Bulgaria is a country that has a lot to offer for prospective medical students. Not only does it offer a rich history, culture, and landscape, but it also has a high-quality and cheap education system that is known across Europe and beyond. Bulgaria has emerged as a regional center for higher education, particularly in the medical field. You can receive top-notch instruction and get ready for a lucrative career in medicine at Bulgaria's top medical universities. According to the current statistics, there are more than 11,000 international students in Bulgaria, coming from over 100 countries. 

Six universities offer medical studies in English, covering various specialties and disciplines. These are: 

Medical University of Sofia 

Medical University of Plovdiv 

Medical University of Varna 

Medical University of Pleven 

Medical University of Stara Zagora 

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski

All these universities offer a general medicine program of six years which grants a Master of Medicine (MM) degree to the student. The tuition ranges between 7,000-8,000 EUR per year. Getting admission to medical universities in Bulgaria is not very difficult, as long as the applicant meets the minimum entry requirements. One of the biggest advantages of studying medicine in Bulgaria is the low tuition fees and living costs, which are much lower than in many other European countries. For example, the average tuition fee for medicine is around 8,000 EUR per year, and the average monthly living cost is around 300-500 EUR.

Also Read:- MBBS admission in Bulgaria

Overview of Best Medical Universities in Bulgaria

Why Study Medicine in Bulgaria?

Educational Fees: Bulgaria is known for its relatively affordable tuition fees compared to other European countries. This makes it an attractive option for international students, including those pursuing medical degrees.

Accredited Medical Programs: Bulgaria's medical schools are accredited by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union. This ensures that the training and degrees received in Bulgaria are recognized worldwide.

English Programs: Many medical departments in Bulgaria offer English programs, making them accessible to international students who are not fluent in Bulgarian.

Educational Quality: Bulgaria has a story about the provision of high quality education, and its medical department holds standards consistent with European and global education benchmarks. Some medical schools in Bulgaria are working with international organizations to improve the quality of their education.

EU Membership: Bulgaria is a member of the European Union (EU). This membership may be advantageous to students in regards to mobility within the EU. This is important for future career opportunities and further training.

Clinical training opportunities: Bulgarian medical students often have access to modern medical facilities and equipment. Some medical faculties have partnerships with hospitals and clinics to provide students with practical clinical training opportunities.

Security and Quality of Life: Bulgaria is known for its security and relatively low cost of living compared to many Western European countries. This may contribute to the quality of life of international students.Educational Fees: Bulgaria is known for its relatively affordable tuition fees compared to other European countries. This makes it an attractive option for international students, including those pursuing medical degrees.

Accredited Medical Programs: Bulgaria's medical schools are accredited by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union. This ensures that the training and degrees received in Bulgaria are recognized worldwide.

English Programs: Many medical departments in Bulgaria offer English programs, making them accessible to international students who are not fluent in Bulgarian.

Educational Quality: Bulgaria has a story about the provision of high quality education, and its medical department holds standards consistent with European and global education benchmarks. Some medical schools in Bulgaria are working with international organizations to improve the quality of their education.

EU Membership: Bulgaria is a member of the European Union (EU). This membership may be advantageous to students in regards to mobility within the EU. This is important for future career opportunities and further training.

Clinical training opportunities: Bulgarian medical students often have access to modern medical facilities and equipment. Some medical faculties have partnerships with hospitals and clinics to provide students with practical clinical training opportunities.

Security and Quality of Life: Bulgaria is known for its security and relatively low cost of living compared to many Western European countries. This may contribute to the quality of life of international students.

Best Medical Universities in Bulgaria

Medical University of Sofia

The Medical University of Sofia is a public university in Bulgaria that was founded in 1917 as a medical faculty of Sofia University. It is the oldest and largest institution for higher medical education in the country and has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and health care. The university offers programs in medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, public health, and health care at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. It also has a medical college and a subsidiary in Vratsa. The university has been accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency with a score of 9.56 out of 10, and its programs have also received high ratings. The university has about 10,460 students, including international students from various countries. The university is also involved in international cooperation and mobility, such as the Erasmus+ program and the European Scientific Infrastructure for Translational Medicine. 

Medical University of Plovdiv 

The Medical University of Plovdiv is a prestigious institution in Bulgaria that offers high-quality education and research in the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health. The university was founded in 1945 and has a rich history of achievements and innovations. The university has four faculties, a medical college, a department of languages and specialized training, and a hospital with 2000 beds. The university is accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency and the European Association of Medical Schools. The university has about 5000 students, including 1000 international students from more than 40 countries. The university offers programs in Bulgarian and English languages, as well as preparatory courses for foreign students. The application deadline for the academic year 2024/25 will probably be July 2024. The university has a competitive admission process that involves an online entrance test in biology and chemistry, as well as an English language diagnostic test. The university also provides various scholarships, grants, and financial aid for its students. 

Medical University of Varna 

The Medical University of Varna was founded in 1961 as a Higher Medical Institute, and renamed in 1995 after its patron, Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov. The university has four faculties: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health, as well as a Medical College, a Department of Foreign Languages, Communication and Sports, and a Centre for Professional Education. The university offers programs in English and Bulgarian, leading to the degrees of Master, Bachelor, and Professional Bachelor. The university also has a strong research profile, with a Research Institute and numerous scientific projects and publications. The application deadline for the programs in English is July 31st for EU citizens and June 30th for non-EU citizens. 

Medical University of Pleven 

The Medical University of Pleven is one of the four medical universities in Bulgaria and the only one in the city of Pleven. It was founded in 1974 based on the former regional hospital established in 1865. The university has a modern preclinical base, a hospital with specialized clinics, and research sections. It offers four faculties: Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Health Care, as well as a college with three specialties. The university has about 3000 students, of which 2/3 are Bulgarians and the rest are foreigners from 45 countries. The university was the first in Bulgaria to introduce the study program “Medicine in English” in 1997, which is designed for international students. The university is accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency of Bulgaria and is a member of the European University Association. 

Trakia University of Stara Zagora 

Trakia University is a public university located in the city of Stara Zagora, in the historical region of Thrace. It was founded in 1995 and has since become one of the leading universities in Bulgaria, ranking sixth among 51 universities in the country. The university offers a variety of programs in Bulgarian and English, including medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering, education, and economics. The university is accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency and has received full institutional accreditation. The university has about 10,000 students, of which 1,500 are foreign students from 35 countries. 

Sofia University “St. Clement Ohridiski” 

Sofia University “St. Clement Ohridiski” is the oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education in Bulgaria. It was founded in 1888, ten years after the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. It has a rich history of academic excellence, cultural and educational tradition, and social and political influence. It offers 119 degree courses in humanities and sciences, across 16 faculties and three departments. It has over 21,000 students, including many international students from various countries. It is accredited by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science and is a member of the European University Association. The university has 16 faculties and three departments, offering a wide range of degree programs in humanities, sciences, medicine, law, theology, and more. The Faculty of Medicine is one of the oldest and most respected in the country, with a history dating back to 1917. It has a modern curriculum, a well-equipped hospital, and a strong research profile. The faculty offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, public health, and nursing. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the best medical universities in Bulgaria offer high-quality education in English for aspiring doctors who want to study abroad. However, there are not many options to pursue medicine in English in Bulgaria, as only a few universities have this program. Therefore, it is important to consider factors such as budget, scholarships, reputation, accreditation, curriculum, location, and student life before committing to a university. We understand the struggle of the admission process and are here to help you! Let our admission experts at OneApply, guide you to the perfect choice for you, considering your ambitions and goals. Book your free video call appointment now!