The admission requirements for international students vary depending on their student category and chosen field of study. The application process has different terms and conditions, and tuition fees vary between Bulgarian/EU citizens and non-EU citizens.

  •  For Bulgarian and EU citizens, admission can involve either participating in entrance examinations related to their chosen field of study or being ranked based on their high school leaving exam results.
  • Bulgarian nationals residing abroad compete for positions at Bulgarian state universities. They are ranked based on their performance in entrance exams in Bulgarian language and literature, as well as Bulgarian history, which are organized annually by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria.
  • Non-EU citizens, who are considered tuition-fee paying students, apply by submitting their documents. Applications are ranked, with the condition that the grade relevant to their chosen major is at least 62% of the maximum grade according to the grading system in their country of secondary education (equivalent to a “Good” grade).

 

Foreign individuals are granted the opportunity to pursue higher education in the Republic of Bulgaria if they possess either a secondary education certificate from their home country or a document attesting to their completion of higher education.

To apply for a degree program in Bulgaria, candidates must submit their application documents in hard copy. The minimum average grade requirement for the subjects covered in their previous higher education documents should not be lower than 62 percent of the highest grade in the grading system of the country where their secondary education was obtained.

Higher education institutions are responsible for forwarding all necessary documents of the accepted candidates to the Ministry of Education and Science. This is done to facilitate the issuance of long-stay visas (visa “D”). The deadline for submission is no later than October 1st for the first semester and February 1st for the second semester of the application year.

Foreigners who are involved in scientific research or enrolled in tuition programs, postgraduate studies, or training programs for up to one year may be granted a long-stay visa. This visa is valid for a maximum of one year and allows the holder to make multiple entries into the Republic of Bulgaria during its validity period.

 

Necessary documents for Bachelor degree / Master degree

  • Completed Application Form
  • A Brief Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Copy of Passport
  • Copy of Secondary School Diploma and its Supplement(s) OR Certified Translation of Higher Education Degree Diploma
  • Document from Competent Authorities Confirming the Right to Further Education at the University Level in the Country of Secondary School Completion
  • Transcript of Records
  • Medical Certificate of Health (Issued within a month prior to the application date, and verified by competent authorities in the applicant’s country)
  • Four Passport-Size Photographs
  • Language Certificate (if required)

 

The diploma, medical certificate, and any documents from foreign authorities must undergo translation into Bulgarian and certification in accordance with the terms outlined in international agreements between the Republic of Bulgaria and the country of origin of the documents. If there are no specific provisions in such agreements, the standard procedures for translation, legalization, and document certification should be followed.

 

A Type D study visa is not a requirement for the following cases related to studying in Bulgaria:

  • Citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area.
  • Foreign nationals who hold permanent residency status in the Republic of Bulgaria, have applied, and have been accepted under the same conditions and regulations applicable to Bulgarian citizens.
  • Applicants who possess dual citizenship, one of which is Bulgarian.
  • Applicants intending to pursue part-time studies or distance learning programs.

 

However, applicants who do require a Type D visa include those who meet the following conditions:

  • Possess a certificate issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, confirming their acceptance to study at a university in Bulgaria.
  • Need to deposit the tuition fee per semester into the university’s designated bank account for their chosen program of study.