The Bulgarian system of higher education is open to all applicants who have a diploma for completed secondary education which makes them eligible to study at the universities in the country in which they have completed secondary education.
The system comprises the following three degrees:
- FIRST DEGREE – the period of study according to the regular curriculum is four years. The students graduating according to the curriculum are awarded a Bachelor’s degree.
- SECOND DEGREE – the period of study according to the regular curriculum is five years or at least one year after completing a Bachelor’s degree programme. The students graduating according to the curriculum are awarded a Master’s degree.
- THIRD DEGREE – the period of study is three years after completing a Master’s degree programme. The students graduating according to the curriculum are awarded a Doctoral degree.
Students at higher educational institutions can choose full-time, part-time, or distance courses. The Doctoral programmes in higher educational institutions and scientific organizations in Republic of Bulgaria are full-time, part-time, distance, and unsupervised on an individual plan.
The full-time and unsupervised individual-plan doctoral programmes are three-year programmes. Applicants must have a Master’s degree.
Part-time doctoral programmes last four years. Applicants must have a Master’s degree. The Doctoral degree study is organized in subject areas.
Higher educational institutions in Bulgaria offer programmes for lifelong learning and further qualification. These programmes are organized according to the regulations and curriculum of each institution. The programmes for lifelong learning and further qualification do not lead to awarding a new degree, qualification or speciality. A specializing student is enrolled on a programme with a specialized curriculum, and does not receive a further degree, a new qualification or new specialization.