Medical University of Varna (Medicine in English): Fees, Admission and Review for Indian Students
Medical University 'Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov' – Varna, on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, teaches a six-year Medicine programme in English: ten semesters plus a one-year state clinical internship (310 days). Tuition for 2026/27 is €10,000 a year in years 1–2, €9,100 in years 3–4 and €9,000 in years 5–6, about €56,200 (≈ US$62,100 or ₹58 lakh) in total. Non-EU applicants need Ministry document approval and Biology and Chemistry entry tests. Bulgarian is compulsory in years 1–3.
MBBS in BulgariaPublic
MU-Varna: key facts
- Location
- Varna, Bulgaria
- Type
- Public (state) university
- Tuition per year
- $9,950–$11,050 (USD, approx.)
- Total (tuition + hostel, full course)
- $62,100
- Course duration
- 6 years (10 semesters + 1-year state clinical internship, 310 days)
- Medium of instruction
- English (Bulgarian compulsory in years 1–3)
- Intake
- October
- Recognition
- Bulgaria's National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) holds WFME recognition until October 2036; Check the WDOMS listing (search.wdoms.org); Check against NMC FMGL 2021 (NMC publishes no approved list)
- Indian students
- FMGE 2025 (NBEMS): 15 Varna graduates appeared, 5 passed
- Official website
- www.mu-varna.bg/EN
Key takeaways
- 2026/27 tuition: €10,000 a year (years 1–2), €9,100 (years 3–4) and €9,000 (years 5–6), about €56,200 or $62,100 (≈ ₹58 lakh) for six years.
- Non-EU applicants are admitted after Ministry of Education approval of their documents, Biology and Chemistry entry tests and ranking.
- English proof: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90, PTE Academic 61, Cambridge 176 (CAE/CPE) or 190 (FCE), or the university's own English test.
- The final year is a state clinical internship of 310 calendar days in university clinics, followed by state examinations.
- FMGE 2025 (NBEMS): 5 of 9 Varna graduates passed in June 2025, 0 of 6 in December 2025.
On this page
The Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" – Varna is one of Bulgaria's four main state medical universities and teaches Medicine, Dental Medicine and Pharmacy in English. Its pitch to Indian students is an EU medical degree for about ₹9–10 lakh a year in tuition, ending with a full year of clinical internships. Facts below are from the university's official pages and NBEMS data, as of November 2026. For the country overview, see MBBS in Bulgaria.
Programme overview
The English Medicine programme lasts six years: ten semesters of study and one year of state clinical internships (310 calendar days). The university says that, apart from the language of teaching, the curriculum is identical to the Bulgarian-taught one.
- Years 1–2: basic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics applied to medicine), then the biomedical sciences most relevant to a practising doctor.
- Year 3 onwards: teaching takes place in the clinics of the university hospitals, working with admitted patients.
- Final year: exclusively practical, working under the supervision of senior clinicians.
- State examinations: comprehensive theoretical and practical exams before state examination boards.
Graduates receive a master's degree with the professional qualification "physician" (Doctor of Medicine) and a European diploma supplement in English. The university says the degree enables graduates to practise in EU countries and many others; non-EU citizens should still check each country's registration rules.
Bulgarian is compulsory in the first three years, so that students can talk to patients from the third year onwards.
Fees for 2026/27
Tuition is €10,000 a year in years 1–2, €9,100 in years 3–4 and €9,000 in years 5–6. Fees are paid per semester. Converted at the ECB rate of 13 November 2026 (€1 ≈ US$1.105) and US$1 ≈ ₹94:
| Years | Per semester | Per year | ≈ USD per year | ≈ ₹ per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | €5,000 | €10,000 | $11,050 | ₹10.4 lakh |
| 3–4 | €4,550 | €9,100 | $10,050 | ₹9.5 lakh |
| 5–6 | €4,500 | €9,000 | $9,950 | ₹9.3 lakh |
| Six-year total | €56,200 | $62,100 | ₹58 lakh |
The table shows the rates the university applies to each year group in 2026/27; confirm the schedule for your own intake. Bulgaria uses the euro since 1 January 2026, which removes currency conversion inside the country. Accommodation, food, insurance and travel are extra; add them in our cost calculator.
Admission requirements for Indian students
Non-EU applicants are admitted after the Ministry of Education and Science approves their documents, they sit the Biology and Chemistry entry tests, and they are ranked for a place.
- Secondary education: a diploma or school-leaving certificate that entitles you to continue to higher education at home (Class 12 with PCB).
- Document approval by Bulgaria's Ministry of Education and Science.
- Entry tests: Biology and Chemistry for the English-taught programme.
- English proficiency: the university's English test or a certificate such as IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90 (PBT 576), PTE Academic 61, or Cambridge CAE/CPE 176 or FCE 190. Bilingual or IB/European Baccalaureate diplomas with English can also count.
- Preparatory course: applicants who fail the English test can enrol in the university's English preparatory course.
You also need a qualifying NEET-UG result if you plan to practise in India (NEET for MBBS abroad). The university publishes an admission brochure on its Programme in English page; read it and the current deadlines before applying.
FMGL 2021 check
Varna's structure fits FMGL better than many European programmes, but you must still confirm licence eligibility. NMC does not approve foreign universities (FMGL guide):
- English medium: yes, with Bulgarian for patient contact.
- 54 months + 12-month internship in the same institution: ten semesters plus a one-year state clinical internship in the university's clinics. Keep documents showing where each rotation took place.
- Licence on par with a citizen: ask the university what a non-EU graduate must do to register and practise in Bulgaria.
- In India: a 12-month internship and an FMGE pass.
FMGE results
Varna's 2025 FMGE results swung from 5 of 9 in June to 0 of 6 in December (NBEMS FMGE Performance Report 2025), or 5 of 15 overall. Pleven Medical University sent more candidates in both sessions. With such small numbers, plan your own FMGE preparation from the clinical years; see the FMGE guide.
Recognition
Bulgaria's National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) holds WFME recognition until October 2036 — useful context for the US route, although USMLE eligibility itself depends on the school being listed in WDOMS as meeting ECFMG requirements (WDOMS, ECFMG and WFME). Check the university's WDOMS listing before you apply.
Who should choose Varna?
Varna suits students who want an affordable EU medical degree with a clearly structured internship year, can pass biology and chemistry tests, and will learn Bulgarian. Compare it with Carol Davila in Romania (similar fees, interview admission) and with Serbia, which is cheaper but outside the EU.
Pros and cons of MU-Varna
Advantages
- Lower tuition than Central European options, falling slightly in later years
- Final year is a structured state clinical internship in university clinics
- Curriculum identical to the Bulgarian-taught programme, with clinical teaching from year 3
- Coastal city with milder winters than inland Europe
Drawbacks
- Mixed FMGE results in 2025 (5 of 9 in June, 0 of 6 in December)
- Bulgarian must be learned for patient contact
- Ministry document approval adds time to admission
- Licence eligibility in Bulgaria for non-EU graduates must be checked for FMGL
Frequently asked questions
What are the Medical University of Varna fees for Indian students?
For 2026/27 the English-taught Medicine programme costs €10,000 a year (paid as €5,000 per semester) in years 1–2, €9,100 in years 3–4 and €9,000 in years 5–6. At €1 ≈ US$1.105 and $1 ≈ ₹94 that is about ₹9.3–10.4 lakh a year and roughly ₹58 lakh in tuition for the whole course. Accommodation, food and insurance are extra.
What is the admission process at Medical University of Varna?
Non-EU applicants submit documents that must be approved by Bulgaria's Ministry of Education and Science, then sit the Biology and Chemistry entry tests for the English programme and must be successfully ranked for a place. They also prove English with an accepted certificate or the university's English test; a preparatory English course is available for those who fail it.
Is Medical University of Varna valid in India?
NMC does not approve foreign universities. Varna's degree is judged against FMGL 2021: English medium, at least 54 months of study plus a 12-month internship in the same institution, and licence eligibility in Bulgaria on par with a citizen. Varna teaches in English and ends with a one-year state clinical internship in its own clinics, which helps; still confirm the licence condition before enrolling. See the FMGL guide.
What is the FMGE pass rate of Medical University of Varna?
The NBEMS FMGE Performance Report 2025 shows 9 Varna graduates in June 2025, of whom 5 passed (55.56%), and 6 in December 2025, none of whom passed. That is 5 of 15 across both sessions (about 33%). The numbers are small and swing widely between sessions.
Do Varna students have to learn Bulgarian?
Yes. The university says learning Bulgarian is compulsory in the first three years of the English programme, because students work with patients from the third year onwards and need to communicate with them.
Sources
- Tuition fees for the academic year 2026/2027 — Medical University of Varna
- Overview of the MD programme (English) — Medical University of Varna
- How to apply — non-EU applicants — Medical University of Varna
- Accrediting agencies with WFME recognition status — World Federation for Medical Education
- FMGE Performance Report 2025 — National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences
- Bulgaria joins the euro area — European Central Bank
- Euro foreign exchange reference rates (13 November 2026) — European Central Bank
Last fact-checked 14 November 2026. Fees are approximate and quoted in US dollars; exchange rates and university fee schedules change every year. Confirm current figures with the university and your national medical regulator before paying. See our editorial policy.