The Faculty of Medicine at Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" – Varna was officially established in 2001 by Decree No. 160/20.06.2001 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. It is a fundamental unit in the structure of the university, currently incorporating 27 departments and 15 educational sectors (ESs), the University Centre for Eastern Medicine and the Centre for Translational Medicine and Cell Therapy.
The Faculty trains specialists with higher education in Medicine, acquiring the educational and qualification degree "Master" and the professional qualification "Physician in Medicine". There are PhD students in more than 40 accredited doctoral programs and wide range of specializations in the field of Medicine is offered and performed for postgraduates.
The Faculty of Medicine at MU-Varna is the only one in Bulgaria that trains medical students in the field of "Military Physician". In 2004, the Faculty launched an English-language medical program for international students. Since 2006, all graduates receive a Diploma Supplement – Europass, valid for implementation in all EU member states.
Students from more than 70 countries across 5 continents are trained in the English-language program.
The mission of the Faculty of Medicine at MU-Varna is aimed at public needs and requirements, by preparing doctors capable of successfully applying the acquired knowledge and skills in a real environment to protect, restore and strengthen the health of society. Education at the Faculty of Medicine meets the highest national and international standards.
The content of the educational documentation regulating the educational process in terms of study load, qualification level, learning outcomes, competences and profile, has been developed in accordance with the recommendations of the Berlin Communiqué on the "Implementation of the European Higher Education Area". In accordance with the recommendations of the report "Qualifications Framework in the European Higher Education Area" and with Art. 129 of the Regulations of MU-Varna, the qualifications for the specialties are linked to the developed system for accumulation and transfer of credits, in line with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This approach is consistent with the modern trends of the Bologna process and allows for easy comparability of the education offered at the Faculty of Medicine with that received at other universities in Bulgaria and abroad.
Among the key priorities in the education of students are the use of high technologies and the most modern interactive teaching models. There are high-tech equipped auditoriums, laboratories and classrooms. For acquiring best clinical experience and skills in controlled and safe environment students practice in Centre for Simulation Technology and Medical Equipment. The main clinical base for the training of students, residents and doctoral students is the
University Hospital "St. Marina" in Varna – the largest and most modern medical and diagnostic facility in Northeastern Bulgaria. Clinical training for students is held also in specialised hospitals in ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, plastic and reconstructive surgery and other specialties. Through participation in European programs and on the basis of agreements, the faculty is in collaboration with more than 39 European medical universities, faculties and scientific organizations, giving the opportunity for international exchange of teachers and students.
In 2021, MU-Varna initiated the application process for the HR Excellence in Research logo award. At the same time, the university endorsed the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct, adapted the internal human resources policy to the new European Research Area policy and defined an action plan with specific areas for improvement and priority actions. On May 5, 2022, the European Commission approved the OTM-R (Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment) and the Action Plan and awarded MU-Varna with the HR Excellence in Research logo. In 2024, the university successfully passed the HRS4R interim audit, receiving a positive assessment. MU-Varna is the fifth scientific institution and the first medical university in Bulgaria to be recognized for its policy towards researchers with this distinction. The HRS4R principles are integrated into the qualification profiles and curricula of doctoral students, including the development of key skills, commitment to scientific ethics and social responsibility.
Standing firmly behind the conviction that science is the engine of progress in the society, and that it should act in favour of this society, MU-Varna makes huge investments in Research and Development, providing its undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students with abundant opportunities to participate at national and international scientific events, in numerous research projects.
The Varna Medical University offers its students a modern environment with unlimited opportunities to develop themselves. Besides the state-of-the-art laboratories and training facilities for practice, a library with electronic reading rooms and access to the world's best information databases, the University provides its students with modern sports facilities and professional coaches in football, basketball, volleyball, tennis and boxing. The Medical University in Varna is the only one in the country offering its students sailing training programmes on board of its own sailing boats. Music, dance and theatre lovers are welcome to join the University rock band, the folk dance troupe or the student theatre troupe.
The University is actively involved in socially beneficial activities, conducting a variety of social, health and information campaigns, organized by students and lecturers such as blood donation, Diabetes campaigns, anti-AIDS campaigns, oral health promotion campaigns, etc.
All these achievements of the faculty are reflected in its ranking in the top positions of Bulgarian and international (UniRANK) rating systems.
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Vice Dean "Science, Research and Career Development"
Prof. Emil Kovachev, MD, PhD, DSc 
Vice Dean "Educational Affairs, Accreditation and Quality"
