The Doctoral programmes in higher educational institutions and scientific organizations in the Republic of Bulgaria can be full-time, part-time, and unsupervised on an individual plan.

The full-time and unsupervised, individual-plan doctoral programmes are with a period of study three years. Part-time doctoral programmes last four years.

The successful applicants must have completed a Master’s Degree.

Education in the Doctoral Degree Programmes is organized according to subject areas. According to the Higher Education Act, Doctoral Studies can be completed only in specialties that have received assessment at “Very good” during the accreditation procedure.