Study in Bulgaria

In spite of Bulgaria being a less popular study destination, students receive high-quality education. Increasing mobility and links between Bulgarian higher education systems and universities around Europe provide great diversity and lead to a strong foundation for a future career.

Bulgaria's higher education system was reorganized in the mid-1990s, after the fall of the communist regime. Between 1995 and 2002, the number of university graduates increased from 33,000 to 50,000. In 2002, 42 institutions of higher learning were available in the country, with 215,700 students enrolled. Since 2007, Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and Bulgarian Higher Education degrees are fully recognised in EU member states.

Presently, higher education institutions include Universities, Colleges and Specialized Education Schools. All institutions of Higher Education in Bulgaria are autonomous and responsible for programme design and quality. Almost all universities in the country have Bulgarian accreditation and some have double accreditation from foreign institutions.

Why study in Bulgaria?

1. Very low tuition and living costs

Studying and living in Bulgaria is very affordable, especially if you come from a more expensive country or if you compare Bulgaria to other top study destinations, like the UK, the US, Canada, or Australia.

At public universities, internationals pay between 300 and 3,850 EUR per year for tuition. Disciplines like Medicine and Pharmacy are the only exceptions, often costing up to 7,000 EUR per year. In terms of living costs, you should be perfectly fine with a budget of 300–500 EUR per month.

2. Great country for entrepreneurs

Bulgaria is a great destination for business-oriented students, who want to create their own start-ups and make a difference in the world. Here are some of the main reasons why you might want to study and start a company here:

• you can launch and operate a start-up very fast and at affordable costs
• various projects and funding are available for start-ups
• the purchasing power is high

3. Bulgaria is a beautiful country

From the wonderful beaches to the centuries-old buildings, there are plenty of things to see and do while studying and living in Bulgaria. Some of the top places we recommend visiting are: the Sunny Beaches, the Rila Monastery, the Saint Aleksandar Cathedral, the Seven Rila Lakes, Vitosha, the Tsarevets Fortress, Cape Kaliakra, etc.

Higher education degrees

Higher education in Bulgaria provides applicants with the following degrees options:

• College degree – obtained after three years of studies
• Bachelor’s degree – obtained after three to four years of studies
• Master’s degree – obtained after one year with a completed Bachelor’s degree (or 5 years if taken directly after graduating high-school)
• PhD or Doctorate degree – obtained after three years of studies, only available for applicants with a Master’s degree

General application requirements

Documents required for a Bulgarian university application include:

• A completed application form
• A validated copy and a certified translation of the applicant’s high-school diploma
• Applicants for Master’s degree courses should present a validated copy and a certified translation of a diploma (Bachelor’s or Master’s) accompanied by a transcript of study records
• A medical certificate issued not earlier than one month before the application procedure
• A photocopy of the applicant’s passport/identity card
• Four recent photographs of the applicant
• Certificate of English, French or German proficiency for those wishing to study in an international language. If you have good command of the language and you do not have an international certificate, you may take a language test at a Bulgarian high education institution

Admission criteria vary between Bulgarian universities. In most cases, admission is based on application file documents, without an entrance exam. The only exam is for prospective European students who need to apply for a Bulgarian scholarship.

Study courses

Bulgarian study courses are available in various fields such as medicine, mathematics, computer sciences, engineering, chemistry, biology, linguistics, etc. Students choosing to complete a medical degree in Bulgaria are free to take internships in countries throughout the EU.

International students wishing to study in Bulgarian must follow a preparatory one-year course. These are designed for students who require additional knowledge of language of instruction or who need to review basic science subjects for university studies. Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, who would like to receive financial assistance from the Bulgarian Government, must learn Bulgarian.

Teaching methods

Courses are career-focused and lectures interest-driven. Classes take place in compact study groups. Extracurricular activities allow students to gather helpful life experience while enjoying their free time. Tutoring is a common practice in Bulgaria, supporting personal and professional improvement.

Assistance

Consultation services assist international students looking to study in Bulgaria by providing information and help with the application process and moving to the country. Students receive personalized counselling for choosing a Bulgarian university that is right for them. Comprehensive continuous support services are available throughout the academic year.

Credit transfer from previous studies is possible.

Grading

The grading scale in Bulgarian high education institutions is based on grades from 2 to 6. Grades below 3 are failing grades. These grades are used when calculating Grade Point Average (GPA).

Language of instruction

Bulgarian universities have more than 20 years of experience in teaching international languages such as English, French or German. Some Bulgarian universities offer classes taught in English, French or German and provide double degrees through partnerships with universities abroad. Some universities offer programmes fully taught in English.

English language preparation courses for studying in Bulgaria

Develop your academic English language skills in order to meet the English language requirements at Bulgarian universities offering degree studies for international students. Choose an English language school anywhere in the world and pick your preferred English exam preparation course from diverse language course options.

Universities in Bulgaria will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their English-taught courses. Universities accept these official English exams:

• PTE Academic
• IELTS
• TOEFL
• C1 Advanced