1. Why Choose Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international students because it offers:

• Lower tuition fees than many Western European countries
• Many English-taught programmes, especially in:
  • Medicine
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Information Technology (IT)
• Degrees recognised across the EU and beyond (Bologna Process compliant)
• Very affordable cost of living – in many cities, students can live on about 500–800 EUR per month, depending on lifestyle

This combination of recognised degrees, low tuition fees and affordable living costs makes Bulgaria one of the best “value for money” study destinations in Europe.

2. Top Universities in Bulgaria

Below is an overview of some of the most reputable Bulgarian universities for international students.

2.1. Comprehensive Universities

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

• The oldest and one of the highest-ranked universities in Bulgaria
• Strong in:
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Humanities
  • English Studies
  • Business and Economics

American University in Bulgaria (AUBG)

• Highly regarded for:
  • Business and Economics
  • Political Science and International Relations
  • IT and Computer Science
• Fully English-taught programmes
• Very international campus and liberal arts model

New Bulgarian University (NBU)

• Modern and practice-oriented university
• Popular programmes in:
  • Design
  • IT & Software
  • Business and Management
  • Communications, Media and Arts

2.2. Medical Universities (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy)

Some of the most popular medical universities in Bulgaria for international students include:

• Medical University of Sofia (MU–Sofia)
• Medical University of Plovdiv (MU–Plovdiv)
• Medical University of Varna (MU–Varna)
• Medical University of Pleven (MU–Pleven)

They offer Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy in English.
Typical tuition fees for English-taught programmes:

• Medicine / Dentistry: about 9,000 EUR per year
• Pharmacy: about 6,000 EUR per year

Degrees from Bulgarian medical universities are recognised within the EU and widely accepted internationally.

2.3. Engineering & Technical Universities

Technical University of Sofia

• The leading engineering university in Bulgaria
• Offers programmes such as:
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Mechatronics
  • Artificial Intelligence and more
• Typical tuition fees for international students: around 3,000–4,000 EUR per year

Other Technical Universities

• Technical University of Varna
• University of Ruse
• Technical University of Gabrovo

These universities offer a variety of engineering and technology programmes, including:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• IT and Computer Systems
• Industrial Management

Tuition fees are often around 1,500–3,000 EUR per year for non-EU students.

3. Tuition Fees (Approximate)

Overall fee ranges for English-taught programmes in Bulgaria:

• Bachelor’s degrees (most fields): approx. 2,900 – 3,900 EUR/year
• Master’s degrees: approx. 3,000 – 3,900 EUR/year
• Medicine / Dentistry / Pharmacy: approx. 6,000 – 9,000 EUR/year
• Engineering programmes: approx. 2,000 – 4,000 EUR/year

Exact fees depend on:

• The university
• The specific programme
• Whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen

4. Scholarships & Financial Aid

International students may access several forms of funding and support:

Bulgarian Government Scholarships

• Available for eligible students from certain countries
• Can include:
  • Full or partial tuition fee coverage
  • Language preparation courses
  • Accommodation
  • A monthly stipend

Erasmus+ Programme

• For students coming from partner universities in the EU
• Usually includes:
  • No additional tuition fees at the host university
  • A monthly grant to help with living costs

University Scholarships

• Many universities offer:
  • Merit-based scholarships (for strong academic performance)
  • Need-based scholarships (for students with financial difficulties)
• Often available after the first semester or year, based on grades

External Scholarship Platforms

• Various global scholarship platforms list dozens of scholarships specifically for studying in Bulgaria or Eastern Europe.
• These may be based on:
  • Academic excellence
  • Country of origin
  • Field of study

5. Cost of Living

Bulgaria is one of the most affordable EU countries in terms of living expenses.

Approximate monthly costs:

• Living expenses (food, transport, utilities, etc., excluding rent): around 500 EUR
• Rent in Sofia (1-bedroom flat): approx. 500–600 EUR/month
• Rent in other cities (Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, etc.): approx. 350–450 EUR/month

In total, most students can live comfortably on about 600–900 EUR per month, depending on city and lifestyle.

6. Popular Majors for International Students

Some of the most common choices among international students in Bulgaria include:

• Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy (English-taught programmes)
• Computer Science & Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence and Data-related fields
• Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics
• Business Administration, Finance, Marketing
• International Relations and Political Science

These fields combine strong academic training with good career prospects both in Bulgaria and abroad.

7. Admission Overview

While the exact process varies by university and programme, most institutions require:

• High-school diploma
  • Often with an official translation into Bulgarian or English
• Academic transcript with grades
• Proof of English proficiency (for English-taught programmes), such as:
  • IELTS
  • TOEFL
  • Or equivalent certificates
• Entrance exam in relevant subjects for certain programmes:
  • Biology and Chemistry for Medicine
  • Mathematics and/or Physics for Engineering

Some universities also require:

• Motivation letter
• CV
• Interview (online or in person)

8. What You Get from This Guide

This single page gives students and parents:

• A clear overview of top Bulgarian universities
• The main study fields and strengths in Bulgaria
• Realistic tuition fee ranges and living costs
• Key scholarship and funding options
• A simple and clear picture of the admission process