Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
MU-Varna accepted English proof
From MU-Varna's application page for non-EU citizens.
| Proof | Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy (English) |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall or higher |
| TOEFL iBT / PBT | 90 / 576 |
| PTE Academic | 61 or higher |
| Cambridge | CPE or CAE 176; FCE 190 |
| IB Diploma (English instruction) | 4 at SL or HL |
| European Baccalaureate (English instruction) | 80% in English |
| University English test | Set by the Department of Foreign Languages |
Exemptions and the preparatory course
Citizens of the UK, Ireland, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and applicants who finished secondary school there, need no English certificate or test. A bilingual diploma from a language school with an English matriculation exam at B2 or higher is also accepted.
Applicants who are not proficient, or who fail the university's English test for medical specialties, can enrol in an English language preparatory course first. Duolingo is not on the list.
Free test: are you at Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" - Varna's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Entry tests and how to check
Non-EU applicants also sit Biology and Chemistry entry tests in English, each 1 hour 30 minutes with five sections, and their documents go to the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science for approval. Your school diploma must show the official language of your country with an average of at least 65%.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your MU-Varna programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" - Varna publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does the Medical University of Varna need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall or higher for Medicine, Dental Medicine and Pharmacy taught in English.
Can I study medicine at Varna without IELTS?+
Yes. You can take the university's own English proficiency test, or use an accepted school qualification such as the IB with English 4.
Does MU-Varna accept PTE?+
Yes, PTE Academic 61 or higher.
What happens if I fail the Varna English test?+
You can enrol in the university's English language preparatory course.
Keep reading
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Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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