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Education System of Bulgaria
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: Universitet (University) Spetzializirano Visshe Uchilishte (Specialized Higher School) Kolej (College) School leaving and higher education credentials: Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie Specialist Bakalavr Magistr Doktor STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 7 Age of exit: 19 Structure of school system: Basic First Stage Type of school providing this education: Natchalno utchilischte (form I to IV) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 7 to: 10 Certificate/diploma awarded: Grade IV Leaving Certificate Basic Second Stage Type of school providing this education: Progimnazialno utchilichte (form V to VIII) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 10 to: 14 Certificate/diploma awarded: Basic Education Completion Certificate Secondary Type of school providing this education: Gimnazii (form IX to XII) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 14 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) Secondary Type of school providing this education: Profilirani Gimnazii (form IX to XII) Length of program in years: 5 Age level from: 15 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) Vocational Secondary Type of school providing this education: Professionalni gimnazii I/ili technikumil Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 15 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) and Certificate of Professional Qualification. Vocational Secondary Type of school providing this education: Professionalni utchilichta Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 15 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) and Certificate of Professional Qualification School education: Basic education comprises two stages: basic education first stage from form I to form IV and basic education second stage from form V to form VII. School children who have successfully completed the first stage of basic education are awarded a Form IV Leaving Certificate. Completion of basic education is attested by a final certificate for the completion of basic education at the end of form VII.Secondary education lasts for four or five years after completion of the basic education course and is provided in three types of schools: comprehensive (general secondary) schools, profile-oriented schools, vocational (technical and vocational-technical) schools. Studies lead to the Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie and to a certificate of professional qualification awarded by professional schools. Higher education: Higher education is provided by universities and specialized higher schools. Some universities are private. Higher education is regulated by the Law on Higher Education 1995 (latest amendements 2004) and the Law on Scientific Degrees and Titles (latest amendments 2000). Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Higher Education Act and subsequent amendments Year: 1995 Concerns: Higher education institutions Decree: Law for Public Education (latest amendments 2004) Year: 1998 Decree: Law on Scientific Degrees and Scientific Titles (latest amendments 2000) Year: 1972 Decree: Law on the Level of Schooling, the General Education Minimum and the Syllabus Year: 1999 Decree: Vocational Education and Training Act Year: 1999 Academic year: Classes from: Sep to: Jun Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 15 Sep Languages of instruction: Bulgarian Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): Non-university level: Non university-level post-secondary education generally consists of a 3-year course of study after completion of secondary education and leads to the qualification of Specialist in different fields. Studies culminate in a state final examination. University level studies: University level first stage: Bakalavr (Bachelor): This stage of study at higher education institutions (HEI) lasts for at least four years and leads to the Bachelor's Degree (Bakalavr) in many fields. This is a degree created by the Higher Education Act of 1995. However, there are some fields where the Bachelor does not exist and where studies lead directly to the second stage of studies (Master's Degree level). University level second stage: Magistr (Master): This stage of study at HEI lasts for five/six years after completion of secondary education or one year after obtaining the Bachelor's Degree. Students must (usually) complete a thesis and pass a state examination. The former Diplom za Visse Obrazovanie, awarded before the 1995 law, is officially regarded as equivalent to the Master's. University level third stage: Doktor (Doctor): This stage is the third degree in the higher education system and leads to the title of Doctor. It is obtained on the basis of individual research and after the defence of a thesis. It replaces the former Kandidat na Naukite (Candidate of the Sciences). The Higher Education Act of 1995 grants all Kandidat na Naukite holders the rights of a holder of a Doctor's degree. Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Primary school teachers are trained at Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Valiko Târnovo, the University of Shumen, St Paďssďi Hilendarski University of Plovdiv and at some Academies of Arts. Courses, which last for four and five years, lead to the professional qualification of teacher. Training of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers obtain their professional qualification of teacher after four or five years of post-secondary studies (at a university or at some Academies of Arts), during which they receive special training in teaching. Training of higher education teachers Higher education teachers are trained at universities. NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministerstvo na obrazovanieto I naukata (Ministry of Education and Science) Head: Igor Damyanov, Minister Administrative officer: Dimitar Tanev, Secretary-General 2A,
Dondukov Bld. Tel: +359 2921 7799 Fax: +359 2988 2485 EMail: press_mon@minedu.government.bg WWW: http://www.minedu.government.bg Role of governing body: Administrative and educational responsibilities Bulgarian Rectors' Conference Head: Yordania Kuzmanova, President Agrarian
University Tel: +359(32) 633 232 Fax: +359(32) 633 242 EMail: rector@au-plovdiv.bg WWW: http://www.au-plovdiv.bg National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) Head: Ivan Panayotov Ivanov, President Administrative officer: Patricia Georgieva, Secretary-General International relations: Mina Slavcheva, Senior staff officer Council
of Ministers Tel: +359(2) 971 2102 Fax: +359(2) 971 2068 EMail: info@neaa.government.bg WWW: http://www.neaa.government.bg Role of governing body: NEAA is the specialized national body for quality assurance, evaluation and accreditation of the activities of Higher Education Institutions: teaching, research, artistic, etc. that correspond to their specific features. There are two types of accreditation: institutional accreditation and programme accreditation (for all educational degrees). NEAA developed and adopted evaluation and accreditation criteria in accordance with the Higher Education Act and adopted state requirements. NEAA also evaluates projects for the establishing or transforming of higher schools or colleges and their main units, as well as the opening of new specialities. ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie Numerus clausus/restrictions: Yes Other admission requirements: For less demanded specialities, candidates may enrol on the basis of document submission, graded according to academic record. Foreign students admission Definition of foreign student: Students who are not Bulgarian citizens. Quotas: The quotas are established each year according to the specific conditions of the Bulgarian higher education institutions. Admission requirements: Each foreign student must hold a Secondary School Leaving Certificate equivalent to the Bulgarian Secondary School Leaving Certificate and must be officially admitted by the Ministry of Education and Science. Entry regulations: Candidates should have a valid passport or a visa and be recommended by qualified persons and institutions in their home country. Language requirements: A pre-university year of studies in the Bulgarian language is required.There are examinations after 1 year of studies in the Bulgarian language at the Institute for Foreign Students. Application procedures: Apply to individual institution for entry to: All forms of colleges and higher education institutions. Apply to national body for entry to: Colleges and higher education institutions. Apply to: Ministry of Education and Science 2A, Knjaz Dondukov
Bld. Tel: +359(2) 921 7554 Fax: +359(2) 988 2785 Application closing dates: For non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: 1 Sep For university level studies: 1 Sep For advanced/doctoral studies: 1 Sep Recognition of studies & qualifications: Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency at the Council of Ministers (http://www.neaa.government.bg) evaluates universities and colleges and accredits their programmes. Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Commission fo Recognition of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Science/Natzionalen tzentur za academitchno priznavane i mobilnost Head: Rossitza Velinova, Head, European Integration Division 2a. Kniaz
Dondukov Bld. Tel: +359(2) 921 7635 Fax: +359(2) 988 0600 EMail: r.velinova@minedu.government.bg WWW: http://www.minedu.government.bg Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession Services provided & students dealt with: The Ministry is responsible for the final decisions in the field of academic recognition. National Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency Head: Ivan Panayotov Ivanov, President 125,
Tsarigradsko shosse blvd., bl. 5 Tel: +359 2 971 2102/2 971 2039 Fax: +359 2 971 2068 EMail: info@neaa.government.bg Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region Year of signature: 1997 References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Higher Schools in Bulgaria Author: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Sofia, Bulgaria Publisher: MEST, Sofia, Bulgaria STUDENT LIFE Main student services at national level Institut des Etudiants étrangers de Sofia 27, Costa Loultchev Tel: +359(2) 720 837 Fax: +359(2) 723 877 Category of services provided: Special services/Centre for foreign students Services available to foreign Students: Yes Stoudentski Obchtéjitya i Stolové Stoudentski Grad,
blok 5 Tel: +359(2) 681 314 Fax: +359(2) 681 242 Category of services provided: Social and welfare services; Employment services National student associations and unions Bulgarian Student Union 1, Hristo Smirnevtski
Bld Tel: +359(2) 656 863 Fax: +359(2) 656 863 Health/social provisions Social security for foreign students: Yes Special student travel fares: By road: Yes By rail: Yes By air: Yes Available to foreign students: Yes INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: European Integration and Bilateral Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Science Head: Lubov Draganova, Head of European Integration and Bilateral Cooperation Department 2A Kniaz
Dondukov Blvd Tel: +359(2) 921 7445 Fax: +359(2) 988 0600 EMail: l.draganova@minedu.government.bg WWW: http://www.minedu.government.bg Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes Name of exchange programme: 2000+ Project Name of exchange programme: Blue Danube Project in Secondary Education Name of exchange programme: CEEPUS Name of exchange programme: LEONARDO Name of exchange programme: PHARE Name of exchange programme: SOCRATES II Name of exchange programme: UNESCO Chair for Civic Education/CEPES Name of exchange programme: UNESCO-Culture of peace Name of exchange programme: UNEVOC Name of exchange programme: VIFAX-ACCT-FRANCOPHONIE GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: 2-6; 6: otlichen (excellent); 5: mnogo dobur (very good); 4: dobur (good); 3: sreden (sufficient); 2: slab (poor). Highest on scale: 6 Pass/fail level: 3/2 Lowest on scale: 2 Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: A numerical grading system is used: 6 - otlichen (excellent); 5 - mnogo dobur (very good); 4 - dobur (good); 3 - sreden (sufficient); 2 - slab (poor). Highest on scale: 6 Pass/fail level: 3/2 Lowest on scale: 2 NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: 2004-2005 Source: International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Education and Science, Sofia, 2005 Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also Voenna Academia 'G.S. Rakovski' ('G.S. Rakovski' Military Academy), URL: http://www.rakovski-defcol.mod.bg; Natzionalen voenen universitet 'Vassil Levski' (Vassil Levski National Military Academy) and Akademia na MVR - Sofia (Academy of the Ministry of the Interior - Sofia)
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