Take an IELTS test in or nearby Bulgaria

Explore the most popular universities and programmes to study abroad in Bulgaria.

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Plovdiv
85 km

British Council - British School Classic

Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.

More information

  Test date Type Results by Test fee
July 11, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
Sofia
158 km

British Council Sofia Bulgaria - American University, Elieff Centre

Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.

More information

  Test date Type Results by Test fee
July 11, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire

British Council Sofia (UKVI test location)

This test centre is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration and offers the UKVI exam. Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.

More information

  Test date Type Results by Test fee
July 11, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire

British Council Sofia

Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.

More information

  Test date Type Results by Test fee
July 11, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
Burgas
185 km

British Council - Hotel Bulgaria Burgas

Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.

More information

  Test date Type Results by Test fee
July 26, 2025 General Training August 08, 2025 BGN 460 DETAILS
September 27, 2025 General Training October 10, 2025 BGN 460 DETAILS
November 22, 2025 General Training December 05, 2025 BGN 460 DETAILS
July 11, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
Blagoevgrad
198 km

British Council Sofia Bulgaria - AUBG English Language Institute

Test dates are subject to availability. Please check real-time availability on the British Council Online Registration System.

More information

  Test date Type Results by Test fee
July 11, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire
July 18, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 General Training Global test date: please enquire
July 25, 2025 Academic Global test date: please enquire

Other test centres in or nearby Bulgaria

There are two British Council test centres in Bulgaria's capital Sofia. Besides the capital, there are several other IELTS test centres across the country.

IELTS data

Several universities in Bulgaria require IELTS as proof of English proficiency to enrol in an English-taught programme

  • Lowest IELTS score required: 6.0
  • Highest IELTS score required: 6.5
  • Average IELTS score required: 6.2
  • Number of universities accepting IELTS: 5
  • Number of studies accepting IELTS: 44

Background of Bulgaria

Bulgaria, while perhaps a less common study destination, provides high-quality education with increasing international connections. After its higher education system was reorganized in the mid-1990s, the number of graduates grew significantly. Since joining the European Union in 2007, Bulgarian higher education degrees are fully recognized across EU member states.

Higher education institutions include Universities, Colleges, and Specialized Education Schools. All are autonomous and responsible for program design and quality. Most hold Bulgarian accreditation, and some have double accreditation from foreign institutions. Bulgarian universities have extensive experience teaching in international languages like English, French, and German, with some offering fully English-taught programs and double degrees through international partnerships. In the 2024/2025 academic year, over 200,000 students were enrolled in tertiary education, including over 5,000 doctoral candidates.

English requirements in Bulgaria

To study in English at one of the universities in Bulgaria you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

10 most popular study destinations for students in Bulgaria

Student insurance for students stuying in Bulgaria

Aon To make sure students in Bulgaria have access to the best insurance out there, Studyportals found a reliable partner in Aon. You can easily get advise and insight in costs based on your personal needs.


Frequently asked questions about IELTS in Bulgaria

How much does the IELTS exam cost in Bulgaria?

The IELTS test in Bulgaria costs BGN 426. Please note that you may need to make extra costs such as transportation or accomodation if you need to travel to a city to take IELTS. See our article on IELTS costs how to save money on your IELTS test.

How can I apply for IELTS in Bulgaria?

First make sure that you apply for the right type of IELTS. The IELTS exam is offered as Academic or a General Training variant. The Academic variant is for studying abroad and the General Training if you want to migrate to an English-speaking country and work there, or if you plan to attend a secondary school. Applying for all variants of IELTS in Bulgaria can be done by following this link to the official IELTS registration website .

Is IELTS for UKVI available for people from Bulgaria?

If you plan to study or work in the United Kingdom, you need IELTS for UKVI. The UK Home Office has authorized the Secure English language exams (SELT) IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training and IELTS Life Skills for visa applications to the UK coming from Bulgaria. Read more on the different types of IELTS in our article

Which test center in Bulgaria is the best to take the IELTS exam?

There is no "best test center" in Bulgaria , all of them are equally good. The IELTS test is a standardized test that is conducted in exactly the same way on different locations. So, it doesn't really matter which test center you will go, you will always get the same high quality experience. Go directly to test centers in Bulgaria to find a test centers that is most convenient for you.

When will IELTS exams start in Bulgaria?

IELTS exams in Bulgaria are conducted through the whole year. You can find all dates for IELTS exams in Bulgaria on the official IELTS registration website .

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