Higher Education Systems - Bulgaria
Under the Higher Education Act (1995), higher education in Bulgaria is provided by the following institutions: universities (университети), specialized higher education institutions (специализирани висши училища) - academies (академии), institutes (институти), and colleges (колежи) [BG2]. Currently, there are approximately 52 recognized higher education institutions which may be public (state owned) or private. Universities provide training in a wide range of subjects in professional areas within at least three of the four major branches of science - humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and technical sciences and may offer Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees. Specialized higher education institutions offer degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral) in one of the major areas of science, arts, physical education, and military science and their appellation typically signifies the specific area in which they train specialists. Colleges typically offer “Professional Bachelor’s” degree (професионален бакалавър). Colleges may be also established within the structure of a university or of a specialized higher education institution accredited for the professional areas or majors of regulated professions.
The higher education system is organized according to the Bologna agreement on three levels:
- Bachelor’s programs (include two levels: “Professional Bachelor” and “Bachelor”);
- Master’s programs;
- Doctoral programs.
The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency is charged with accreditation of Bulgarian higher education institutions and Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD programs [BG1].
"Professional Bachelor’s" program is offered by independent colleges and colleges within universities or specialized higher education institutions in different fields of study, including ICT. The education provides specialized professional training and lasts at least three years (180 ECTS). A Bachelor’s program (бакалавър) is offered by universities and specialized higher education institutions in all fields of study. Its normal length is 4 years (at least 240 ECTS). To be admitted to a Bachelor’s/Professional Bachelor’s program students must have successfully completed secondary education and state matriculation examinations. Sometimes, higher education institutions may hold additional admission exams or tests.
After receiving a Bachelor’s/Professional Bachelor’s degree students may be admitted to a Master’s program (магистър). A Master’s degree is awarded after completion of at least 300 ECTS (5 years of education) on the total. The holders of a Professional Bachelor’s degree have to complete a study load of at least 120 ECTS, holders of a Bachelor’s degree have to complete a study load of at least one year (60 ECTS) or one year and a half (90 ECTS).
Doctoral studies are offered by universities in all fields of science, specialized higher education institutions or research organizations accredited for the specific program. There are full-time, part-time and individual-plan Doctoral programs. A full-time studies and individual-plan studies last up to three years; part-time studies and distance learning have a duration of up to 4 years. In exceptional circumstances the duration can be extended, but by no more than a year. A Doctoral degree (доктор) can be acquired by a holder of a Master’s degree after a successful defense of a dissertation.
Grades
Students' knowledge and skills are graded on the basis of a six-grade system comprising of: Excellent (6.00), Very Good (5.00), Good (4.00), Fair (3.00) and Poor (2.00). The grade of at least Fair (3.00) is required for an examination to be successfully passed.
Ranking system
In Bulgaria there is a developed ranking system, called “Bulgarian University Ranking System”, supported by the Ministry of Education and Science. It has been developed to support education service users in their choice of a university. The 2017 updated version of the system contains information on 51 accredited universities in Bulgaria, which offer education in a variety of majors that have been grouped into 52 professional fields. Depending on the individual priorities and needs of each user, the system allows for producing comparisons and rankings of different scope and type in each professional field [BG3].