Edited by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
Sofia, nestled at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, is home to Bulgaria's entire international school community and offers families an unusually affordable European capital experience. The city blends Ottoman, Soviet-era, and modern architecture with a thriving café culture, extensive green spaces, and easy access to ski resorts and Black Sea beaches within a few hours' drive. International schools here range from long-established institutions like the American College of Sofia, founded in 1860, to newer British and IB-focused campuses that have opened as the expat population has grown. Families typically find that Sofia's compact size, reliable public transport, and walkable neighbourhoods make the school run straightforward, while the city's international restaurants and cultural scene ensure a comfortable lifestyle.
Compare 5 international schools in Sofia, Bulgaria. Filter by curriculum, fees (average BGN 19,083), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Zlatarski International School of Sofia offers an integrated international curriculum for students aged 11 to 18. English is the language of instruction. The school blends the Bulgarian national programme with Cambridge Secondary, IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme, and also provides A Levels for senior students. The three-stage structure runs Cambridge Secondary (grades 5–8), IGCSE (grades 9–10), and International Baccalaureate or A Levels (grades 11–12). Graduates receive both the Bulgarian Diploma and an international qualification. The school is fully authorised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, the IBO and Cambridge Assessment International Education; IB World School since 2003 and Cambridge International School since 2010. Founded in 1995 as an English-language secondary school, it operates across two buildings in Darvenitsa, Sofia, with laboratories, a library, computer facilities, a gym, and outdoor sports fields. Extracurriculars span sports, arts and drama, and community service, including exchanges, global events and charitable campaigns for students.
Darbi College Sofia is a Cambridge International school at 58 Rakovski Street in Sofia, Bulgaria, offering the Cambridge pathway for students aged 14 to 18—from Reception through IGCSE and A Levels. IGCSE is offered for 14–16 with a range of subjects and assessment methods (written, oral, practical) and leads to Cambridge International AS and A Levels. The A Level program is typically two years; AS Levels are typically one year. All subjects except Bulgarian Language are taught in English. The Reception year develops English and Bulgarian fluency, maths and ICT skills, science knowledge, and critical thinking under a Personal Tutor, with continuous assessment (75%) and a final exam (25%). The campus has dedicated classrooms and science facilities and supports extracurricular activities, including annual charity campaigns for the local community. Founded as Bulgaria's first British Sixth-form college, Darbi College has established strong Cambridge ties and provides private tuition for Oxbridge and other admission tests.
St. George International School & Preschool is a private international school in Sofia, Bulgaria, serving children from age 2 to 18. The curriculum blends Cambridge International Education for Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Levels with Edexcel IGCSE and AP options, while aligning with Bulgaria's State Educational Standards. English and Bulgarian are the official languages, with ESL and Bulgarian as a Second Language support to strengthen language development. Since 2016 the school has operated from a central Sofia site covering about 24,385 square metres, designed for contemporary learning, arts and sport. Facilities include over 90 classrooms, science and humanities spaces, libraries, two school gyms, an indoor pool, a large performing arts hall, an 827-square-metre event area, and medical rooms. Extracurriculars span sport, arts, robotics and coding, and cultural activities. Leadership and career guidance are supported by a Student Council and Duke of Edinburgh, with university destination planning and community ties.
Cosmos International School offers a Cambridge curriculum from preschool to upper secondary, including Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and options for A‑Levels or IB Diploma. The school serves ages 3 to 18 and uses English‑medium instruction alongside Bulgarian language studies. In Primary, students study Cambridge Primary English, Cambridge Primary Mathematics, Cambridge Primary Science and Art & Design, with Bulgarian language and literacy; additional languages include German, Spanish, Russian and Italian. Lower Secondary (grades 5–7) covers Cambridge English, Mathematics, Science, Art & Design, Digital Literacy and ICT, plus Bulgarian language, History and Civilization, Geography, Chemistry, Physics and Biology, with sports, theatre, yoga, gardening and camps; German, Spanish, Russian and Italian remain available. Upper Secondary (grades 8–12) centers on IGCSE, with pathways to IB or A‑Levels; core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and ICT, with Wellbeing and options like Economics, Travel and Tourism and Foreign Languages. Curriculum runs across ages.
The British School of Sofia is a British international day school with three campuses (two in Sofia and one in Plovdiv) and IB World School status. It serves ages 2 to 18 and uses IEYC in Early Years, Cambridge Primary Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, IMYC, IB PYP, DP and CP, plus IBCP. English is the language of instruction with EAL support; Bulgarian is offered as a native language option, and IB language options include English, Bulgarian, French among others. The school opened in 2009; moved to newly built premises in 2019; in summer 2025 construction began on a new campus to expand facilities. Facilities include a Main Building since 2019 with a wide multifunctional sports field, a Primary School playground, well-lit classrooms, interactive whiteboards, audio systems; a new science lab, MAC Lab and Windows Lab; Robotics Room and Lego Room; Art Room; gym; large hall; library; iPads for every student. Active after-school clubs.
No schools match your filters. Try adjusting your criteria.
Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
