An apparatus and method for variable length coding are provided. The apparatus for variable length coding includes a central processing unit which has a software module programmed in advance for variable length coding in a predetermined method, performs variable length coding of input symbol data by using the software module, and generates variable length code information. The apparatus further includes a bitstream processor which is a separate processor receiving the variable length code information from the central processing unit and generating a bitstream. According to the apparatus and method, modification or addition of a VLC table can be more easily performed through downloading software such that new video data coding standards can be easily supported. Also, by implementing the bitstream processor as a separate dedicated processor and thus implementing variable length coding as a software module, load to the central processing unit is reduced and high speed processing is enabled.