Sofia or Plovdiv? Comparing Bulgaria's Two Medical Study Destinations

Medical University of Sofia

Sofia is home to the country's oldest and largest medical university. Founded in 1917, it now has capacity for more than 10,000 students and offers programs in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. The program lasts six years for medicine, five and a half years for dentistry, and five years for pharmacy.

In 2026, tuition fees are around €9,950 per year for human medicine, €10,000 for dentistry, and around €8,000 for pharmacy, payable in two installments. Admission is via an entrance exam in biology, chemistry and English, which can now also be taken online. Human medicine offers around 300 places per year for international students, and dentistry around 120 to 150.

Medical University of Plovdiv

Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second-largest city and one of the oldest cities in Europe. The university was founded in 1945 and trains more than 3,800 students each year, including many international students. The faculty includes a hospital with around 2,000 beds, and the Faculty of Dentistry has a new building with 27 clinical treatment rooms and 168 workstations.

Medicine and dentistry are offered in English, with fees of around €9,000 to €10,000 per year. Dentistry takes five and a half years and includes a one-year clinical rotation year.

Head-to-head comparison

Which of the two locations suits your profile, budget and plans best is something we can discuss in a free consultation.

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Who Sofia is the right choice for

Sofia is the country's political, economic and cultural center. Anyone who wants a true metropolis benefits from a wide range of culture, sport and nightlife, as well as good part-time job opportunities with international companies. Direct flights to Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart make trips home easy.

Just outside the city lies the Vitosha mountain range with hiking and ski areas, and within day-trip distance are the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Seven Rila Lakes, and Koprivshtitsa with more than 300 historic houses.

I chose Sofia myself because I wanted to study at the country's oldest university and have good flight connections to Germany. Looking back, that was the right decision for my situation.

Who Plovdiv is the right choice for

Plovdiv is more compact, quieter and cheaper. The city has a Roman theater, a lively old town, and was once European Capital of Culture. If you want to study with fewer distractions, value short distances, and don't see the German-speaking community as a priority, you'll feel at home here.

A practical advantage for anyone planning to transfer back: after four completed semesters, Plovdiv typically recognizes four semesters' worth of credit, compared with two in Sofia. Anyone planning a transfer to Germany from the outset gains a full year of study by choosing Plovdiv. Nearby are the Bachkovo Monastery, the Rhodope Mountains, and the Valley of the Thracian Kings.

Which university has the better reputation?

Both are state, EU-accredited universities listed in Annex V of Directive 2005/36/EC. Sofia is considered the country's most established address, while Plovdiv stands out with modern facilities and practice-oriented teaching. For later recognition purposes, it makes no difference.

How big are the class groups?

Teaching at both locations takes place in small groups, usually up to a maximum of ten students per instructor in practical subjects. Patient contact begins early.

Where is the cost of living lower?

In Plovdiv, with a difference of about €50 to €100 per month in rent. In Sofia, however, there are more part-time job opportunities, which can help offset the difference.