Universities in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is full of attractions for both International students and tourists, a small but charming country located in the Balkan Peninsula. If you want to study in Bulgaria, you will find an impressive range of natural environments: from warm, sandy beaches to striking mountains and ski resorts and it is also a relatively low-cost international study destination. Most of Bulgaria’s international students come from neighbouring countries like Turkey, Greece, and Macedonia. Apart from these countries, a large number of international students also come here from Germany, Italy, the UK, South Africa, etc. Keep reading to find out more about the list of top universities in Bulgaria, the cost of studying and living, and what scholarships are provided by different universities in Bulgaria. 

List of Top Universities in Bulgaria 

Studying in Bulgaria provides international students with an opportunity to truly embrace this portion of the World. Universities in Bulgaria are internationally recognized, have strong facilities and one of them is Sofia University that features in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.  Sofia is the country’s largest city and it offers virtually all modern amenities necessary for international students. However, living in Bulgaria is also affordable as compared to other European countries. Here’s a sneak peek of the top 17 Universities in Bulgaria: 

• Sofia University
• New Bulgarian University
• American University in Bulgaria
• Technical University of Sofia
• Trakia University
• Plovdiv Medical University
• University of Economics, Varna
• Varna Free University
• Burgas Free University
• Medical University of Sofia
• Medical University of Pleven
• Technical University of Varna
• Medical University of Varna
• Bulgarian Virtual University
• European Polytechnic University, Pernik
• National Academy of Arts, Sofia
• Shumen University
• National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski”, Sofia

Sofia University 

Sofia University, St. Kliment Ohridski is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria. It is the university that features in the QS World University Rankings 2022 which is under the 591 – 600 ranking range. It is also ranked in the top 50 EECA range in universities of Bulgaria. Also known as Sofia University, it was established in 1888 and has several campuses throughout the country. It offers degrees spanning a broad range of subjects in the field of Humanities, Law, IT, Medicine, and Economics. The university is well known for its research, including its contribution to Antarctic exploration. 

American University in Bulgaria 

Ranked 151 – 200 in the EECA ranking, the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is a private university that was founded in 1991. It offers courses in English, and it has an international faculty and student body. AUBG is located in the city of Blagoevgrad in southwestern Bulgaria, which is home to a large student population. Baccalaureate degrees from AUBG are accredited both in Bulgaria and the United States. 

Trakia University 

Trakia University is located in the city of Stara Zagora in Southern Bulgaria and was established in 1995. It is ranked at 151 – 200 in the EECA ranking. It was named after the historical region of Thrace and mainly teaches in Bulgarian, but recently began offering a small number of programs in English, including medicine. Trakia University has enrolled around 8,200 students from Bulgaria and abroad. 

Plovdiv Medical University

The Plovdiv Medical University in Bulgaria was established in 1945 as a public institution. It includes the faculties of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Public Health, a Department of Languages, and specialized training. Every year over 3800 Bulgarian and foreign students are training at the Medical University. 

Top Private Universities in Bulgaria

Choosing one of the private Universities in Bulgaria will depend on personal preferences. There are many factors to be considered while selecting a university, like a large university or small university, sharing of apartments with other students, a lot of fundamental questions and funding from investors, or tuition fees from the students. Given below are some of the top private universities that one can found in Bulgaria:

• New Bulgarian University
• American University in Bulgaria
• Burgas Free University
• Varna University of Management 
• European Technical University
• Varna Free University

Top Public Universities in Bulgaria

All public and private universities and colleges in Bulgarian are accredited by the Bulgarian National Evaluation and National Agency. Enlisted are the public universities in Bulgaria: 

• Sofia University
• Technical University of Sofia
• Trakia University
• University of Economics – Varna
• Medical University – Varna
• University of National and World Economy
• National Academy of Arts
• University of Forestry

Cost of Studying and Living in Bulgaria

Bulgaria uses the lev (BGN) as its currency. The average tuition to study in Bulgaria depends upon the area of study and degree you choose to study. On average, you should expect to pay between BGN 5,600 (INR 2,52,244) and BGN 16,000 (INR 7,20,699) per year for a degree. An EU student or student from Switzerland is eligible for the Bulgarian tuition fee loan. Bulgaria is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, and this is shown in the living costs. On average, you should budget around BGN 12,300 (INR 5,54,037) per year. This accounts for accommodation, groceries, travel, and other necessities. 

Scholarships to Study in Bulgaria 2021

Here is the list of Bulgarian Government Scholarships for international students to study in Bulgaria: 

• Eastern European Study Abroad Scholarship
• Oppu Achievers Scholarship
• Varna Free University Scholarship
• Fulbright Bulgaria Grants 
• American University in Bulgaria Scholarship
• Affidavit fully-funded Science and Law School Scholarship

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Thus, we hope that this blog has helped you explore the wide range of academic universities in Bulgaria. If you are planning to apply at any of the above-listed universities, but are not sure how to go about it, consult our experts at Leverage Edu with our exclusive free 30-minute counseling session and we’ll assist you in choosing the right institution to pursue your dream course from!