How Difficult Is Studying Medicine in Bulgaria? Here’s The Truth

When I was applying to study medicine in Bulgaria, I did what you’re probably doing right now—spending hours Googling articles, scrolling through random agency websites, and reading all those negative Reddit posts. With so much conflicting information out there, it’s hard to know what to believe.

Now that I’m in my 4th year at Medical University Varna, I can finally give an honest answer: Yes, studying medicine in Bulgaria is tough. But if you stick to the script, and stay in the game, you’ll find yourself standing on the graduation podium in six years.

It may sound like I’m oversimplifying things, but the first step is simply showing up. If you keep showing up in September after a blissful, responsibility-free summer, and then return again after a cosy Christmas break, you deserve credit for that. Consistency is half the battle. If you’re on the floor regularly you’re going to get on the good side of professors and you’re going to get a good overall picture of what you’re expected to know for the final exam.

Each semester presents a mix of subjects varying in difficulty. Some are straightforward, with high pass rates, while others—typically one or two—are notoriously challenging, often resulting in a high first-time failure rate.

But don’t worry! You’ll have multiple opportunities to pass. If you don’t succeed on the first attempt, you can retake the exam a few weeks later. If that doesn’t go as planned, there’s another chance in September. Even after that, you’ll still have two more attempts, giving you a total of five chances to pass each exam!

Final Exam Format 

Final exams for each subject take place at the end of the semester. Most final exams consist of a computer-based multiple-choice (MCQ) test, followed by an oral exam with a professor. Some subjects, such as Microbiology and Internal Medicine, also include an additional practical exam where students must demonstrate hands-on skills or case-based knowledge. 

The MCQ section is usually the easiest part of the exam to pass. It often includes a few past questions, and if you have a solid understanding of the material, you’ll likely get through it without much trouble. However, the oral exam can be far more challenging. At the start of the year, you’ll receive a syllabus outlining all exam topics, which can range from 50 to 120 topics, depending on the subject. During the oral exam, you’ll pick two random topics from a box, and the professor will expect you to discuss them in detail in a one-to-one interview style setting with the professor.

Oral exams in Bulgaria are a lottery in two ways. First, you might pick topics you’re well-prepared for—or you might land on nightmare topics you barely had time to study. Second, your experience can depend heavily on the professor you get. Some will be encouraging and eager to pass students, while others might seem unfairly tough for no obvious reason.

Over six years, you’ll experience both good and bad luck in oral exams, but it tends to balance out. The key to passing consistently is being able to say something about every topic on the syllabus. A simple but effective strategy is to start by writing four basic sentences for each topic. As the final exam date gets closer you can expand on these to build a stronger understanding before the exam.

Colloquiums (Midterm Tests)

In Bulgaria, midterm tests conducted during the semester are called “Colloquiums.” The vast majority consist of 20-30 computer-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Some tests include a significant number of past questions, while others feature mostly new ones. Typically, colloquiums contribute 30% to the final course grade, with the remaining 70% determined by the final exam in a continuous assessment format.

Seminars and Lectures

Each week, students typically have around 10 seminars and 10 lectures on their schedule. Lectures are not mandatory, but seminars are. During seminars, students are divided into small groups of about 12 and are expected to actively engage with the professor on that day’s topic.

In the clinical years, subjects like Internal Medicine require thorough preparation the night before, as doctors expect a high level of participation. However, this expectation is no different from what you would encounter while studying medicine in your home country.

Bulgarian

Not being able to speak Bulgarian upon arrival in Varna is a common concern for students and parents when they contact me about applying to MUV. However, the reality is that many students graduate with very limited Bulgarian skills. The course is taught entirely in English, and while students are required to attend Bulgarian language seminars for the first three years, most do not put strong effort into learning the language.

That said, developing strong Bulgarian proficiency can be a major advantage during the clinical years (3rd–6th year). While many young Bulgarians speak excellent English, elderly patients often do not. Being able to communicate with them during hospital rounds and while taking anamnesis not only sets you apart but also makes the experience more rewarding and fulfilling.  I’m not a top student by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve put in a decent effort to learn Bulgarian, and I find it extremely useful in clinical situations at the hospital.

Overall, studying medicine in Bulgaria is neither more difficult nor easier than studying in your home country. If you consistently put in a couple of hours of study after seminars in the evening and dedicate additional time on weekends, this will be more than enough to prepare for upcoming seminars and successfully pass your finals each year.