Why Study Pharmacy in Bulgaria?
The 3 Universities Offering Pharmacy in English
What Do You Study on a Pharmacy Degree in Bulgaria?
How Much Does it Cost to Study Pharmacy in Bulgaria?
Entry Requirements to Study Pharmacy in Bulgaria
Is a Bulgarian Pharmacy Degree Recognised in the UK?
Bulgarian medical universities offer a 5-year Master's degree in Pharmacy in English, combining academic study with practical pharmacy training. The exact curriculum and internship structure varies by university.
International students also choose Bulgaria because Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna use online admission testing for the English-language Pharmacy routes. Tuition is lower than at many Western European universities, while professional practice after graduation remains subject to the recognition and registration rules of the country where the graduate wants to work.
All three universities offer the Pharmacy degree in English and use online Biology and Chemistry admission tests. English is assessed differently by university: Sofia includes English in the entrance examination, Plovdiv requires at least B1 proficiency through an accepted certificate or its diagnostic test, and Varna requires proof of English proficiency through its university test or accepted diploma/certificate routes. Bulgarian language study is also part of the curriculum at Plovdiv and Varna during the first two years to support communication with patients.
At a Glance
| Sofia Medical University | Plovdiv Medical University | Varna Medical University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Sofia | Plovdiv | Varna (Black Sea) |
| Annual tuition 2026/27 | €8,000 | €6,200 | €8,000 for first-year students |
| Illustrative 5-year total at current annual rate* | €40,000 | €31,000 | €40,000 |
| Degree awarded | Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) | Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) | Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) |
| Exam format | Online | Online (6 sessions/year) | Online |
| Exam subjects | Biology + Chemistry + English | Biology + Chemistry | Biology + Chemistry |
| English proficiency | Assessed in the entrance exam | At least B1 – accepted certificate or diagnostic test | University English test or accepted diploma/certificate route |
| Programme duration | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Clinical internship | Yes (final semester) | Yes (6-month pre-diploma) | Yes |
| Transfers | Accepted | Not accepted | Confirm |
*Future annual tuition fees can change, so the five-year totals are illustrations using the current annual rate, not guaranteed programme totals.
Sofia Medical University offers Pharmacy in English through its Faculty of Pharmacy.
Key details:
€8000 / year
Medical University - Sofia offers English-taught programs in Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, with structured curricula and practical training. The MD program spans six years, Dentistry five and a half, and Pharmacy five years. The university is located in Sofia.
Plovdiv Medical University offers the most affordable Pharmacy degree in English in Bulgaria at €6,200/year, and with 6 online exam sessions per year – the most flexible exam schedule of any Bulgarian university.
Key details:
€6000 / year
Plovdiv Medical University offers a five-year Pharmacy programme in English, alongside Medicine and Dental Medicine programmes. With over 3,800 students annually, it provides modern facilities, extensive resources, and a 2,000-bed hospital for training.
Located in Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastal city, Varna Medical University offers a full-time Pharmacy programme in English.
Key details:
€6000 / year
The Medical University of Varna offers a technologically advanced environment for medical studies, featuring e-learning platforms, 3D technologies, and virtual microscopy. Located in the safe coastal city of Varna, it provides excellent support for international students.
Are you interested in studying Pharmacy in Bulgaria? Do you want help choosing a university and preparing your application?
The 5-year Pharmacy programme in Bulgaria follows EU educational standards and is structured to produce graduates qualified to work as licensed pharmacists in any EU/EEA country.
Students study pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and clinical pharmacy while developing practical laboratory and patient-care skills. The programme combines theoretical learning with hands-on training throughout all five years of study.
In the final years, students complete internships in public or hospital pharmacies and gain experience working with medications, prescriptions, and patient care. Graduates are prepared for pharmacist registration and healthcare careers across the EU.
Core subject areas across the 5 years:
Pharmaceutical Sciences Foundation (Years 1-2)
Applied Pharmacy and Clinical Sciences (Years 3-4)
Specialisation and Practical Training (Year 5)
Upon graduation: Graduates receive a Master of Pharmacy (Magister Pharmaciae / MPharm) – equivalent to the highest pharmacy qualification in the EU, valid for pharmacist registration across all EU/EEA member states.
Sofia Medical University
Tuition Fee per year: €8,000
Course length: 5 Years
Plovdiv Medical University
Tuition Fee per year: €6,200
Course length: 5 Years
Varna Medical University
Tuition Fee per year: €8,000
Course length: 5 Years
Tuition fees for Pharmacy in Bulgaria are significantly lower than in countries like the UK, Ireland, or the Netherlands. Students can complete a 5-year Master’s degree in English while paying considerably less overall.
In addition to affordable tuition, Bulgaria also offers relatively low living costs for international students. Accommodation, transport, food, and daily expenses are much cheaper compared to most Western European university destinations.
| University | Annual fee | 5-year total (tuition) |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia Medical University | €8,000 | €40,000 |
| Plovdiv Medical University | €6,200 | €31,000* |
| Varna Medical University | €8,000 | €40,000* |
Payment: Two instalments per year – 50% in September, 50% in February.
| Bulgaria (Plovdiv) | UK (MPharm) | Ireland (MPharm) | Germany | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition (international) | €6,200 | €22,000-£35,000 | €12,000-€18,000 | Free (German required) |
| Language of study | English | English | English | German |
| Degree level | Master’s (5 years) | Master’s (4 years) | Master’s (5 years) | State Exam (5 years) |
Bulgaria offers the same 5-year Master’s degree as Ireland at approximately one-third of the cost.
| Sofia | Plovdiv | Varna | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (private apt.) | €380 | €260 | €320 |
| Food | €150-€200 | €130-€180 | €140-€180 |
| Utilities | €100 | €80 | €90 |
| Transport | €30 | €40 | €30 |
| Health/personal | €30-€40 | €30 | €30 |
| Est. monthly total | €690-€750 | €540-€580 | €610-€650 |
5-year total estimated cost (tuition + living):
*Illustrative five-year tuition totals use the current annual fee. Future academic-year fees may change.
All three universities require an online entrance exam – no travel to Bulgaria required.
| MU-Sofia | Plovdiv MU | Varna MU | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam subjects | Biology + Chemistry + English | Biology + Chemistry | Biology + Chemistry |
| English proficiency | Assessed in Sofia entrance exam | B1 certificate or diagnostic test | English test or accepted diploma/certificate |
| Exam format | Online, proctored MCQ | Online MCQ | Online MCQ |
| 2026 exam sessions | Additional round: 2 Oct 2026 | 6 (Apr-Sep) | Confirm |
| Application deadline | 25 September 2026 | 11 Sep (EU), mid-Jul (non-EU) | Confirm |
All documents must be translated into Bulgarian and legally certified (apostilled or legalised).
Non-EU students additionally need: Bulgarian Student Visa + Student Residence Permit on arrival.
This is an important question for students who plan to practise as pharmacists in Great Britain.
The short answer: registration is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), and the route depends on the exact qualification.
Key points for UK-bound graduates:
Recommendation for UK-bound students: check the current GPhC route for your exact Bulgarian qualification before enrolling or planning UK registration.
What’s available: 5-year Master’s Pharmacy programmes in English at Sofia MU, Plovdiv MU and Varna MU.
2026/27 tuition: €6,200/year at Plovdiv | €8,000/year at Sofia | €8,000/year for first-year students at Varna.
Entrance exam: Online Biology and Chemistry at all three; English proficiency is assessed differently by each university.
Degree: Master’s degree in Pharmacy. Qualifying credentials can use the EU professional-recognition framework under Directive 2005/36/EC, subject to registration in the destination country.
UK: the GPhC route depends on the exact qualification. Compliant EEA pharmacist qualifications currently have an automatic registration route; OSPAP is not universally required for every Bulgarian graduate.
Best for: Students seeking an English-language Pharmacy Master’s programme in an EU country with comparatively moderate tuition.
Bulgaria offers international Pharmacy students a balance between affordable living, quality education, and a relaxed European lifestyle. As an EU member state, the country combines modern infrastructure, growing international communities, and lower everyday costs than many Western European destinations.
One of the biggest advantages for students is affordability. Rent, transport, food, and entertainment are significantly cheaper compared to countries like the UK, Ireland, or the Netherlands, allowing students to maintain a comfortable lifestyle on a more manageable budget.
Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna each provide a different student experience. Sofia offers a larger international environment and more career opportunities, Plovdiv is known for its relaxed atmosphere and lower costs, while Varna combines university life with access to the Black Sea coast.
Bulgarian medical universities attract students from across Europe, the UK, and beyond, creating an international student environment with modern facilities, practical training opportunities, and active campus communities throughout the academic year.
Outside university life, students can easily travel across Bulgaria and neighbouring European countries. From mountain resorts and historical cities to beaches and cultural festivals, Bulgaria offers a diverse lifestyle that appeals to many international students.
Yes. Sofia Medical University, Plovdiv Medical University and Varna Medical University offer 5-year Master’s Pharmacy programmes in English. The degree instruction is in English, but Bulgarian language study is part of the curriculum at Plovdiv and Varna during the first two years to support communication with patients.
For 2026/27, Sofia Medical University lists Pharmacy in English at €8,000/year, Plovdiv Medical University lists €6,200/year for newly admitted first-year students, and Varna Medical University lists €8,000/year for first-year Pharmacy in English students. Future academic-year fees may change.
The pharmacy programme in Bulgaria lasts 5 years (10 semesters including a final-year clinical internship in a public or hospital pharmacy). Upon completion and passing state licensing exams, graduates receive a Master of Pharmacy (Magister Pharmaciae) – the highest level of pharmacy qualification, equivalent to MPharm degrees in the UK and Ireland.
Yes – but it is conducted entirely online. No travel to Bulgaria is required. The exam covers Biology and Chemistry (and English at Sofia Medical University). Plovdiv Medical University offers the most flexible schedule, with 6 exam sessions between April and September.
The English requirement differs by university. Sofia assesses English as part of its entrance examination. Plovdiv requires at least B1 proficiency through an accepted certificate or the university’s English diagnostic test. Varna requires applicants to prove English proficiency through its university test or an accepted diploma/certificate route.
Qualifying pharmacist credentials that meet Directive 2005/36/EC and are listed in Annex V can benefit from automatic professional recognition within the EU, but graduates still need to apply to the competent authority and meet local registration requirements. In Great Britain, the GPhC currently has an automatic registration route for compliant EEA pharmacist qualifications. OSPAP is not automatically required for every Bulgarian Pharmacy graduate, so UK-bound students should check the GPhC route for their exact qualification.
Bulgarian Pharmacy programmes discussed here are 5-year Master’s-level programmes taught in English, with 2026/27 annual tuition of €6,200-€8,000. UK MPharm programmes commonly follow a four-year degree structure before the separate foundation-training and registration stages. The academic structure, tuition and professional-registration route therefore differ, and students planning to work in Great Britain should verify the current GPhC requirements for their exact Bulgarian qualification.
Transfers are accepted at Sofia Medical University. Plovdiv Medical University does not accept transfers for its pharmacy programme. Contact iGeneration Agency for a personalised transfer eligibility assessment.
The Faculty of Pharmacy at Sofia Medical University (also referred to as the “faculty of pharmacy sofia”) is part of Bulgaria’s largest and most established medical institution. It offers a 5-year pharmacy programme in English, leading to an internationally recognised Master of Pharmacy degree.
Questions about studying in Bulgaria or your application? Our team is ready to help.
