The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA)

The Școala Națională de Studii Politice și Administrative din București (SNSPA) emerged in the 1990s to train the country's future leaders in the political sciences and business. Today this public university is made up of around 6,000 students, with teaching taking place across five unique faculties. This exchange is offered through the College of Communication and Public Relations (CCPR). 

SNSPA is situated in the centre of Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Bucharest is the capital city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. Over recent years the city has seen a surge in tourism and overseas visitors, becoming known as one of Eastern Europe's hidden gems. It is a highly affordable destination for exchange students, with living costs being much lower than those that students in London will be used to. 

Website: Home - SNSPA 

4 places, including two for students pursuing the CIVICA Engage Track.  

Applicants must be in their second year and must return to LSE after the year abroad to complete their degree. 

To be eligible for consideration, you must have an overall average of 60% or above from all of your first year courses. Applicants with individual module scores under 60% will be considered, as long as the overall average grade is 60% or above. 

As part of your application, you must provide your marks from your first year modules at LSE and the name and contact details of one academic referee. Your referee can be any academic member of staff from your department at LSE.

Host Institution Requirements: Additional academic standing requirements may apply depending on the faculty or program. 

Courses are taught in either English or Romanian.  

The Autumn Semester begins in early October and exams end in early February. The Spring Semester begins in mid-February and exams end in early July.   

Courses are measured in ECTS, with full-time students taking 60 ECTS per year. Each course is typically worth 4-7 credits.  

Assessments are graded out of 10, with a 5 being a passing grade.  

Before the beginning of the semester, there is an orientation meeting with all the Erasmus students, guiding them through all the procedures. To have a better integration of the incoming students, students are assigned an "Erasmus Buddy". The buddy is a Romanian student, usually a former Erasmus student. Support is also provided by students' associations, especially by ESN ASE. 

Alongside academic courses, GO LSE students will also have the option of taking Romanian language and culture classes. The class has 3 ECTS. 

SNSPA offers accommodation in CCPR’s two dormitories for a limited number of students. International students have priority if they apply before the deadline. 

Below is an estimat cost of rent in Bucharest:  

• Shared Rental – 80 Euro to 150 Euro/month 
• Shared Rental – 80 Euro to 150 Euro/month 
• Private Housing/Rental – 130 Euro to 300 Euro/month 
• On Campus dormitories – 50 Euro to 85 Euro/month (all facilities included) 

Approximate Costs: 

Food (canteen/groceries/eating out) – 100 Euro to 300 Euro/month 

Phone and internet – 20 Euro to 40 Euro/month 

Public transportation – 10 to 30Euro/month 

Entertainment: 200 Euro/month 

Taxi with companies: 1.39 lei / km – 3.9 lei/km 

Medical insurance 
Non-EU students will need to purchase medical insurance. Students from EU member states entitled to a temporary stay on the Romanian territory should have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in their home country. 

The Romanian emergency number is 112. It’s important to note that the operators may not speak fluent English, so it’s recommended to have a Romanian speaker with you or to use a translation app. 

Further information on student - led sports teams can be found on the student news channel, such as the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) football team: Înscrie-te în echipa de fotbal a SNSPA.

Non-European Union Citizens are required to apply for a student visa prior to leaving their home country. Applications should be made at your nearest Romanian Consulate. For further information please visit the Romanian Foreign Affairs’ Ministry website (www.mae.ro). 

Citizens of EU countries do not require a student visa to enter Romania. They can enter Romania with an ID document (a valid travel document e.g. passport, or another document certifying identity and citizenship). 

Contact SNSPA via: erasmus@snspa.ro  

studyinromania.gov.ro 

College of Communication and Public Relations - Incoming Erasmus Students 

ESN ASE-CMP Bucharest 

Romania - Expat Focus