The University of Bucharest (UB) has been a true cultural resource for over 150 years. Hundreds of thousands of students have built the foundations of their careers on the benches of the University in the center of the capital, helping to build a better and more valuable Romania.

University of Bucharest. History

The University of Bucharest, the second established in Romania after the University of Iași, in 1864, under the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, has a glorious history, with notable names such as Gheorghe Lazăr and Titu Maiorescu. 

Its existence has its roots in the School of St. Sava, taught in Romanian, founded in 1818 by Gheorghe Lazăr, who went down in history as the founder of Romanian education in Wallachia.

In 1832, the foundations were laid for the first higher legal and scientific courses, which were to be developed over the next 20 years, and in 1854 the first class of lawyers graduated in Bucharest. At the same time, in 1855, Carol Davila founded the National School of Medicine and Pharmacy.

In 1857 the foundation stone of the University Palace in Bucharest was laid. Located in University Square, the palace was designed by Alexandru Orăscu, president of the Romanian architects, and built in a similar style to Western universities.

Two years later, in 1859, the Faculty of Law was established, and in 1863 the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Letters. With these faculties, the University of Bucharest opened in 1864. 

The ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859-1866) establishes the University of Bucharest. It brings together the Faculties of Law, Sciences and Letters.

In 1884, the Faculty of Theology was created, which was placed under the authority of the University of Bucharest in 1890.

The palace was developed between 1912-1926, when the side buildings were erected according to the plans of the architect Nicolae Ghica - Budești. 

The exterior ornaments were made by the Romanian sculptor of German origin Karl Storck. They were, however, destroyed during the American bombing during World War II in April 1944. The relief depicted the goddess Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and protector of the arts, alongside symbols of the arts and sciences. The recovered fragments are currently in the courtyard of the Storck Museum in Bucharest, unfortunately kept in unsuitable conditions. 

In addition to the faculties, the University Palace also housed the Senate, the Romanian Academy, the Central Library and the Museum of Antiquities and Natural History.

As for the University as an educational institution, it continued to develop until 1948, when it suffered a setback due to communist reform. This period saw the beginning of a long process of purge of the university body, characterized by abuses and reprisals by the new authorities in the orbit of the Communist Party.

The Education Reform Law is enacted and the Soviet model of higher education is grafted on. As a consequence, the extensive reorganization of the University of Bucharest begins: The Faculties of Theology, Human Medicine and Veterinary Medicine are separated from the University. The university institutes are disbanded and institutes subordinated to the Academy of the Romanian People's Republic are created.

In 1989, following the abusive abolition of numerous departments and faculties, the University of Bucharest had only 6 faculties and 8000 students.

In 1990, the rebirth of the University of Bucharest began: new faculties were created, teaching was radically reorganized, new departments and research centres were set up and the number of students increased significantly.
In particular, the University of Bucharest's international contacts and collaborations increased dramatically.

In 2000, the University of Bucharest already had 18 faculties and 20,000 students. In 2004, the 19th faculty - the Faculty of Business and Administration - was established, and in 2011 the University of Bucharest was classified by the Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sport as the first advanced research and education university in Romania.

University of Bucharest. Faculties and degree programs

UB offers a wide range of academic programs through its 19 faculties, covering fields such as:

•     Humanities and Social Sciences: Faculty of Letters, Faculty of History, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work.
•     Exact and Natural Sciences: Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Biology.
•     Economic and Administrative Sciences: Faculty of Business and Administration, Faculty of Law.
•     Political and Communication Sciences: Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Political Sciences.

University of Bucharest. Research and Innovation

The UB is an important center of research and innovation, with numerous institutes and research centers promoting academic excellence. Its international collaborations, research projects and partnerships with other world-renowned universities contribute to consolidating its position in the international academic league tables.

University of Bucharest. Student Life

Student life at the University of Bucharest is vibrant and diverse. Students benefit from numerous extracurricular opportunities, from cultural and sports activities to participation in various student organizations and clubs. UB also offers modern study facilities, well-equipped libraries and student support services.
University of Bucharest. International Collaborations

The UB boasts an extensive network of international collaborations, actively participating in student and faculty exchange programs such as Erasmus+. These collaborations contribute to enriching the academic experience and promoting cultural diversity among the academic community.

University of Bucharest. Renowned Graduates

Over the years, the University of Bucharest has produced many graduates who have become prominent personalities in various fields. Among them are writers, scientists, politicians and artists who have contributed significantly to the development of national and international culture and science: Emil Cioran, Mircea Eliade, George Emil Palade, Ion Luca Caragiale, Nichita Stănescu, David Popovici and many others. 

As far as the rectors of the University of Bucharest are concerned, Ion Zalomit, Alexandru Orăscu, Titu Maiorescu, Ermil Pangratti, Nicolae Iorga, Horia Hulubei or Emil Constantinescu (the last one became President of Romania in this position in 1996).

The University of Bucharest remains a beacon of education and research in Romania, continuing to inspire and train new generations of students. With a rich history and a forward-looking vision, the UB is dedicated to promoting academic excellence and innovation, consolidating its status as a leading higher education institution in Europe and the world.