Study in Bulgaria
Learn more about student life in Bulgaria and the study programs offered by Bulgarian universities!
Plovdiv Medical University is one of the best medical universities in Bulgaria – it offers Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy in English and welcomes over 500 international students every year! You want to apply for admission but you need more information? We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions – we are sure you will find the information very useful! Of course, if there is something else you would like to know – just contact us at [email protected]!
1. What are the study programs and tuition fees at Plovdiv Medical University?
Applicants who wish to study at Plovdiv Medical University can choose between three study programs in English language – Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. They will graduate with a Master’s degree which is also recognized abroad! Bulgaria is part of the European Union, so working or studying abroad after graduating from Plovdiv Medical University is definitely something you can do!
When it comes to tuition fees at Plovdiv Medical University and the duration of studies, it goes as follows:
The tuition fees are to be paid in two installments – you pay the first half of the tuition fees in the beginning of the winter semester (September) and the second half in the beginning of the summer semester (February).
2. Can I apply for a student loan?
Many international students apply for a student loan back home. Plovdiv Medical University itself does not provide a student loan, but you can speak with different banks in Bulgaria to see if this is an option for you. Keep in mind that the acceptance rate for student loans in Bulgaria are very low. Of course, most international students count on their family when it comes to paying the tuition fees but also try to work part-time or during the summer holidays in order to be independent financially.
3. What are the entry requirements to apply for admission in Plovdiv Medical University?
The university requirements for admission are very important! There are three aspects you should keep in mind:
If you are not sure whether you are eligible to apply for admission, contact our team at [email protected] for a free academic consultation – we will be happy to tell you which universities you can apply for, including Plovdiv Medical University!
4. Should I choose Sofia Medical University or Plovdiv Medical University?
Sofia Medical University and Plovdiv Medical University are two of the most prestigious medical universities in Bulgaria and they offer the same study programs and tuition fees. So of course, you may have hard time deciding which one you want to apply for! We have made a video about comparing both universities (but also life in both cities), so watching the video might help you make a decision! Of course, we can help you apply at both universities, if you cannot make a decision or you want to wait until all exam results are officially announced!
5. Is there an entrance exam and where does it take place?
As mentioned, people who want to study at Plovdiv Medical University must pass an entrance exam in Biology and Chemistry. It takes place online. The exam dates vary each year. We are happy to inform you that we have organized the entry exam for Plovdiv Medical University in other countries, incl. Italy and the United Kingdom!
6. How should I prepare for the entry exam?
The number of applicants at Plovdiv Medical University is high, so you should not take the entry exam lightly. The university will take your school grades and exam grades into account, so prepare well and aim for excellent exam results! We have made interviews with current students at Plovdiv Medical University and they shared information about preparation for the exam – watch the video here!
7. When do I get the exam results? Does this mean successful admission?
There are many exam dates available and the exam results are usually announced a few days after the respective exam date. You will be able to check the results online. The exam grades follow the Bulgarian grading scale and you should aim for a 6 (meaning ’excellent’). In comparison, 2 is a fail and 3 is the minimum grade to pass an exam. Keep in mind that you must pass both parts of the exam (Biology and Chemistry) and also, passing the exam does not mean successful university admission. The university will take the students with the best results – this is why we provide excellent online exam preparation!
The list of all accepted students is usually issued in the middle of September.
8. When should I apply for Plovdiv Medical University?
You can start your application early – even in your final diploma is not issued yet. This way you have more time to collect the rest of your application documents and study for the entry exam. All application documents must be very well prepared and you must follow many steps (incl. legalization and translation of the documents) before the documents are ready for submission to the university. This is why we offer full application support – our office is located in Bulgaria, so we keep in touch with the university on a daily basis to make sure that our students receive daily updates and we prepare and submit their documents according to the university’s requirements.
Of course, you can also apply later, but make sure not to miss the university deadline – it varies each year and it is different for EU and non-EU applicants.
9. When does the academic year start and when does it finish?
First-year students at Plovdiv Medical University start their studies in the beginning of October. The academic year consists of two semesters – a winter semester and a summer semester. The winter semester finishes around February and the summer semester ends around June. The exact date depends on your final exams. The academic year for upper year students starts in September.
Of course, students have no university lectures or practicals on national holidays and get days off for Christmas, Easter, etc. This gives them a chance to visit their family back home or to enjoy free time and travel around Bulgaria!
10. What is an average week of a student at Plovdiv Medical University like?
Students at Plovdiv Medical University have lectures and practicals. Lectures are for all students in the respective year and faculty and are not mandatory to attend. Practicals are mandatory and are suitable for about 10 – 12 people. This is why, all students at Plovdiv Medical University are divided into small groups in the beginning of the academic year. Make friends with people in your group as you stay with this group till graduation. It is possible to change your group later during your education, but it may be hard to do that because of exams, university’s rules, etc.
Lectures and practicals usually take around one hour and a half but may be longer, depending on the specific subject. Also, when your day at the university will start/finish depends entirely on your group schedule which will be forwarded to you before the start of the semester. Keep in mind that it is possible that you have lessons on a Saturday, so you have to work on your time management skills in order to combine university life and personal life.
11. What happens if you fail an exam at Plovdiv Medical University?
Each year students have many exams at Plovdiv Medical University and it is completely normal if you worry about failing an exam. Don’t worry – you can retake your exams! But also, if you study and prepare well, getting an excellent exam grade is something doable at Plovdiv Medical University – our current students in Plovdiv confirm this!
12. Will I work with patients?
One of the best things about being a student at Plovdiv Medical University is that you will have the chance to work with patients. Of course, teachers will always be with you in case you need help or assistance. Students study Bulgarian language as a subject in the university so that they are able to speak with patients throughout their education in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Of course, you do not need to speak Bulgarian language like a native, but knowing the most useful phrases is definitely a good idea!
13. Can I work part-time during my studies?
Students are allowed to work part-time while they study in Bulgaria. However, time management skills are definitely a must, as being a student in Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy at Plovdiv Medical University means having a busy schedule. Usually, if you find a part-time job, you are expected to work for about 20 hours a week. Of course, if this sounds good for you – you can check the international companies in Plovdiv who look for foreigners with different language skills. Keep in mind that the salary is usually not enough to cover the tuition fees.
14. What is there to do in Plovdiv?
You will definitely not be bored if you choose to live in Plovdiv! There are many things to do – students like shopping, hiking (there are several hills in Plovdiv), exploring the Old Town of Plovdiv and the interesting museums, go karting, trying different international cuisine, etc.
Plovdiv is located in the middle of Bulgaria, so travelling around the country is a very good idea! Some of the most famous spots close to Plovdiv include Asen’s fortress, Bachkovo monastery, the ski resort Pamporovo but also the capital city of Bulgaria – Sofia.
15. Is Plovdiv city multicultural?
Plovdiv is the second biggest city in Bulgaria, so it is very multicultural. The city welcomes many tourists – Plovdiv is a beautiful historic town and it used to be the European Capital of Culture! Also, Plovdiv Medical University welcomes over 500 international students each year – most of them come from the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece and Italy.
Don’t worry about food – there are many international restaurants (Turkish, Italian, Indian, German, etc.) and there is halal food. Also, there is a mosque in the city center!
16. Is Plovdiv safe for foreigners?
Plovdiv is considered a safe family-friendly city. The most important spots are in walking distance. Of course, we do not recommend going out after midnight completely alone in the middle of nowhere – this is not a good idea anywhere in the world.
17. Where do international students at Plovdiv Medical University live?
Plovdiv Medical University offers a dormitory, but it is not located very close to the university. Also, students can apply for a room in the student dormitory only after they are officially accepted as students, so around September/October.
Most international students choose to rent an apartment right next to Plovdiv Medical University – there are many new modern buildings (with furnished apartments!) located five minutes away from the main university halls! The rent is about 300 EUR per month.
You can rent a private apartment (where you have everything for yourself) or a shared apartment (where you share kitchen, living room and a bathroom with another student; there are usually two separate bedrooms). If you share a flat, the rent should be cheaper and you will share the bills with your flatmate.
18. How to find an apartment in Plovdiv?
There are many websites where you will be able to find apartments and usually you will have to use the services of an estate agent in order to find good accommodation in Plovdiv. Nevertheless, keep in mind that we definitely recommend using the services of a good and trustworthy estate agent in Plovdiv, so that they show you the best places around town. Of course, asking a Bulgarian friend for help is a good idea! Usually, estate agents charge a one-time fee – make sure to pay it only after they have completed their services (meaning organizing apartment viewings and meetings with the landlord, preparing the rental agreement, etc.). Their fee is around 60% of a one month rent.
19. What are the living costs in Plovdiv, Bulgaria?
As mentioned, most international students pay around 300 EUR for rent per month, but the price may vary depending on the size of the apartment and its location. Bills are usually not included in the rent and vary depending on the size of the apartment but also the seasons (for instance, the heating bill in winter will be higher). Wi-Fi is about 7 EUR per month. When it comes to other expenses, such as food and shopping – it depends on your lifestyle. You can prepare around 300 EUR maybe and once you are in Plovdiv, you will see if you need less or more.
20. How should I travel to Plovdiv?
Plovdiv is the second biggest city in Bulgaria. It has a couple of bus stations as well as a train station. Of course, Plovdiv Airport also offers international flights. If there is no direct flight between your home town and Plovdiv, you can also fly to the biggest airport in Bulgaria – Sofia Airport. From Sofia to Plovdiv it takes around one hour and a half by car, so it is very convenient for international students. The most expensive way to travel from Sofia Airport to Plovdiv is by taxi (it may cost around 60 EUR). If you want to catch the bus or train to Plovdiv, you have to go from Sofia Airport to central bus/train station first – it takes around 40 minutes by public transportation. Of course, make sure to check the schedule in advance!
We will be happy to help you move to Plovdiv and apply for admission – just contact our team at [email protected]!