Before arrival
Learn survival basics: greetings, food, transport, address, pharmacy, and appointment words.
Language reality
Do you need Romanian for medical school in Romania?
Canadian students often ask if they need to know Romanian before applying to an English-taught medical program. The practical answer is usually no at the start, but students should still plan to learn Romanian for daily life and clinical communication.
English program
English-taught does not mean Romanian is useless.
UMF Craiova states that Medicine and Dental Medicine courses designated in the English language section are instructed in English. The same admission page also notes that practical works and clinical training are conducted in Romanian beginning in the fourth year because doctor-patient communication matters.
That distinction is important: you may apply to an English-taught route without arriving fluent in Romanian, but you should not ignore the language completely.
Clear answer
You do not need to pretend Romanian is required on day one. You do need to respect that clinical years and daily life can require real effort.
Practical plan
How to think about Romanian as a Canadian student.
First years
Build Romanian slowly while focusing on medical studies and adapting to the city.
Clinical stage
Take patient communication seriously before clinical training becomes central.
Parent note
The English-taught route can be real, but language planning is part of maturity. Students should not treat the country around them as background noise.
StudyROM position
Honest guidance is better than overpromising.
A student living in Romania can explain what English covers and where Romanian becomes useful. The goal is not to scare applicants. The goal is to avoid the false idea that an English program removes every local-language challenge.
Language question?
Ask before applying.
If language is one of your worries, include it in the fit-check request with your program and target intake.
FAQ
Quick answers
Do Canadians need Romanian before applying to English-taught medicine in Romania?
Usually not before applying to an English-taught program, but students should plan to learn Romanian for daily life and later clinical communication.
Are UMF Craiova Medicine and Dental Medicine taught in English?
UMF Craiova describes the Medicine and Dental Medicine English language sections as instructed in English on its 2026 admission page.
Why does Romanian matter later?
UMF Craiova notes that practical works and clinical training are conducted in Romanian beginning in the fourth year because doctor-patient communication matters.