The Education System in Bulgaria: Universities, Cost, Programs

Starting in 2023, Bulgaria had more than 18,000 international students. By the end of 2025, this number had doubled and reached about 8 percent of all enrolled students, a share comparable to several universities in Central Europe. One of the main factors that keeps international interest high is the affordability of Bulgarian education. 

Students from EU countries study under conditions that are almost identical to those for local citizens. For students from outside the EU, Bulgaria is considered one of the most budget-friendly places in Europe where they can earn a degree recognized across the EU.

This material explains what the Bulgarian education system looks like, how it is structured, and what costs to expect.

Overview of the Bulgarian Education System

The Bulgarian education system follows the Bologna Process and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Formally, it is governed by the Ministry of Education and Science, while quality control is carried out by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.

Structure of the education system:

• Preschool stage (ages 3 to 6). Preschool is not entirely mandatory, although a preparatory group for children aged 5 to 6 is required.
• School education. School starts with the primary stage (grades 1 to 4), where children learn basic literacy skills. This is followed by the lower secondary stage (grades 5 to 7), which introduces a full academic curriculum in core subjects.

After grade 7, students take the National External Assessment exams, which determine their transition to grades 8 to 12 at high schools in Bulgaria. At this stage, they study in specialized schools and gymnasiums, including language-focused and science-oriented tracks.

Most students choose specialized gymnasiums. Graduates receive a qualification that allows them to start working in their chosen field immediately after finishing school. As an alternative, they can continue their studies in higher education.

Preschool Education in Bulgaria

Preschool education in Bulgaria covers children from ages 3 to 6. Children are placed into different groups according to age, rather than being taught together:

• First early group (ages 3 to 4). The focus is on speech development, sensory perception, motor coordination, and basic social skills.
• Second early group (ages 4 to 5). Learning becomes more structured. Children begin to complete simple academic tasks, develop memory and attention, strengthen basic logical thinking, and are introduced to elementary math concepts.
• Compulsory preparatory group (ages 5 to 6). This stage prepares children for the first school curriculum.

Preschool education is usually provided by kindergartens. Public kindergartens in Bulgaria are relatively rare and tend to serve specialized fields or specific institutions. Most families rely on municipal kindergartens. Municipalities cover part of the educational costs, and parents pay only a small monthly fee that covers meals and daily expenses.

Another option is to enroll a child in a private kindergarten. These institutions often offer expanded programs with foreign language instruction, creative courses, and alternative teaching methods. In this case, there are no state subsidies.

At the end of the preparatory grou,p teachers assess the child's readiness for primary school. This is not an exam but an evaluation of progress. If certain skills are not sufficiently developed, the school or kindergarten may recommend additional classes.

School Education in Bulgaria

School education in Bulgaria covers grades 1 to 12. After completing grade 7, students must take exams and choose where to continue their studies in grades 8 to 12.

Main stages of school education:

• Primary stage (grades 1 to 4). Primary education in Bulgaria develops basic literacy skills. Most subjects are taught by one teacher. Reading, writing, and arithmetic receive special attention. Until grade 3, assessment is mostly descriptive. In grade 4, the grading scale becomes numerical, usually from 2 to 6, where 6 corresponds to excellent performance.
• Lower secondary stage (grades 5 to 7). The curriculum expands, and most subjects are taught by different teachers. Geography, biology, history, chemistry in its introductory form, a second foreign language, and informatics are added.

After grade 7, all students sit the National External Assessment exams. The format includes a test section, open questions, and written tasks such as a text-based composition. The results are attached to applications for specific schools and gymnasiums.

The next level is upper secondary education (grades 8 to 12). It prepares students either for Bulgarian universities or for entering the labor market with a specialized qualification.

A major strength of the system is the large network of specialized schools, including:

• language gymnasiums in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian,
• mathematics gymnasiums,
• gymnasiums with science profiles,
• humanities gymnasiums,

Students may also continue in general secondary education in Bulgaria, which suits those who prefer a balanced curriculum without early specialization. Toward the final years, students can choose among several profiles, such as humanities, natural sciences, technology, or economics.

At the end of this stage, students take the Matura exams, the official state graduation tests. One exam in Bulgarian language and literature is mandatory, and the second subject is chosen by the student, for exampl,e mathematics, a foreign language, history or biology.

Higher Education in Bulgaria

Higher education in Bulgaria is structured in several levels and includes three main degrees: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies. Bachelor’s programs usually take three or four years to complete. Their structure includes compulsory courses, electives, practical modules, laboratory work, project assignments, and a final thesis.

Programs in economics and management, computer science, engineering, education, biology, tourism, and the humanities are among the most popular. Many of them are oriented toward the international labor market. IT faculties often collaborate with technology companies, and economics universities offer internships in international firms.

Master’s programs to study in Bulgaria last from one to two years. During this perio,d students deepen their specialization and work on more advanced academic and applied projects. The format depends on the field of study. Technical and economics programs tend to emphasize practice-oriented tasks and real case studies, while humanities programs focus more on research projects and analytical work.

Some sources mention master’s programs that last five or six years. Such programs do exist, but they are not master’s degrees in the usual sense. They belong to integrated study cycles that combine bachelor’s and master’s levels without separation. These programs are available in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and architecture. A number of institutions within the Bulgaria university list offer these long-cycle degrees, including:

• Medical University of Sofia.
• Medical University of Plovdiv.
• Medical University of Varna.
• Trakia University (veterinary medicine).
• University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG).

Doctoral programs typically require three to four years of full-time study. The workload includes independent research, participation in conferences, publications in academic journals, completion of an individual study plan, and the defense of a dissertation. Bulgarian universities take part in European research initiatives, which gives doctoral candidates access to international scientific networks.

Admission to Universities in Bulgaria

Structurally, the admission process follows two paths: the standard one, where a student enters a full program from the first year, and the shortened one, where the university recognizes previously completed coursework. Shortened programs are rare and apply only when the applicant already holds a closely related qualification.

Admission usually begins with registration, submission of documents, entrance exams when required and participation in the competitive selection.

Documents required for admission to a university in Bulgaria:

• Secondary school diploma with a transcript of grades, legalized according to official procedures.
• Medical certificate translated into Bulgarian and notarized.
• Passport or ID card.
• Four color photographs in the required format.
• University forms and declarations confirming consent to data processing and program selection.

Documents issued in non-EU countries must be legalized through consular services or by apostille. After that, the Ministry of Education issues a decision recognizing the education level, which is required for enrollment.

For programs taught in Bulgarian universities require proof of proficiency at the B1 or B2 level. International applicants who do not speak Bulgarian may complete a one-year preparatory program or language courses in Bulgaria, as long as they obtain a state-recognized certificate.

English-taught programs follow different rules. Students must provide an international certificate, usually IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge. Passing scores are set individually by universities. Medical programs have higher requirements. Institutions often ask for proof of C1 level because training involves specialized terminology and clinical subjects. This ensures sufficient language preparation for practical classes and clinical rotations.

Admission for international students typically starts earlier to allow time for processing the student visa. Universities assist with this by issuing invitation letters, enrollment confirmations, and guidance on the documents required by the migration service.

Top universities in Bulgaria for international students:

• Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (SU). The oldest university in the country and a consistent leader in national and international rankings. It offers English-taught programs in business, IT, psychology, and international relations.
• Technical University of Sofia (TU Sofia). The leading engineering institution in Bulgaria, with strong programs in electronics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, telecommunications, IT, robotics, and energy. The university works closely with industrial companies and technology parks, giving students access to practical training and real projects.
• Medical University of Sofia (MU Sofia). A highly regarded medical institution with programs in dentistry, pharmacy, and general medicine. Several degrees are offered entirely in English. Graduates are recognized across the EU and complete professional registration in line with European standards.
• Plovdiv University Paisii Hilendarski. A multidisciplinary university with faculties in natural sciences, education, philology, arts, and information technologies.
• University of Economics – Varna. One of Bulgaria’s leading economic universities with specialties in business, management, tourism, marketing, logistics, and finance. A wide range of programs is available in English.

Cost of Education in Bulgaria

The cost of studying in Bulgaria remains one of the most affordable within the European Union. EU citizens pay the same tuition fees as local students, while non-EU applicants follow separate pricing rules.

Average annual tuition fees for bachelor’s programs:

The cost of studying medicine in Bulgaria is traditionally higher than in other academic fields. For EU citizens, annual fees usually range from 1500 to 2500 euros, while for non-EU students they often reach 6500 to 8000 euros per year. Despite the higher cost, Bulgarian medical degrees remain among the more affordable options in the European Union. For comparison, non-EU students in medicine pay institutional tuition fees of about €32,000 per year at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

Average tuition fees for master’s programs:

Programs taught in English or designed for international students are usually more expensive. Bachelor’s studies in English cost about €3000–6000 per year, while integrated programs in medicine and dentistry delivered in English reach €6000–9000 per year.

Cheap universities in Bulgaria:

• Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski offers affordable tuition in humanities, education, and natural sciences.
• Plovdiv University Paisii Hilendarski provides low tuition fees in philology, education, biology, IT, and arts programs.
• University of Veliko Tarnovo is known for competitive prices in humanities, social sciences, and teacher training.
• South-West University Neofit Rilski in Blagoevgrad is considered one of the most budget-friendly public universities.
• University of Ruse Angel Kanchev offers accessible programs in engineering, IT, and humanities.
• University of Economics Varna keeps tuition relatively low for business, logistics, and tourism degrees.

Distance Learning

Distance learning in Bulgaria is regulated by law. Unlike short online courses or informal training, university distance programs must undergo mandatory accreditation by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.

Universities and institutes use platforms such as Moodle, Blackboard, MS Teams, and their own digital systems. Curricula are designed so that students can combine independent study with practical tasks, consultations, and electronic exams.

Programs include lectures, virtual seminars, online tests, group projects, work with simulators in engineering fields, and required in-person components when a specialty demands it. Fields such as law, education, and medicine cannot be fully online because legislation requires universities to conduct practical training on site to meet professional standards. These areas are therefore offered only in blended formats.

Average cost of distance learning in Bulgaria:

Despite the flexibility of online study, many programs require mandatory in-person sessions such as teaching practice, legal seminars, or clinical rotations. The same applies to most exams, which are rarely held online and usually require physical attendance. Among the programs that are fully available online, the best studies in Bulgaria include business, management, information technology, digital marketing, and humanities.

Scholarships for International Students in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers state-funded scholarships that are paid from the budget of the Ministry of Education and Science. They are available after enrollment and only if a student successfully completes all semester courses. The standard monthly amount ranges from 70 to 150 euros, although exact sums depend on the program, academic results, and decisions made by each university.

International students may receive these payments if they:

• study in an accredited full-time program;
• have completed the previous semester without academic debts;
• have a grade average high enough to qualify for the scholarship ranking.

In addition to state funding, universities create their own scholarship programs. They usually fall into several types:

• Academic scholarships. Awarded for strong academic performance and absence of failed courses.
• Social scholarships. Intended for students with low income, orphans, students from large families, or young parents. International students can apply if they hold a Bulgarian residence permit.
• Targeted scholarships in priority fields. The Bulgarian government supports shortage professions such as IT, medicine, education, and engineering. These fields may offer higher scholarship amounts and additional grants.

International exchange and mobility programs in Bulgaria are financed both by the European Union and by national Bulgarian funds. These opportunities include several major categories:

• EU education and internship programs: Erasmus+, CEEPUS, and European Solidarity Corps.
• Bilateral university agreements: exchange based on cooperation between Bulgarian universities and partner institutions abroad.
• International research projects: participation in Horizon Europe, COST, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
• Summer schools, intensive courses, and short-term mobility programs.
• Internships abroad: placements in European companies, laboratories, and research centers.