Student review [#6067] for Aerospace Engineering
at University Politehnica of Bucharest - UPB

I have studied at this university for almost 2 years now so I could say that I have a somewhat clear opinion. As far as the Romanian context is concerned, UPB seems like a good choice and it is still considered one of the serious universities in our country. However, I am pretty sure not much has changed in 30 years. I study aerospace engineering and our faculty is one of the most prestigious ones, with a vast history. Nonetheless, we are mainly left with the history, the same crumbling building, the same books and the same laboratories studied in the last century. Perhaps we could overlook the lack of innovation and blame it on the lack of funds but that does not excuse the aging professors with a communist way of thinking and terrible, incomprehensible way of teaching. Having read about and seen technical universities in Western Europe, it makes me sad to see how much we are losing out on and how much more we could be learning. I could go on for pages about what makes me think there is something wrong with our university but I am quite sure nothing will change anytime soon: the old professors will keep on teaching from the same books from the 80s because they have power over the faculty’s board, the grades will still be awarded according to how much material you can memorize like a puppet and so on.
There may be some advantages as well like the fact that we have a nice students association (EUROAVIA) which keeps us connected, a few nice professors that can brighten a day made worse by 5 others and some people that are willing to help you.
For me, this university is a means to an end: I want to learn aerospace engineering, hopefully, use some of the notions stuffed down my throat during these years and look for a master opportunity out of Romania, as well as a job.
If you are thinking of applying to UPB, my purpose was not to scare you away but to show you some truths that most students find out by themselves too late. If you would like to join us, however, we surely stick together so you will get help. And do not worry, it does not really rocket science.. at least not so far because most students are not quite bright since the really good ones run far away from Romania. (Although I wish it were rocket science, that would give me the slightest chance to work for NASA or SpaceX ).
Best regards,
A 20-year-old student from Bucharest