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Moldova records surge in foreign students, unveils EU master programme
The 2025‑2026 academic year saw a record 6,423 foreign students enrolled in Moldovan universities, representing 10.2% of the total student body – the highest share in the country’s history. More than half (56.4%) come from Romania, followed by India (19%), Ukraine (8.6%), Turkey (6.9%), Israel (6.7%), Russia (1.2%) and Azerbaijan (1.1%). Economic‑policy analyst Veaceslav Ioniță warned that the influx is an under‑exploited strategic opportunity, urging the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy and university leaders to promote international recruitment more aggressively. He noted a sharp decline in students from Israel and a loss of about 3,500 students from several traditional markets in recent years.
In August, Chișinău hosted the international “Apex Maths” summer school, where renowned French mathematicians taught talented pupils from Moldova and five other countries, showcasing the capital’s growing role as a regional academic hub.
Starting in the 2027‑2028 academic year, Moldova will launch a two‑million‑euro EU‑funded master’s programme in European Affairs, created under the Erasmus+ scheme with partner universities in France, Italy and Estonia. The four‑semester curriculum will be delivered mainly in Moldova (at ASEM and USM) with one semester abroad at Strasbourg, Padova or Tartu. Education Minister Dan Perciun said the programme will equip a new generation of specialists to understand and shape European institutions and reforms.
Entities
Apex Maths summer school · Dan Perciun · European Union · India · Republic of Moldova · Romania · Ukraine · Veaceslav Ioniță
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The number of Israeli students in Moldova fell from over 2,000 to 431. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] Moldova's total student population declined from about 128,000 in 2006‑2007 to 62,900 today. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] Veaceslav Ioniță recommends that Moldova's government, education ministry and university leaders intensify international promotion to attract more foreign students. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] 56.4% of foreign students in Moldova come from Romania. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] Foreign students now represent 10.2% of all students in Moldova, up from 1.3% in 2010. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] Moldova recorded 6,423 foreign students in the 2025‑2026 academic year, an increase of 667 from the previous year. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] India accounts for 19% of Moldova's foreign student population. bani.md · politik.md
- [● 3 SOURCES] Moldova has lost about 3,500 foreign students in recent years from several source countries. bani.md · politik.md