Pre-higher
Education System
Duration of compulsory
education
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 16
Structure of school
system
Type/level of education:
Elementary
Type of school:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 6 to 10
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICATE FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Type/level of education:
Preparatory
Type of school:
PRE-SECONDARY
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 10 to 14
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETED BASIC EDUCATION
Type/level of education:
Comprehensive
Type of school:
COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 14 to 18
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMA ZA ZAVARSHENO SREDNO OBRAZOVANIE (DIPLOMA
OF COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION)
Type/level of education:
Specialized Secondary
Type of school:
SPECIALIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL
Length of program (years): 3
Age level:
from 14 to 18
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMA ZA ZAVARSHENO SREDNO OBRAZOVANIE (DIPLOMA OF
COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION),
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION.
Type/level of education:
Technical
Type of school:
TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
Length of program (years): 4
Age level:
from 14 to 18
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMA ZA ZAVARSHENO SREDNO OBRAZOVANIE (DIPLOMA OF
COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION),
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION.
Type/level of education:
Vocational
Type of school:
VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL
Length of program (years): 3
Age level:
from 14 to 17
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOMA OF COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION; CERTIFICATE OF
A GIVEN QUALIFICATION.
Type/level of education:
Professional
Type of school:
PROFESSIONAL
Length of program (years): 2
Age level:
from 14 to 16
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICATE OF A GIVEN QUALIFICATION.
Description of secondary
school system
Secondary school education lasts 3, 4 or 5 years after
completion of the basic education course and is provided in three types
of schools: comprehensive (general secondary) schools, specialized (profile-oriented)
schools, vocational (technical and vocational-technical) and professional
schools. Studies lead to the diploma za sredno obrazovanie.
Higher Education System
Structure of system
Higher education is provided by universities and academies.
Higher education comes under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology. Some universities are private or free. Education
is based on the recent Law on Academic Autonomy of Higher Educational Establishments,
the Law on Higher Education and the Law on Scientific Degrees and Scientific
Titles. Post-secondary institutions have academic autonomy.
Main types of higher
education institutions in country
Type of institution: UNIVERSITET
Translation:
UNIVERSITY
Type of institution: COLLEGE
Main laws/decrees governing
higher education
Name of law/decree:
The Law for Public Education
Date:
1991
Name of law/decree:
The Law for Academic Autonomy
Date:
1991
Institution type: Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology
Name of law/decree:
The Law of Higer Education
Date:
1996
Administrative structure
of higher education
Name of body:
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Role:
Administrative, educational responsibilities
Address:
Street: Bul. Knjaz Dondukov 2A
City: Sofia
Postal code: 1000
Telephone: 359-2-8481
Fax: 359-2-871289
Academic year
Classes start:
September
Classes end:
July
Long vacation:
from 6 July, to 4 September
Languages of instruction
Bulgarian
Stages and Organization of Higher
Education Studies
Higher
vocational/technical studies
Non university-level post-secondary education generally
consists of a 3-year course of study after completion of secondary education
leading to the qualification of specialist in different fields, including
the civil service. Studies culminate in a state final examination (udostoverenie
za poluvissa tehniceska praktika).
University
level studies
Stage 1:
Batchelor
Description: The main stage of study in universities lasts
four years and leads to the Batchelor in many fields. This is a new degree
recently created by the Law of December 1995. However, there are some fields
where the Batchelor does not exist and where studies lead directly to the
second stage of studies (Master's degree level).
Stage 2:
Master
Description: Holders of a Batchelor may continue their
studies in different fields to obtain the postgraduate qualification of
Master. In fields of study where the Batchelor is not awarded (eg. law,
Scandinavian studies, philology), a Master's degree is awarded after at
least five years' study. The former diplom za zavarseno visse obrazovanie,
which was the first degree awarded before the 1995 law, is officially regarded
as equivalent to the Master's.
Stage 3:
Doktor
Description: This stage leads to the title of Doktor,
qualification obtained on the basis of individual research and after the
defence of a thesis.
Stage 4:
Doctor of Science
Description: A fourth stage may lead to the higher doctorate
of Doctor of Science, which is awarded for notable contributions to science.
Teacher
education
Training of primary/basic
school teachers
Primary school teachers are trained at Klimet Ohridski
University in Sofia, Saints Cyril and Methodius University at Valiko Tarnovo,
the University of Shumen, and at some university faculties. Course programmes,
which run from between two and three years, lead to the award of the elementary
education teacher's diploma (udostoverenie za pedagogiceska pravosposobnost).
Training of secondary school
teachers
Secondary school teachers obtain their higher education
diplomas after four or five years of post-secondary studies (at a university
or a higher teacher training institute), during which they receive special
training in teaching.
Training of higher education
teachers
Higher education teachers are
trained in universities.
Grading system
Usual grading system in (upper)
secondary school
2-6; 6: otlichen (excellent);
5: mnogo dobur (very good); 4: dobur (good); 3: sreden (sufficient); 2:
slab (poor).
Highest on scale: 6
Pass/fail level:
3
Lowest on scale:
2
Main grading system generally
used by higher education institutions
A numerical grading system is used: 6 - otlichen (excellent);
5 - mnogo dobur (very good); 4 - dobur (good); 3 - sreden (sufficient);
2 - slab (poor).
Highest on scale: 6
Pass/fail level:
3/2
Lowest on scale:
2
Admissions to Higher Education
Admission
to Vocational/Technical Studies
Admission to higher vocational/technical
or other professionally oriented non-university level studies
Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s)
required for entry
Name of sec. school credential:
DIPLOM ZA ZAVARSENO SREDNO OBRAZOVANIE
Alternative(s) to these credentials:
special exam
Other admission requirements
established at national level
Feed
Numerus clausus established
in the country for students entering higher vocational/technical education
At level of institutions: Y
Admissions
to university level
Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s)
required for entry
Name of sec. school credential:
DIPLOM ZA ZAVARSENO SREDNO OBRAZOVANIE
Minimum score/requirement: score
depends on universities
For: all programmes.
Alternative(s) to these credentials:
special exam
Other admission requirements
established at national level:
For less demanded specialities, candidates may enrol
on the basis of document submission, graded according to academic record.
Numerus clausus established
in the country for students entering university level education
At level of institutions: Y
Admission
for foreign students
Special admission requirements
for foreign students at national level:
Definition of a "foreign"
student:
Students who do not live in
Bulgaria.
Quotas established for foreign students:
At country/state level: Y
Quotas at the country/state
level:
The quotas are established each year according to the
specific conditions of the Bulgarian higher education system.
Special entry regulations
for foreign students in country/state:
Each foreign student must hold a secondary school leaving
certificate equivalent to the Bulgarian secondary school leaving certificate
and must be officially admitted by the Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology. Candidates should have a valid passport and visa and be recommended
by qualified persons and institutions in their home country.
Health requirements:
A health visa is required.
Language proficiency requirements
for foreign applicants whose first language is not the language of instruction
Are there examinations at institution
level? Y
Other special academic requirements
for foreign students set up at national level:
pre-university year
Authority to whom foreign
student applications should be addressed:
Application to individual institutions:
Y
For entry to: All forms of colleges
and higher education institutions.
Application to national/central
body: Y
For entry to: Colleges and universities.
Name of national/central body:
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Address of body:
Street: 2A, Knjaz Dondukov Blv.
City: Sofia
Postal code: 1000
Telephone: 359-2-8481
Fax: 359-2-871289
Earliest application closing
date for foreign students admissions
For Tech./Voc. non-university
level studies: 1 May
For first university level studies:
1 May
For advanced/doctoral studies:
1 May
Reference to further
information materials on foreign students admissions
Title:
Higher Schools in Bulgaria
Author:
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Sofia, Bulgaria
Publisher:
MEST, Sofia, Bulgaria
Year of publication:
1996
Title:
Study Abroad 1996/1997
Author:
UNESCO
Publisher:
UNESCO
Year of publication: 1995
Recognition of studies and
qualifications
Policy for transfer
and recognition of studies and degrees between institutions of the country:
Agreement between the universities.
Recognition of studies
completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries
Bodies primarily addressing
questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and studies
in higher education
Name of body: Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology /
International Relations Department
/ Bulgarian Information Centre on Equivalence and Mobility
Address:
Street: Knjaz Dondukov Bld, 2A
City: Sofia
Postal code: 1000
Telephone: 359-2-831521
Telex: 23255
Fax: 359-2-880600
Recognition of foreign credentials
to enter an institution: Y
Recognition of foreign credentials
to enter a profession: Y
Description of services provided
and types of students dealt with:
The Ministry is responsible
for the final decisions in the field of academic recognition.
Principal multilateral agreements adopted by the country relating
to recognition of studies, degrees and diplomas
Name of agreement: CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION OF STUDIES,
DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN EUROPE
Year of signature: 1979
Student services
Main student services
at national level
Name of service: Institut
des Etudiants etrangers de Sofia
Address:
Street: 27, Costa-Loultchev
City: Sofia
Postal code: 1111
Telephone: 359-2-720837
Fax: 359-2-723877
Category of service provided:
Special services/Centre for foreign students
Are these services available
to foreign students? Y
Name of service: Stoudentski
Obchtejitya i Stolove (housing service)
Address:
Street: Stoudentski Grad, blok 5
City: Sofia
Postal code: 1156
Telephone: 359-2-681314
Fax: 359-2-681242
Category of service provided:
Social and welfare services
Is it available for foreign
students? Y
Special travel concessions
for students:
By road: Y
By rail: Y
By air: Y
Is it available for foreign
students? Y
Principal national
student associations and unions
Name: Association of the European
Students Community
Address:
Street: 1, Hristo Smirnevski Blv.
City: Sofia
Postal code: 1421
Telephone: 359-2-656863
Fax: 359-2-656863
Student expenses and financial
aid
| Tuition and fees for national students |
Tuition and fees for foreign students |
| Minimum: Lev 0 |
Minimum: US Dollar 2200 |
| Maximum: Lev 30000 |
Maximum: US Dollar 5200 |
Main body(ies) providing
information on foreign student financial aid
Name: Universities
Address:
Publication(s) listing
scholarships/grants/loans available
Title:
Study abroad 1998-1999 (in preparation)
Publisher: UNESCO
International Cooperation
Principal national bodies responsible for facilitating international
cooperation and exchanges in higher education
Name: Universities
Participation of country in multilateral or
major bilateral higher education exchange programmes
Name of programme: CEEPUS
Name of programme: UNESCO Chair
for Civic Education
Name of programme: UNEVOC
Name of programme: 2000+ Project
Name of programme: Blue Danube
Project
Name of programme: PHARE
Name of programme: TEMPUS
Name of programme: COPERNICUS
Date:
1997/1998
Source:
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1997
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