Medical education is one of the most important subfields of education and has always gotten extensive attention from the education exerts and decisions makers of every country in the world. Almost a century ago, Tsar Boris the third signed the order of establishment of Sofia Medical University and created a new stage in the history of Bulgaria. This university was established in 1917, and is the oldest medical school in the country and one of the oldest medical schools in Europe. MU consists of high-quality and modern infrastructure and effective and tested approaches towards education. This university has tested its theory and foundation several times in difficult times, such as world war 1 and 2. After all that, it has reached a great place and is one of the most prestigious and high-quality higher education centers in the world.

The university is located in Sofia. This city has a rich history and a bright future. After Bulgaria’s independence from Soviet Union, great changes have been happening in the country, which can be witnessed all around the capital in its architecture.

This university has made a great impact on the history of Bulgaria and has educated many of the country’s best and most well-known doctors. It has certainly played an undeniable role in the country’s medical system’s development.

The university consists of 4 faculties, specialized in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health. There are more than 6000 students currently studying at this university.

Advantages

The main advantage of this university is most definitely its infrastructure. MU is a state university and naturally benefits from all the state-owned facilities of not only Sofia, but also the whole Bulgaria. However, there are 14 hospitals directly managed and operated by the managers of the Sofia medical university. All the facilities and amenities of these hospitals, such as its laboratories or scanning centers are at MU student’s disposal. Practical courses of the students are held at these hospitals and students can experience authentic lessons with actual patients in these hospitals. University hospitals are hence he greatest advantage of Sofia Medical University over any other medical school in Eastern Europe.

The university has been one of the members of the Erasmus and Socrates programs for more than 20 years. This university is one of the oldest members of these programs and takes them quite seriously, encouraging its students to travel and use the facilities of other universities and the experience and knowledge of their professors, in order to develop significantly and reach highest levels of professionalism.

This university is the main medical school of the country and takes part in most of the country’s research projects. Many international projects are also being held at this university and MU has prepared incredible laboratories in its various research centers.

One advantage of this university, and Bulgaria in general is the low cost of studying and living.

Student life

Sofia medical university offers comfortable and incredible opportunities for its students in its main campus. The main campus of the university is located at the heart of Sofia, in walking distance from the city center and important shopping malls and other facilities of the city. The university has all the facilities that its students might need inside its main campus. there are more than 3000 beds in 7 dormitory buildings in the campus. All of the building blocks are equipped with the best facilities to create convenient living conditions for the students.

The university has established a language training and sports center which is responsible for all the language teaching activities, as well as sports centers management and university teams’ training.

There are several student unions in the university where students can get together and discuss various topics, and try to plan different events or solve the existing problems of their fellow students.

University Ranking

MU is an incredible environment where modern teaching techniques meat great Bulgarian traditions and create a fantastic, unique atmosphere. This university is a collection of the best professors, doctors and students of Eastern Europe and tries to provide first-class education to its students. MU has been ranked as the be 1149^th best university in the world according to USnews. In the QS world university ranking, this university is among the 550 best universities in medicine. It is also the 165^th best young emerging European university in this website. All in all, MU is one of the highly-ranked and most well-run universities in Eastern Europe.

Faculty of Medicine:

The oldest faculty of the university, the most populated, the most attractive and the one with the most modern laboratories and facilities is certainly the faculty of medicine. In its 100-year-old history, this faculty has educated more than 12000 doctors, having contributed significantly in the history of Bulgarian Medicine. The faculty consists of more than 40 departments in different fields of medicine.

Faculty of Dentistry:

This faculty is one of the most modern faculties in the republic of Bulgaria and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in both its educational buildings and in its hospitals. The faculty includes more than 150 professors. There are more than 1500 students currently enrolled in this faculty.

Faculty of Public Health:

This faculty is specialized in fields like medical pedagogy, health economy and medical care. It consists of 11 departments and offers high-quality courses to its students.

Admissions and application requirements

1. Student Application Form in English and in Bulgarian language (it can be downloaded from the MU-Sofia webpage both in Bulgarian and in English language);
2. Legalized copy of the secondary education diploma with a certified translation into Bulgarian language. It is an obligatory precondition for the candidates to have assessment degrees in Biology and Chemistry in their secondary education diploma in accordance with the Ordinance on the State Requirements for Admission of Students at the Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Bulgaria.
3. A document issued by a competent authority (a secondary school where the secondary education has been acquired) certifying the applicant’s right to continue his / her education at all levels of higher education institutions within the country (insert the name of the country) where the secondary education has been acquired. This document must be legalized and translated into Bulgarian language; the translation must be then certified.
4. A copy of a valid document proving citizenship (not residence).
5. Medical certificate issued within one month prior to the date of application, translated into Bulgarian language, the translation must be then certified.
6. Two (2) photos – passport size attached to the registration forms.
7. Declaration in Bulgarian and in English for the authenticity of the documents submitted, duly signed by the applicant (the form can be downloaded from the MU-Sofia webpage).

Why Sofia Medical University?

Located at the heart of one of the best cities in Eastern Europe, Sofia medical university is a specialized environment in medical education, offering high-quality courses with European standards. This university is equipped with the latest and the most modern medical facilities and has prepared incredible conditions for its students. The university manages and operates more than 10 hospitals and uses the facilities of those hospitals to educated its students in the most practical way possible. The university offers many research opportunities, such as the international Erasmus program to its students. With all the facilities and incredible environment that this university has, it is most certainly one of the best options for future doctors and dentists from any country in every corner of this planet.