Thread: Medical School Sofia, Bulgaria

I am thinking about this school but I dont know the quality of the school. Is it good, can the professors handle their english well? I am bulgarian but I live in Sweden and most of family is still in Bulgaria, thats why I want to study there. Someone with usefull information that can help me?

I am currently a second year student (from N. America) attending Sofia Medical University. I have a Bachelors degree previous to my enrollment so I can compare the school to that. I have not been to any medical schools in other countries so I cannot say where this school falls in the scale of medical schools. What I can do is give you what I have seen thus far:
The professors for international students all lecture in English and do it quite well. They certainly know their subjects. As far as I have observed, competance levels for profs. are generally very high. Their are a few professors who are also very mediocre but they teach the non-essential subjects. I assume you don't speak Bulgarian? If not, you will be learning it as part of the schedule. We are required to interview patients after the third year and it must be done in Bulgarian.
Other positive things to mention: The school has all certifications, licensures, etc, produces/has produced a number of physicians who work successfully in Western Europe or North America. Exams, thus far, seem to be right on par with other medical schools. Oral exams are the norm. The medical school is partnering with a very good, brand-new foreign built hospital here for clinical rounds - this is great because the "normal" hospitals here that I've had the pleasure to be in are filthy, outdated, and an administrative nightmare. (That's being kind)
There are a greater number of foreign students coming in every year from the west so the school is adjusting as it goes to the expectations of students who are accustomed to different standards.

Negatives: The country is less developed at the moment than the West as you know. The school as a result is lacking some technology and needs restructuring. Some of the school procedures are not as rigid (organized) as in western schools which can seem odd.

As far as Bulgaria itself, it will help that you have family here.
For others, the culture shock is....well huge.

Anyway, I hate to go into more specifics on such a general post. Application/Enrollment is relatively easy and does not require the use of an agency if this is what you are considering. I strongly recommend against this, as it is a waste of money.

If you have more questions, I'll be more than happy to respond.

So after reading a little more on this site, I thought I'd add a bit more. The program is 6 years, which can be good or bad depending on if one has completed a BA/** or not. From my experience, a certain number of college credits will transfer. Class sizes are small for foreigners which is really nice - or not depending on how well you like your classmates.

As far the class I like the most: The anatomy class is great - we get to dissect constantly. It's a two-year class which gives a really solid base and the mid-exams are tough. I'm a good student and it takes a minimum two weeks to prepare in addition to four or five days spent in the anatomy room with the books. The final, at the end of 2nd year is over everything and is about a five hour exam both oral, slides, and written. I'm thinking this a good sign that I have studied here like a crazy person from the beginning.

In general, I would give the school a thumbs up. They've been around for almost a century so it's well established. However, I am hesitant to say too much because I have not been here so long and perhaps am yet to discover some other negatives or positives.

Oh, and as a side note, not ALL of the hospitals here are so bad. Many are good. Most are just very old. I was feeling quite annoyed with the medical system at the moment. At times, I expect the country to be up to N. American standards but it's Bulgaria and we just joined the EU....give it time.

Anyone else out there have something to say? I'm really curious if someone else has something to add here.

hi..can anyone give me a contact number for a person in charge of foreign students? i am looking to transfer to sofia and cannot seem to find any type of contact info on the school's website...

+8510876 try this number

I would like to know how can I work as a doctor in Bulgaria. I finished my faculty in Romania. Thank you.

Could someone give me information about Postgraduate specialization in Medical University of Sofia... do they take in foreign doctors for their postgraduate courses ? English curriculum ? If so what is the fees , admission process , cost of living , contact addresses..... thanx....

I would liek to know that also

As far as I understand. Foreign tuituion for post-grad is 4200 Eur. The length is 2-5 years depending on specialty, ie. neurosurgery,urology,surgery, internal diseases are longer specialties.
There are fifty specialties available and I'm not going to type them all. gyno, sports med, pathology, parisitology, genetics....etc,etc.
You must have at least a Masters to apply and they require some Bulgarian language study. Is it in English? I have no idea so it is best to contact the school and find out what is required because I am almost certain that if not some classes, but for sure the clinical aspects will require some knowledge of Bulgarian.

Hi, im in the US and am thinking about applying to the med school in Sofia. The poster in the beginning said that he/she applied without an agency. How is that possible? because they do have an agency called Source America, and they take care of you books, finding you an apartment, etc, but also charge a $12k fee. So if you could help me with this i would greatly appreciate it. Also, what is life like there? Im very tech savvy and would have trouble without the use of internet and other electronics of mine.. thanks for any help!