Every year thousands of people choose to study in Bulgaria. In the following, we provide more information about the Bulgarian universities, the courses they offer, their entry requirements and tuition fees. Also, we will help you understand what life in Bulgaria looks like and what the advantages of Bulgarian higher education are!
Why do people choose to study in Bulgaria?
If you want to study abroad but you are still wondering what country you should move to, let us tell you why Bulgaria might be the best choice for you! There are many reasons why foreigners decide to apply for admission in Bulgaria and some of them are the affordable living expenses and tuition fees in the country, the lower entry requirements and the internationally recognized diplomas.
High quality of higher education in Bulgaria:
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria offers great educational opportunities! Most universities offer internships and have brand new campus buildings and multiple partner universities where you can spend a semester abroad! We can help you apply for a university spot in Bulgaria – what you have to do is simply contact us and tell us what you are interested in!
International diploma in Bulgaria:
Bulgaria has been a member state of the European Union since 2007. Hence, if you choose to study in Bulgaria, your diploma is internationally recognized which gives you plenty of career opportunities after graduation. We have signed partnership agreements with several hospitals and companies that offer internships so that you gain more practical knowledge, productively enjoy your free time and earn some money while studying abroad!
Multicultural environment in Bulgaria:
Bulgaria may be a small country but many foreigners study or work in it. It is at the border between Europe and Asia, so there is a mix of cultures in the country itself. Christians, Muslims and Jews live together in harmony – people of different religions enjoy their stay in Bulgaria! Most Bulgarian universities are located in two of the biggest Bulgarian cities – Sofia and Plovdiv. Both of them host interesting cultural events! The percentage of the English-speaking population is relatively high and there is a big diversity of international students. Our team is from Bulgaria so we will be happy to introduce you to the local culture and traditions. Once you get to know us, you will already have local friends who will help you explore the country and adjust to life as a student abroad!
Travel opportunities in Bulgaria:
As the country is not very big, everything in Bulgaria is easily accessible. Whether you prefer to spend your time in the mountains or at beautiful beaches, we have it all. And close nearby. The distance from one end of the country to the other is about 500 km, which means you can reach interesting sightseeing places quite quickly. The same goes for travelling within cities – they all have a well-developed public transportation network that can get you from point A to point B. Finally, there are four big international airports in Bulgaria. If you study in Bulgaria, you have the chance to enjoy your studies to the fullest and plan trips every month!
Low living expenses in Bulgaria:
Bulgaria is ranked among the countries with the most affordable living expenses. We use a Bulgarian currency called Lev (1 BGN equals 0.51 EUR and 0.44 GBP). Of course, the most expensive city in Bulgaria is Sofia – this is why a lot of people prefer to study in Plovdiv or Stara Zagora. Finding affordable student housing in Bulgaria is not hard – many real-estate agents offer apartments around the clock. The only thing you should bear in mind is that there are fake ads on the Internet. Hence, it is recommended that you get in touch with a trustworthy real estate agent or ask us as locals for help!
What can I study in Bulgaria?
There are many universities in Bulgaria so you have a variety of study programs to choose from. Some of the most common choices among foreign students in Bulgaria include Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering and Computer Science in English.
Study Medicine in English in Bulgaria:
The majority of foreign students in Bulgaria study Medicine in English. It is a Master’s degree program and the course duration is six years (12 semesters). Students gather practical knowledge at university hospitals so they are prepared for real-life situations. The tuition fees are between 7000 and 10000 EUR per academic year. Applicants must sit an admission test in Biology and Chemistry and English language skills are a must. Medicine in English in Bulgaria is available at the following Bulgarian universities: Sofia Medical University, Sofia University, Plovdiv Medical University, Varna Medical University, Trakia University and Pleven Medical University.
Study Dentistry in English in Bulgaria:
The second most desired study program among international students in Bulgaria is Dentistry in English. The course duration is 5 years and a half. The tuition fees are 9000 EUR per academic year and passing an entrance test is a must. Students graduate with a Master’s degree. Dental Medicine in English in Bulgaria is available at the following medical universities: Sofia Medical University, Plovdiv Medical University and Varna Medical University.
Many people study Veterinary Medicine in English in Bulgaria. The duration of the course is five years and a half and people graduate with a Master’s degree. This study program is available at Trakia University and the University of Forestry in Sofia. If you want to learn more about this study program and both universities that offer it, check our main page about studying Veterinary Medicine in English!
Study Engineering or Computer Science in Bulgaria:
Engineering and Computer Science are also a common choice among applicants. The Technical University of Sofia is very famous in this field and offers numerous Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in English. The tuition fees are usually around 4000 EUR per academic year.
Other study programs:
Of course, many other study programs attract international students, such as Economics and Marketing. If you are interested in applying for a study program in Bulgaria, do not hesitate to contact our admission team or to take part in our Free Online Open Days!
Entry requirements to study in Bulgaria
Each university in Bulgaria has different entry requirements. If you study in English in Bulgaria, you do not need to possess any Bulgarian language skills, but it is possible that your university schedule includes a basic Bulgarian language course to help you communicate with locals. An important entry requirement is to submit a set of application documents – keep in mind some of them must be translated and legalized. Finally, you may have to sit an admission test. This is often the case for students in the field of medical science. We have prepared an article on how to apply for admission in Bulgaria – make sure you read it!
Living costs and tuition fees in Bulgaria
The tuition fees in Bulgaria are quite affordable! For example, medical students in Bulgaria pay around 4500 EUR per semester. As the academic year is about 10 months, this means that you will spend about 400 – 800 EUR per month on your education depending on what study program you are enrolled in. Keep in mind that tuition fees are usually paid in two instalments. You can also look for opportunities to apply for a student loan in Bulgaria.
Living costs in Bulgaria are very low, too! It won’t come as a surprise if you spend only 300 EUR a month on rent for a modern apartment in the city centre. Meals in restaurants are inexpensive as well – a three-course menu is about 15-20 EUR per person.
Leisure activities in Bulgaria
There are many things to do in Bulgaria! First of all, there are many sports facilities. This means that you will be able to find a hobby that will keep you fit and healthy. Also, there are many parks, cafés and restaurants in each Bulgarian city, so you can go out with your friends and grab a cup of coffee. There are many student societies based on common interests like football, books, arts – it won’t take much of your time to find people who like the same things as you do! Travelling around Bulgaria is also a must – we have mountains, lakes, caves, waterfalls and the Black Sea coast is wonderful. Car rentals and bus ride tickets are inexpensive so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to explore the country. We have made a detailed article about student life in Bulgaria – check it out!
