Studying in Bulgaria 2026: universities, medicine programmes, costs and admission

Short answer: Bulgaria is a European Union member, its living costs are among the lowest in Europe, and it is known especially for English-taught medicine, dentistry and pharmacy programmes. Admission to medical programmes usually involves a biology and chemistry exam, so preparation should start early.

Why Bulgaria?

Affordable tuition, low living costs and study within the European Union make Bulgaria popular, especially for medicine. The country has also joined the Schengen area, which makes travel within Europe easier.

Well-known universities

• Medical University of Sofia.
• Medical universities in Plovdiv, Varna and Pleven.
• Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" — broad profile.
• Technical University of Sofia — engineering.
• University of National and World Economy — economics and business.

Language of instruction

Most medicine, dentistry and pharmacy programmes are in English. Other fields are mainly taught in Bulgarian, which usually requires a one-year language preparation. For English-taught programmes, language level may be checked by the university's own test or a certificate.

Admission

• Medical fields: school certificate, an entrance exam in biology and chemistry (sometimes online), interview.
• Other fields: certificate or diploma, motivation letter, language requirement.
• Documents must be translated and certified; in some cases recognition of the school certificate is required. More: document translation and apostille.

Costs

Tuition for medical programmes is higher than for other fields, but usually lower than in Western Europe. Living costs are higher in Sofia and lower in regional cities. Check exact amounts on the university's official page.

Visa and permit

After admission you apply for a long-stay (type D) visa and then a residence permit in the country. An admission document, tuition payment, proof of funds, insurance and accommodation may be required. See: student insurance abroad.

Diploma recognition

For regulated fields such as medicine, recognition of the diploma in Azerbaijan and later residency or job options should be researched in advance. More: medical education abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know Bulgarian?

Not for English-taught programmes, but learning Bulgarian helps with patients during clinical training, and some universities include it in the curriculum.

Can I work part-time?

It may be possible for limited hours on a student permit. Check the rules from the official source.

Note: fees, exam rules and visa requirements may change. Check the websites of the university and official bodies before deciding.

Since 2018, EDDE Global has helped students choose a university and prepare documents and visa applications. Book a free consultation or take the major selection test.