International students look to Bulgaria for higher education

This year’s numbers are down by eight per cent on those recorded in 2022/23, although indicate in increase in interest among international students for cheaper university qualifications taught in English. The largest share of international students came from Greece (20%), followed by the UK (14%), Ukraine (11%), Germany (9.5%) and Italy (6%). In total, international students made up eight per cent of all students studying in Bulgarian universities, slightly down on the nine percent recorded in 2022/23.

The most popular subject areas chosen by international students in Bulgaria were mainly health-related studies, with 46 per cent of them studying medicine, traditionally one of the most expensive qualifications to pursue at other English-medium study destinations such as the UK or USA. Tuition fees for English-taught medical and dental program in Bulgaria range from E7,000 to E9,000 per year. As an EU member state, university qualifications in Bulgaria are recognized throughout the European Union and beyond, which opens up career opportunities for international students globally.

It is also possible to study for a UK degree in Bulgaria through transnational education agreements offered by universities such as Cardiff Metropolitan University, which has a partnership with Varna University of Management offering dual degrees.

The report also revealed that there were 574 international PhD students, 11.4 per cent of total student numbers, studying in Bulgaria in 2024/25. The largest share are from China, (34 per cent), followed by Greece (14 per cent), Israel (7 per cent) and the Republic of North Macedonia (6 per cent). In private educational institutions, there are 84 international students, 14.6 per cent of the total.