Bulgaristan.bg

Getting into medical school in Bulgaria

Medicine in Bulgaria is taught at the dedicated medical universities and at the medical faculties of some state universities. Admission is decided by the institution, but the professional value of the degree is governed by health administration. Missing that distinction at the start leads to bad planning.

Education · Last reviewed: 2026-08-16

Where it is taught

The established places are the medical universities in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Pleven, plus the medical faculty of Trakia University in Stara Zagora. Each has its own admission rules, its own quotas and its own structure for English-taught study. A rule from one institution does not carry over to another, so looking for a single "Bulgarian procedure" is misleading. Accreditation of the programme is verified in the НАЦИД higher education registers rather than on an agent's word.

Admission mechanics

  • As a rule an entrance examination in biology and chemistry applies, or an assessment treated as equivalent.
  • Some universities run their own exams; others accept recognised international examination results or the school leaving grade.
  • Study in Bulgarian requires language proficiency; English-taught programmes require a certificate or the university's own language test.
  • Recognition of the secondary school diploma is a separate procedure completed independently of the admission decision.
  • Places are limited and are announced separately for EU citizens and for non-EU nationals.

What an English-taught programme actually is

It is the same curriculum delivered in English, normally with compulsory Bulgarian language study attached. The reason is practical: in the clinical years, communication with patients happens in Bulgarian. So the expectation of finishing without any Bulgarian is not realistic. Three questions are worth asking in writing before enrolling: in which year clinical practice starts, whether language classes are compulsory, and where placements take place.

A degree and the right to practise are not the same thing

The diploma is an academic document; practising the profession is regulated separately. In Bulgaria, access to the profession runs through the health administration and the professional chamber. Within the EU, recognition of professional qualifications provides a facilitated route for qualifications obtained in the Union; outside the EU, the receiving country's own procedure applies. The question to answer before enrolling is therefore: with this degree, in which country and through which additional steps will you work.

This page carries no medical content

Only the educational and administrative process is described. For any health question, consult a doctor.

Why no fees or exam dates appear

Tuition, examination calendars and quotas are set annually by each institution. Only the institution's own announcement binds.

This is not legal or financial advice

This page explains the process in general terms and points to the official sources of the competent authorities. For decisions specific to your own situation, consult a lawyer, an accountant or the relevant institution. Rules and amounts change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Will a Bulgarian medical degree let me practise elsewhere in the EU?

A qualification obtained in an EU member state benefits from the Union's recognition framework, but recognition is still applied for in the host country and can involve language and registration requirements. Confirm the receiving country's process before you enrol, not after graduation.

Do I need Bulgarian if the programme is in English?

In practice yes. Clinical training takes place in hospitals and largely in Bulgarian, which is why language courses sit inside the curriculum.

Do dentistry and pharmacy follow the same route?

The admission logic is similar, but quotas, programme length and the rules on access to the profession differ. Read the specific institution's announcement for each.

Sources

The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.

  1. Министерство на образованието и науката (МОН) — https://www.mon.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  2. Национален център за информация и документация (НАЦИД) — https://nacid.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  3. Министерство на здравеопазването — https://www.mh.government.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  4. Your Europe — Education and youth — https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/index_en.htm · 2026-08-16

Related topics

Getting into medical school in Bulgaria | Bulgaristan.bg