Universities in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, higher education is offered by three kinds of institution: universities, specialised higher schools and independent colleges. All of them must be accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA), which was set up under the Higher Education Act passed by the National Assembly on 27 December 1995. The Ministry of Education and Science allocates public funding to accredited institutions.

A university in the legal sense teaches a wide range of subjects in at least three of the four main areas of science (humanities, natural, social and technical sciences) and awards bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Most programmes are taught in Bulgarian, but several universities offer programmes in English; Sofia University, for example, has four-year bachelor's programmes taught in English.

How degrees are structured

• Professional bachelor (professional bachelor in...): at least 180 credits and at least three years, typically at a college
• Bachelor's degree: normally four years and at least 240 ECTS credits
• Master's degree: at least 60 credits after a bachelor's degree, at least 120 credits after a professional bachelor's degree, or at least 300 credits in a programme of at least five years taken directly after secondary school
• Doctorate: taught in accredited doctoral programmes at universities and research institutions

The NEAA publishes the institutional accreditation of each higher education institution, with its validity and its capacity in students. For example, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" holds institutional accreditation until 2030 with a capacity of 37,000 students. The University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia is accredited until 2029 with a capacity of 27,340 students and offers 53 bachelor's, 90 master's and 45 doctoral programmes. Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" received institutional accreditation in July 2025. Burgas has a state university, renamed Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" in 2025, and a private university, Burgas Free University, which offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) in Blagoevgrad is a different model. It teaches an American-style liberal arts curriculum in English, held its first classes on 30 September 1991, and is accredited both in the United States and in Bulgaria.

Admission for international students

Students from abroad usually need two kinds of recognition. First, their secondary education must be recognised by the National Centre for Information and Documentation (NACID), which issues a certificate for those continuing to higher education. Second, many universities ask for an eligibility letter confirming that the applicant could enter higher education in the country where they finished school.

The documents required at Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" are typical:

• Secondary school diploma and diploma supplement, with a certified translation into Bulgarian
• NACID document confirming recognition of the secondary education
• Eligibility letter from an accredited body in the country of the school
• Passport, application form and declarations
• Documents legalised, or certified with an apostille for countries under the Hague Convention

For programmes taught in English, universities set a language requirement. At Burgas State University it is level B1 of the CEFR, tested with an English diagnostic test if the applicant has no official certificate. Graduates of foreign universities who want to continue to a master's degree or work in Bulgaria apply to NACID for academic recognition of their diploma.

Citizens of the EU and EEA can enter Bulgaria with their ID card and need a temporary residence permit from the local police if they stay longer than three months. Students from other countries need a long-stay visa (type D) from the Bulgarian consulate. For this, the Ministry of Education and Science issues a document confirming the purpose of the stay once the university has sent the complete application. Sofia University therefore advises applicants to apply no later than 15 September. After enrolment, full-time students apply for a long-term residence card at the migration office of the Ministry of Interior.

Costs and funding

EU citizens apply under the same rules as Bulgarian students. Most other foreign applicants pay annual tuition fees for international students, set by each university under Article 95 of the Higher Education Act. At Burgas State University, the bachelor's tuition fee for international students is €3,200 a year for full-time study and €3,000 for part-time study. On top of this come €100 for the English B1 test and €150 for document processing. Sofia University publishes annual fees for each academic year. For programmes taught in Bulgarian, non-EU students first take a preparatory Bulgarian language course, which cost €3,500 in 2025-26. Private universities set their own fees and often have their own financial aid. AUBG states that 81% of its incoming students received scholarship and financial aid support last year.

How to choose a university in Bulgaria

• Accreditation: check the institution's accreditation and its validity in the NEAA register
• Language: programmes in Bulgarian, in English, or a mix; check the required level
• Degree type: a three-year professional bachelor, a four-year bachelor or a five-year master's programme taken straight after school
• Public or private: state universities, private universities such as Burgas Free University, and AUBG with its US accreditation
• Location: Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas have several institutions, and AUBG is in Blagoevgrad in the south-west
• Recognition: start the NACID procedure early, as universities need the certificate before enrolment

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bachelor's degree take in Bulgaria?

A bachelor's programme normally lasts four years and requires at least 240 ECTS credits. A professional bachelor's programme at a college takes at least three years and 180 credits.

Can I study in English in Bulgaria?

Yes. AUBG teaches entirely in English, and several public universities offer English-taught programmes, usually with a minimum level such as B1 or higher.

How much does a Bulgarian university cost for international students?

It depends on the university and the programme. At Burgas State University, a full-time bachelor's degree costs €3,200 a year for international students.

Do I need my school diploma recognised?

Yes. Applicants who finished secondary school abroad need a certificate from NACID confirming that their education is equivalent to Bulgarian secondary education.