Bulgaria’s cultural capital is also home to one of the country’s most comprehensive medical universities – and for international students, it is one of the leading options outside Sofia.
Plovdiv Medical University (MU-Plovdiv) offers three English-taught Master’s programmes – Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy. The university was established in 1945, and its medical faculty became an independent higher medical school in 1950.
The entrance exam is conducted fully online, with five main exam sessions scheduled in 2026 plus an additional re-sit on 4 September. Tuition fees are €10,000/year for Medicine and Dental Medicine and €6,200/year for Pharmacy for newly admitted first-year students in 2026/27.
Plovdiv itself offers a strong student environment, with the Old Town, Kapana district, parks, restaurants, and cultural venues all within a compact city.
Plovdiv Medical University (MU-Plovdiv) was established in 1945. In 1950, the medical faculty became an independent higher medical school.
Today, MU-Plovdiv comprises four faculties - Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health - together with a Medical College. The university offers English-language training in Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy for international students.
The university's academic structure also includes research, student organisations, library services, and clinical training connected with the medical faculties.
Campus address:
Main Campus: 15A Vasil Aprilov Blvd., 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Official Website: mu-plovdiv.bg/en
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| University type | Public state medical university |
| Founded | 1945; independent medical higher school from 1950 |
| Location | Plovdiv, Bulgaria |
| English-taught Master’s programmes | Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy |
| Faculties | Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health |
| Medicine tuition 2026/27 | €10,000/year |
| Dental Medicine tuition 2026/27 | €10,000/year |
| Pharmacy tuition 2026/27 | €6,200/year |
| Nursing tuition 2026/27 | €4,500/year |
| Medicine duration | 6 years – 10 semesters + 12-month pre-diploma clinical clerkship |
| Dental Medicine duration | 5 years 9 months – 10 semesters + 9-month pre-diploma clinical clerkship |
| Pharmacy duration | 5 years – 9 semesters + 6-month pre-diploma clerkship |
| Entrance exam | Online – Biology, Chemistry, English diagnostic test |
| 2026 main exam dates | 15 Apr, 15 May, 16 Jun, 17 Jul, 18 Aug |
| Additional re-sit | 4 September 2026 |
| Document submission deadline | 11 September 2026 |
| Minimum competition score | 21/42 |
| First-year English programmes start | 1 October 2026 |
| Transfers | Possible under MU-Plovdiv transfer rules and faculty assessment |
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy
From €6,200/year
Not Available
Online - Biology, Chemistry & English
€580/month
Plovdiv Medical University offers three English-taught Master’s programmes for international students: Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy.
The Medicine programme lasts 6 years: 10 semesters followed by a 12-month pre-diploma clinical clerkship.
Tuition for newly admitted first-year students in 2026/27: €10,000/year.
Dental Medicine consists of 10 semesters plus a 9-month pre-diploma clinical clerkship.
Tuition for newly admitted first-year students in 2026/27: €10,000/year.
Pharmacy consists of 9 semesters plus a 6-month pre-diploma clerkship.
Tuition for newly admitted first-year students in 2026/27: €6,200/year.
Although the main degree programmes are taught in English, Bulgarian is a mandatory subject during the first two years. The university states that students need Bulgarian to communicate with patients when clinical training begins from the third year.
MU-Plovdiv regulations allow transfers from another university after a successfully completed study period. Recognition of previous study, subjects, and credits is assessed by the university and the relevant faculty.
MU-Plovdiv provides a rich academic environment beyond the core curriculum, with strong research infrastructure and dedicated student support organisations.
Research opportunities: Students can engage in research programmes spanning technological advancements in medical equipment, pharmaceutical development, innovative therapeutic approaches, and healthcare management and economics. The university actively encourages student-led research participation.
Student organisations at MU-Plovdiv:
| Programme | Duration | Annual Fee 2026/27 – newly admitted first year |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (English) | 6 years | €10,000/year |
| Dental Medicine (English) | 5 years 9 months | €10,000/year |
| Pharmacy (English) | 5 years | €6,200/year |
| Nursing (English) | 4 years | €4,500/year |
The annual tuition fee does not include accommodation, health insurance, textbooks, or educational materials.
The annual tuition fees at Bulgarian medical universities range from €7,500 to €10,500, depending on the chosen institution.
The tuition fee for Plovdiv Medical University for medicine in English language is 10000 euros.
Tuition is paid by semester according to the university’s official payment instructions and the deadlines announced for the relevant academic year.
1. University dormitories which cost around €100 per month. For this price you will receive one bed in a double room, so you’ll need to share the room with another roommate from the same sex. Food will not be covered and you will need to cook alone in a shared kitchen.
2. You can rent a private apartment in Plovdiv. The rental prices varies between €300 up to €500 per month depending the size of the apartment the level of furniture and the location of the apartment. Of course, our agencies going to take full care of your accommodation so please do not worry about this.
Living expenses for Plovdiv, Bulgaria varies depending on the amount of money that each person requires per month
Usually one Student needs between €500 up to €800 per month including transportation costs, food expenses, restaurants etc.
The annual tuition fees at Bulgarian medical universities range from €7,500 to €10,500, depending on the chosen institution.
The tuition fee for Plovdiv Medical University for dentistry in English language is 10000 euros.
Tuition is paid by semester according to the university’s official payment instructions and the deadlines announced for the relevant academic year.
1. University dormitories which cost around €100 per month. For this price you will receive one bed in a double room, so you’ll need to share the room with another roommate from the same sex. Food will not be covered and you will need to cook alone in a shared kitchen.
2. You can rent a private apartment in Plovdiv. The rental prices varies between €300 up to €500 per month depending the size of the apartment the level of furniture and the location of the apartment. Of course, our agencies going to take full care of your accommodation so please do not worry about this.
Living expenses for Plovdiv, Bulgaria varies depending on the amount of money that each person requires per month
Usually one Student needs between €500 up to €800 per month including transportation costs, food expenses, restaurants etc.
Annual tuition fees at Bulgarian medical universities vary between 7,500 and 10,500 euros, depending on the chosen institution.
The tuition fee at MU-Plovdiv for pharmacy in English is 6,200 euros.
Tuition is paid by semester according to the university’s official payment instructions and the deadlines announced for the relevant academic year.
1. University dormitories which cost around €100 per month. For this price you will receive one bed in a double room, so you’ll need to share the room with another roommate from the same sex. Food will not be covered and you will need to cook alone in a shared kitchen.
2. You can rent a private apartment in Plovdiv. The rental prices varies between €300 up to €500 per month depending the size of the apartment the level of furniture and the location of the apartment. Of course, our agencies going to take full care of your accommodation so please do not worry about this.
Living expenses for Plovdiv, Bulgaria varies depending on the amount of money that each person requires per month
Usually one Student needs between €500 up to €800 per month including transportation costs, food expenses, restaurants etc.
MU-Plovdiv uses an online entrance examination and a competition-score ranking for admission to Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy in English.
| Exam date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|
| 15 April 2026 | 8 April 2026 |
| 15 May 2026 | 8 May 2026 |
| 16 June 2026 | 9 June 2026 |
| 17 July 2026 | 10 July 2026 |
| 18 August 2026 | 11 August 2026 |
| 4 September 2026 – additional re-sit | 30 August 2026 |
The official 2026/27 admissions page states that the required application documents must be submitted between 2 March and 11 September 2026.
The online exam includes:
The university charges €30 for data processing and €270 for the entry tests per exam date. The additional re-sit has a one-off administration processing fee of €400.
The final competition score for Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy is the sum of the tripled Biology exam mark, the tripled Chemistry exam mark, and the English diagnostic-test mark.
The maximum score is 42 and the minimum score is 21.
Applicants must have studied Biology and Chemistry at secondary-school level and must have an average score in these subjects of at least 62% of the maximum grade under the grading system of the country where the diploma was issued.
Admission to MU-Plovdiv depends on the entrance-exam results, the final competition score, and complete application documents. The official minimum competition score is 21 out of 42, while actual ranking scores can be higher depending on the specialty and the ranking round.
iGeneration Agency supports applicants with documentation preparation and entrance-exam preparation in Biology, Chemistry, and English across the 2026 exam sessions.
Book a free consultation to discuss your application.
iGeneration supports your application with document preparation and entrance-exam preparation.
The official deadline for submitting the required admission documents is 11 September 2026.
For first-year students in the English-taught Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing programmes, the 2026/27 academic year starts on 1 October 2026.
Contact us to discuss your application.
Applicants must submit the documents required by Medical University – Plovdiv, including:
The university requires both paper and electronic copies of the application documents. Visa requirements apply according to the applicant’s citizenship after admission.
Yes. Applicants to Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy in English take an online entrance examination.
The entrance examination is conducted online, so candidates do not need to travel to Bulgaria to sit the test.
The online entrance examination includes Biology, Chemistry, and an English Language Diagnostic Test.
The 2026 exam dates are 15 April, 15 May, 16 June, 17 July, and 18 August, with an additional re-sit on 4 September 2026.
The official 2026/27 admissions page states that the required application documents must be submitted no later than 11 September 2026.
English proficiency is checked through the university’s English Language Diagnostic Test. For the English programmes, applicants must demonstrate at least B1-level proficiency through this diagnostic test.
Graduates who want to practise a regulated health profession in another country must follow the professional recognition, registration, language, and licensing requirements of the competent authority in that country.
The main degree programme is taught in English, but Bulgarian language is mandatory during the first two years so students can communicate with patients when clinical training starts from the third year.
Plovdiv Medical University can accept transfer applications from students at other universities, subject to the university’s transfer rules, available capacity, and faculty assessment.
Students must have successfully completed a study period and provide an academic transcript showing the completed periods of study, subjects, hours, credits, and passed examinations.
Documents issued by universities abroad must be legalized and translated into Bulgarian according to the applicable rules.
Learn more about transferring to a Bulgarian medical university.
Plovdiv Medical University is a state medical university in Bulgaria and awards the relevant higher-education degree and professional qualification after successful completion of the programme and state examinations.
For regulated professions such as Medicine and Dental Medicine, graduates who want to work in another country must follow the professional recognition and registration procedure of the competent authority in that country.
This means the degree should not be described as providing automatic permission to practise worldwide without any further registration, language, or licensing requirements.
The main MU-Plovdiv campus (15A Vasil Aprilov Blvd.) is approximately a 30-minutewalk from Plovdiv’s city centre. Most international students prefer to rent private apartments close to the university rather than relying on dormitory accommodation.
Option | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
University dormitory | ~€100 | Shared double room; limited availability |
Private apartment (near university) | €260-€350 | Comfortable, most common choice |
Average living expenses (excl. rent) | ~€540 | Food, utilities, transport, and entertainment |
iGeneration Agency provides FREE accommodation assistance to all enrolled students.
Plovdiv is one of the five oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth – predating Rome and Athens – and Bulgaria‘s undisputed cultural capital. The city has been shaped by millennia of civilisations, each leaving visible marks that students can explore on foot.
The legend of the seven hills: Plovdiv’s famous seven hills are said, in local legend, to be remnants of boulders hurled by the Titan Balkan during a battle with Poseidon. The river Maritsa is said to be Poseidon’s blood – a dramatic origin story for what is today one of Bulgaria’s most scenic waterways.
Must-see landmarks:
Cultural venues:
Plovdiv Medical University, also known as the Higher Medical Institute “Ivan Pavlov,” is located at several key locations in Plovdiv. The main campus is at 15A Vasil Aprilov Blvd. Here’s how to get there and other useful information:
Public Transport:
Taxi:
If you prefer a taxi, several companies operate in Plovdiv. It’s generally recommended to call a taxi or use a ride-hailing app to ensure a fair price. Some popular taxi companies in Plovdiv include:
Always confirm the driver is using a taximeter.
Useful Information:
The university website contains information about faculties, specialties, study programs, and more.
Plovdiv offers a diverse shopping experience, blending international brands with local flair. Whether you’re looking for high-end fashion, unique souvenirs, or everyday essentials, Plovdiv has options to explore.
Malls:
Plovdiv has several malls offering a variety of shopping and entertainment:
Shopping Streets and Centers:
Plovdiv’s shopping streets offer a more local experience:
Chain Stores:
International and Bulgarian chain stores are also present in Plovdiv:
Beyond the Usual:
For a unique shopping experience, explore:
Plovdiv offers a diverse range of entertainment and cultural experiences, catering to various interests. From ancient historical sites and artistic venues to outdoor activities and a vibrant nightlife, Plovdiv provides plenty to see and do.
Historical and Cultural Landmarks:
Plovdiv’s rich history is evident in its well-preserved landmarks:
Arts and Culture:
Plovdiv’s cultural scene thrives with various venues:
Nightlife:
Plovdiv’s nightlife offers diverse options:
Outdoor Recreation:
Plovdiv’s surrounding nature provides opportunities for outdoor activities:
Other Entertainment Options:
Plovdiv also offers:
Plovdiv boasts a diverse and exciting dining and nightlife scene, catering to a wide range of tastes. From traditional Bulgarian restaurants to international cuisine, and from cozy bars to lively clubs, Plovdiv has something for everyone.
Restaurants:
Plovdiv offers a rich selection of restaurants:
Bars:
Plovdiv’s bar scene is just as diverse:
Clubs and Discos:
Plovdiv’s nightlife offers various options for dancing and entertainment:
| MU-Plovdiv | MU-Sofia | Varna Medical | MU-Pleven | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine fee/year | €10,000 | Check current official fee | Check current official fee | Check current official fee |
| Dental Medicine in English | Yes | Check official programme | Check official programme | Check official programme |
| Pharmacy in English | Yes | Check official programme | Check official programme | Check official programme |
| MU-Plovdiv entrance exam 2026 | Online | Check the official admission procedure of the respective university | ||
| Transfers | Possible under university rules and faculty assessment | Check the official transfer rules of the respective university | ||
| Official acceptance rate | Not published as a single percentage | Check official admission data | ||
| Professional recognition | Subject to destination-country registration rules | Subject to destination-country registration rules | ||
| City | Plovdiv | Sofia | Varna | Pleven |
MU-Plovdiv may suit you if:
Before choosing between universities, compare the latest official tuition fees, admission dates, programme rules, and transfer policies published by each institution.
Plovdiv Medical University (MU-Plovdiv) is a public state medical university in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, established in 1945. It offers Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Pharmacy in English.
For newly admitted first-year students in 2026/27, tuition is €10,000/year for Medicine, €10,000/year for Dental Medicine, and €6,200/year for Pharmacy.
The official deadline for submitting the required application documents for the 2026/27 admission cycle is 11 September 2026.
The entrance exam at Plovdiv Medical University is conducted entirely online. Candidates do not need to travel to Bulgaria. The exam covers Biology, Chemistry, and English, and can be taken from anywhere with a stable internet connection.
MU-Plovdiv has five main online exam dates in 2026: 15 April, 15 May, 16 June, 17 July, and 18 August, plus an additional re-sit on 4 September 2026.
The official competition-score formula has a maximum of 42 points and a minimum of 21 points. Actual admission cut-offs can be higher and vary by specialty and ranking round.
Yes. Plovdiv Medical University offers Dental Medicine in English. The programme lasts 5 years and 9 months and costs €10,000 per year. MU-Plovdiv is one of the main options for studying dentistry in English in Bulgaria.
Yes. MU-Plovdiv regulations allow transfers from other universities, subject to completed study periods, available capacity, and assessment by the university and relevant faculty.
The main campus of Plovdiv Medical University is at 15A Vasil Aprilov Blvd., 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The official admissions contact numbers are +359 32 200 700 and +359 32 200 701.
Students at Plovdiv Medical University typically spend €500-€800 per month. Private apartments near the university cost €260-€350/month, and average monthly living expenses (excluding rent) are approximately €540. Plovdiv is more affordable than Sofia and offers a richer cultural environment than smaller Bulgarian cities.
Questions about studying in Bulgaria or your application? Our team is ready to help.
