post-doctoral programmes are financed through project competitions, organised by public and private institutions, from external sources, grants, scholarships, as well as from special funds of higher education institutions and organisations in the field of science and innovation.

Funding from the state budget of research, development and innovation, artistic creation and sports projects is carried out exclusively on the basis of a competition, organized by the National Agency for Research and Development. Higher education institutions can benefit from institutional funding for the fields of research and innovation in accordance with the provisions of the Code on science and innovation.

The budgetary financing of education is done in four ways:

• Standard financing

• Compensatory funding

• Complementary financing

• Funding through project-based competition

For activities and study programmes, additional to the standard package of educational services financed from the state budget, fees may be charged in accordance with the legislation in force.

The financial activity of higher education institutions is carried out in accordance with the income and expenditure budget of the institution, coordinated by Councils for Strategic Institutional Development (CSI) and approved by the institution's Senate within the limits of the means transferred from the state budget for the implementation of the State Order (training) and own revenues, accumulated according to the legislation in force. According to the annual reports of public institutions of higher education, in 2023 funding from budgetary sources constituted between 80 and 100% of the financial resources of these institutions.

The methodology of budget financing of public institutions of higher education, approved by the government and the ministerial regulations establishes the way of constituting and distributing the funding from the state budget. According to them, the budgetary allocations for the budgetary financing of public institutions of higher education (with the exception of scholarships, sums intended for the maintenance of dormitories, allowances for members of strategic development councils, payment of academic mobility, higher doctoral studies) are divided as follows:

• Standard financing, based on the standard cost per student and adjustment coefficients, associated with the degree of complexity of the study programmes from the bachelor's and master's higher education cycles - 75% of the budget allocations for the budget financing of public higher education institutions (direct budget allocations).

Destination: expenses for staff salaries, contributions for mandatory social and medical insurance, for the purchase of goods, services, works and for the procurement of fixed assets for educational purposes and university scientific research.

The budget allocations for the standard funding, assigned to each public higher education institution for students enrolled in accordance with the state order for higher bachelor and master studies, are transferred to the institution based on the calculation formula, resulting from the number of its "equivalent students". The number of "equivalent students" of the university is determined by multiplying the physical number of students financed from the state budget by the adjustment coefficients corresponding to the forms of education and study programmes per study cycle. The physical number of students financed from the state budget is reported on October 1 of the previous budget year.

The budget allocations for the standard financing of public higher education institutions are provided for bachelor's and master's higher education programmes, provisionally authorized or accredited by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and Research (ANACEC) or by other international assurance agencies of quality.

• Compensatory funding to support performance in public institutions of higher education – 20% of budget allocations for budgetary funding of public higher education institutions (indirect budget allocations).

Destination: supporting performance in public higher education institutions. Compensatory funding is determined based on performance indicators in the teaching-learning process, scientific research, university methodology, artistic performance, sports performance, internationalisation and social orientation.

The types and weights of performance indicators and their calculation method are approved annually by the Ministry of Education and Research based on the decision of the Commission for the distribution of compensatory funding to public higher education institutions. The commission is made up of representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture (as founders) and public higher education institutions.

• Complementary financing for the modernisation of the material and didactic base – at least 5% of the budget allocations for the budget financing of public higher education institutions.

The destination: the development of public higher education institutions by improving the accommodation conditions in dormitories, modernising the material and didactic base, equipping them with computers, software, machines, as well as covering some expenses specific to regional universities.

The budget allocations for the complementary financing, assigned to each public higher education institution for students enrolled in accordance with the state order for higher bachelor and master studies, are transferred to the institution based on the calculation formula, resulting from the number of students, reported on October 1 of the previous budget year.

In order to obtain the complementary financing, each public higher education institution submits a request, accompanied by supporting documents, at the beginning of the budget year. The call for submission of files for complementary financing describes the funding priorities, the estimated funding amounts for each priority and the specific funding conditions. The financing conditions may also stipulate the obligation to co-finance projects. 

Higher education institutions can initiate master degree programmes, in compliance with accreditation requirements, at the request of interested public or private institutions and organisations, provided that they ensure the financing of the corresponding programmes from their own sources.

Financial autonomy and control

The Constitution of the Republic of Moldova stipulates that higher education institutions benefit from the right to autonomy. According to the Education Code, public higher education institutions have financial autonomy.

Higher education institutions can create, independently or in partnership, public research and innovation institutions, experimental centres and didactic university clinics, university hospitals, resorts and didactic land, business incubators, sports clubs and creative studios, as well as commercial companies, through which to realise their mission and capitalise on their own results of the research and innovation activities carried out. Such decisions are taken by their Councils for Institutional Strategic Development, which, in the case of public institutions, include the representative of the Ministry of Finance, and are brought to the attention of the founders. Any profit made from such activities constitutes the higher education institution's own income and must be invested to fulfil the mission assumed by the University Charter. The properties acquired from the entrepreneurial activities of the educational institution are the property of the institution.

In addition to financing from public means, educational institutions can also benefit from other sources of financing, namely:

• Revenues from the provision of educational services against payment, as well as from research and technological transfer activity, under the law.

• Income from the sale of items made in the course of studies (in teaching households, experimental workshops, etc.), as well as from the leasing of premises, equipment, land and other public or private property.

• Grants, sponsorships and donations.

• Other legal sources.

In terms of finances, university autonomy is achieved through:

• the administration of financial resources through bank accounts, including the means allocated from the state budget;

• the use of available resources for carrying out the statutory activity, according to their own decisions;

• the accumulation of own revenues from taxes, services provided, works performed and from other specific activities, according to the nomenclature of services provided and approved by the Government;

• administration of the institution's property and ensuring optimal conditions for the development of the institution's operational resources and infrastructure;

• the use of the assets owned by the institution and related rights to achieve the statutory goals of the higher education institution; 

• finding additional sources of income.

In administrative terms, university autonomy covers the areas of management, structuring and operation of the institution, teaching and scientific research, administration and financing, and is achieved including through:

• the selection and promotion of teaching, scientific-didactic and scientific staff, as well as other categories of staff in the educational institution;

• establishing the evaluation criteria of the didactic activity and scientific research;

• awarding teaching titles;

• the eligibility of all management bodies, by secret ballot;

• solving social problems of students and staff;

• ensuring order and discipline in the university space, etc.

Control 

The law on public finances and budgetary-fiscal responsibility determines the general legal framework in the field of public finances and is applied to the elaboration, approval, execution, reporting and control of budgets, as well as to ensuring the financial monitoring of the activity of self-managed public institutions.

The institutions shall report on the achievement of the objectives every year and publish the reports on the institutional websites.

Council for Institutional Strategic Development:

– monitors, evaluates the efficiency of the use of financial resources and submits to the senate for approval the draft budget of the higher education institution;

– approves the type of study contract and the amount of study fees;

– ensures institutional management regarding intellectual property rights and technology transfer;

– takes decisions, with the favourable opinion of the senate, regarding: 

• Development and consolidation of the institution's patrimony, with at least 2/3 of the number of members' votes;

• Initiation and closure of study programmes, with at least 2/3 of the number of votes of the members;

• Salary methodology and staff stimulation;

• Entrepreneurial activities, public-private partnerships and cooperation with the business environment;

• Engaging in consortia and merging with other higher education institutions, etc.

Fees within public higher education

Bachelor, master and doctoral studies can be offered at places:

• financed from the state budget, within the limits established annually by the Government;

• with study fees (on a contract basis).

Citizens of the Republic of Moldova can benefit from the right of access to higher education financed from the state budget (without tuition fees) only once, in each cycle of higher education.

The admission competition is organised by the higher education institution according to its own methodology, based on the ministerial framework regulations in the field.

Enrolment in studies is done strictly in descending order of the general admission average of the candidates, within the limit of the number of places planned for each study programme, category of candidates, form of education and source of funding. Enrolment in places with a tuition fee is made to candidates who rank just below those admitted to state-funded places, in descending order of admission averages, according to the written requests of the candidates.

The admission of students to study on a contract basis with the payment of the tuition fee is organised according to the admission plans of the higher education institutions, approved by the senates, and is carried out according to the same criteria as the admission to the places with budget funding.

Foreign citizens can be enrolled in higher studies with budget funding based on the educational collaboration protocols between the Republic of Moldova and the countries they come from, in accordance with the Regulation on the studies of foreigners in educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova. Foreign citizens and stateless persons residing in the Republic of Moldova can participate in the admission competition for the higher education institutions under the conditions provided for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, within the limits of the admission plan with budgetary funding, approved by the Government, and within the limits of institutional capacity of the institution.

In public higher education institutions in the period 2020-2023, students enrolled on places with budget funding constituted 43-44%, and those enrolled on a contract basis, respectively – 56-57% (Source: National Bureau of Statistics. Education Edition 2024. Report, page 75 (Accessed on 31.07.2024).

There are no tuition fees within higher education for students enrolled in places funded from the state budget. 

For students enrolled on a contract basis, tuition fees may vary depending on the field or branch of study, cycle, part-time or full-time studies. 

For the part-time and at the 2^nd cycle (Master) programmes the annual study fees may be equal or lower than those for Bachelor (cycle I) study programmes.

Bachelor full-time programmes 

Fees depend on the field of study and, in 2024, vary between 6000 MDL (313 EUR*) for pedagogy study programmes up to 15000 MDL (782 EUR*) for Law and 19000 MDL (990 EUR*) for Architecture. The registration fee for the 2024 admission test differs from one university to another and is between 100 and 200 MDL (5-10 EUR*).

For students who are citizens of other countries, the tuition fees are usually higher, vary from one university to another from 1500 to 1850 EUR, and can be lower for part-time studies. In 2024, citizens of Romania and Ukraine pay the same fees at many universities as citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

Medicine

Tuition fees depend on the field of study and, in 2024, range from 20,000 MDL (1043 EUR*) for General Healthcare or Technologies in Radiology and Imaging to 55,000 MDL (2868 EUR*) for Dentistry.

The registration fee for the 2024 admission competition is set at 100 MDL (5 EUR*).

Foreign students pay more – on average 7,400 EUR per year.

Arts

Tuition fees depend on the field of study and, in 2024, range from 30,000 MDL (1564 EUR*) for Musicology to 51,750 MDL (2698 EUR*) for Academic Singing. At reduced frequency and at the II cycle (Master) the annual tuition fees are usually lower.

The admission fee in 2024 is set at 75 MDL (4 EUR*).

Tuition fees are paid to the institution. Starting from 2024, the registration of candidates for the admission competition takes place only online on the eAdmitere platform. The fee can be paid online or based on the invoice.

*(1 EUR/ MDL 19.1807 – Exchange rates. National Bank of Moldova. Accessed on 01 August 2024)

Financial support for learners' families

There is no special financial support from the state for families whose children are studying at a higher education institution.

Financial support for learners

Higher education is financed from the state budget within the limits of the admission plan. Thus, students who study at the places with budget funding do not pay the tuition fee.

In public higher education institutions in the period 2020-2023, students enrolled in places with budget funding constituted 43-44%. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics. Education 2024 Edition. Report, page 75 (Accessed on 31.07.2024).

Grants and scholarships

In higher education (1^st and 2^nd cycles), the following types of scholarships financed from the state budget are awarded:

Grants and social scholarships:

• Social scholarships.

• People who suffer from a professional disease and/or disability and/or have lost their ability to work, under the conditions stipulated by the Labour Code, are entitled to repeatedly access higher education with state funding (without tuition fees).

Merit-based scholarships:

• Study scholarships.

• Scholarships of merit.

The framework regulation on the manner and conditions of granting scholarships for students of higher education institutions is established by the Government. Each educational institution has its own regulation regarding the manner and conditions of granting scholarships.

The Government establishes the amount and the ceiling for granting scholarships for students from higher education institutions (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd cycles):

• Social scholarship – 655 MDL (34 EUR*).

The social scholarship is granted to students, upon request, depending on the financial situation of the candidate. The number of social scholarships constitutes 10% of the total number of scholarship students, and is awarded to students who have passed the examination session. The social scholarship is granted both to students who study at places with budget funding, and to those who study on a contract basis with the payment of the study fee, who come from socially vulnerable families, depending on the share of income falling to a family member.

• Scholarships for the 1^st cycle: 

- Scholarships for the 1^st cycle: 1^st category scholarship – 1235 MDL (64 EUR*); 2^nd category scholarship – 1055 MDL (55 EUR*); 3^rd category scholarship – 970 MDL (51 EUR*).

Allocations for 1^st category scholarships constitute up to 10%, for 2^nd category scholarships - 20% and for 3^rd category - 70% of the budget allocations provided for this purpose.

The size of the student scholarship in the final years is established with a 20% increase, as follows: 1^st category – 1485 MDL (77 EUR*); 2^nd category – 1270 MDL (66 EUR*); 3^rd category – 1,160 MDL (60 EUR*);

- Scholarships for the 1^st cycle for students with an agricultural and medical profile is set with a 20% increase compared to other study programmes,  as follows: 1^st category – 1485 MDL (77 EUR*); 2^nd category – 1270 MDL (66 EUR*); 3^rd category – 1,160 MDL (60 EUR*);

The size of the scholarship for students in the final years with an agricultural and medical profile is set with a 40% increase compared to other study programmes, as follows: 1^st category – 1730 MDL (90 EUR*); 2^nd category – 1480 MDL (77 EUR*); 3^rd category – 1360 MDL (71 EUR*).

- Study scholarship for the 1^st cycle for students from education programmes, as follows: 1^st category – 2970 MDL (155 EUR*); 2^nd category – 2540 MDL (132 EUR*); 3^rd category – 2320 MDL (121 EUR*).

The size of the scholarship for students in the final years of the programmes in the field of education, as follows: 1^st category – 3460 MDL (180 EUR*); 2^nd category – 2,960 MDL (154 EUR*); 3^rd category – 2720 MDL (142 EUR*);

• Scholarship for the 2^nd cycle (Master): 1325 MDL (69 EUR*);

• Scholarships for 3^rd cycle students (higher doctoral studies):

Doctoral students – between 1830 and 2190 MDL (between 95 and 114 EUR*) depending on the year of study and seniority;

Resident doctors - between 1625 and 1860 MDL (between 85 and 97 EUR*)  depending on the year of studies and seniority;

Secondary clinical doctors with seniority - in the size of the salary of the position.

*(1 EUR/ MDL 19.1807 – Exchange rates. National Bank of Moldova Accessed on August 1, 2024)

Study scholarships are awarded semiannually, according to the results of the examination session, and are paid monthly, within the limits of the means allocated for this purpose. For students of the first year of education, the first semester of studies, the scholarships are established according to the average grades from the admission test.

The ceiling for granting scholarships (including for students involved in mobility programmes) is set at the level of 70% of the number of local students, enrolled in full-time education studies, with budget funding, in each field of professional training in each institution of higher education. Within the limit of this established ceiling, both students admitted to studies with budget funding and students who study on a contract basis with the payment of the tuition fee can benefit from scholarships from the state budget.

The selection of scholarship candidates is carried out within the faculties of the educational institutions. In order to ensure the transparency of this process, when drawing up the lists of candidates for scholarships financed from the state budget, representatives of the students, the student unions, the lawyer, the accountant, etc. are involved.

During the summer vacation, students do not receive a scholarship.

In the years 2020-2023, the share of students receiving scholarships was 65-69% of the total number of students studying regularly on budget-funded places in public higher education institutions. The share of students who study full-time on a contract basis and receive a scholarship was between 6% and 8 %. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics. Education. 2024 Edition. Report. Accessed 01 August 2024)

• Monthly payments for students of educational institutions in the field of military and public order are 500 MDL (26 EUR*);

• Merit scholarships for students from higher education institutions (1^st cycle, 2^nd cycle, integrated higher studies, medical and pharmaceutical education):

12 Scholarships of the Republic:                                               4060 MDL (212 EUR*)

10 Scholarships of the President of the Republic of Moldova: 3690 MDL (192 EUR*)

30 Government Scholarships:                                                   3380 MDL (176 EUR*)

Merit scholarships are awarded to students who have relevant performance in academic, scientific and extracurricular activity. Lists of candidates for merit scholarships are approved annually.

*(1 EUR/ MDL 19.1807 – Exchange rates. National Bank of Moldova. Accessed on August 1, 2024)

Discounts on the cost of travel tickets

Students from higher education institutions, with the exception of those who have their permanent residence in the place of residence of the educational institution or in the suburbs of this place, have the right to two trips per year in the country (round-trip), with reimbursement by the respective institution of education, from the budget means for budgetary students and from the study fees for students who do their studies on a contract basis, of 50% of the cost of travel tickets in intercity road and rail transport.

Per-diem and accommodation

During the pedagogic and specialized internships, students are paid per diem and accommodation in the amount of 50% of the per diem and accommodation cost established for officials and workers, as well as full transport expenses (round trip) from the educational institution to the headquarters of the institution/company where the internships are organised.

Discounts on accommodation costs in dormitories

The Government sets the accommodation fees in the dormitories of state educational institutions.

Students (1^st cycle) who study with funding from the state budget and on a contract basis in state institutions of higher education pay 40% of the accommodation cost.

Master's students (2^nd cycle), doctoral students, residents and doctors enrolled for clinical training immediately after graduating from the faculty who study with funding from the state budget pay 50% of the accommodation cost.

The actual amount of the accommodation fee in the dormitories of the public higher education institution is calculated in accordance with the Methodology for calculating the accommodation fee in the dormitories, established by the Government and approved at the institutional level.

Students with orphan status, as well as students left without parental care, are exempt from paying the accommodation fee in the dormitories of public higher education institutions.

Most students in higher education are provided with accommodation in dormitories. From 2020 to 2023, the share of students with accommodations in dormitories ranged between 85% and 87% of those who requested housing. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics. Education. 2024 Edition. Report. Accessed on 01 August 2024)

Tax exemption

Scholarships for students and postgraduates are non-taxable sources of income.

Private education

Funding and control

The financing of private educational institutions is carried out from the sources of the founders and from tuition fees, the income from the provision of educational services against payment, as well as from research and technology transfer activity, grants, sponsorships and donations, the income from the sale of manufactured goods in the study process (in teaching households, experimental workshops, etc.), as well as from the leasing of premises, equipment, land and other private property; from other legal sources.

The council for institutional strategic development monitors, evaluates the efficiency of the use of financial resources and presents the draft budget of the higher education institution to the senate for approval.

Private higher education institutions are the owners of the property right or other real rights that they exercise over the patrimony, in accordance with the law.

The local public administration authorities monitor the activity of private educational institutions in the administered territory.

Fees

Study fees may vary depending on the field or branch of study, cycle, full-time or part-time studies, and year of study.

Tuition fees for full-time bachelor programmes (1^st cycle) depend on the field of study and, in 2024, range from 7,500 MDL (391 EUR*) for study programmes in Psycho-pedagogy to 12,000 MDL (625 EUR*) for Law and 16,000 MDL (834 EUR*) at Public Aesthetic Services. 

In part-time studies and in 2^nd cycle (Master's), the annual tuition fees may be equal to or lower than those in bachelor's degree programmes (1^st cycle).

For students who are nationals of other countries, tuition fees are usually higher, varying from 500 to 2000 EUR depending on the university, and may be lower for part-time studies.

*(1 EUR/ MDL 19.1807 – Exchange rates. National Bank of Moldova. Accessed on August 1, 2024)

Between 2020 and 2023, about 16% of the total number of students studied in private higher education institutions. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics. Education. 2024 Edition. Report. Accessed on 01 August 2024)