MEDICINE AT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF PLOVDIV

The Medical University in Plovdiv is (a state university with a high level of students’ education and practical skills in the field of medicine and health care) a state medical faculty with the object of training activities and raising the qualifications of specialists in the field of medicine and health care.

The university was founded in 1945. In 2013 it was awarded the prestigious international “Best University” award for excellence in education at the Leaders in Science and Education Summit in Oxford, UK.

So far, Plovdiv Medical University is the only Bulgarian university to have received such an award.

As of 2018 until now, the university is in the first place in the ranking system of universities in the specialty of Medicine.

The university annually accepts and trains 350 international students in the specialty of Medicine, with basic training in English.

Prospective students take an entrance exam in chemistry and biology in English. The syllabus in chemistry and biology is according to the requirements of the university. It is necessary to provide a certificate of English language proficiency.

The annual tuition fee for the English-speaking sections is 9000 E.

Plovdiv is located in the centre of Bulgaria. Access via the border checkpoints “Makaza – Nymphaea” (260 km to Plovdiv) and “Kulata – Promahon” (336 km to Plovdiv) is extremely easy. Plovdiv also has an airport.

The city has been named European Capital of Culture 2019 and attracts candidates who are passionate about arts, museums, festivals and architecture.

MEDICINE AT SOFIA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

The Medical University in Sofia has its history from the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sofia in 1917.

At the university there are 1459 lecturers, including 4 academicians, 4 corresponding members, 195 professors, 300 associate professors, 286 senior assistants, 486 assistants, 184 lecturers.

Medical studies are conducted in either Bulgarian or English.

International students wishing to study in English must take the entrance examinations in chemistry and biology in English, as well as an English language proficiency test.

Foreign students wishing to study in Bulgarian must attend the preparatory year at the university in Bulgarian (one year) and the following year they will take the entrance exams in chemistry and biology in Bulgarian.

The annual fees are 9000 E for English-speaking departments and 8000 E for Bulgarian-speaking departments.

Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. The city is the main administrative, industrial, transport, cultural and university centre of the country, where 1/6 of Bulgaria’s industrial production is concentrated. Here are also the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, many universities, theatres, cinemas, as well as the National Gallery, archaeological, historical, natural history and other museums.

Access from Greece is through the border checkpoint of “Promachon – Kulata” (183 km. To Sofia mainly via motorway).

Sofia Airport is the largest airport in Bulgaria and offers direct flights to Athens.

MEDICINE AT THE THRACIAN UNIVERSITY – STARA ZAGORA

The Thracian University of Stara Zagora was founded in 1995.

Training at the Medical School is in full compliance with state requirements for obtaining higher education in the specialty “Medicine” and is carried out for 6 years – 10 semesters and ten months of state experience, during which state examinations are given.

The university annually accepts foreign students to the English-speaking departments and trains them in the specialty of Medicine.

Prospective students take entrance exams in chemistry, biology and English.

The annual tuition fee for English-speaking courses is 7500 E and the payment of the tuition fees is made in two instalments (at the beginning of each semester).

The curriculum of the school includes 52 compulsory and 36 elective courses.

The curriculum includes mandatory internships for students from the 1st to the 6th year so that students’ knowledge becomes meaningful and their practical skills are shaped.

The training of the graduates of the Medical School of the Thracian University of Stara Zagora gives them the opportunity for a very good professional rehabilitation.

Since 2011, on request, graduating doctors have also received a European degree.

The form of education is regular, as the graduates receive the professional title – “doctor” and acquire the educational degree “Master”.
Successful graduates can continue their education to obtain the scientific degree “Doctor”.

Studying Medicine at the University of Burgas “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”

The University of Burgas “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” is one of the largest state higher educational institutions in Bulgaria and the largest in Southeastern Bulgaria. It was founded on October 6, 1963 as the Higher Institute of Chemical Technology and five years later was named after the eminent scientist Assen Zlatarov. In 1995 it was recognized as a university and since 2025 it bears the official name “Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov“.

The new name marks the modern identity of the institution and reinforces its strategic mission: to provide high quality higher education and contribute to the development of society and science in Bulgaria and internationally.

Dynamic University with Strong Tradition

The university has over 320 highly qualified professors, of which 127 are habilitated professors. The organisation and management of educational work follows European standards of quality of studies. The university is ranked among the first in Bulgaria for the quality of its scientific research. At the same time, it systematically encourages the renewal and training of teaching staff through competitions at all levels.

The University has:

• Five schools: Natural Sciences, Technical Sciences, Social Sciences, Public Health & Sciences, Public Health and Health Care, and Faculty of Medicine.
• Three colleges: Technical College, Medical College and College of Tourism.
• Two sections: Preparatory Studies and Teacher Training.
• Study programmes in 18 professional fields, with over 90 programmes (bachelor, master and doctoral degrees).
• Over 350 teachers.
• Students from more than 20 countries.

In 2024, the University was included in the list of scientific-research universities in Bulgaria – a distinction awarded to only 12 institutions nationwide.

Studying Medicine at the University of Burgas “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”

The medical curriculum, offered entirely in English, combines theoretical training and practical training in modern hospitals in Burgas.

• Duration of studies: 6 years (10 semesters + 1 year of practical training).
• Degree: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
• Language of instruction: English.

Import requirements

• Success in the Biology and Chemistry entrance exams.
• English language certification.

Career Prospects

The University’s medical degree is recognised in the EU and internationally, enabling graduates to continue their career or studies around the world.

Infrastructure and Student Life

The University has:

• 7 modern buildings for teaching.
• Sports facilities.
• 3 student residences with sufficient capacity for all students.
• 3 student restaurants.
• Renovated infrastructure from 2024-2025.
• Library with access to international scientific databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Knowledge.

Burgas is a beautiful coastal city on the Black Sea, offering a high quality of life, safety and a unique student experience.

Research Project and International Partnerships

The University has 10 laboratories and 4 research centres, developing significant research work. It has developed active scientific collaborations with institutions and universities from countries such as England, France, Germany, Russia, Romania, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and others. These partnerships offer opportunities for scientific expertise, internships and exchanges of teachers and students.

The Vision of the university

Guided by the values of Continuity, Innovation, Development and Sustainable Progress, we aim to shape scientists ready to contribute to the global scientific and medical community.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY

To study medicine in Bulgaria, international students must pass an entrance test in chemistry and biology.

If they want to study in English, the chemistry and biology tests are in English.

In some medical universities, in addition to these tests, a proficiency test is given in English.

In addition to passing the entrance exams, prospective students will be required to present to the university their secondary school leaving certificate from Greece, certified with the Hague Seal, which should include a grade in chemistry and biology of not less than 62%.

If there is no chemistry or biology grade on your high school diploma, contact us for instructions on documents that can replace the missing grade.

It is very important to know that in order to enroll in Bulgarian Universities you need a certificate from your high school that you have taken the national exams and have been certified with the Hague Seal. The grade from the national examinations is not taken into account when you are admitted to the Bulgarian Universities.

Admission to Bulgarian Medical Universities is much easier for foreign prospective students than admission to study in Greece.

The number of Greek students in Bulgaria is extremely high due to the relatively low tuition fees, the ease of admission, the high level of education, the proximity between the two countries and the good lifestyle of the students.

LIVING EXPENSES IN BULGARIA

In addition to tuition fees, including the semester fee of E 4500, international students in Bulgaria pay monthly rent for fully furnished apartments. Together with our partners you can view various apartment offers according to your criteria.

Living costs are quite high in Sofia. Plovdiv is a considerably more economical city. The distances are shorter and the cost of travel for students is reduced considerably.

The costs of electricity, water, communal areas, internet and water are much lower than in Greece. You should keep in mind that the price of the rent does not include these expenses.

In order to ensure your peace of mind and the correct monthly payment of your apartment expenses, the SB Academy team will give you specific instructions, help you to make the necessary registration so that you can pay your expenses electronically.

Based on our experience so far, we can definitely say that the total monthly expenses of a foreign student in Bulgaria are about 1000 E -1200E per month for the city of Sofia and about 800 E – 900 E for the city of Plovdiv.