Bulgaria is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south and the Black Sea to the east. Bulgaria is a unitary parliamentary republic with a high degree of political, administrative and economic centralization. It is a member of the European Union, NATO and the Council of Europe
Most commercial and cultural activities are concentrated in the capital Sofia. The strongest sectors of the economy are heavy industry, power engineering and agriculture, all relying on local natural resources. Bulgaria has the lowest personal and corporate income tax rates in the European Union. Local iron, copper, coal and lead deposits are vital for the domestic manufacturing sector. Major industries include extraction of metals and minerals, production of chemicals, machinery and vehicle components, petroleum refinement and steel.
Bulgaria has a dynamic climate, which results from its being positioned at the meeting point of Mediterranean and continental air masses and the barrier effect of its mountains. The Continental air masses bring significant amounts of snowfall during winter.
STUDIES IN BULGARIA
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
The admission of foreign students is based on the premise of a completed secondary education equivalent of that offered in Bulgaria. In general – if you qualify for higher education in your home country, you are eligible for entry into Bulgarian universities and colleges. Unless you are applying for programs taught in English however, you will, need to study Bulgarian for a year before being granted to study the full program. Foreign students must also be officially admitted by the Ministry of Education and Science. Qualifications are evaluated and accredited through the National Evanluation and Accreditation Agency at the Council of Ministers (http://www.neaa.government.bg).
For English-language programs, you should have documented proficiency in English, for example in the form of TOEFL or IELTS test results. The required score is decided by the individual university and may therefore vary. Some universities provide language and specialized training of foreign nationals who do not have the document required for proficiency in the language to be taught (English / Bulgarian).
- Bachelor Programmes
- Masters Programmes
- Doctoral Programmes
HIGHER EDUCATION IN ENGLISH
Some programs – especially on the masters level – are provided in English. Another growing area that offers English education is that of medicine. Studying medicine in the Eastern European EU membership countries has become a very popular alternative for many international students. The level of education is generally very high while entrance requirements are slightly less stringent. If you choose to complete your medical degree in Bulgaria, you will be free to do your internship years and work throughout the EU, and many other countries as well.
INTAKE
The academic year in Bulgaria runs from September to June. Application deadlines are generally September first for fall entry but as an international student, it is always wise to apply in advance.
BULGARIAN TUITION FEES AND LIVING COSTS
Universities in Bulgaria are both private and public. The tuition fee depends On university (Public/private) and the course selected.
Living expenses are, compared to most of Western Europe and North America, very cheap. Your biggest expenses will be rent along with gas and electricity.
