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?
Bulgaria is one of the few countries in the EU where you can complete a 5-year Master's degree in Pharmacy in English - not just a Bachelor's. This distinction matters: in most Western European countries, pharmacy graduates receive a Bachelor's, requiring further postgraduate study to reach Master's level. In Bulgaria, the 5-year programme leads directly to a Master's degree (Magister Pharmaciae), giving graduates a higher qualification upon completion.
International students also choose Bulgaria because the admission process is simpler than in many Western European countries. The entrance exam is conducted online, tuition fees are significantly lower, and graduates receive an EU-recognised qualification that opens career opportunities across Europe.
All three programmes are taught entirely in English, require an online entrance exam in Biology and Chemistry (no travel to Bulgaria needed), and lead to internationally recognised degrees valid across the EU and EEA.
At a Glance
| Sofia Medical University | Plovdiv Medical University | Varna Medical University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Sofia | Plovdiv | Varna (Black Sea) |
| Annual tuition | €8,000 | €6,000 | Confirm with VUM |
| 5-year total (tuition only) | €40,000 | €30,000 | Confirm |
| 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 certificate | Not required | Not required (confirm) | Not required (confirm) |
| Programme duration | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Clinical internship | Yes (final semester) | Yes (6-month pre-diploma) | Yes |
| Transfers | Accepted | Not accepted | Confirm |
Sofia Medical University is Bulgaria’s leading medical institution and the only one offering all three major clinical degrees in English – Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Its Pharmacy programme (Faculty of Pharmacy) is one of the most established in Bulgaria.
Key details:
Programme structure:
€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 €6,000/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 Varna – Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastal city – Varna Medical University offers Pharmacy in English with a strong emphasis on modern pharmaceutical research and e-learning integration.
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.
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.
Tuition Fee per year: €8,000
Course length: 5 Years
Tuition Fee per year: €6,000
Course length: 5 Years
Tuition Fee per year: €6,000
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 | €6,000 | €30,000 |
| Varna Medical University | Confirm | Confirm |
Payment: Two instalments per year – 50% in September, 50% in February.
| Bulgaria (Plovdiv) | UK (MPharm) | Ireland (MPharm) | Germany | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition (international) | €6,000 | €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):
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 certificate | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Exam format | Online, proctored MCQ | Online MCQ | Online MCQ |
| 2026 exam sessions | 1 (03 Sep EU, 09 Sep non-EU) | 6 (Apr-Sep) | Confirm |
| Application deadline | 31 August 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 a critical question for UK-based students or graduates planning to practise as pharmacists in the United Kingdom.
The short answer: A Bulgarian MPharm degree is recognised across the EU/EEA. For working in the UK specifically, graduates need to apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for registration – and this requires additional assessment for non-UK pharmacy qualifications.
Key points for UK-bound pharmacy graduates:
Recommendation for UK-bound students: Contact iGeneration Agency for the most current guidance on GPhC registration pathways before applying to a pharmacy programme.
What’s available: 5-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) in English at 3 universities – Sofia MU, Plovdiv MU, and Varna MU.
Fees: €6,000/year (Plovdiv) | €8,000/year (Sofia MU) | Varna – confirm
5-year total (incl. living): ~€62,400 (Plovdiv) to ~€82,000 (Sofia)
Entrance exam: Online at all 3 – Biology + Chemistry. Most flexible: Plovdiv (6 sessions Apr–Sep).
Degree: Master of Pharmacy – EU/EEA recognised. UK (GPhC): requires OSPAP after Brexit.
Key differentiator vs UK/Ireland: Same 5-year Master’s degree at 25-40% of the cost.
Best for: Students wanting a full EU-recognised Master’s in Pharmacy in English at an affordable price, with an online entrance exam.
Not ideal if: You specifically need a UK GPhC-recognised degree without additional assessment (OSPAP required for post-Brexit UK practice).
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. Three Bulgarian medical universities offer a 5-year Master’s degree in Pharmacy taught entirely in English: Sofia Medical University, Plovdiv Medical University, and Varna Medical University. No Bulgarian language study is required for the programme, though some universities include early-year Bulgarian language classes for clinical placements.
Sofia Medical University charges €8,000 per year for Pharmacy in English. Plovdiv Medical University charges €6,000 per year. Varna Medical University’s current Pharmacy fee should be confirmed directly. All fees are paid in two instalments – September and February.
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.
No. An external English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) is not required for pharmacy programmes in Bulgaria. English proficiency is assessed as part of the entrance exam at Sofia Medical University. At Plovdiv and Varna, confirm current requirements with iGeneration Agency.
Yes. The 5-year Master of Pharmacy from Bulgarian medical universities is recognised across all EU and EEA member states. Graduates can apply for pharmacist registration in any EU/EEA country. For the UK, additional registration through the GPhC’s overseas assessment programme (OSPAP) is required following Brexit.
Bulgarian pharmacy is a 5-year Master’s programme taught in English, costing €6,000-€8,000/year. UK pharmacy (MPharm) lasts 4 years but costs £22,000-£35,000/year for international students, plus a 1-year pre-registration training year before full GPhC registration. Total training to full registration is similar (5-5.5 years), but Bulgarian graduates pay significantly less.
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.
