25 Best Universities In Bulgaria For International Students 2025

If you are looking to study in Bulgaria, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 47 universities and colleges in Bulgaria, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 47 universities in Bulgaria, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and Technical University of Sofia are the top-performing schools in Bulgaria. This list covers both public and private institutions in Bulgaria.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Bulgaria. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Bulgaria.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Bulgaria?

Applying to the universities in Bulgaria involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Bulgaria to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Bulgaria?

Tuition fees at Bulgaria’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 1,100 BGN to 12,600 BGN , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 1,250 BGN to 11,700 BGN. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Bulgaria!

As we cover the best universities in Bulgaria for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Bulgaria for International Students

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is considered the oldest educational institution in Bulgaria. Since its establishment, it has grown to become a comprehensive university that offers prestigious training to students in various fields. Throughout the years, the university has maintained a strong relationship with partner enterprises and institutions, allowing them to partake in numerous international programs and European Union activities related to science and research.

Technical University of Sofia is one of the largest and best institutions for technical higher education in Bulgaria. It provides high-quality engineering and technology-related programs using advanced equipment in the most modern academic infrastructures. The university has also built strong partnerships with the biggest tech companies in the country to conduct research activities and internships that prepare students for their future careers. 

The New Bulgarian University is one of the first universities in the country to adopt the credit system for measuring academic progress in higher education. It was founded in 1991 to provide accessible high-quality education that equips students with competencies that meet the needs of the contemporary labor market. The university also carries out interdisciplinary research activities that are made available to the public. 

Medical University – Sofia was established a century ago and is known as Bulgaria’s oldest higher medical school. It is a public institution with a prominent national and international reputation for providing high-level education and training for aspiring practitioners in the medicine and healthcare industry. It integrates practical simulations, research work, and community service in all of its programs for its students to apply their learnings and develop a sense of responsibility and desire to serve the interest of humanity.

Located in Southern Bulgaria, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv is the second-largest institution for higher education in the country. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 260 academic fields designed to prepare young people for successful and meaningful careers. The university is also strongly committed to conducting research in the social and natural sciences focusing on developing innovations for the benefit of society. 

American University in Bulgaria has a prominent reputation for being the nation’s leading educational institution in terms of the career success of its graduates. It offers world-class liberal arts study programs that award students with international diplomas that are recognized in both Europe and the United States. Having a vibrant community of students coming from different backgrounds and nationalities, the university conducts cultural activities and celebrations through its Diversity Program to diversity and inclusion on its campus. 

The University of National and World Economy is a comprehensive university offering economic degree expertise. The institution is well-known for its advanced teaching, which resulted in its graduates excelling in the field of business and finance. Living up to its mission of providing exceptional training to qualified applicants, the university invests in research and equipment for students to utilize. Through this, students will gain extensive experience in their fields of interest.

The Angel Kanchev University of Ruse has a long-standing tradition of providing excellent education and professional training to both domestic and international students in Ruse, Bulgaria. Having existed for over 75 years, the university has established more than 250 bilateral agreements with educational institutions from Europe, America, and Asia to provide international opportunities for its students and faculty. The university also has a strong dedication to conducting high-quality research that is relevant to the scientific, economic, and social development of Bulgaria. 

Founded in 1961, Medical University-Varna is a pioneer institution for higher medical education in the eastern region of Bulgaria. It uses modern approaches and techniques in the study of health and medical sciences and offers practice-oriented programs to equip its students with the necessary skills and competencies to provide high-quality patient care. The university also takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities and simulators that allow its students to put their skills into practice. 

Opened in the fall of 1963, St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo is the first and largest university situated outside the nation’s capital. It is dedicated to training experts in different fields of liberal arts and humanities who can transform and improve education, business, and society. This university provides various opportunities for international studies, internships, and training for its students and faculty.

South-West University “Neofit Rilski” was established in 1976 in Blagoevgrad, a city that provides its inhabitants with the unique opportunity to enjoy the vibrancy of city life and the relaxed atmosphere of its small towns. It takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities and a library holding more than 200,000 volumes of literature and databases. Students at the university also participate in the Erasmus+ program which allows them to study in one of over 60 European universities.

Trakia University was founded in 1995 and is located in one of the greenest and most beautiful Bulgarian cities, Stara Zagora. It offers various programs taught in Bulgarian and English and is most recognized for its excellent programs in medicine and veterinary medicine. The university’s mission is to develop qualified human resources and specialists who can address society’s current and future problems.

Founded in 1942 in the nation’s capital, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy is the oldest and one of the best technical schools in Bulgaria. It comprises five faculties and 33 departments that offer programs in a wide range of architecture and engineering-related programs that are aligned with the current industry trends. The university also conducts high-quality research dedicated to addressing the social, economic, and technological needs of the country.

University of Economics – Varna is the nation’s leading institution for economics education and research. It aims to train entrepreneurial and socially responsible professionals with broad economic knowledge and leadership skills to influence economic and organizational policies to serve the interest of society. At present, the university has partnered with 258 partner universities and 1,800 public and private organizations in Bulgaria and overseas to carry out various academic and research and development projects.

The D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics is a prominent institution for business and economics education that has produced over 145,000 graduates with successful careers in Bulgaria and overseas. It was named after one of its most notable benefactors, Dimitar Apostolov Tsenov, a Bulgarian entrepreneur and patriot. The university aims to train future specialists and experts to contribute to the nation’s development, specifically in the fields of economics, management, tourism, and public administration.

Technical University – Varna is a public institution dedicated to teaching and training future specialists and engineers who are competent and adaptable to technological, cultural, and economic changes. It also conducts high-quality research in marine engineering, shipbuilding, and other scientific fields and integrates it with its academic programs. The university also continues to expand its international network to provide opportunities for international mobility and joint projects.

The Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen is an educational, social, and cultural institution that is dedicated to providing equal access to high-quality education to young people in northeastern Bulgaria. It is known for its active participation in scientific research projects in the country and overseas. It comprises five faculties, one college, and one teacher training center that offers innovative programs in diverse disciplines.

Medical University – Pleven is one of the country’s five institutions that specializes in education and training in different areas of healthcare, medicine, and pharmacy. It takes pride in its technologically advanced educational and medical facilities and its university hospital where students, faculty, and practitioners undergo training and offer high-quality treatment and care to approximately 1,000 patients. The university also has a dedicated center for career development that provides assistance, consultations, and support to its students to help them realize their academic and career goals.

Founded over 80 years ago, the National Sports Academy Vasil Levski is the only sports university in the country. Its establishment was meant to respond to Bulgaria’s need for instructors and experts in physical education to help build a young, healthy, and energetic society. At present, the university conducts high-quality academic programs in sports, sports education, and health care and carries out sports-related activities to help the local community.

The University of Forestry is a public institution located in Sofia that offers specialized training to teachers and students in this field. It has different faculties with the courses and fields in which the students can choose to study through. With the numerous comprehensive study programs that they have, the university is able to provide professional knowledge and education to its students. It envisions itself making developments that will enable it to be an institution that is recognized not only locally but also internationally.

The Technical University of Gabrovo is a prominent academic and research institution that offers outstanding programs in engineering, business, and technology. Its programs are known for blending traditional teaching methods with modern approaches aligned with the present conditions of industries around the world. The university also conducts high-quality research and development programs in cooperation with its international partners.

The Medical University of Plovdiv is one of the top medical schools for international students in Bulgaria. It offers outstanding programs in different areas of medicine and healthcare taught by distinguished professors and practitioners with various accomplishments in the medical community. It is dedicated to the academic, professional, spiritual, and personal development of its students by imparting them with competencies and values and providing them with different services to support them in their academic journey.

Burgas Free University is an educational institution that upholds social responsibility in terms of developing the skills of its undergraduate and graduate students. It aims to be able to provide the training necessary for individuals to meet the demands and standards of this ever-changing global market. At present, the university actively participates in joint international projects and initiates numerous organizations that focus on contributing to communities through science and research.

The National Military University “Vasil Levski” is a public institution established in 1878 as a military school. The university identifies itself as an institution that offers education as well as other research activities to its students. From the different partnerships it has formed with other institutions the university has been able to admit and develop professional students. The institution offers educational programs for its students from both locally and internationally through bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.

The University of Library Studies and Information Technologies was established in 1950 in the local area of Sofia. The institution prides itself in having modern facilities within its premises so that students have sufficient resources during their course of study. It takes part in international co-operations and thus is actively recognized by students from different parts of the world. The university allows both full-time and part-time study for students in the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels.