Learn how to study medicine in Bulgaria at affordable medical schools or colleges; English and Bulgarian are the study languages to choose from, hence you can study in Bulgaria in your chosen language as an international student.
Medicine in Bulgaria has become one of Europe’s leading and affordable destination for studying medicine abroad. Nowadays in western countries and all over the world, Bulgarian doctors are well respected, and every year, Bulgarian medical schools attract thousands of foreign medical school students.
Due to the standard of studies, the freedom to choose the language of study (Bulgarian, English), fair low tuition fees and affordable living costs, diplomas approved across Europe and beyond the possibility of moving medical schools, well-trained and experienced personnel, student mobility and much more, most medical school students in Bulgaria are drawn to medicine.
How to Apply to Study Medicine in Bulgaria
Applications for medical study for admission to medical research are highly competitive. Admission is settled on the collection of the application list followed by the English entrance test for Academic Medical Studies. Prospective students who have failed the English language exam for Undergraduate Medical Studies have the ability to participate in a Medical English Preparatory Course at the University of Medicine.
The medical study guide will give you an example of the exam on request.
Bulgarian Medical Universities’ Application Requirements
Note that the necessary medical study documents in Bulgaria have to be legalized by the Bulgarian Embassy.
Below are the documents needed to apply for medical studies in Bulgaria;
- Copy of a high school diploma properly legalized in the applicant’s country by the Bulgarian embassy (original wet stamps and seals – Apostille)
- Copy of the alternative to the high school diploma, duly legalized by the Bulgarian Embassy in the country of the applicant (original wet stamps and seals – Apostille required) and translated into Bulgarian. The applicant must have taken biology and chemistry courses in high school and the average score of those two subjects must not be less than 62 per cent (e.g. 62 points for the grading system in the Republic of Turkey) of the maximum results obtained in accordance with the grading system in the country concerned.
- An original medical health certificate issued no earlier than 1 (one) month before the date of application, stating that the applicant is physically and mentally healthy, legalized in the applicant’s country by the Bulgarian Embassy (original wet stamps and seals required by Apostille) and accompanied by a Bulgarian translation.
- A declaration of financial assistance by the parent(s) or guardian of the applicant during his studies in the Republic of Bulgaria, followed by a translation into Bulgarian. The declaration has to be legalized by a public notary.
- Four photos (passport size)
- A document provided by an approved body (the applicant’s secondary school) attesting to the applicant’s right to continue his/her education in higher education in the country where he/she obtained his/her secondary education should be legalized in the applicant’s country at the Bulgarian embassy and translated into Bulgarian language
- A copy of the applicant’s passport (ID card), duly legalized in the applicant’s country by the Bulgarian Embassy (original wet stamps and seals – Apostille required) and translated into Bulgarian
- For students from countries where English is not the official language, proof of English (both spoken and written) proficiency is required, such as TOEFL 550, Cambridge First Certificate or ILTS 6. This text should be translated in the above manner and legalized.
Application type completed ( sent on request),
Uh, C.V. (resume) signed by the respondent, respectively.
List of Affordable Medical Universities in Bulgaria
- Plovdiv Medical University
- Sofia Medical University
- Varna Medical University
- Pleven Medical University
- Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
- Trakia University Stara Zagora
Note; All medical colleges are accredited and their degrees are recognised in the European Economic Region and beyond.
Medical University programs in Bulgaria
1. Medicine in Bulgaria – Master’s Program
Medicine in Bulgaria is a six-year program leading to a medical master’s degree. The training is performed in correspondence with a syllabus established on the basis of the program’s state requirements.
In the following way, the course of study is structured;
- Two years of pre-clinical research, followed by two years of pre-clinical study
- Clinical research for three years
- The last sixth year is dedicated to clinical practice in the province (internship)
A Master’s degree and the clinical credentials of a physician are provided to graduates.
2. Dental Medicine in Bulgaria – Master’s Program
In Bulgaria, Dental Medicine is a six-year program leading to a Master’s degree in Dentistry. Three phases are part of the program;
- In medical and biological topics, teaching,
- Education in the subjects of clinical medicine, and
- In Prosthetic Dentistry, Conservative Dental Therapy, Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Pediatric Dental Medicine, Orthodontics and Periodontology, pre-graduation internship.
3. Pharmacy Study in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Pharmacy Thesis is a 5-year and 6-month program leading to a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy. The study course consists of three phases.
- Master’s qualification as a pharmacist and
- educational aspects then,
- Master’s Degree
4. Nursing Study in Bulgaria – Bachelor’s Program
Nursing in Bulgaria is a four-year program that leads to a nursing bachelor’s degree. In Bulgaria, nursing studies are performed in accordance with the modern curriculum and syllabus, in accordance with European and world norms and specifications.
Students are qualified in medical, biological, and clinical subjects and humanities in general and special nursing care: medical psychology, ethics, sociology, health regulations, etc.
5. Midwifery Study in Bulgaria
The curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree in nursing is the Midwifery Thesis in Bulgaria.
The teaching method aims to develop expertise and skills in the fields of primary prevention, general and unique obstetric treatment for pregnant mothers, women at work, women who have just given birth and their newborns, women with gynecological conditions, family planning, etc.
6. Health Care Management Study in Bulgaria
The Health Care Management Research in Bulgaria meets the criteria for health care management and social structures. The preparation is directed towards the completion of two educational and certification degrees by the students: Bachelor’s and Master’s.
The Bachelor’s degree preparation is full-time, lasts for four years (eight semesters) and ends with a state review. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration, the Master’s program lasts one year, while the Master’s program lasts two years after studying another program and finishes with an evaluation or with a defense of a Master’s thesis.
7. Nursing Management Study in Bulgaria
The study of nursing management in Bulgaria is aimed at the attainment of two educational degrees by students: Bachelor’s and Master’s. Training for a Bachelor’s degree is a full-time course built on the basis of the program’s Unified State Requirements and lasts for five semesters.
The students have a pre-graduation internship in Health Care Administration and Pedagogy in the last semester. The training ends with a realistic state test and a theoretical one.
The training for the Master’s degree is full-time and is carried out in correspondence with two syllabi as follows: if the student has a Bachelor’s degree in the same program, the training takes two semesters; if the student has a Bachelor’s degree in another program, it takes three semesters to complete the training.
In two complementary ways, graduates will achieve professional qualifications: “Health Care Manager” and “Medical Practice Instructor.”
8. Public Health Study in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Public Health Thesis leads to a Master’s degree and aims to gain multi-subject expertise and skills required for practice and research in the fields of disease prophylaxis, health promotion and health care management.
9. Medical Laboratory Assistant Study in Bulgaria
A 3-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree is the study of medical laboratory assistance in Bulgaria. As a health specialist, the Medical Laboratory Assistant is qualified to work in all aspects of public and private medical diagnostic and research laboratories.
Blood testing, urine analysis, as well as all other physical fluids and secrets are some of his/her big duties. The Medical Laboratory Assistant frequently performs histological, microbiological and parasitological studies.
10. Assistant-pharmacist in Bulgaria
This medical program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
The assistant-pharmacist is directly interested in the supply and development of medication. It prepares and distributes, under the supervision of a Master-pharmacist or independently, medications, herbal mixtures, sanitary and hygienic materials, cosmetic and dietary products, and others within the scope of its competencies. The pharmacist-assistant will work in hospitals, pharmacy warehouses, labs, drugstores and pharmaceutical plants.
11. Sanitary Inspector/ Public Health Inspector
This program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
The health inspector is a health specialist responsible for the application of state health regulation in the fields of community hygiene, occupational hygiene, dietary hygiene, adolescent hygiene and epidemiology.
This is a dynamic and systematic health activity aimed at protecting the human environment, preventing disease and enhancing the health and capacity of the community to function.
12. Technical Dental Assistant
The medical program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
The Technical Dental Assistant is an expert approved to work in all mechanical dental laboratories.
He/she is responsible for the production of all forms of dentures, bridges and crowns (including removable and non-removable dentures, model casting methods, metal-ceramics and all types of orthodontic appliances).
13. Physiotherapy Assistant
The program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
The purpose of the training in this program is to prepare specialists for therapy centers, health resorts and recovery centers.
Upon graduation, students receive theoretical and practical training for early prevention of disease development and its complications and full recovery of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of the patient.
14. X-ray Laboratory Assistant
This medical program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
The course emphasizes the preparation of professionals in the area of diagnostic imaging. The latter involves traditional diagnostics of x-rays, diagnostics of ultrasound and even deep x-ray techniques: computer tomography (head scanning), breast scanning, and interventional methods of magnetic resonance. Nuclear medicine methods and x-ray therapy are being researched.
15. Social Work Study in Bulgaria
This program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
This program’s graduates work with the social classes of the unemployed and the lowest-income, the mentally ill, single mothers and the elderly.
Graduates are qualified to work in social activities departments, temporary housing homes for underage and underage children, pedagogical offices, labor experts’ doctoral commissions, dispensaries, rehabilitation centres, labor offices, etc.
16. Medical Cosmetics Study in Bulgaria
The medical program has been structured for three years, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
The expert in medical makeup is a beauty specialist who has been qualified in cosmetology, dermatology, plastic surgery, pharmacy, and physical therapy.
Graduates in this discipline are qualified to work in a cosmetic studio, a team of beauty centers, dermatological, cosmetic and physical and rehabilitation centers, clinics for plastic surgery, drugstores and perfumeries, spa centers, fitness centers, spas and thalasso therapy centers, etc.
Bulgarian Medical University Tuition Fees
The amount it cost to study at medical universities in Bulgaria range from 5500 to 8000 Euro/year for long medical study programs in English (general medicine, dentistry and pharmacy) and from 3100 to 4000 Euro/year for short medical study programs, depending on the university.
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Medical tuition fees in Bulgaria for English program
| Course (option) | Tuition fees /year ( Euro) |
| Medicine in English (6years) | 5, 500 to 8,000 |
| Pharmacy in English (5years) | 6, 000 |
| Dentistry in English (6years) | 6 ,000 to 8,000 |
| Nursing in English/Bulgarian (4 years) | 3,000 |
| Midwifery in English/Bulgarian (4 years) | 3,000 |
| English/Bulgarian language preparatory course. | 3,100 to 4,500 |
| Postgraduate Specialization courses in Bulgarian (3 to 5 years) | 4,800 |
| Postgraduate Studies for Ph.D.Degree in Bulgarian | 4,800 |
In this country, the tuition fee for medical studies can be charged at the beginning of each semester in two sections per year. The first part of the tuition fee for new students needing a student visa must be charged before applying for a student visa to the Bulgarian Diplomatic Representation.
The tuition fee for medical universities in Bulgaria tends to be one of the cheapest fees in the entire European Economic Region. Combined with the fair cost of living and the standard of education, Bulgarian medical universities attract foreign students.
It is very accessible to become a medical doctor, dentist or bachelor in pharmacy or other medical specialist in Bulgaria, especially for European medical students!
Cost of Living in Bulgaria
| Expenses | Expenses/month (Euro) |
| Food | 150 to 200 |
| Student hostel | 30 to 70 |
| Private rental apartment | 150 to 250 |
| Room in a private apartment | 70 to 100 |
| Student’s travel card | 6 to 1 |
The sum given above is the average and the minimum living cost in Bulgaria depends on the individual’s living style and can vary slightly for different cities. It is also necessary to determine the annual tuition fee and the annual EUR 250 for the renewal of the residence permit in Bulgaria at the level stated in the table above.
For Bulgarian tuition fee loans, the UK, Switzerland and EU/EEA medical students in Bulgaria are eligible. Students will also have the right to obtain grants to offset the cost of living. Students may apply on the same basis as Bulgarian students for government and university scholarships.
Medical students from the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the EU/EEA will work in Bulgaria without any additional authorization, but with relatively high levels of unemployment. At the same time that medical studies are very challenging in time and effort, it is difficult to claim that even if seasonal work in the ski industry is typically available but wages are poor, a medical student will fund his studies by employment in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Student Visa Requirements
Number 2 step in studying medicine in Bulgaria is to apply for a Bulgarian Student Visa (D-type visa) valid for 3 to 6 months after obtaining a letter of acceptance. Bulgarian Student Visas can be obtained from any Bulgarian Diplomatic Mission abroad and all non-EU/EEA students in Bulgaria are expected to obtain a visa.
Below are the necessary documents to apply for a Bulgarian student visa;
- Photocopy of a passport valid for a period of one year first page of the international travel document)
- Letter of acceptance (a certificate stating that the applicant is admitted to the Bulgarian University as a student, plus a university certificate stating that the applicant will be accommodated in a student hostel)
- Medical insurance covering the expenses of repatriation and immediate medical care and emergency hospital services for the length of stay specified in the visa is available for the EU Member States for the entire duration of the journey
- Bank document released on behalf of the claimant to prove the payment of the tuition fee
- Colored snapshot 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm against white background (the same holds for a child entered in the passport)-a clear, wide enough face full-face photo that takes up 70-80 percent of the photo; the eyes must be red; the following is ineligible: dark glasses pictures; non-professional pictures or amateur pictures cut out.
- Tickets (original and copy) or confirmation of ticket booking, or financial means
- The following records shall be submitted for under-aged children traveling without their parents or trustees;
a. Copy of the Certificate of Birth
b. Original and photocopy of a notary’s power of attorney certified by all parents/trustees or a parent trustee that they consent to your traveling without their company - Photocopy of the last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or if any, visas for the United Kingdom and the United States. Even if visas are not necessary for a visit of up to 90 days for visitors from the same country, all non-EU/EEA and Swiss students must have an entry visa to study in Bulgaria.
Upon arrival in Bulgaria, the applicant must apply for a long-term stay (residency permit) in Bulgaria with a Bulgarian student visa, valid for a maximum duration of one year and renewable every year for the entire period of study. Applications for a residency permit are only submitted in Bulgaria after final university registration.
The UK, Switzerland and all students from the EU/EEA do not need a visa to study in Bulgaria. However, they must register with the police after their arrival in Bulgaria, after which they will be issued with a national identification card and a temporary stay of up to five years.
Application Deadline for Studying in Bulgaria
Time for stopping prospective students from applying for studies in Bulgaria varies from university to university, research profile, and the origin of the applicant student.
Applicants for preparatory language courses (in Bulgarian or English) are usually expected to submit application documents prior to 30 September of the same year in order to start their studies.
The deadline for applicant students interested in studying directly in English, Bulgarian or other languages without having completed the preparatory year may depend on the applicant’s universities, programs and origin. For proper details on the submission deadlines, try to contact your school of choice.
Application documents are submitted by European Union member applicants and others with dual citizenship (one of which is Bulgarian);
- Programs in Bulgarian; by the middle of September of the year in question
- For English-language programs by 30 September of the respective year
Member applicants from the European Union and those who do not have dual citizenship shall apply application documents for English or Bulgarian programs by the middle of July of the year in question. Applying earlier is recommended.
We suggest that the application file be prepared as soon as possible, particularly for those who would like to use our service. In fact, you will have time to complete your application file if any data or document is missing.
Each higher education establishment is an independent entity, according to the Higher Education Act, which can follow its own specifications with regard to application documents and deadlines. Also if the number of students required is reached, the application deadline may be shortened.
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