Why Study Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria?
The Only 2 Universities Offering Veterinary Medicine in English in Bulgaria
Veterinary Medicine Programme Structure (5.5 Years)
How Much Does it Cost to Study Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria?
Entry Requirements to Study Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria
Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria for German-Speaking Students (Tierarzt Studium Bulgarien)
Lifestyle Reasons to Study Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria
Study Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria
Frequently Asked Questions – Study Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria
If you want to study Veterinary Medicine in English within the European Union, your options are more limited than you might expect. Most EU countries teach veterinary medicine in the national language. Bulgaria is one of the few EU countries where you can complete a full 5.5-year Veterinary Medicine degree entirely in English - and it offers two institutions doing so, both with online entrance exams.
The two universities are the University of Forestry in Sofia and Trakia University in Stara Zagora. Together they represent the only English-taught Veterinary Medicine options in Bulgaria, and among the most affordable in the European Union.
Only two institutions in Bulgaria offer Veterinary Medicine in English. This makes the choice more straightforward, but the admission process and study environment differ.
At a Glance
| University of Forestry – Sofia | Trakia University – Stara Zagora | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Sofia | Stara Zagora |
| 2026/27 tuition | €5,500 first year (€2,750/semester) | €6,350/year (€3,175/semester) |
| Duration | 5.5 years / 11 semesters | 5.5 years / 11 semesters |
| Entrance exam | Online Biology in English – 50 MCQs, 120 minutes | Online Biology; separate English exam for applicants from countries where English is not an official language |
| 2026 exam sessions | 2 June and 9 September | Biology: 7 June, 26 July and 23 August; English where applicable: 6 June, 25 July and 22 August |
| 2026 document deadline | 4 September for the main admission round | 21 August for EU/EEA English-programme applicants; 1 July for non-EU applicants |
| Ranking | 2 × Biology entrance-test grade + Biology school grade + Chemistry school grade | 2 × Biology entrance-test grade + Biology school grade + Chemistry school grade |
| Transfers | Case-specific academic assessment | Case-specific academic assessment |
| Study environment | Capital city, Studentski Grad area | Smaller university city with generally lower day-to-day costs |
Tuition fees are published for the current academic year and may change in future years, so this page does not use a fixed 5.5-year tuition total.
The University of Forestry (Bulgarian: Лесотехнически Университет) traces its higher-forestry education roots to 1925. Its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has provided Veterinary Medicine training since 1994 and offers the English-language programme in Sofia.
Key details:
€5500 / year
The University of Forestry - Sofia traces its higher-forestry education roots to 1925. Its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has provided Veterinary Medicine training since 1994 and offers a 5.5-year English-language programme in Sofia.
Trakia University is a public university in Stara Zagora offering Veterinary Medicine in English through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Key details:
€6350 / year
Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, offers medical and veterinary education with modern facilities. The city provides a rich cultural and educational environment, recognized for its high quality of life and affordable living.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Veterinary
Are you interested in studying Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria? We can help you compare the two universities and prepare your application.
Both the University of Forestry - Sofia and Trakia University offer 5.5-year / 11-semester Veterinary Medicine programmes. The programmes combine biomedical sciences, clinical training, practical placements and final state examinations.
Eligible Bulgarian veterinary qualifications can benefit from the EU professional-recognition framework under Directive 2005/36/EC. Graduates still need to apply to the competent authority and meet the registration requirements of the country where they want to practise.
Students enter clinical rotations, gaining practical experience across animal species. Two mandatory summer placements are required:
Mobile clinics and species-specific rotations covering:
Full-time clinical internship at affiliated veterinary hospitals and clinics, followed by state licensing examinations. Passing these is required for the award of the degree and eligibility for veterinary registration.
Graduate qualification: Master of Veterinary Medicine – equivalent to DVM; qualifies for veterinary registration across the EU and EEA, and internationally.
| University | 2026/27 tuition | Payment basis |
|---|---|---|
| University of Forestry – Sofia | €5,500 first year | €2,750 per semester |
| Trakia University – Stara Zagora | €6,350/year | €3,175 per semester |
Future academic-year tuition can change. For that reason, a fixed 5.5-year tuition total is not presented as a guaranteed programme cost.
Forestry University – Sofia
First-year tuition 2026/27: €5,500
Course length: 5.5 Years
Trakia University – Stara Zagora
Tuition Fee 2026/27: €6,350
Course length: 5.5 Years
| Bulgaria – Forestry | UK – RVC | Netherlands – Utrecht | Poland – Wrocław | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current tuition reference | €5,500 first year in 2026/27 | £50,360 international fee in 2026/27 | EU/EEA and non-EU rates differ; the veterinary route is taught primarily in Dutch | PLN 20,000 per semester on the current English DVM application page |
| Language | English | English | Dutch | English |
| Duration | 5.5 years | 5 years | 3-year Bachelor + 3-year Master | 5.5 years / 11 semesters |
Living costs depend heavily on accommodation and lifestyle. For planning purposes, Sofia is generally more expensive than Stara Zagora, but exact rent, dormitory and monthly totals should not be treated as fixed university prices.
iGeneration planning estimate: around €500-€800/month in Sofia and €450-€650/month in Stara Zagora. These are planning ranges, not official university living-cost figures.
Sofia city
Planning budget: €500-€800/month
iGeneration estimate. Actual accommodation and living costs vary.
Stara Zagora city
Planning budget: €450-€650/month
iGeneration estimate. Actual accommodation and living costs vary.
Both universities use online admission testing, so applicants do not normally need to travel to Bulgaria simply to sit the entrance exam.
The key difference is that the University of Forestry entrance test is Biology in English, while Trakia University uses a Biology entrance exam for Veterinary Medicine and a separate English exam for applicants from countries where English is not an official language. Chemistry contributes through the school grade in the Trakia ranking formula, but it is not a separate Veterinary Medicine entrance test.
| University of Forestry – Sofia | Trakia University – Stara Zagora | |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary entrance subject | Biology in English – 50 MCQs | Biology |
| English | 10 reading-comprehension questions are part of the Biology test in English | Separate English exam for applicants from countries where English is not an official language |
| Duration | 120 minutes | Follow the instructions for the relevant Trakia exam session |
| 2026 sessions | 2 June and 9 September | English where applicable: 6 Jun, 25 Jul, 22 Aug; Biology: 7 Jun, 26 Jul, 23 Aug |
| Ranking formula | 2 × entrance-test grade + Biology school grade + Chemistry school grade | 2 × Biology entrance-test grade + Biology school grade + Chemistry school grade |
The exact document set differs by university and applicant status. Typical requirements include:
Foreign-issued documents may require legalisation or apostille and certified Bulgarian translation. Non-EU students may also require a Bulgarian Type D student visa and residence permit.
University of Forestry: the 2026/27 rules require both Biology and Chemistry school grades to be at least 62% of the maximum possible grade. The application fee is €180.
Trakia University: the application fee for the English programme is €80 per exam, and the university states there is no separate document-processing fee.
iGeneration Agency can support applicants with document preparation, translations and legalisation, application planning and preparation for the relevant entrance tests.
For the University of Forestry, exam preparation is focused on the online Biology test in English. For Trakia University Veterinary Medicine, the entrance subject is Biology, with a separate English exam where the university requires it. Chemistry remains relevant as a school-grade component in the Trakia ranking formula.
Studying Veterinary Medicine in Bulgaria gives international students a practical mix of affordable living, EU-based education, and a calmer daily routine than many larger Western European study destinations.
Sofia and Stara Zagora offer very different student experiences. Sofia is larger, busier, and more international, while Stara Zagora is quieter, cheaper, and easier to manage on a student budget.
For veterinary students, Bulgaria also has a strong connection to agriculture, animal care, and rural life. This makes the country a relevant place to study animal health, livestock management, and practical veterinary work.
Outside university, students can travel easily across the country. Mountains, historic towns, Black Sea resorts, and neighbouring countries are all accessible, giving students plenty of options during weekends and semester breaks.
Daily life is also more affordable than in many EU countries. Rent, food, transport, and leisure costs are lower, which helps students focus on their studies without the same financial pressure.
Germany and Austria have competitive admission systems for Veterinary Medicine, so some German-speaking students consider English-taught alternatives elsewhere in the EU, including Bulgaria.
Both Bulgarian English-language Veterinary Medicine programmes accept international applicants:
Important: automatic professional recognition does not remove the need to apply to the competent authority in Germany or Austria or to meet applicable registration, language and professional requirements.
Für weitere Informationen auf Deutsch steht iGeneration Agency per E-Mail und Telefon zur Verfügung.
What’s available: 5.5-year / 11-semester Veterinary Medicine programmes in English at the University of Forestry in Sofia and Trakia University in Stara Zagora.
2026/27 fees: University of Forestry – €5,500 first year (€2,750/semester) | Trakia University – €6,350/year (€3,175/semester).
Entrance exam: Online at both. Forestry – Biology in English. Trakia – Biology, plus a separate English exam for applicants from countries where English is not an official language.
2026 exam dates: Forestry – 2 June and 9 September. Trakia – Biology on 7 June, 26 July and 23 August; English where applicable on 6 June, 25 July and 22 August.
Degree: Master’s-level veterinary qualification. Eligible Bulgarian qualifications can use the EU professional-recognition framework under Directive 2005/36/EC, but registration in the destination country is still required.
Transfers: assessed individually by the relevant university.
Living costs: Sofia is generally more expensive than Stara Zagora. Use current accommodation quotes rather than fixed dormitory or full-programme cost claims.
Yes. Two institutions in Bulgaria offer Veterinary Medicine in English: the University of Forestry in Sofia and Trakia University in Stara Zagora. Both programmes last 5.5 years / 11 semesters and lead to a Master’s-level veterinary qualification.
Two: the University of Forestry – Sofia and Trakia University – Stara Zagora. They are the two English-taught Veterinary Medicine options covered by the current Bulgarian international-admission routes.
For 2026/27, the University of Forestry publishes €5,500 for the first year, or €2,750 per semester. Trakia University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine publishes €6,350 per academic year, or €3,175 per semester. Future-year fees may change.
Both universities use online admission testing. The University of Forestry exam is Biology in English. Trakia University’s Veterinary Medicine entrance exam is Biology, with a separate English exam for applicants from countries where English is not an official language.
At the University of Forestry, the online test contains 50 questions in English: 10 reading-comprehension questions and 40 Biology knowledge questions, with 120 minutes available. At Trakia University, Veterinary Medicine applicants sit a Biology entrance exam. Applicants from countries where English is not an official language also sit the separate English exam.
The University of Forestry held a preliminary Biology exam on 2 June 2026 and the main exam on 9 September 2026. Trakia University’s 2026 Veterinary Medicine sessions used English exams where applicable on 6 June, 25 July and 22 August, followed by Biology exams on 7 June, 26 July and 23 August.
Both programmes last 5.5 years / 11 semesters. The University of Forestry states that its programme ends with state examinations and awards the professional qualification Veterinary Surgeon and a Master of Sciences degree. Trakia University’s Veterinary Medicine programme is also a regulated Master’s-level qualification.
Eligible Bulgarian veterinary qualifications can benefit from automatic professional recognition in the EU under Directive 2005/36/EC when the qualification meets the applicable Annex V conditions. Graduates still need to apply to the competent authority and meet the registration and language requirements in Germany, Austria or another destination country.
For 2026/27, the University of Forestry has the lower published first-year tuition: €5,500 compared with €6,350/year at Trakia University. Total personal cost depends on future tuition changes, accommodation and lifestyle, so a fixed 5.5-year cost comparison should not be treated as guaranteed.
Transfer and credit recognition are case-specific academic decisions. Applicants should submit their previous university records for an individual assessment rather than assuming that transfer is automatically available at either university.
Questions about studying in Bulgaria or your application? Our team is ready to help.
