How to Study in Bulgaria for International Students

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Bulgaria offers excellent education enriched with a long history of excellence in research. Aside from the low cost of living, there are plenty of attractions, food, and events that you can experience in Bulgaria. Indulge in the unique historical attractions and stunning works of nature while pursuing your degree in the delightful country of Bulgaria!

When it comes to the choices that are available, Bulgaria currently has 47 universities, from which 32 universities are a part of the public sector and 15 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Bulgaria you should definitely check out are Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Technical University of Sofia, and New Bulgarian University.

Being able to study in Bulgaria as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Bulgaria, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Bulgaria

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Bulgaria, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 1,100 BGN to 12,600 BGN, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 1,250 BGN and 11,700 BGN.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Bulgaria

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Bulgaria, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Medical University-Varna 6,500 BGN
National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts Krastyo Sarafov 7,800 BGN - 11,700 BGN 5,900 BGN - 11,700 BGN
National Academy of Arts 4,900 BGN 5,900 BGN
National Sports Academy Vasil Levski 7,800 BGN 7,800 BGN
Medical University – Pleven 6,300 BGN
Technical University of Gabrovo 1,100 BGN - 4,900 BGN 1,350 BGN - 5,900 BGN
Technical University Varna 4,800 BGN 5,900 BGN - 6,800 BGN
Medical University of Plovdiv 5,900 BGN - 7,800 BGN
Medical University Sofia 2,950 BGN - 7,800 BGN
South-West University Neofit Rilski 3,350 BGN - 8,700 BGN 3,450 BGN - 6,900 BGN
Trakia University 1,100 BGN - 6,800 BGN
Angel Kanchev University of Ruse 2,450 BGN - 6,100 BGN 4,900 BGN - 6,100 BGN
D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics 1,200 BGN - 2,900 BGN 1,250 BGN - 3,100 BGN
University of Economics – Varna 2,650 BGN - 5,300 BGN 3,150 BGN - 6,300 BGN
Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv 2,900 BGN - 5,900 BGN 2,900 BGN - 5,900 BGN
St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo 2,000 BGN - 4,700 BGN 2,000 BGN - 4,700 BGN
Technical University of Sofia 2,900 BGN - 5,900 BGN 2,900 BGN - 5,900 BGN
University of National and World Economy 3,200 BGN - 7,400 BGN 3,900 BGN - 9,800 BGN
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski 1,850 BGN - 11,700 BGN 2,150 BGN - 7,500 BGN

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Bulgaria

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
International Business School – Bulgaria 3,900 BGN 4,900 BGN
Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy 1,500 BGN - 3,000 BGN 1,500 BGN - 3,000 BGN
University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship 5,800 BGN 5,800 BGN
Varna University of Management 7,600 BGN 3,500 BGN - 7,600 BGN
MT and M College 1,800 BGN 1,800 BGN
American University in Bulgaria 12,600 BGN
New Bulgarian University 7,000 BGN 4,800 BGN - 7,000 BGN
Burgas Free University 5,900 BGN 5,900 BGN
Varna Free University Chernorizets Hrabar 2,700 BGN - 7,000 BGN 6,500 BGN

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Bulgaria, check out the Cheap Universities in Bulgaria!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Bulgaria for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Bulgaria, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Bulgaria, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Bulgaria may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Bulgaria are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Bulgaria and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Medical University-Varna

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

European Higher School of Economics and Management

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Bulgaria

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Bulgaria have online applications available on their websites, like Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and Technical University of Sofia. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Bulgaria.

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

Technical University of Sofia

New Bulgarian University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Bulgaria differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Bulgaria.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Bulgaria

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Bulgaria. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Bulgaria as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Bulgaria. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Visa D.

To start your student visa application in Bulgaria, you will need to present the following:

  1. A copy of the first page of your valid passport
  2. A copy of the previous Bulgarian and Schengen visas for the UK and the US, if available
  3. A colored passport photo showing the full face with no unnecessary accessories
  4. Medical insurance not less than 30,000 EUR
  5. Booking confirmation
  6. Copy of the technical passport of the car (if travelling by land)
  7. Original copies of academic transcripts
  8. Proof of payment of tuition fee

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Bulgaria is 200 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare your requirements for the visa application.
  2. Submit the requirements not earlier than 3 months before the intended travel date.
  3. Apply for visa D at the embassy or consulate.
  4. Undergo a personal interview.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Bulgaria. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!

4 Comments

  2. I will like to know if you can move to Bulgaria with family and your spouse we get work permit as international student