11 Cheapest Universities in Sofia for International Students

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In Sofia, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Bulgaria without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Sofia, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 19 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Sofia, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Sofia for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Sofia ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
MT and M College 3,280 BGN 47%
University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship 3,371 BGN - 5,580 BGN 45%
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski 4,227 BGN - 8,285 BGN 31%
National Academy of Art 4,227 BGN 31%
University of National and World Economy 5,072 BGN 17%
Technical University of Sofia 5,072 BGN - 6,763 BGN 17%
National Sports Academy Vasil Levski 5,411 BGN 12%
Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts 6,763 BGN - 10,200 BGN -10%
New Bulgarian University 8,817 BGN - 11,500 BGN -44%
Medical University Sofia 8,997 BGN - 9,779 BGN -47%
National Academy of Music Pancho Vladigerov 11,900 BGN -94%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 6,099 BGN for universities in Sofia.

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1. MT and M College

The MT&M College identifies itself as an institution that provides quality education in the fields of Marketing and Entrepreneurship that are practice-oriented. It prides itself in having comprehensive study programs that equip its students with the required knowledge that will enable them to manage and run successful businesses for themselves in the job market. Through the different partnerships the institute has formed, they ensure all their activities, as well as teaching materials, are up-to-date.

2. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

The University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship (VUZF) identifies itself as an institution offering professional education through its comprehensive study programs and research activities. It carries out its activities with the aim of preparing quality personnel with the skills necessary to enable them to take up a variety of roles in the business and job market. The university envisions itself developing economic and financial sciences that will bring about advancement of modern and practical skills for its students.

3. Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

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.

4. National Academy of Art

The National Academy of Art identifies itself as an art-based research institute that mainly bases its study programs and research activities in the fields of art. The academy has different faculties that have been divided into courses that the students can choose and study as per their preference. It has taken part in various exhibitions, thus, giving it a chance to be one of the recognized institutions in the region. The students will have the opportunity to learn from foreign lecturers to help diversify their skills.

5. University of National and World Economy

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.

6. Technical University of Sofia

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. 

7. National Sports Academy Vasil Levski

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.

8. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

The Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts identifies itself as a public institution located in Sofia. It prides itself on preparing quality personnel in the fields and arts of the theatre by providing them with comprehensive study programs and other non-academic activities. The academy has become well known to other institutions that engage in theatre and film arts through different competitions and projects that its students take part in. They offer a variety of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

9. New Bulgarian University

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. 

10. Medical University Sofia

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.

11. National Academy of Music Pancho Vladigerov

The National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov ” is a public university that majorly identifies itself as a music institution located in Sofia. The institution prides itself in offering 30 comprehensive study programs that have been distributed into three faculties. It is well known to be the only university in the region that provides professional musical knowledge thus developing and producing quality musicians for the Bulgarian music industry. The university aims at being an institution that not only educates local students on music, but also those from other parts of the world.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Sofia for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Sofia ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
MT and M College 3,280 BGN 48%
University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship 3,632 BGN - 11,600 BGN 42%
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski 3,804 BGN - 8,285 BGN 39%
Technical University of Sofia 5,072 BGN - 6,763 BGN 19%
National Academy of Art 5,072 BGN 19%
National Sports Academy Vasil Levski 5,411 BGN 14%
University of National and World Economy 5,580 BGN - 8,454 BGN 11%
Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts 6,763 BGN - 10,200 BGN -8%
New Bulgarian University 9,337 BGN - 11,500 BGN -49%
National Academy of Music Pancho Vladigerov 14,400 BGN -130%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 6,233 BGN for universities in Sofia.

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1. MT and M College

The MT&M College identifies itself as an institution that provides quality education in the fields of Marketing and Entrepreneurship that are practice-oriented. It prides itself in having comprehensive study programs that equip its students with the required knowledge that will enable them to manage and run successful businesses for themselves in the job market. Through the different partnerships the institute has formed, they ensure all their activities, as well as teaching materials, are up-to-date.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, MT and M College should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 3,280 BGN annually for their master's degree.

2. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship is 3,632 BGN to 11,531 BGN.

The University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship (VUZF) identifies itself as an institution offering professional education through its comprehensive study programs and research activities. It carries out its activities with the aim of preparing quality personnel with the skills necessary to enable them to take up a variety of roles in the business and job market. The university envisions itself developing economic and financial sciences that will bring about advancement of modern and practical skills for its students.

3. Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

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.

The tuition fee at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski for incoming international master’s students is 3,804 BGN to 8,285 BGN. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Technical University of Sofia

Another affordable university to consider in Sofia is Technical University of Sofia.

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 tuition fee in Technical University of Sofia for master’s program for foreign students starts from 5,072 BGN.

5. National Academy of Art

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, National Academy of Art has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 5,072 BGN yearly.

The National Academy of Art identifies itself as an art-based research institute that mainly bases its study programs and research activities in the fields of art. The academy has different faculties that have been divided into courses that the students can choose and study as per their preference. It has taken part in various exhibitions, thus, giving it a chance to be one of the recognized institutions in the region. The students will have the opportunity to learn from foreign lecturers to help diversify their skills.

6. National Sports Academy Vasil Levski

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.

7. University of National and World Economy

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.

8. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

The Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts identifies itself as a public institution located in Sofia. It prides itself on preparing quality personnel in the fields and arts of the theatre by providing them with comprehensive study programs and other non-academic activities. The academy has become well known to other institutions that engage in theatre and film arts through different competitions and projects that its students take part in. They offer a variety of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

9. New Bulgarian University

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. 

10. National Academy of Music Pancho Vladigerov

The National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov ” is a public university that majorly identifies itself as a music institution located in Sofia. The institution prides itself in offering 30 comprehensive study programs that have been distributed into three faculties. It is well known to be the only university in the region that provides professional musical knowledge thus developing and producing quality musicians for the Bulgarian music industry. The university aims at being an institution that not only educates local students on music, but also those from other parts of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Sofia?

Applying to cheap universities in Sofia requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Bulgaria for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Sofia?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Sofia. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Sofia is the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, which offers Drama Theatre Acting, Puppet Theatre Acting, and Theatre Production to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts offers Management of Performing Art and Industries, Public Speech, and Theatre Art.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Sofia, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Sofia as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Sofia for international students was helpful!