1. This Methodology applies to study periods completed abroad, within the three university cycles, by citizens of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation, as well as by citizens from third countries.
2. This Methodology does not apply to study periods completed abroad by the citizens mentioned in para. (1) who request the continuation of studies within European academic mobility programs, international inter-university agreements or joint doctorate programs.
3. The procedure is applied by the Resource Centre for Information and Documentation, hereinafter referred to as CRID, and by the staff of faculties and departments with responsibilities for the recognition of study periods completed abroad by those requesting to continue their studies at the university.

Art. 3. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS, TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS.

• Law on Higher Education no. 199/2023, with subsequent amendments and additions
• MECTS Order no. 3223 / 08.02.2012 published in MO no. 118 / 16.02.2012 – for approving the Methodology for recognition of study periods completed abroad.

1. Non-regulated mobility – a period of study completed abroad, within the 3 university cycles, by citizens of the EU member states, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation, as well as by citizens from third states, which is not based on agreements between UAB and accredited higher education institutions abroad or is not carried out within international programs;
2. Academic recognition represents the assessment of a diploma based on: the type of study program, the number of transferable credits, content, training, field, specialization, professional qualification (Diploma Supplement), compared to the Romanian education system, for determining the level they confer within the Romanian education system. Academic recognition is carried out for continuing studies in a country other than the one in which the diploma was obtained.
3. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) was created based on a project run by the European Commission in 1988-1995 to promote student mobility, recognition of study periods completed abroad, ensure flexibility and transparency, and create strong connections between European higher education systems. ECTS represents, as an integer numerical value assigned to each course unit, the workload a student must complete for each, not being an expression of quality, content, or level of studies.
4. Workload can be quantified by reference to the total number of hours allocated to a course, preparation and completion of the course based on attendance at courses and seminars, the amount of subsequent individual work necessary for successful completion. Individual work consists of: collecting and sorting relevant information, studying and deepening it, preparing for examination, drafting a paper or essay, individual work in the lab.
5. Study period represents the situation in which the student attends a certain number of courses, completes them through some form of evaluation, and obtains the corresponding number of ECTS credits, within another educational institution, remaining or not enrolled at the university that admitted them.
6. Analytical curriculum – represents written presentation of the subjects and/or chapters of each discipline taught at a higher education institution.
7. Equivalence – the process by which the type of study program, number of transferable credits, content, training, field, specialization, professional qualification (Diploma Supplement) are compared to those in the national education system, in order to determine the level they confer within the Romanian education system.
8. Principle of total academic recognition – the period of study completed by a student at another university effectively and fully replaces the comparable period of study at the home university, including exams and other forms of evaluation, even if there are differences in the structure and content of the study program.

(9) ABBREVIATIONS

• E.C.T.S. - European Credit Transfer System
• CRID – Resource Centre for Information and Documentation
• UAB – “1 December 1918” University of Alba Iulia
• CRI – Centre for International Relations

Art. 4.

1. This methodology is applied through the Resource Centre for Information and Documentation (CRID) established at UAB.
2. The CRID established at UAB consists of 5 teaching staff, of which one is the centre coordinator and a secretary who is the chief secretary of the university. CRID members are appointed by the Administration Council and named by Rector's decision.
3. For resolving appeals, CRID proposes to the Administration Council the appointment of an appeal commission made up of 3 teaching staff with qualities and professional competences in the fundamental science field corresponding to the specialization subject to recognition, other than the staff who initially evaluated the file.
4. At the level of CRI, a person is appointed responsible for activities and tasks regarding recognition of study periods.

Art. 5. Recognition file

1. The recognition file contains the following documents:
2. Application to file registration, as per the form in ANNEX 1;
3. Certified copy of the Baccalaureate Diploma obtained in Romania or, as appropriate, the certificate issued by the Ministry of Education, recognizing the diploma granting access to higher education obtained abroad/letter of acceptance for studies;
4. Certified copy of the Bachelor’s/Master’s Diploma obtained in Romania or, as appropriate, the certificate issued by the Ministry of Education, recognizing the diploma granting access to higher education obtained abroad/letter of acceptance for studies;
5. The document, apostilled or superlegalized as appropriate, attesting academic record for the completed study years, including courses, grades, number of credits/points, and number of course hours for each subject, issued by the higher education institution from which the applicant comes, and the legalized translation into Romanian;
6. Analytical curricula for the studied subjects at the higher education institution from which the applicant comes, as applicable, and the legalized translation into Romanian;
7. Language proficiency certificate for language of teaching and examination (if applicable);
8. Certified copy of birth certificate and identity document or passport and, as appropriate, legalized translation into Romanian;
9. Certified copy of marriage certificate, if the name on the study documents does not match the name on the identity document, and, as appropriate, legalized translation;
10. Declaration on own responsibility that previous studies were not interrupted due to expulsion for violation of the Code of Ethics and Deontology provisions of the home university.

Art. 6. Recognition procedure

1. The recognition file provided in Art. 5 is submitted by the applicant or by the person empowered by them (notarial authorization/issued at the Consulate/translated and apostilled, as appropriate), to the Chief Secretary of UAB. The file may also be sent by mail to the university’s address.
2. The recognition request for study periods can be submitted after completing at least one semester of studies, within a maximum of three years from their completion.
3. To continue studies at UAB starting with the next academic year, the recognition file for study periods must be submitted no later than the final registration date for the admission competition, as per the admission regulations for bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate studies.
4. The Chief Secretary of UAB verifies the existence of the documents in the file. If the file is incomplete, they urgently inform the applicant electronically about the missing documents and the deadline for completion. The complete file receives a registration number.
5. The deadline for resolving the recognition request is 10 working days from the date of registration of the complete file. This deadline may be extended by CRID’s decision if verification of the authenticity of school documents and the status of the issuing institution is required. The applicant is notified in writing about the reasons for non-resolution on time.
6. Evaluation by CRID or by the specialty commission appointed according to art. 5(1) letter c, of the file considers:
   1. 1. 1. Verification of the status of the study program and the higher education institution that issued the school documents and study documents subject to recognition, as well as the level of study program followed at that institution. If the issuing higher education institution is not recognized/accredited in the country of origin, the study documents submitted by the applicant are not recognized.
         2. Transmission to CNRED, in electronic format, for verification, of the school documents submitted in the file, in case of doubts about their authenticity and legality of issuance;

1. 1. 1. 1. Analysis of the following elements:
2. number of transferable and accumulable study credits – ECTS or points obtained at the educational institution;
3. results obtained during the previous schooling, evidenced by different evaluation/grading systems. In this regard, conversion of grades obtained will be performed using the Grade conversion grid, provided in ANNEX 2.
4. curriculum completed at the higher education institution from which the applicant comes;
5. results of exams and scientific reports taken during doctoral studies completed abroad;
6. list of articles and works published during doctoral studies completed abroad.
7. If deemed necessary and appropriate, CRID may propose to the Administration Council the appointment of a specialty commission made up of teaching staff with expertise in fields different from those of CRID members, whose duties and competencies are specified in art. 8 para. (5).
8. After the evaluation as per para (5), CRID members or, as appropriate, the specialty commission, will issue one of the following decisions:
9. automatic recognition, if no substantial differences are found regarding the elements mentioned in para (5) and the applicant can have the minimum number of study credits required for enrollment in the current academic year recognized, as provided in the Student Activity Regulation;
10. undertaking compensatory measures, i.e. difference exams, if substantial differences are found, which must be taken in order for the applicant to be enrolled in the respective study year.
11. The substantial differences mentioned in para (6), letter b, consist of:
12. insufficient number of transferable study credits/points required for enrollment in the respective study year as would have been followed in the higher education institution of origin;
13. insufficient number of specialty subjects studied by the applicant at the higher education institution of origin, compared to the number in the curriculum of the institution to which enrollment is requested;
14. failure to pass the necessary exams, as appropriate, to continue doctoral studies;
15. insufficient number of scientific reports or results, articles, works published during doctoral studies completed abroad.
16. If difference exams are required, they will be communicated to the applicant by mail and electronically. The applicant must declare in writing, within two working days from the communication of the commission’s decision, their agreement to take these exams.
17. Exams taken at the institution of origin and recognized, as well as difference exams taken as compensatory measures, will be recorded in a commission report and entered into the student database.
18. Taking difference exams as compensatory measures will be in accordance with the Student Activity Regulation regarding the exam/resit/re-examination period and payment of the corresponding fees.
19. Study periods completed prior to external mobility, within non-accredited or unauthorized Romanian study programs to operate provisionally, are recognized, after taking selection exams, in compliance with legal regulations in force.
20. If evaluation is performed by a specialty commission, it will communicate the evaluation result to CRID.
21. The result of the evaluation by CRID/Specialty Commission is recorded in a report which must mention:

a) exams taken at the higher education institution of origin and recognized;b) exams to be taken as compensatory measures;

c) proposal for enrollment in the corresponding study year

1. The evaluation results made by CRID/specialty commission are recorded in the Equivalence sheet for subjects and the number of cumulated credits – ANNEX 3.
2. The evaluation results made by CRID/specialty commission are communicated to the applicant in writing, by mail with receipt confirmation and electronically.

Art. 7. Appeals

1. Appeals to recognition decisions may be submitted to the chief secretary of the university within 3 working days from the date of receipt confirmation, by mail, of the recognition decision.
2. The chief secretary of the university convenes, within two working days, the appeal commission, made up of 3 teaching staff of specialty, appointed according to art. 4, para. (3), other than those who initially evaluated the file.
3. The appeal is resolved within 3 working days from the date of convening the appeal commission.

Art. 8. Following recognition of the study period completed abroad, the “Additional Information” section in the Bachelor/Master Diploma Supplement will be filled in with the following data: the recognized years of study, the home higher education institution, mention of taking difference or selection exams, as well as the document issued by ME regarding approval for continuation of studies.

Art. 9. Responsibilities and duties in the academic recognition procedure for study periods

1. The applicant

a) Submits the request for recognition of the study periods completed abroad, in order to continue studies, accompanied by the documents provided in Art. 5, as well as any documents expressly required by CRID;

b) Submits written consent for taking difference exams if established by CRID.

1. Centre for International Relations
2. ensures publication on the UAB website of information regarding recognition of study periods completed abroad;
3. provides consultations to applicants regarding recognition of studies;
4. provides CRID information regarding the status of the study program and the higher education institution that issued the school documents and study documents subject to recognition, as well as the level of study program followed at that institution.
5. performs translations requested by CRID in the recognition procedure;
6. ensures support regarding the grade equivalence grids.

1. The chief secretary of the university:
2. receives and registers recognition files;
3. verifies the existence of all documents provided in art. 6 (1). If the file is incomplete, communicates to CRI information about the missing documents, so they may be brought to the applicant’s attention;
4. convenes CRID members or, at their request, the commission of specialists;
5. provides secretarial support to CRID or the commission of specialists, recording the evaluation proceedings and results. The works and conduct of evaluation meetings are recorded in a special register.
6. communicates to the applicant the result of the evaluation made by CRID or by the commissions of specialists;
7. receives appeal requests;
8. convenes the appeal commission and communicates to the applicant the result after resolving the appeal;
9. transmits to ME the CRID decision and requests approval for continuation of studies;
10. submits to the rector for approval the decision on applicant enrollment in the corresponding academic year;
11. transmits to the faculty secretariats the ME approval, the applicant’s file and the final evaluation result, for updating the student management database;

1. CRID:
2. verifies the file and establishes any further necessary documents besides those provided in Art. 5;
3. transmits to CNRED, for verification, the documents submitted, if there is insufficient information related to the issuing institution;
4. evaluates recognition files for study periods according to art. 6 para. (5);
5. may propose to the Administration Council constituting a specialty commission made up of teaching staff with expertise in areas specific and different from those held by CRID members.
6. proposes to the Administration Council the formation of the appeal commission;
7. records the evaluation results in the Equivalence sheet for subjects and cumulated credits (ANNEX 3);
8. proposes recognition of study periods completed, adoption of compensatory measures or non-recognition of previous studies;
9. communicates evaluation results to the chief secretary of the university.
10. ensures completion of the recognition process within the period provided in art. 6 para. (4) and monitors the recognition file’s progress.

1. Specialty commission
2. evaluates recognition files;
3. communicates evaluation results to CRID;
4. makes proposals on the recognition of study periods completed, adoption of compensatory measures or non-recognition of previous studies;

(6) Faculty secretariat

1. enrolls the applicant according to CRID’s decision;
2. records the recognized subjects, grades, and credits in the matriculation register and the student management database;
3. records in the diploma supplement information regarding study periods completed abroad as per art. 9.
4. ensures the taking of difference exams and provides information regarding the manner and periods to take them;
5. archives recognition documents in the student's personal file

Art. 9. This methodology is accompanied by the following annexes:

ANNEX 1- Application regarding recognition of study periods

ANNEX 2 - Grade equivalence grid

ANNEX 3 - Equivalence sheet for subjects and the number of cumulated credits