Thinking about studying medicine or dentistry, but the stress of insane competitive cut-offs or huge tuition fees back home is making you have doubts? You’re not the only 1.
Right now, thousands of students are skipping the headache and heading to Bulgaria to get fully accredited world-class medical degrees in English.
Whether you want to become a surgeon, dentist, or GP, moving to Bulgaria as an international student gives you a European Union degree recognised internationally, great weather, connections with a large expat community and a lifestyle that won't break your bank. Here is your complete guide to student life in Bulgaria:
Bulgaria’s Top Medical School Cities
Every university town in Bulgaria has its own personality. All of these have excellent medical schools, so here is a snapshot to describe where you could be spending the next 6 years:
Sofia
Sofia is the capital of the country, and naturally, that means that everything you need is easily accessible.
You’d use the fast underground Metro to get around quickly from classes or different places. You can also grab iced coffees with friends along Vitosha Boulevard, and hang out in a massive international student environment. Plus, Mount Vitosha is right in your backyard if you like hiking or snowboarding on weekends.
Here you can find 2 universities offering medicine (and more) in English - the Sofia Medical University and the University of Sofia St Kliment Ohridski.
Plovdiv
Plovdiv (Philipopolis) is 1 of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, and it has a really cool walkable city centre that is full of historical landmarks. Between classes, most students hang out in Kapana, which is a gorgeous, artsy district full of outdoor cafes and calm spots to study and places to kick back with friends.
It is home to the prestigious Plovdiv Medical University, which offers medicine, dentistry and pharmacy in English.
Varna
Imagine living right on the Black Sea coast while studying medicine. With that comes an easygoing atmosphere all year round, typical for coastal cities. Studying for heavy anatomy tests gets a lot easier when you can sit down and take your recharge breaks in the Sea Garden, a massive seaside park right on the coast. It’s also super affordable, with private flats running between €200 and €350 a month.
At the Medical University of Varna, you can study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and even pre-med in English.
Pleven
If you want fewer distractions and a quiet place to lock in, Pleven is a great pick. It’s about two hours from Sofia, super cheap to live in (rent is around €200 to €350), and everyone knows everyone. Because it’s a smaller student town, you'll instantly connect with medical students who are all going through the exact same journey.
The interesting part about studying at the Medical University of Pleven is that it has a February intake for medicine, so it’s the perfect medical school for late-minute applicants.
Stara Zagora
Stara Zagora is a great middle ground if you want the student lifestyle without the crowds and chaos of a massive city. It’s compact, affordable, and really easy to get around, so you won’t waste half your day travelling between classes and home. The city is also known for its wide streets, loads of greenery and relaxed parks, which give it a much calmer feel during busy exam periods.
You still get plenty of cafés, restaurants and places to go out with friends, while being surrounded by other students from Trakia University going through the same medical school experience.
Burgas
Burgas gives you the coastal lifestyle of Varna, but with a slightly more relaxed and compact feel.
The city sits right on the Black Sea, so after classes you can walk through the Sea Garden, grab a coffee by the beach, or just switch off by the water. It’s easy to get around, student-friendly, and much less hectic than Sofia, which makes it a great option if you want a good balance between serious studying and actually enjoying where you live. In the warmer months, you’re also close to some of Bulgaria’s most popular seaside towns and beaches for weekend trips.
The university here is called the Prof Dr Assen Zlatarov University Faculty of Medicine, where you can study medicine in English.
If you’re not quite sure which university and city would be best for you, Medlink Students offers free consultations with our expert academic advisors. We can go through what you’re looking for, what your budget’s like and what your career goals are, and we will recommend the perfect choice for you. Simply sign up using the form below and secure a time slot that works for you:
How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine in Bulgaria for International Students?
Living costs for medical students in Bulgaria can be roughly 1/3 of what you'd spend in the UK or Western Europe. A Cost of Living Breakdown for Students looks depends on the city, as for example, renting a modern private flat in Sofia costs around €300 to €800 per month, while rent in Pleven or Varna is generally lower at €200 to €400.
And the thing is, finding Student Accommodation in Bulgaria is easy, but you will have to make a choice. You can choose between university dormitories, which can cost you between €50-€160/month or private rentals, which will cost the prices listed above, depending on the city you end up moving to.
Most international students choose private flats or share a 2-bedroom apartment with a classmate to save money. To avoid rental scams, standard agency fees and the complicated 12-month lease terms, make sure to read our step-by-step guide on Finding Student Accommodation Abroad.
On the other hand, a monthly grocery run costs around €200 to €300 and gym memberships average just €25 a month. Additionally, consider that public transport passes cost around €15 to €25 per month, while winter heating bills will add a small during a bit more expense during colder months.
Climate, Safety, and Social Life in Bulgaria
Weather & Weekend Escapes
Alright, so in Bulgaria, you get hot sunny summers, perfect for coastal beach trips and snowy winters, ideal for skiing in the mountains. Not just this, but because of Bulgaria's location in Southeastern Europe, you can actually easily take budget weekend trips to Greece, Turkey or Romania with your new friends, especially considering the big international student community there.
Real Talk on Safety & the Expat Community
1 of the biggest & understandable questions parents and students ask is: Is Bulgaria safe?
The short answer is yes. Violent crime is very low, streets are well-lit, and student towns are full of people walking around comfortably at all hours.
When it comes to local culture, Bulgarians are welcoming and hospitable. While language barriers exist with older locals, your university classes are 100% in English, and a huge part of younger Bulgarians speak English fluently. Plus, you'll join huge UK, US and European expat networks. You'll make friends on day 1 who are taking the exact same journey as you.
Want to learn more about studying abroad? Sign up for our next live webinar, where we go through tuition, living costs, lifestyle in a variety of countries offering medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and more in English.
Start Your Medical Journey with Medlink Students
Moving to another country for medical school sounds like a huge step for a lot of people, but you really don't have to do it alone.
Medlink Students was created to help students exactly in your position. We’ll help you choose the best university, ace your entrance exams, secure accommodation and settle into your new home for the next 6 or so years.
Head over to our application page and sign up for a free consultation with 1 of our expert academic advisors, and you’ll hit the ground running. No need to wait, our consultations are free and will give you the next exact steps.
FAQ
Is Bulgaria a good place for international medical students?
Yes, Bulgaria is especially popular with international medical students, especially from the UK, because you can get high-quality education in English for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy while keeping your living costs relatively low. You also have a lot of choice between completely different student lifestyles.
Which Bulgarian city is best for medical students?
There isn't really 1 "best" city because they all offer something different. Sofia is great if you want the biggest international community and capital-city lifestyle, while Plovdiv is more walkable and has a very historic and grand atmosphere. Varna and Burgas are perfect if living by the Black Sea sounds like your thing, while Pleven and Stara Zagora are better suited to students who want somewhere smaller, quieter and generally cheaper.
The best choice comes down to your university, budget and what you want your life outside lectures to look like.
Is it easy to find student accommodation in Bulgaria?
Generally, yes. Most international students choose between university dormitories and privately rented apartments. Dormitories are the cheapest option, but a lot of international medical students prefer renting privately or sharing a 2-bedroom apartment with another student.
Just don't rush into the first apartment you see. Check the rental contract properly, understand any agency fees and deposits, and make sure you know exactly what is included in the monthly rent.
Medlink Students helps students settle in when they arrive in Bulgaria, and we can connect you with reputable rental agencies to find your ideal living space.
How much does it cost to live in Bulgaria as an international student?
Your exact budget will depend heavily on where you live and the type of accommodation you choose. University dormitories can cost around €50 to €160 per month, while private apartments generally range from around €200 to €800 per month, depending on the city and location.
On top of rent, you should budget roughly €200 to €400 per month for groceries, plus transport, utilities, your phone bill and whatever you want to spend on going out.
Do I need to speak Bulgarian to study medicine in Bulgaria?
No, you don't need to know Bulgarian before you arrive if you're applying to an English-taught medical programme. Your lectures, seminars and exams are taught in English.
You will, however, learn Bulgarian during your degree because once you start your clinical training, you'll need to communicate with local patients. So don't worry if the only Bulgarian you know on day 1 is zdravey, you'll build it up during your studies.
Do international students need a visa to study in Bulgaria?
That depends on your nationality. If you're an EU citizen, you don't need a student visa to study in Bulgaria. However, because your degree will last longer than 3 months, you'll need to register your residence in Bulgaria and obtain the relevant residence document after you arrive.
If you're coming from outside the EU, you'll need a Type D long-stay visa followed by a Bulgarian residence permit for your studies. You'll need documents such as proof of university admission, accommodation, health insurance and sufficient financial resources, so this is definitely something you want to organise well before your flight.
You can read more about it here: How to Successfully Apply for Medicine or Dentistry in Bulgaria
Can international students work while studying in Bulgaria?
Yes, although the rules depend on your nationality and residence status. EU citizens get EU free-movement rights, while non-EU students studying in Bulgaria can generally work for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year without a separate work permit.
Medicine is a pretty intense degree, though, so most students treat part-time work as some extra spending money rather than something they want to rely on to cover their entire cost of living.
Is a Bulgarian medical degree recognised in the UK and EU?
Bulgarian medical qualifications are automatically recognised across the European Union, thanks to the EU framework for recognising professional qualifications. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are among the regulated professions covered by EU training requirements. However, you'll still need to complete the registration requirements in the country you want to establish yourself in.
For UK students specifically, the General Medical Council has a dedicated route for qualifications obtained in Bulgaria.
