General information about the higher education system in the country
Higher education in the Republic of Moldova is carried out in two streams: academic and advanced professional. It is structured in three cycles:
- Cycle I - Bachelor studies (ISCED level 6), with a duration of 3 to 4 years, corresponding to 60 credits per year of study.
- Cycle II - Master studies (ISCED level 7), with a duration of 1 to 2 years, corresponding to a number of 90-120 credits.
- Cycle III - Doctoral studies (ISCED level 8), with a duration of 3 years, corresponding to 180 credits. In the 1st and the 2nd cycles of higher studies, integrated higher studies can be organized in the following fields, regulated by international law: medicine and pharmacy; veterinary medicine; architecture.
The research, development and innovation activities are carried out within the higher doctoral and postdoctoral studies.
Moldova joined the Bologna Process in May 2005. Once the process started, the country has assumed responsibilities and actively involved into the process of reforming and modernizing higher education and bringing it closer to European standards. A series of reforms that were implemented led to approaching Moldovan higher education system to the European one. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was one of the first changes introduced in all Moldovan Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). After adopting the new Education Code in 2014, several changes have been introduced in higher education in Moldova aimed at modernising the system and aligning it with European standards. These changes include the development of new university curricula, the organisation of the internal and external quality evaluation and monitoring system, by establishing the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Professional Education (ANACEC).
Currently, there are 21 higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova: 13 public and 8 private. At the beginning of the 2023/24 academic year, out of the total number of students (about 56.500), 64.6% were enrolled in full-time education, and 35.4% in part-time studies. Out of the total number of students enrolled in higher education, 74.4% are in bachelor's higher education programmes, cycle I, 16.9% - master's higher education programmes, cycle II and 8.7% ‒ integrated higher education programmes. The gender distribution of higher education students reveals a preponderance of women (59,1%). Women formed a majority among students in all study programs, the rate of women being higher in integrated higher studies (71,7%) and among master's students (63,6%), lower in the case of bachelor's higher studies (56,6%).
Socially inclusive higher education is at the core of the Ministry of Education and Research, which requires providing opportunities and support for individuals from all parts of society. In order to ensure the inclusion of higher education, 15% of the state budget places are provided annually for young people from socially vulnerable backgrounds.
Source: https://statistica.gov.md/ro/activitatea-institutiilor-de-invatamant-su…-
9454_60853.html (Accessed 30.09.3024)
Information on recent policy updates, major reforms and related news
The main objectives of the recent reforms are related to increasing the quality and relevance, equity and efficiency of the educational system.
Reforms in the education system are based on a systemic approach and their stability is of major importance for strengthening the quality of higher education and the efficient functioning of the whole education system. On 7 March 2023 the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved the "Education 2030" development Strategy and its implementation Program for the years 2023-2025-strategic document (GD 114/2023) that define the priorities for the development of education until 2030 through developing a quality education system, helping citizens to acquire basic functional skills to be responsible, integrate into society and contribute to its development.
The general objectives of the "Education 2030" development Strategy are focused on: increasing the quality of education for all throughout life; connecting education to the demands and needs of the labor market; ensuring the educational system of all levels and forms of education with qualified, competent, motivated and competitive teaching and managerial staff; creating new, effective and motivating environments for development and lifelong learning for all citizens, not least improving the functionality and quality of the educational system through the effective implementation of digital technologies to ensure the quality and sustainability of education, but also promoting innovations in education. A distinct objective concerns the involvement of the whole society (civil society, development partners, but also the family) in the development and support of the education sector.
The Higher Education Modernization Reform (Government Decision no. 485/2022) included the process of merging: a) the Moldova State University absorbed the Academy of Public Administration and 13 research institutes, b) the Technical University of Moldova absorbed the State Agrarian University of Moldova and 3 research institutes, c) State Pedagogical University absorbed the University of Tiraspol and 2 institutions of professional education - the Institute of Pedagogical Sciences and the Institute of Lifelong Education.
In 2023, the higher education system in the Republic of Moldova underwent reforms aimed at modernising the educational structure, increasing the efficiency of resource management and providing new opportunities for students and institutions. By Government Decision no. 700/2023, the financing methodology of public higher education institutions was updated, emphasizing the efficient management of public funds. The new provisions aim at strengthening university autonomy and the efficiency of the use of public funds, measured based on the number of equivalent students, performance indicators, correlated with the achievement of public policy objectives, which becomes an imperative in the vision of the new modern financing systems. In order to attract more students to pedagogical specialties, the Government approved in December 2023 the doubling of scholarships for students of these specialties through Government Decision no. 949/2023. Thus, the maximum 1st category scholarship reaches 3,280 lei (approx. 169 euro), while the minimum 3rd category scholarship will be 2,200 lei (approx. 113 euro).
Information about relevant projects and initiatives
N | Project name | Objectives | Length of project | Keywords | Links |
1 | Erasmus+ ICM, CBHE, Jean Monnet projects | Erasmus+ Programme offers to Moldovan HEIs the possibility to establish partnerships with HEIs from EU and elaborate mobility programs, programs of international cooperation for capacity building and staff development in European countries. | 2014-2020; 2021-2027 | Academic mobility, international cooperation, capacity building, European Union | |
2 | Higher Education Project, World Bank | Component 1. The improvement of quality assurance mechanisms Component 2. Improving orientation towards the labor market through specific interventions | 2020-2025 | Higher education, labor market, quality assurance |
Other relevant links
National Erasmus+ Office in Moldova: http://erasmusplus.md/en
Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova: https://mec.gov.md/en
Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Moldova: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations
/moldova_en
EDUCATION CODE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA No. 152 dated July 17, 2014: https://mecc.gov.md
/sites/default/files/education_code_final_version_0.pdf