Bulgaria - Express DeliveryBulgaria - Express Delivery
UNESCO Student Mobility Number- Bulgaria has 23,945 students studying abroad. Top 3 destinations for Bulgarian students are the U.K., Germany and the Netherlands.
CIA World Factbook- 24.03% of the population under 24 years of age.
Overview
On one hand, being part of the EU has greatly improved the mobility opportunities for Bulgarian students and nowadays significant amount of young people choose to continue their higher education abroad. Some EU countries provide free university education and many incentives for EU member countries. On the other hand, Bulgarian students are not that informed for the U.S. as an educational destination in comparison to the European universities which are spending a substantial amount on information campaigns and expos promoting their universities.
According to latest data from Eurostat, Bulgarian government expenditure on education is 4.0% of GDP. Education costs in Bulgaria are one of the lowest in the EU as only EUR 250 (USD 286) are spend on average per inhabitant.
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria can benefit from various programs. To help develop and strengthen innovations in higher and general education, as well as vocational training, Operational Program Science and Education for Smart Growth covers 2014-2020 period. The fund amount exceeds approximately USD 770 million and it is expected to advance the students opportunities for knowledge, skills and competencies by supporting laboratories and pilot centers, different activities and scholarships.
Sub-Sectors
Higher Education
2018 Open Doors Reports shows that percentage of Bulgarian students in the U.S. is decreasing with 11.1%, as for the academic year 2017/2018 their number is 826. In comparison, for 2016/2017 academic year, there were 929 Bulgarian students in the U.S., and in 2015/2016 – 1,016.
The only U.S. university in the country -- the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) – is located in the cities of Blagoevgrad and Sofia. It offers excellent service to international students and strong academic programs. Since its opening in 1991 AUBG has consistently ranked number one among universities in Bulgaria for its Business Administration, Management and PR/Mass Communication programs. AUBG has approximately 1000 students. In 2017 AUBG started the first Executive Master program in Banking, Finance and Real Estate as a joint venture program with together with SDA School of Business Bocconi University in Italy.
Colleges
There are total of 54 higher school institutions in Bulgaria. 22 out of 54 are colleges for professional education in sectors such as tourism, business and management, and marketing. College education in Bulgaria is approximately 3 years long, as some institutions provides diplomas equivalent to universities.
Secondary Education
Another American education institution is The American College of Sofia (ACS) - a secondary school based in the capital Sofia. The college was founded in 1860 and it is one of the oldest American educational institution outside the United States. Every year the ACS students score the highest results for the final state exam.
New trends in the secondary education is the so-called distance learning platforms. American High School in Varna partners with Florida-based school to provides an online program that gives the opportunity to get an American diploma by taking only courses that are required by the State of Florida's Education Department. When enrolled in the American High School program, students are able to sign up for the whole gamut of middle and high school subjects which vary from English literature, to business, to programming, to psychology and anthropology.
Most Bulgarian students wanting to study abroad are proficient in English and are usually very well-prepared academically which facilitates their learning experience abroad. About 98% of the high school students study a foreign language (usually English) and 73% study a second language (mainly German, French, Spanish, Russian).
Online Programs
Online Programs are not so popular in Bulgaria, but more universities such as Sofia University, Varna University and New Bulgarian University already provides online education. Online programs are alternative for many students with full-time jobs. The prices for these programs vary from USD 700 to USD 5,000 per year.
Research and Development
Another EU funded program, besides the Operational Program, is Research and Innovation Performance and Horizon 2020, which is focused on national research programs and innovation systems. Research and Development investment is mainly supported by the private business in Bulgaria. For 2015, 0.96 % of GDP are spent for R&D, less than 0.4% are public spending. The goal of Horizon 2020 programme is 1.50% of GDP by 2020, equally separate by government and business.
Opportunities
Intensive English Language Programs / Short-term Programs
Summer programs for both students and adults as well as programs in business administration; Work, Study and Travel programs; e-learning; and undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Summer courses in the U.S. and year-round could present good opportunities for U.S. universities and schools looking to attract Bulgarian students. The summer English language programs are suitable for local students and fit well with Bulgaria’s semester structure.
Online Courses/ Distance learning courses are getting more popular among younger generation students.
Educational consulting agencies in Bulgaria provide great assistance to Bulgarians who plan to study abroad. These consulting agencies inform students about requirements, documentation and facilitate the whole process and include such entities as Darbi ESH Study Abroad, “Connect with USA”, Orange Education, Skylines Ltd., Integral Educational Programs Ltd., and more.
To assist U.S. universities in sharing ‘their story’ to South East European (SEE) college students - CS Sofia organized two regional virtual educational fairs (VEF) - in April 2015 with the Commercial Service and U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary and in March 2016 with reps from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Greece and Ukraine. In 2017, VEF was organized together with Albania, Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia, attracting educational consultants, universities representatives, and high schools’ representatives.
Events
- WEBA Education Fair, Feb 17, 2019, http://www.webaworld.com/student-fairs-events/europe/37.php;
- World Education Fair, in Sofia; Feb. 23 - 24, 2019, http://www.world-education.eu/;
- Education Beyond Borders, Mar. 15 – 16, 2019, http://edu-fair.info;
- European Education Fair, Mar 16 - 17, 2019, http://www.europeaneducationfair.com/;
Resources
EducationUSA https://educationusa.state.gov/
Ministry of Education and Science: https://www.mon.bg/en/
Fulbright Commission: http://www.fulbright.bg/en/
National Statistics Institute: http://www.nsi.bg/en
OP Science and Education for Smart Growth 2014-2020: http://sf.mon.bg/?go=page&pageId=84
Horizon 2020: http://horizon2020.mon.bg/en
American University in Bulgaria: https://www.aubg.edu/
American College of Sofia: https://www.acs.bg/
Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
US Commercial Service Contact
Peter Delin
Commercial Specialist, Education Lead
Sofia, Bulgaria
peter.delin@trade.gov;
T: + 359 2 939 5784
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
CIA World Factbook- 24.03% of the population under 24 years of age.
Overview
On one hand, being part of the EU has greatly improved the mobility opportunities for Bulgarian students and nowadays significant amount of young people choose to continue their higher education abroad. Some EU countries provide free university education and many incentives for EU member countries. On the other hand, Bulgarian students are not that informed for the U.S. as an educational destination in comparison to the European universities which are spending a substantial amount on information campaigns and expos promoting their universities.
According to latest data from Eurostat, Bulgarian government expenditure on education is 4.0% of GDP. Education costs in Bulgaria are one of the lowest in the EU as only EUR 250 (USD 286) are spend on average per inhabitant.
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria can benefit from various programs. To help develop and strengthen innovations in higher and general education, as well as vocational training, Operational Program Science and Education for Smart Growth covers 2014-2020 period. The fund amount exceeds approximately USD 770 million and it is expected to advance the students opportunities for knowledge, skills and competencies by supporting laboratories and pilot centers, different activities and scholarships.
Sub-Sectors
Higher Education
2018 Open Doors Reports shows that percentage of Bulgarian students in the U.S. is decreasing with 11.1%, as for the academic year 2017/2018 their number is 826. In comparison, for 2016/2017 academic year, there were 929 Bulgarian students in the U.S., and in 2015/2016 – 1,016.
The only U.S. university in the country -- the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) – is located in the cities of Blagoevgrad and Sofia. It offers excellent service to international students and strong academic programs. Since its opening in 1991 AUBG has consistently ranked number one among universities in Bulgaria for its Business Administration, Management and PR/Mass Communication programs. AUBG has approximately 1000 students. In 2017 AUBG started the first Executive Master program in Banking, Finance and Real Estate as a joint venture program with together with SDA School of Business Bocconi University in Italy.
Colleges
There are total of 54 higher school institutions in Bulgaria. 22 out of 54 are colleges for professional education in sectors such as tourism, business and management, and marketing. College education in Bulgaria is approximately 3 years long, as some institutions provides diplomas equivalent to universities.
Secondary Education
Another American education institution is The American College of Sofia (ACS) - a secondary school based in the capital Sofia. The college was founded in 1860 and it is one of the oldest American educational institution outside the United States. Every year the ACS students score the highest results for the final state exam.
New trends in the secondary education is the so-called distance learning platforms. American High School in Varna partners with Florida-based school to provides an online program that gives the opportunity to get an American diploma by taking only courses that are required by the State of Florida's Education Department. When enrolled in the American High School program, students are able to sign up for the whole gamut of middle and high school subjects which vary from English literature, to business, to programming, to psychology and anthropology.
Most Bulgarian students wanting to study abroad are proficient in English and are usually very well-prepared academically which facilitates their learning experience abroad. About 98% of the high school students study a foreign language (usually English) and 73% study a second language (mainly German, French, Spanish, Russian).
Online Programs
Online Programs are not so popular in Bulgaria, but more universities such as Sofia University, Varna University and New Bulgarian University already provides online education. Online programs are alternative for many students with full-time jobs. The prices for these programs vary from USD 700 to USD 5,000 per year.
Research and Development
Another EU funded program, besides the Operational Program, is Research and Innovation Performance and Horizon 2020, which is focused on national research programs and innovation systems. Research and Development investment is mainly supported by the private business in Bulgaria. For 2015, 0.96 % of GDP are spent for R&D, less than 0.4% are public spending. The goal of Horizon 2020 programme is 1.50% of GDP by 2020, equally separate by government and business.
Opportunities
Intensive English Language Programs / Short-term Programs
Summer programs for both students and adults as well as programs in business administration; Work, Study and Travel programs; e-learning; and undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Summer courses in the U.S. and year-round could present good opportunities for U.S. universities and schools looking to attract Bulgarian students. The summer English language programs are suitable for local students and fit well with Bulgaria’s semester structure.
Online Courses/ Distance learning courses are getting more popular among younger generation students.
Educational consulting agencies in Bulgaria provide great assistance to Bulgarians who plan to study abroad. These consulting agencies inform students about requirements, documentation and facilitate the whole process and include such entities as Darbi ESH Study Abroad, “Connect with USA”, Orange Education, Skylines Ltd., Integral Educational Programs Ltd., and more.
To assist U.S. universities in sharing ‘their story’ to South East European (SEE) college students - CS Sofia organized two regional virtual educational fairs (VEF) - in April 2015 with the Commercial Service and U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary and in March 2016 with reps from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Greece and Ukraine. In 2017, VEF was organized together with Albania, Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia, attracting educational consultants, universities representatives, and high schools’ representatives.
Events
- WEBA Education Fair, Feb 17, 2019, http://www.webaworld.com/student-fairs-events/europe/37.php;
- World Education Fair, in Sofia; Feb. 23 - 24, 2019, http://www.world-education.eu/;
- Education Beyond Borders, Mar. 15 – 16, 2019, http://edu-fair.info;
- European Education Fair, Mar 16 - 17, 2019, http://www.europeaneducationfair.com/;
Resources
EducationUSA https://educationusa.state.gov/
Ministry of Education and Science: https://www.mon.bg/en/
Fulbright Commission: http://www.fulbright.bg/en/
National Statistics Institute: http://www.nsi.bg/en
OP Science and Education for Smart Growth 2014-2020: http://sf.mon.bg/?go=page&pageId=84
Horizon 2020: http://horizon2020.mon.bg/en
American University in Bulgaria: https://www.aubg.edu/
American College of Sofia: https://www.acs.bg/
Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
US Commercial Service Contact
Peter Delin
Commercial Specialist, Education Lead
Sofia, Bulgaria
peter.delin@trade.gov;
T: + 359 2 939 5784
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.