2026

European master's programme in European Affairs developed with universities in France, Italy and Estonia

From the 2027–2028 academic year, students from the Republic of Moldova will be able to enrol in a European master's programme in European Affairs, developed jointly with universities in France, Italy and Estonia.

The “EU-MOLDOVA Master's Programme in European Affairs (INTEGRA)” is being developed by the Ministry of Education and Research, the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova and Moldova State University, in partnership with the University of Strasbourg (France), the University of Padua (Italy) and the University of Tartu (Estonia). The initiative is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, with approximately EUR 2 million in funding.

Significant increases in student grants 

Student grants for bachelor's degree students in all fields of study increased by at least 40% from 1 September 2026. The decision was approved on 1 July 2026 and forms part of a broader package of amendments to the system of grants and other forms of social support for pupils and students.

The document, developed by the Ministry of Education and Research, provides for adjustments to the performance criteria for awarding grants, an increase in grant amounts across all fields of study, and additional increases for priority areas, including education, STEAM, agriculture and medicine.

New measures to ensure equitable access to higher education

From the 2026–2027 admission session, applicants for bachelor's degree programmes in Education Sciences will be required to have a minimum admission average of 7. The same requirement will apply to admission to master's degree programmes across all fields of study. The provision is included in the amendments to the Framework Regulation on Admission to Higher Education for the 2026–2027 academic year. The measure aims to raise the level of preparation of future teachers and strengthen the status of university studies.

Among the main new measures is the allocation of state-funded places for distance learning programmes intended for persons with severe or significant disabilities who are unable to attend courses in person.

The new provisions also introduce additional facilities for certain categories of applicants. The number of specially allocated places for young people from the left bank of the Dniester and the municipality of Bender has been increased. These applicants may participate both in the separate admission competition for these places and in the general admission competition.

At the same time, members of the Moldovan diaspora will continue to benefit from a separate admission quota at universities in the Republic of Moldova. In addition, they will be eligible to participate in the general competition for state-funded or fee-paying places, providing them with additional opportunities to access their preferred study programmes.

A special quota of places has been established for applicants of Roma ethnicity. These state-funded places will be allocated to applicants who have passed the admission competition but were initially ranked for fee-paying places based on their overall admission average.

Amendments to the regulations on doctoral studies

On 29 April 2026, the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved amendments to the Regulations on the Organisation of Doctoral Studies (Cycle III), with the aim of modernising the doctoral education system and aligning it with European standards and national development priorities.

The reform, developed by the Ministry of Education and Research, responds to significant changes in education, research and innovation in recent years, as well as to the objectives undertaken by the Republic of Moldova in the process of integration into the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area.

One of the main changes concerns doctoral admission. The existing system, based on competition for doctoral grants, will be replaced by a more transparent and predictable mechanism whereby state-funded doctoral places will be established annually by the Government through the state order mechanism. This change will allow the number of doctoral places to be aligned with national strategic priorities, developments in research fields and the actual capacity of higher education institutions to provide quality doctoral programmes.

Amendments to the methodology for budgetary financing of public higher education institutions

On 22 April 2026, the Government approved the draft amendments to the Methodology for the Budgetary Financing of Public Higher Education Institutions.

The amendments change the funding parameters for certain fields of study in order to support programmes with high training costs and high strategic relevance for the national economy. These include Education Sciences, Chemical, Biological, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Sport, and other fields.

The draft also provides for measures to support the internationalisation of higher education. In the context of the Republic of Moldova's European Union accession process, the need to promote the European and international dimension of higher education requires the establishment of a centralised and sustainable financial mechanism for managing the country's education brand.

New rules for master's studies focusing on labour market needs, academic integrity and the attractiveness of programmes

On 1 April 2026, the Government approved a new set of rules on the organisation and provision of master's studies – Cycle II. The amendments focus on adapting master's programmes to labour market requirements, strengthening academic integrity and providing greater flexibility for students.

Under the new provisions, public and private institutions and organisations may propose to higher education institutions the development of programmes adapted to the actual needs of a particular field, provided that they finance the respective programmes from their own resources. Companies may also request the introduction of new modules focusing on modern technologies and methods that are not yet included in traditional study programmes.

Particular emphasis is placed on academic integrity. The new rules stipulate that persons expelled for serious misconduct, including plagiarism, fraud, corruption or harassment, may no longer be reinstated in their studies.

Academic integrity becomes a mandatory criterion in the evaluation of the quality of educational institutions

For the first time, academic integrity has been introduced as a mandatory criterion for evaluating the quality of educational institutions. The decision was approved by the Government in April 2026 through amendments to the Methodology for the External Evaluation of Quality, applicable to technical vocational education, higher education and adult vocational training.

Accordingly, in the evaluation of institutions and study programmes, in addition to academic performance and infrastructure, direct consideration will also be given to the way in which institutions promote ethics, integrity and responsibility in educational activities.

Changes related to university governance

Legislative amendments to the Education Code introduced changes related to university governance, including provisions allowing for more flexible rector mandates.

2025

Alignment of higher education with labour market needs

A reform priority concerned the alignment of higher education with labour market needs, through adjustments in study programmes and the state order, as well as stronger cooperation with employers.

Government approves decision on the Information System for the Personalisation of Education Certificates 

The Government approved on 26/08/2025 the decision establishing the Information System for Personalisation of Education Certificates (SI PAS). It aims to provide all citizens with authentic education certificates, confirming the completion of studies and the acquisition of skills or qualifications, in a digital, centralised and secure way for all levels of study. SI PAS allows the automated generation and verification, including online, of diplomas, certificates and other certificates issued by educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the system consolidates data on educational institutions, is connected to state registers and allows the issuance of documents both on paper and in electronic format, with equal legal validity.

Creation of the national platform for innovation in health – HealthTech Hub

HealthTech Hub - a national platform dedicated to innovation and internationalisation in the healthcare system of the Republic of Moldova is to be created at the “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The platform will contribute to the modernisation of the healthcare system by promoting interdisciplinary research, adopting advanced technologies and supporting start-ups in the healthcare field. The hub will create the connection between education, research and entrepreneurship, aimed at producing safe, validated and scalable solutions for patients.

The Memorandum on the creation of the HealthTech Hub was signed on 08/08/2025 by the “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) and the Development Foundation of the Republic of Moldova.

The document provides four strategic directions for the transformation of the healthcare system, namely: supporting startups and interdisciplinary teams in the fields of digital health and artificial intelligence; accelerating personalised medicine; access to advanced infrastructure - laboratories, simulators, university clinics; reducing the gap between research and the market through licensing and co-development with industry and civil society.

Introduction of three new specialties in the fields of health, architecture and agriculture

The government approved on 18/06/2025 the addition of three new specialities to the “Nomenclature of Vocational Training Fields and Higher Education Specialities”, aligned with current labour market trends.

In the field of Health, the specialties Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Medical Devices were introduced, aimed at training specialists in advanced technologies applied in medicine. 

In the field of Architecture and Construction, the specialty Land Improvements (Hydroamelioration) was included, essential for the sustainable management of water resources and agricultural land.

In the field of Agriculture, the specialty Smart Agriculture was approved, which will contribute to the digitalisation and modernisation of the agricultural sector, by integrating IT technologies, robotics and automated systems.

Investments of about 37.8 million euros for the continued modernisation of universities

Universities in the Republic of Moldova will benefit, in the next four years, from additional financing worth about 37.8 million euros for development projects. The Government approved, on 14/05/2025, the draft Loan Agreement for Additional Financing of the Higher Education Project, concluded between the Republic of Moldova and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Based on the project, investments will be made in university infrastructure. Thus, at least 7 student dormitories will be renovated, as well as research centres and learning environments will be modernised. At the same time, the research infrastructure will be modernised and 10 organizations in the fields of research and innovation within higher education institutions will be equipped. Young researchers will be offered grants for the dissemination of research results, and the Innovation Centre in Agriculture will be created at the Technical University of Moldova.

The government increases salary supplements for academic staff and researchers in universities

About 4,000 scientific and didactic staff and researchers benefit from salary increases, following the amendment to the legal framework regarding the remuneration of staff in higher education institutions operating under a financial and economic self-management regime. The decision was approved on 14/05/2025 by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The monthly salary increase for the title of doctor habilitat or university professor will increase from 1,100 lei (55 euros*) to 4,500 lei (228 euros*), and for the title of doctor of sciences or university associate professor – from 600 lei (30 euros*) to 4,000 lei (202 euros*). The monthly increase for the scientific or scientific-didactic title is granted proportionally to the time worked, including in the case where university staff simultaneously exercise the scientific-didactic or scientific function in addition to their main position.

35 million lei for innovation and advanced technologies

The Ministry of Education and Research will invest approximately 35 million lei (1.77 million euros*), between 2025-2027, to ensure the implementation of scientific innovations in the national economy, the use of advanced technologies in industry, and, consequently, to increase the country’s competitiveness on international markets. The resources will be allocated through the National Fund for Innovation and Technology Transfer.

This financial mechanism will support research, innovation and technology transfer, and will facilitate collaboration between the scientific and economic sectors. Through this initiative, the MER aims to implement new technologies and high-performance solutions in industry that contribute to the country's economic growth.

New regulation allows bachelor’s and master’s degree studies to be carried out online and in part-time format

The Government has approved on 26/03/2025 a new regulation allowing bachelor’s and master’s degree studies to be carried out online and in part-time mode in universities across the Republic of Moldova. This decision supports students who need more flexibility in their learning process, including those who are employed, people with disabilities, and young people from the diaspora. 

2024

In 2024 the Republic of Moldova has implemented significant reforms in higher education, including streamlined recognition of foreign academic titles, increased student scholarships, institutional mergers, expanded dual education, financial incentives for pedagogy graduates, and the launch of a national online admission platform:

• Recognition of Foreign Academic Titles – the government has approved a new regulation, proposed by the Ministry of Education and Research, to facilitate the recognition and equivalence of scientific and academic titles obtained abroad. This measure aims to support academic and professional mobility, ensuring the free movement of citizens within the European area, in line with Moldova’s commitments under the EU Association Agreement and international treaties.
• Increased Scholarships for Students – the government has doubled merit scholarships for students and increased monthly payments for those studying at military institutions. Additionally, scholarships for students in colleges, vocational schools, and centers of excellence, as well as for university students, master's, and doctoral candidates, have been raised by 5.5%.
• Merger of USEFS with USM – the University of Physical Education and Sports (USEFS) has become an Institute within Moldova State University (USM) following the merger of the two institutions. The new structure will have broad autonomy and will integrate all three USEFS faculties: Kinesiology, Physical Education and Sports, and Security Sciences.
• Establishment of a Bulgarian University Branch in Taraclia – the governments of Moldova and Bulgaria have signed an intergovernmental agreement to establish a branch of “Angel Kanchev” University (Ruse, Bulgaria) in Taraclia.
• Study Abroad Scholarships for Moldovan Students – Parliament has approved the law on Moldova’s participation in the Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS IV), signed in Warsaw in 2023. This initiative promotes student, researcher, faculty, and administrative staff mobility across partner countries. Moldova will also offer study scholarships for foreign students.
• Financial Incentives for Education Sciences Graduates – Pedagogy graduates will receive a one-time allowance of 200,000 lei in their first five years of teaching, while graduates of professional-technical programmes will receive 160,000 lei under the same conditions.
• Launch of eadmitere.gov.md – a National Online Admission Platform – the platform allows applicants to select up to three universities and three specialisations per institution when applying for undergraduate studies.
• Expansion of Dual Education in Universities – starting the academic year 2025-26, dual education will be introduced in universities, enabling third- and fourth-year students in fields such as marketing, logistics, pedagogy, engineering, and IT to combine studies with work experience in companies or organizations.
• Simplification of Accreditation and Strengthening Quality Assurance – accredited institutions will now be able to offer continuous professional training for adults without additional accreditation. Additionally, universities will no longer need provisional authorization for new programmes if they already have an accredited programme in the same field. Another key reform extends the institutional accreditation period from five to seven years after re-accreditation.