Basic Information

The Republic of Bulgaria is situated in the north-eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. In the north, the country borders Romania, in the south, it shares a border with the Turkish Republic and the Greek Republic, in the west, its neighbors are Serbia and Macedonia, and in the east, it looks on to the Black Sea. Bulgaria has a population of around 9 million. Its capital city is Sofia. Bulgarian is the official language.

The Higher Education System

The higher education system in Bulgaria was changed in 1995 following the passage of the Higher Education Law. Under this law, universities, specialized institutions and colleges are all considered part of the higher education system.

Currently, there are 51 higher education institutions in Bulgaria. This comprises 42 universities and higher education institutions, 41 colleges within the higher school system and 9 independent colleges.

The country’s higher education system acquired a new structure at the end of 1995, when the National Assembly passed the Higher Education Law. The following multiple-level structure of academic qualifications was introduced by this law:

• Three-year education at institutes and colleges, after its completion graduates receive a higher-education certificate and a professional qualification;
• Four-year education at university, after its completion graduates receive a Bachelor’s degree;
• Five- or six-year course at a university, after its completion graduates receive a Master’s degree; and
• Three-year post-university training leading to a Doctorate.

Under the Higher Education Law, universities, specialised institutes, and colleges are classified as higher educational institutions in Bulgaria. They offer educational programmes of various types, as well as degrees, thus offering students opportunities for higher education in different ways.

Scholarships

Foreign citizens are enrolled in higher educational institutions, providing they pay 100% of the tuition fees. Tuition fee payment is waived for students studying for a doctorate and for postgraduate students in various fields accepted for a course of studies by a resolution of the Bulgarian Council of Ministers or under relevant governmental agreements. If you are interested in studying in Bulgaria and if you are looking for financial support, we strongly recommend that you reach our counselor who would assist you to find all the information on available scholarships (section Study & Research in Bulagria). Our aim is to make it easier for those interested in studying in Bulgaria as well as those providing assistance and advice in ESC’s office to find details of existing grant programmes and to guarantee that the information about these programmes is always up to date.