2027 entry · Updated 27 October 2026
Can I study medicine in Bulgaria from the UK?
Yes. Bulgaria's medical universities teach medicine in English and take UK students with A-levels or an equivalent. You sit the university's own entrance exam in biology and chemistry, get your school qualifications recognised by NACID, Bulgaria's recognition centre, and apply for a student visa.
Which universities teach medicine in English?
- Medical University of Sofia, Sofia
- Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia
- Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv
- Medical University of Varna, Varna
- Medical University of Pleven, Pleven: the only one with a February start
- Trakia University, Stara Zagora
- Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov University, Burgas
Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna medical universities also teach dentistry in English.
How do they choose students?
Each one sets its own entrance exam in biology and chemistry, held in English. Most run it online, and some add an English test. Your exam result carries most of the weight in the ranking, so it's the part to prepare for. Plan on having biology and chemistry from school: Plovdiv, for one, asks for both.
Do my A-levels count?
Before you can enrol, NACID has to recognise your school qualifications. For England it accepts at least three A-levels, a BTEC National Extended Diploma, an Access to Higher Education Diploma or a T-level; the last two also need a document confirming they give the right to go to university. Wales and Scotland have their own lists.
NACID decides within one month of receiving a complete file, and the clock stops while anything is missing.
What paperwork does a UK student need?
- A notary's or solicitor's certificate that your school certificates are genuine. The wording matters: NACID says a plain "certified true copy" isn't enough.
- An apostille from the FCDO Legalisation Office on the notary's signature. The paper apostille usually takes up to 25 working days, plus post, and NACID wants the paper originals.
- A Bulgarian translation, with the translator's signature certified by a notary in Bulgaria or by the Bulgarian embassy.
- NACID recognition, filed in Sofia in person or by someone you authorise.
- Your university application. Once you're admitted, Bulgaria's Ministry of Education issues the certificate of acceptance you need for the visa.
Every step, with the Irish version too: what documents do I need?
Do I need a visa?
Yes. A UK passport gives you 90 days in any 180 without a visa, which doesn't cover a degree. Students apply for a long-stay type D visa. It needs the Ministry of Education's certificate of acceptance, plus insurance, proof of accommodation and money, and a police certificate. Irish passport holders need no visa.
When should I start?
Most Bulgarian universities start in the autumn and take applications through spring and summer. Pleven is the one February start: its window for February 2027 ran from 1 June to 1 October 2026. Whichever you choose, start the paperwork early. The apostille alone can take five weeks.
Why do families get help with this?
The exam is the student's job. The paper chain is the slow, fiddly part: the notary's wording, the apostille, a certified Bulgarian translation and a counter in Sofia. I'm an Irish medical student in Bulgaria, and I handle that chain for families.
Where could you get in?
Message me on WhatsApp. I'll tell you which Bulgarian universities you can apply to, free, before you pay anything. If you'd like help, I handle the application and every document.
Ask me where you can apply — free
Rather talk? Say when suits you and I'll ring. Or email wadimedicine1@gmail.com