If you’re looking to study medicine in English at one of Europe’s most historic universities, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is one of the few institutions in Bulgaria, and the Balkans, where that’s possible.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is Bulgaria’s oldest university, founded in 1888, and its Faculty of Medicine offers a six-year Medicine programme taught entirely in English. The university is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO), listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and its degrees are accepted by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, as well as medical councils in Ireland, the US, Canada, and Australia.
With an annual tuition of €8,000, a competitive but structured entrance exam, and Sofia as your student city, St. Kliment Ohridski offers a compelling option for international students pursuing a medical career in Europe.
On this page you’ll find a full breakdown of programmes, fees, the entrance exam, admission requirements, and what student life in Sofia looks like.
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" is Bulgaria's oldest university, established in 1888. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in Bulgaria and the Balkans, with a motto of "Knowledge itself is power." The university serves over 20,000 students across multiple faculties, offering an extensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
The Faculty of Medicine at St. Kliment Ohridski has its roots in the medical school founded in 1917 as part of the original Sofia University. The Faculty gained full independence after World War II and received international accreditation in 1995. Today it is one of the leading medical education centres in Southeast Europe, with over 60,000 graduates and active research programmes in genetics, surgery, and disease prevention.
Unlike the standalone Sofia Medical University, the Faculty of Medicine at St. Kliment Ohridski is part of a broader, comprehensive university - which gives students access to a much wider academic and social environment.
Campus address:
Faculty of Medicine: 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1504 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
Official Website: www.uni-sofia.bg| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
University type | Public state university (oldest in Bulgaria) |
Founded | 1888 |
Location | Sofia, Bulgaria |
Programme in English | Medicine (6 years) |
Also available | Pre-med / Pharmacy (5 years) |
Annual tuition (Medicine) | €8,000/year |
Annual tuition (Pharmacy) | €6,000/year |
Students accepted per year | ~50 (Medicine, English) |
Entrance exam | In-person (Biology, Chemistry, English) |
Exam location | Sofia, Bulgaria |
Graduate entry | Not available |
Degree recognition | WHO, GMC (UK), Ireland, US, Canada, Australia |
Living costs | ~€500–€850/month |
Sofia, Bulgaria
Medicine, Pre-med
€8000
Not Available
Biology, Chemistry & English
€850/month
The Medicine programme at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is a six-year (12-semester) programme taught entirely in English, structured as follows:
Compulsory summer practical internships are also required during Years 2–4. Upon successful completion of the programme, internship, and state exams, graduates are awarded a Master’s degree with the professional qualification of Physician / Doctor of Medicine (MD), recognised worldwide.
Annual tuition: €8,000 (€4,000 per semester), plus a €300 preparatory course fee. Places available: Approximately 50 students accepted per year on the English-language track.
For students who need to strengthen their Biology and Chemistry before applying, St. Kliment Ohridski offers a pre-med preparatory course in Chemistry and Biology for international students.
Since 2019, the university has offered a five-year (10-semester) Pharmacy programme in English, costing €6,000/year (€3,000 per semester), plus a €250 pre-pharmaceutical course fee. This programme also requires a Biology and Chemistry entrance exam.
Graduate-entry medicine is not available at St. Kliment Ohridski, as this option does not exist within the Bulgarian higher education system. However, transfers from other medical universities are accepted.
Learn more about the transfer process to a Bulgarian medical university.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is an active hub of academic and professional life. The university hosts and participates in numerous national and international conferences, workshops, competitions, and networking events throughout the academic year.
Student organisations and clubs:
Sports facilities at St. Kliment Ohridski:
Programme | Duration | Annual Fee | Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
Medicine (English) | 6 years | €8,000 | €4,000 |
Pharmacy (English) | 5 years | €6,000 | €3,000 |
Both programmes require an additional one-off preparatory course fee (€300 for Medicine, €250 for Pharmacy).
Payment schedule: Tuition is paid in two instalments per academic year — 50% in September and 50% in early February.
The university does not offer tuition fee scholarships. Students may apply for student loans through Bulgarian banks or through banking institutions in their home country (available in some EU countries such as Germany and Sweden).
Annual tuition fees for Medicine in English across Bulgarian medical universities range from approximately €7,500 to €10,500. At €8,000/year, St. Kliment Ohridski sits near the lower end of this range – and well below the cost of medical education in Western Europe, where fees for international students can exceed €30,000-€50,000 per year.
The annual tuition fees at Bulgarian medical universities range from €7,500 to €10,500, depending on the chosen institution.
The tuition fee for Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” for medicine in English language is 7700 euros.
Tuition fees are paid in two installments— the first installment of 50% is due in September and the second is paid at the beginning of February each year.
Compared to many other countries, studying medicine in Bulgaria is an affordable option, offering high-quality education at a lower cost.
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.
You can rent a private apartment in Sofia. 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. iGeneration Agency can assist students in finding suitable accommodation.
Living expenses for Sofia, 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.
Admission to the Medicine programme at St. Kliment Ohridski is highly competitive, with approximately 50 places available per year on the English-language track.
Important – The St. Kliment Ohridski entrance exam is conducted in person in Sofia. Candidates must travel to Bulgaria to sit the exam.
The entrance exam is a 4-hour written test in English, covering secondary school-level Biology and Chemistry. Passing both sections is required to be ranked for admission. An English language component is also included (no external certificate required).
2026 Exam Date: September 2026 – exact date not yet officially published by the university.
Application deadline:
For EU applicants, application documents must be submitted in person from 12 June to 2 July 2026.
For non-EU applicants, applications for the 2026/2027 academic year can be submitted from 27 July to 11 September 2026.
All documents — including diploma, transcript, and health certificate — must be translated into Bulgarian and legally certified (apostilled or legalised).
No. No external English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) is required. English proficiency is assessed as part of the entrance exam.
Admission to Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is competitive, and documentation requirements are strict. Documents must be correctly translated, notarised, and legalised — errors in this process lead to rejection.
iGeneration Agency has helped hundreds of international students successfully navigate this process. We handle all legal documentation, prepare you for the entrance exam with proven study materials, and manage your application from start to finish.
Book a free consultation and let us maximise your chances of acceptance.
The winter semester begins in early October and concludes mid-January, with exams held between January 25th and February 19th. The summer semester starts in late February and ends mid-June, with exams from June 14th to July 9th.
Contact us now and learn about all the ways we can make your admission easier.
Applicants must submit the following documents to apply for medical programs in Bulgaria:
All documents, including the diploma, transcript, and health certificate, must be translated into Bulgarian and legalized according to official regulations.
Additional Requirements
Following these guidelines ensures a smooth application process and compliance with university requirements.
For all prospect students who wants to study medicine – there is an entrance test.
The test is done in person, so there is the need for each candidate to be physically in Bulgaria. The prospect student should be here at least one day before the entry test
The online entrance test for Sofia University Saint Kliment Ohridski consists of three components test questions in biology, test questions in chemistry and very easy English test
There is no need for English certificate because English is part of the online entrance test.
The certificate that each student receives after he successfully graduates Sofia University Saint Kliment Ohridski is internationally recognised so there is no need for any further examinations. Each student can continue working all around the world.
The full course in medicine at Sofia University Saint Kliment Ohridski is only in English language. There is no requirement or no need to study any Bulgarian language.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” transfers are possible from other medical schools. Aside from providing assistance for first year admissions, we also help students transfer from a different university to Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
A degree from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Faculty of Medicine carries broad international recognition, making it one of the most globally versatile medical qualifications available in Eastern Europe.
Recognised by:
This means graduates of St. Kliment Ohridski can apply for medical residency programmes and practise medicine in the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, and across Europe – without needing to sit additional equivalency exams.
To meet GMC requirements, graduates must have completed a programme of at least 5,500 hours of study over a minimum of three years, which the six-year Medicine programme satisfies.
The university provides hostel accommodation with approximately 6,300 beds across its student halls. To secure a place, apply at the university office and await the ranking results. The main advantage of university housing is its proximity to the Faculty of Medicine and easy access to the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Option | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
University dormitory | ~€100 | Shared double room, shared kitchen |
Private apartment (city centre) | ~€400 | One-bedroom, central location |
Private apartment (outside centre) | ~€350 | More affordable, good transport links |
Utilities (est.) | ~€100-€150 | On top of rent |
iGeneration Agency offers FREE assistance to all enrolled students in finding suitable accommodation based on your needs and budget.
Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and largest city, offering an unmatched range of cultural, social, and recreational experiences for international students.
Neighbourhoods popular with medical students:
Cultural highlights in Sofia:
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is located in the heart of Sofia. The main building is at 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. Here’s how to get there and other useful information:
Public Transport:
Taxi:
If you prefer a taxi, these companies operate in Sofia:
It’s recommended to order a taxi by phone or through an app to avoid pricing issues. Always check for a working taximeter.
Useful Information:
The university website has details on faculties, specialties, study programs, and more.
Sofia offers a diverse shopping experience, catering to every taste and budget. Whether you’re seeking international brands, unique local finds, or simply a pleasant stroll through vibrant streets, Sofia has something to offer.
Malls: A Shopper’s Paradise
Malls are a popular choice for shopping in Sofia, providing a wide array of stores, dining options, and entertainment under one roof. Here are some of the notable malls:
Shopping Streets and Centers: A Taste of Local Flair
In addition to malls, Sofia has several shopping streets and centers where you can discover unique boutiques and local shops:
Chain Stores: Familiar Favorites
Many international and Bulgarian chain stores have a presence in Sofia, offering a wide variety of products:
Beyond the Usual:
Sofia also offers unique shopping experiences beyond the typical malls and chain stores. You can explore souvenir markets, antique shops, and stores selling handcrafted goods.
Enjoy your shopping experience in Sofia!
Sofia offers a diverse range of entertainment options, catering to every taste and interest. From historical landmarks and cultural events to a lively nightlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation, there’s always something to do in Sofia.
Cultural Landmarks: A Journey Through Time
Sofia is a city with a rich history and culture, reflected in its many landmarks worth visiting:
Theaters and Concert Halls: A Feast for the Arts
Sofia has numerous theaters and concert halls where you can enjoy various performances and concerts:
Cinemas: Catching the Latest Blockbusters
Sofia has many cinemas where you can watch the latest movies:
Nightlife: When the Sun Goes Down
Sofia offers a vibrant nightlife with numerous bars, clubs, and discos:
Outdoor Recreation: Embracing Nature’s Beauty
Sofia is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering opportunities for recreation and walks:
Other Entertainment Options: Exploring Further
In addition to the above, Sofia has many other entertainment options, such as:
Sofia offers a diverse and dynamic dining and nightlife scene that can satisfy even the most discerning palates. From traditional Bulgarian restaurants to modern establishments serving international cuisine, and from cozy bars to bustling discos, Sofia has something for everyone.
Restaurants:
Sofia has a wide selection of restaurants offering various types of cuisine:
Bars:
Sofia offers a variety of bars where you can enjoy different types of drinks:
Clubs and Discos:
Sofia offers a vibrant nightlife with many clubs and discos where you can dance and have fun:
Many students compare St. Kliment Ohridski with the standalone Sofia Medical University, also located in Sofia. Here’s how they differ:
St. Kliment Ohridski | Sofia Medical University | |
|---|---|---|
University type | Comprehensive university (oldest in BG) | Standalone medical university |
Medicine fee/year | €8,000 | ~€9,500 |
Places (English track) | ~50/year | More places available |
Entrance exam | In person (Sofia) | In person (Sofia) |
Also offers | Pharmacy (English) | Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health |
Degree recognition | WHO, GMC, US, Canada, Australia | EU, EEA, GMC |
Ranking | Oldest, historically prestigious | Leading specialist medical institution |
Choose St. Kliment Ohridski when:
Consider Sofia Medical University when:
For a wider comparison including Plovdiv, Varna, and other cities, see the full guide to medical universities in Bulgaria.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is Bulgaria’s oldest university, founded in 1888. Its Faculty of Medicine offers a six-year Medicine programme taught entirely in English. The university is recognised by the WHO, GMC (UK), and medical councils in Ireland, the US, Canada, and Australia.
The annual tuition fee for Medicine in English at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is €8,000 (€4,000 per semester), plus a one-off €300 preparatory course fee. Pharmacy costs €6,000/year. Fees are paid in two instalments – September and February.
The entrance exam is conducted in person in Sofia, Bulgaria. Candidates must travel to Sofia to sit the exam. It is a 4-hour written test in English, covering secondary school-level Biology and Chemistry.
The exact Medicine exam date for 2026/2027 should be confirmed from the updated official Medicine admission page. For 2026/2027, Sofia University lists 12 June – 2 July 2026 for EU applicants and 27 July – 11 September 2026 for non-EU applicants.
Yes. Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK, as well as by medical councils in Ireland, the US, Canada, and Australia. Graduates can apply for residency and practise medicine in these countries.
Approximately 50 international students are accepted onto the English-language Medicine track each year, making admission highly competitive. A strong performance in both Biology and Chemistry sections of the entrance exam is essential for ranking.
No. The Faculty of Medicine at St. Kliment Ohridski offers Medicine and Pharmacy in English, but not Dentistry. Students interested in Dentistry in Bulgaria should consider Sofia Medical University, Plovdiv Medical University, or Varna Medical University.
Yes. Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” was founded in 1888, making it the oldest university in Bulgaria and one of the oldest in Southeast Europe.
Yes. Transfers from other medical universities are accepted. Graduate-entry medicine is not available. Contact iGeneration Agency to assess your eligibility.
Students at Sofia University typically spend between €500–€850/month on living expenses, including accommodation, food, transport, and entertainment. University dormitories cost approximately €100/month; private apartments in the centre range from €350–€500/month.
Questions about studying in Bulgaria or your application? Our team is ready to help.
