BULGARIA

- Everything you need to know when you want to study in Bulgaria

General information

- Bulgaria and Sofia

Country: Bulgaria
Population: 7,093,635
Capital: Sofia
Population capital: 1,192,000
Shares borders with: Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, Greece, and Turkey
Main river: Maritsa and Danube
Type of government: Parliamental democracy
Status: EU member since 2007
President: Rosen Plevneliev
Life expectancy: 73.59
Monetary unit: Lev
(1 Lev () = 0.51/$0.70)
Languages: Bulgarian and
a little Turkish
GDP/Capita: $13.500
Unemployment: 8.8%
Timezone: +0300 (one
hour later than in
Amsterdam)


Study options

- What you need to know about Bulgarian education

When you think of studying abroad
Bulgaria is probably not the first
country that comes to mind. However,
there are some great options. Bulgaria
has 41 universities/colleges, of which
the majority of located in the capital
Sofia. Others are located in the cities
Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Gabrovo, Varna,
Bulgas, Shumen, Pernik, Veliko
Turnovo.
Universities and colleges in Bulgaria
include private and public education. A
high standard is maintained by the
Bulgarian National Evaluation and
Accreditation Agency. All institutions
are autonomous, which means they are
responsible for the provided program as
well as the quality of the education.

List of universities and their main
educational field:

HUMANITARIAN UNIVERSITIES:
Sofia University
Plovdiv University
University of Rousse
New Bulgarian University
University Veliko Turnovo
University Shumen
South-West University
Burgas Free University
International College Albena

ECONOMIC UNIVERSITIES:
University of National and World Economy
Academy of Economics
University of Economics Varna
American University in Bulgaria
Management, Trade and Marketing College Sofia
European College of Economics and Management
International Business School
Higher School of Insurance and Finance

TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL UNIVERSITIES:
Technical University Sofia
Technical University Varna
Technical University Gabrovo
University of Forestry
University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy
University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy Sofia
Agricultural University Plovdiv
University of Mining and Geology
University of Transport
University of Food Technologies
State University of Library Studies and Information Technologies
College of Telecommunications and Post
Agricultural College Plovdiv
Higher School of Civil Engineering (VSU)
Higher School Telematika College
College of Tourism

MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES:
Medical University Sofia
Medical University Pleven
Medical University Plovdiv
Medical University Varna

ART UNIVERSITIES:
National Academy of Music
National Academy of Arts
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts
National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts
Theatre College Lyuben Groys

SPORT UNIVERSITIES:
National Sports Academy Vassil Levski


The other side
On December 8
th
2013, an article by the Worldbank about Bulgarian higher education
appeared. It basically said the Bulgarian universities and colleges were well on their
way, but they were far from the desired level of education. It said only 25% of the
university graduates start a job that requires higher education. Next to that nearly 85%
of university graduates are dissatisfied with the quality of education and consider
university education curricula outdated. Furthermore one third of the university
graduates considers the acquired knowledge as irrelevant.
In attempt to tackle these problems, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science
has presented a draft to develop the higher education sector in the coming seven years.

TUITION FEES
If you want to study at the Sofia University, the regular tuition fee (for Bachelor and
Master) is about 3300 annually. Do keep in mind that these courses are in Bulgarian.
However, you can also choose to study in a foreign language. This means you get the
courses in English, German or French. The costs for this will be a little higher, around
3850 annually.
If you want to study at the Medical University of Varna, the tuition fees are a little
higher. Here you pay 3300 to 8000 annually. Also at this university, its a little more
expensive to take the courses in English than to take them in Bulgarian.
If you want to know the tuition fees for the other Bulgarian universities, you should
check out their website. There you can find everything about the university.

REQUIREMENTS
If you want to study abroad, it might be the case that you have to take all sorts of tests
to prove, for example, your level of English. In Bulgaria in most cases admission to a
university is based on filled-in documents, not on entrance exams (there might be
exceptions to this general rule). However, if you are an European student and you
need to study on a Bulgarian scholarship or have a small part of the full tuition fee paid
for, its necessary to take an exam.
After the universitys acceptance, the issue is passed on to the Ministry of Education,
Youth and Science. They send a certificate the applicant is admitted as a student of a
Bulgarian university. This paper is very important for applying for a visa.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
You will certainly not be the only international student at the university of your choice.
Most of international students studying in Bulgaria are from UK, Germany, Greece,
Italy, Israel, Turkey, Indian, Ghana and Nigeria.
Visa

- How you get to enter the country legally


The second step in the process of becoming an international student in Bulgaria is to
apply for a Bulgarian Student Visa (D-type Visa), which is valid from 3 to 6 months. A
Bulgarian Student Visa can be obtained from any Bulgarian Diplomatic Mission abroad
to any student fulfilling some requirements. These requirements are: (according to
http://www.studyinbulgaria.com/bulgarian-student-visa/)


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR BULGARIAN STUDENT VISA APPLICATION:
Photocopy of Passport valid for at least one year (the first page of the foreign
travel document);
Acceptance letter (certificate stating that the applicant is admitted as a student in
Bulgarian university plus the Certificate from the University stating that the
applicant will be accommodated in the student hostel);
Medical insurance valid for EU member states for the whole period of the trip,
covering all costs for repatriation and for urgent medical care and emergency
hospital treatment for the period of the stay indicated in the visa.
Bank document issued on the name of the applicant to prove that tuition fee has
been paid (in generally for half of annually tuition fee).
Photograph in colour 3,5 cm 4,5 cm against a white background (the same holds
for a child entered in the passport) a full-face photo with clear, large enough
face which takes up 70-80% of the photo; eyes must be red; the following is
ineligible: photos with dark glasses; non-professional photos or cut out of
amateur photos
Tickets (original and copy) or ticket booking confirmation or financial means
For under-aged children travelling without their parents or trustees the following
documents shall be submitted:
a. Copy of the birth certificate
b. Original and photocopy of a power of attorney notary certified by both
parents/ trustees or by one parent trustee that they agree their child to travel
unaccompanied by them.
Photocopy of the last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or visas for the UK and the
US, if necissary.

Please keep in mind that if youre not from the EU/EEA you must have a visa to enter
Bulgaria.

When you arrive in Bulgaria , you must apply for a long-term stay (residency permit) in
Bulgaria. It is valid for one year, and renewable every year for the whole period of your
studies. You should only submit your residency permit if you have a final acceptance
from your University.

What you need to know

- some handy information


ACCOMMODATION
After you are enrolled in your university, you can apply for student hostel
accommodation. The monthly rent varies per university, but will probably be around
35 to 70 per month.
If you want to rent your own apartment near the university, the costs will probably be
around 150 to 300 per month

It is recommended not to live on your own during the beginning of your stay. Like this
you can split the costs and you dont get isolated in a new city. You should use your
first year to get used to the city before you start looking for further accommodation
options.

LIVING COSTS
The low costs are a very positive factor of living in Bulgaria. Of course they vary from
town to town, but well try to give you a general impression.
1 is about 0.51 or $0.70
According to the Big Mac Index of 2006, a Big Mac in Bulgaria costs $1.88. with
this price theyre ranked 48
th
. It also indicates prices are quite low in Bulgaria,
for in Norway and Iceland a Big Mac costs more than $6.
A domestic beer (0.5l) costs about 2.00 (about 1)
Milk (1l) costs about 1.91 (just a little less than 1)
A loaf of fresh white bread if about 0.94 (less than 50 cents)
TRANSPORTATION
As a student, you have to be able to transport yourself or be transported, no matter
where you live. Well, in Bulgaria youre lucky. The public transportation costs are, just
as the living costs, very low, and the transportation system, even though its still
developing, quite easy.
A monthly pass will cost you about 50.00 (about 25).
A taxi start tariff is about 0.80 and per km it costs about the same.
UTILITIES
The basics (water, gas, electricity and garbage) will cost less than 180 a month.
Next to that, one minute of local calling (prepaid), costs about 0.25 to 0.35 .
Furthermore, internet prices may vary, but it is estimated to be under 18.00
.



SPORT AND LEISURE
A monthly fee for a fitness club costs about 44.00. If you want to go to the movies, it
will cost you about 10.00.

MEDIA
Bulgaria has many news papers and broadcasting companies. Theyre widespread and
easily available. Therere also quite some foreign channels on the TV, but many of
them are translated into Bulgarian.

FLIGHTS

- how to get to Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, therere three international airports: Sofia, Varna and Bourgas. Lets
assume you start your journey at Schiphol, Amsterdam (the Netherlands). You will
catch a flight to Sofia, to go to University there. You will fly there on the 29th of
August, so you will arrive just before the first semester starts.
A one way ticket will then cost 150 to 300.

Luckily the time difference with the Netherlands is not that big: just two hours. This
makes it easier to keep in touch with your family and friends, and you will not be
jetlagged.

CLIMATE

- What type of weather is it in Bulgaria?

When you go to live in Bulgaria for a few years, you surely want to know what weather
to expect, so you know what to bring. Well, this is what Lonely Planet has to say about
the Bulgarian weather:

Bulgaria enjoys a temperate climate with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters,
often with heavy snow. Southern Bulgaria and the Black Sea coast record the highest
temperatures, with Sandanski often named the sunniest and hottest town in the
country; Smolyan, the highest town in the country, is one of the coolest, as youd
expect. The Danube plain, meanwhile, is subject to the extremes of central Europe.
Sofias climate is generally favourable, with average daytime highs of around 28C in
July and August and 3C from December to February. Rainfall is highest in the
mountains and rural life is often disrupted in winter by huge snowfalls.

As you can see you have to be prepared for every type of weather: hot, cold, wet, dry,
etc. Keep this in mind while packing your suitcase.
Sources

- Where did I find all this?

http://www.infoplease.com/country/bulgaria.html?pageno=1
http://nl.coinmill.com/BGN_USD.html#BGN=1
http://www.studyinbulgaria.com/universities-bulgaria/
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/12/09/how-can-bulgarian-
universities-become-stronger-and-internationally-competitive
http://mu-varna.bg/EN/Admission/Pages/tuition-fees-cost-living.aspx
https://www.uni-
sofia.bg/index.php/eng/admission/international_students/tuition_fees_in_sofia
_university_for_the_academic_2014_2015_year
http://www.studyinbulgaria.com/admission-criteria-in-bulgaria/
http://www.studyinbulgaria.com/bulgarian-student-visa/
http://www.studyinbulgaria.com/living-expenses-in-bulgaria/student-
accommodation/
http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Bulgaria/Cost-of-
living/All-stats
http://www.studyinbulgaria.com/living-expenses-in-bulgaria/student-living-
expenses/
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Bulgaria
http://bulgaria.angloinfo.com/transport/public-transport/
http://tix.nl/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bulgaria/weather