Access to higher education
The requirements for enrolment, depending on the type of the higher schools and the particular speciality, comprise written competition exams (one or more), tests (varying in volume and structure in the different higher schools), and a diploma of completed secondary education. The autonomy of higher education institutions allows them to define themselves the requirements for enrolment every year. This enables them to organise admission in some specialities only on the basis of a diploma (a Diploma of secondary education) or by combining enrolment by diploma with a test or with exams. The procedure for application in each speciality is determined on annual basis and made public in the reference manual of the higher school.
Credentials awarded by title and length of program Prior to the passing of the new Act the higher education system organised training after completed secondary education in 4-5 (6)-year courses of studies. Graduates of the full course of studies featured in the curriculum of the respective higher education establishment received a Diploma of Higher Education.
The holders of a diploma of higher education were able to continue their education in the form of specialisation for a different duration of study (from 1 month to 2 years) upon which they received documents for extra qualification, namely:
Certificate for Qualification of a Specialist with Higher Education issued for the additional qualification obtained within the framework of their major speciality after long-term instruction in various forms of post-graduate qualification organised according to a curriculum and programmes of study acknowledging the already obtained higher education and qualification;
Certificate for Specialisation and Qualification of a Specialist with Higher Education issued after the end of a relatively completed form of training providing qualification to practise but not to obtain an educational degree;
Certificate for Qualification Upgrading of a Specialist with Higher Education issued after a short-term instruction in various forms of post-graduate qualification.
The new Act equally provides an opportunity for the higher schools to train for qualification upgrading. Such training does not give grounds for acquiring an educational degree or speciality. The type and contents of the above mentioned documents for qualification upgrading are expected to undergo a change.
Prior to the passing of the new Act the holders of diplomas of higher education were entitled to continue their education in the form of regular post-graduate studies with a duration of minimum 3-years (aspirantura),. Enrolment for post-graduate studies followed the passing of a written and oral competition exam in the respective field of science and an exam in foreign language proficiency. Instruction was carried out according to an individual curriculum, under the guidance of a scientific supervisor with academic rank. It comprised lectures and seminars on the respective speciality, language courses and work on a dissertation. After the successful passing of exams featured in the programme for the respective speciality and a language examination and after the defence of a dissertation before a specialised scientific council, the Higher Attestation Commission conferred on the post-graduate the scientific degree kandidat na naukite. In compliance with the decision of the Higher Attestation Commission a Diploma of kandidat na naukite was issued.
The new Higher Education Act brought considerable changes in the structure of higher education by introducing the following academic and qualification degrees:
First degree requires a minimum 4-year course of instruction and the graduates acquire the educational and qualification degree of Bachelor. Training for each speciality is finalised by sitting for state examinations or defence of a diploma thesis. The state examination or the defence of a diploma thesis before a state commission of instructors with academic rank. The commission may also comprise persons working outside the respective higher education institution.
Second degree requires a minimum 5-year course of instruction, or an extra year after obtaining of the Bachelor’s degree, and the graduates acquire a Master’s educational and qualification degree. Training for each speciality is finalised by sitting for state examinations or by defending a diploma thesis. The state examination or the defence of a diploma thesis is carried out before a state commission of instructors with academic rank. The commission may also include persons working outside the respective higher education institution.
Third degree requires minimum a 3-year course of instruction after receiving a Master’s degree and the graduates acquire a Doctor’s educational and academic degree. The higher school may train for the third degree in a listed scientific speciality for which it has been accredited. Doctorands are trained according to individual curricula and should prepare and defend a dissertation. The training is carried out under the guidance of a scientific supervisor appointed by the Faculty Council of the higher school training the doctorand. Training for a Doctor’s educational and academic degree can be also handled by such scientific research organisations as the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Agriculture, etc. in the scientific specialities these organisations have been accredited for. The Doctor’s degree is conferred on doctorands who have passed the examinations featured in the curriculum and have defended their dissertations under the requisite conditions and order of the Academic Degrees and Titles Act.
A diploma of a completed degree of higher education and a certificate for professional qualification are issued by the higher education institution and are recognised by the State when the training of the student meets the requisite State Requirements for obtaining education in the respective educational degree, speciality or professional qualification. A diploma of a completed degree is granted after successful fulfilment of the curriculum, irrespective of the calendar term of instruction.
Diplomas of higher education issued by the higher schools prior to the entry into force of the new Higher Education Act grant to their holders the rights of graduates with a Master’s degree. Holders of a Diploma za kandidat na naukite enjoy the rights of a Doctor.
Admission for foreign students
Foreigners may apply for training in the higher education establishments of the Republic of Bulgaria under the existing interstate and intergovernmental programmes for educational, scientific and cultural exchange, or against payment on the part of the applicants. The applicants for paid education shall be charged a fee comprising only the cost of training.
The foreign applicants to study in the higher education establishments of the Republic of Bulgaria should have completed secondary education ensuring access to the higher schools in the applicant’s country.
Their secondary education diplomas should be translated into Bulgarian, English or French and should be subject to consular certification by the respective authorities of the applicant’s country. The average marks of the special subjects in the diploma should not be under 62% of the
maximum grades value. The special subjects shall be regarded as analogical to the subjects used for rating the Bulgarian applicants for enrolment at the higher education institution.Foreigners shall apply only for the regular form of instruction and shall be accepted on the basis of a documentary competition and in line with the additional requirements of the higher education establishments.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Applicant-students shall submit their documents at the Ministry of Education and Science or at the higher education establishments until September 1st.
Foreign applicants shall submit the following documents:
- an application form or a letter of request with concise biographical data, higher schools and specialities in which they wish to study;
- a copy of their secondary education diploma - for students applying for a full course of training;
- an academic transcript - for students applying for a partial course of training;
- a medical certificate issued one month prior to the date of application, subject to consular certification by the respective authorities of the applicant’s country;
- two photographs.
The Ministry of Education and Science or the respective higher education establishments should make decision whether to accept the applicants within the term of one month since the date of submission of the documents.
Foreigners shall start their studies in the higher education establishments and scientific organisations after submitting a certificate for successfully completed language training in compliance with the speciality they have applied for.
RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN CERTIFICATES AND DEGREES
Under the Higher Education Act the recognition of diplomas for a completed level of education shall be done by the Ministry of Education and Science. The applicants shall submit for the purpose an original diploma and an academic transcript, subject to consular certification by the authorities of the country of their issue, as well as a translation of these documents in Bulgarian, subject to consular certification by the Bulgarian Embassy in that country. The procedure of recognition shall be carried out by an Experts Commission composed of representatives of the higher education establishments with academic rank and of experts of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technologies.
The recognition of a specified period of study shall be effected by the particular higher education establishments to which the student applies.
The Republic of Bulgaria has signed bilateral agreements on recognition of education documents with a number of countries. More detailed information shall be available at the Bulgarian embassies and consular offices abroad, or at the National Equivalence Information Centre with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria
Grading system
The knowledge and skills of the students are evaluated according to a six-grade system comprising the marks: excellent (6), very good (5), good (4), fair (3) and poor (2). The mark of (1) is not used for evaluation. An exam evaluated at least with the grade fair (3) is considered successfully passed.
Under the new Higher Education Act the establishments of higher learning are entitled to employ other grading systems (based on credits, etc.), but after they have ensured that their own system is comparable with the above stated.
ABOUT ENIC HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM SYSTEM OF NATIONAL EDUCATION ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK CREDENTIAL EVALUATION
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