The education system of

Bulgaria described and compared with the Dutch system

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 2

This document contains information on the education system in Bulgaria. We explain the Dutch equivalent of the most common qualifications from Bulgaria for the purpose of admission to Dutch higher education.

Disclaimer We assemble the information for these descriptions of education systems with the greatest care. However, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of errors or incomplete information in this document.

Copyright

With the exception of images and illustrations, the content of this publication is subject to the Creative Commons Name NonCommercial 3.0 Unported licence. Visit www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/copyright for more information on the reuse of this publication.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 3

Education system Bulgaria

L1

8

Svidetelstvo za Osnovno Obrazovanie(basic education)

L4

4

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (academic stream)(secondary education)

L3

4

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (vocational stream)(senior secondary education)

L4Konkursen(entrance examinations)

L7

5

Diploma za (Zavarsheno) visshe obrazovanie/Magistr(university education)

L6

3-4

Diploma za visshe obrazovanie/ Bakalavr(university education)

L6

3

Diploma za Zavarsheno Poluvisshe Obrazovanie (higher professional education)

L7

1-2

Diploma za visshe obrazovanie/Magistr(university education)

L8

3

Diploma za nautchnana stepen Doktor na Naukite(PhD)

post

grad

uate

unde

rgra

duat

e

0 Duration of education

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 4

Evaluation chart

In the following chart, the left part lists foreign qualifications. The right part lists the Dutch comparisons, with corresponding levels in the Netherlands and European qualifications frameworks.

Degree or qualification Dutch equivalent and NLQF level EQF level

Diploma za Sredna Obrazovanie – Диплома

за средна образовагие (квалификация)

(vocational stream)

HAVO diploma for the general education component

4 4

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie -Диплома за

средна образовагие (academic stream)

VWO diploma 4+ 4

Diploma za Zavarsheno Poluvisshe

Obrazovanie - Диплома за Завършено

Полувисше Образование with the degree of

Specialist

at most an HBO bachelor’s degree

6 6

Diplom za visshe obrazovanie na

obrazovatelno kvalifikatsionna stepen

(Profesionalen) Bakalavr – Диплома за висше

образоние на образователно-

квалификационна степен бакалавр

HBO or WO bachelor’s degree

6 6

Diploma za visshe obrazovanie na

obrazovatelno kvalifikatsionna stepen

Magister – Диплома за висше образоние на

образователно-квалификационна степен

магистер

HBO or WO master’s degree

7 7

NB • The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from

which no rights may be derived. • NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework; EQF = European Qualifications

Framework • The EQF/NLQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content; rather,

it is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain programme of study.

• Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our website: education and diplomas the Netherlands.

• The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB), evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates the diploma for admission to VET schools or the labour market in the Netherlands.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 5

Introduction

The Republic of Bulgaria is a parliamentary democracy subdivided into 28 administrative provinces. The government is led by a president, who is chosen for a term of 5 years. The Bulgarian government is designated as the Council of Ministers. Where education is concerned, it sets national education policy and submits proposals to the Bulgarian National Assembly for the foundation, amendment and dissolution of institutions and faculties and for the determination of annual higher education admission quotas. The country’s Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for setting national education policy. The language of education is Bulgarian, although a few faculties and departments at a number of higher education institutions also offer subjects in English, German and/or French. Foreign language education is also offered at secondary schools known as Foreign Language Secondary Schools. The Bulgarian language is written using the Cyrillic alphabet. In Bulgaria, education is compulsory up to the age of 16. The academic year runs from September until August.

Basic and secondary education

Basic education (osnovno obrazovanie) lasts 8 years and consists of two phases. Junior education (nachalno obrazovanie) is for children aged 7 to 10 and lasts 4 years, resulting in a Udostoverenie za zavarshen natchalen etap na osnovnoto obrazovanie (Certificate for completed primary stage of basic education). Presecondary education (progymnasiya) is for children aged 10 to 14 and also lasts 4 years, resulting in a Svidetelstvo za osnovno obrazovanie (Certificate for basic education). General secondary education Secondary education is categorized into general secondary education, subject cluster-oriented education (academic streams) and secondary vocational education and training (vocational streams). Secondary education has a duration of 4 years and is taught in gimnazia (high schools), profilirana gimnazia (profiled high schools), sredno obchschoobrazovatelno uchilishte (secondary general education schools), profesionalna gimnazia (professional high schools or professional schools), profilirano uchilihshte and sportno uchilishte (sport and art schools) and in uchilishte po izkustva iI spetzialno uchilishte (special schools). Education at

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 6

profilirana gimnazia, profilirano uchilishte (subject cluster-oriented schools) typically lasts 5 years. Pupils who enter subject cluster-oriented schools do so after completing their seventh year of basic education. At both types of schools, therefore, pupils get 12 years of basic and secondary education, which is rounded off by an exam at the age of 19. Upon successful completion of the programme, pupils are awarded the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie, previously known as Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie – DZSO).

Secondary vocational education Secondary vocational education and training (profesionalno obrazovanie i obutchenie – vocational streams) is offered at technical secondary schools (tracks include economics, technology, agriculture, art and music) and has a duration of 4 years for pupils who have had 8 years of basic education, or of 5 years for those who have had 7 years of basic education; in the latter case it also includes an intensive foreign language programme. This form of education therefore also lasts 12 years. Pupils who have completed secondary vocational education and training also receive the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (diploma of secondary education), previously known as Diploma za Sredno Spetsialno Obrazovanie, and the Svidetelstvo za profesionalna kvalifikatchia (Certificate for professional qualification). Both types of diploma grant admission to higher education in Bulgaria.

Admission to higher education

Aside from the two secondary education diplomas, admission to higher education is based on the admission exams (konkursen) administered by individual higher education institutions. Specific higher education admission criteria depend on both the type of higher education institution and the specialisation.

In terms of level, the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (academic stream) - Диплома за средна образовагие is comparable to a VWO diploma.

In terms of level, the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (vocational stream) - Диплома за средна образовагие is comparable to a HAVO diploma for the general education component.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 7

In Bulgaria, higher education institutions are autonomous and have the authority to impose additional admission requirements. Consequently, they are free to determine whether to require additional tests on top of written admission exams. Higher education institutions establish their own admission procedures for each of their degree programmes on a year-by-year basis and publish these in advance.

Higher education

Under the Higher Education Act (1995), higher education is provided at higher education institutions. Such institutions are classified according to a number of different categories: universities (universitet), specialized higher education institutions (spetzializirano visshe uchilishte) (academies and institutes) and colleges (kolej), which before 1995 were known as semi-higher education institutions (Poluvisshi Instituti). The universities and specialized higher education institutions and colleges (kolej) are responsible for academic higher education. The professional colleges (profesionalen kolej) provide post-secondary professional non-academic education. Currently, Bulgaria has approximately 50 recognized higher education institutions.

University education

The Higher Education Act of 1995 organized Bulgarian higher education into a two-cycle system. First cycle degrees Profesionalen bakalavr no...( Professional Bachelor’s in …) “Profesionalen bakalavr no...” programmes last at least 3 years (180 ECTS). It corresponds to level 6 of EQF and conclude with state exams (durzhven izpit) or the defence of a final paper (diploma rabota), successful completion of which results in a certificate known as the Diploma za visshe obrazovanie na obrazovatelno-kvalifikatsionna stepen Диплома за висше образоние на образователно-квалификационна степен “Profesionalen bakalavr no...” (Diploma for graduated educational-qualification degree of higher education “Professional Bachelor in...”) with a Profesionalen bakalavr no... degree and a professional qualification. This diploma was created as part of the 1995 Higher Education Act through the transitional and concluding provisions since 2007. Holders of this degree can proceed with their further studies for obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the corresponding major in an accredited university with the following requirements: at least 60 credits and overall duration of study 4 years for the bachelor’s degree. They also can proceed with their further studies for obtaining a master’s degree in the corresponding major with the following requirements: at least 120 credits and overall duration of study 5 years for the

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 8

master’s degree. Graduates of a “Profesionalen bakalavr no...” programme are also deemed qualified to enter the labour market. Bakalavr (Bachelor’s) Bakalavr programmes last at least 4 years (240 ECTS). It corresponds to Level 6 of the EQF and conclude with state exams (durzhven izpit) or the defence of a final paper (diploma rabota), successful completion of which results in a certificate known as the Diploma za visshe obrazovanie na obrazovatelno-kvalifikatsionna stepen Диплома за висше образоние на образователно-квалификационна степен “Bakalavr” (Diploma for graduated educational-qualification degree of higher education “Bachelor”) (DZVO; higher education diploma) with a Bakalavr degree, previously known as Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie and, in some cases, a professional qualification (such as economist). This diploma was created as part of the 1995 Higher Education Act. Holders of a bachelor’s degree can proceed with their further studies for obtaining a master’s degree with the following requirements: duration of at least 1 year and overall duration of study 5 years for the master’s degree. Under the most recent amendments to the Higher Education Act, a DZVO certificate also provides admission to 4-year doktor programmes. Graduates of a Bakalavr programme are also deemed qualified to enter the labour market.

Second cycle degrees Magistr (Master’s) Magistr programmes last at least 5 years (300 ECTS). The holders of a “Professional Bachelor in …” degree have to cover a study load of at least 120 ECTS, holders of a Bachelor’s degree have to cover a study load of at least 1 year.The master’s degree corresponds to Level 7 of the EQF. Upon successful completion of the state exams or defence of their final paper, students receive a certificate known as the Diploma za visshe obrazovanie na obrazovatelno-kvalifikatsionna stepen Диплома за висше образоние на образователно-квалификационна степен “Magistr” (DVZO- Diploma for graduated educational-qualification degree of higher education “Master” ) and the degree of Magistr, previously known as Diploma za (Zavarsheno) visshe obrazovanie. Under Bulgarian law, DVZO certificates awarded before 1995 have the same status as Magistr diplomas.

In terms of level, the Diploma za visshe obrazovanie na obrazovatelno-kvalifikatsionna stepen “Диплома за висше образоние на образователно-квалификационна степен, (Profesionalen) “Bakalavr” is to an HBO or WO bachelor’s degree, depending on the type of study programme.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 9

Doktor (PhD) Doktor programmes last at least 3 years following the completion of a Magistr programme. It corresponds to Level 8 of the EQF. Whereas before 2004 a Bakalavr degree was deemed a sufficient qualification for doctoral study, with programmes lasting at least 4 years, a June 2004 amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1995 established that a Bakalavr degree was no longer sufficient. Up until 1995 the Diploma za kandidat na naukite was awarded with the degree of Kandidat na Naukite (Candidate of Science). This has since been replaced with the current Doktor degree, which the Higher Education Act places on a par with the Kandidat na Naukite. The degree of Doktor na Naukite is the highest achievable research degree. The Diploma za nautchnana stepen “Doktor na naukite” (Diploma for scientific degree “Doktor of science”) is awarded upon completion of a period spent exclusively on scientific research. There is no fixed study programme or preset duration of study associated with this degree.

Higher professional education

The professional colleges (profesionalen kolej) provide post-secondary professional non-academic education. These programmes are taught at colleges (kolezji). Professional colleges offer professionally-oriented programmes of at least 2 years in a range of disciplines and various programmes in the fields of tourism, technology and other. These programmes have a strong focus on professional practice and have no research component. Admission is based on the secondary school diploma and the state exam. Upon finishing the programme and successfully completing the state exam, students receive a certificate for professional qualification known as the Sertifikat za profesionalna kvalifikatchia (certificate for professional qualification). This qualification was introduced with the Law For The Vocational Education And Training of 1999.

In terms of level, the Diploma za visshe obrazovanie na obrazovateln o -kvalifikatsionna stepen, Диплома за висше образование на образователно-квалификационна степен, “Magistr” is comparable to an HBO or WO master’s degree, depending on the type of study programme.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 10

In addition, there are Colleges providing academic education. These Colleges are either independent or part of an accredited university. After completion of these programmes, students are awarded the Profesionalen bakalavr no... (Professional Bachelor’s in …) degree. See also the overview of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) with accredited higher education institutions.

In terms of level, the Diploma za Zavarsheno Poluvisshe Obrazovanie - Диплома за Завършено Полувисше Образование with the degree of Specialist is comparable to – at most – an HBO bachelor’s degree in a similar specialisation.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 11

Assessment systems

Students’ knowledge and proficiencies are marked on a scale of 2 to 6, with 3 representing a pass. A mark of 1 is rare.

A number of institutions has implemented the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). More information on ECTS is available in the ECTS Users’Guide issued by the European Commission.

Bologna process

Bulgaria was one of the 29 countries that signed the Bologna Declaration in 1999. Current efforts are focusing on aligning national legislation with the provisions of the Bologna Declaration. A June 2004 amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1995 established the introduction of both the ECTS system and the Diploma Supplement, and also covers the accumulation and transfer of credits. Information on the current situation can be found on the website of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

Qualification frameworks

A new Bulgarian government acting since 2009 decided to give priority to the development of a National Qualifications Framework. According to a publication of August 2010 it a first draft of the NQF would have been prepared by 15 December 2010. According to our information, no new drafts or implementations have appeared since then.

Accreditation and quality assurance

The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency is charged with accreditation of Bulgarian higher education bodies and programmes (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD

Numerical grade Description Meaning

6 Otlichen Excellent

5 Mnogo dobur Very good

4 Dobur Good

3 Sreden Sufficient/Pass

2 Slab Fail/Poor

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 12

programmes). The term of validity of the accreditation shall be 6 years when the received assessment is "very good" or "good", and 3 years – upon "satisfactory" assessment. The accreditation includes the assessments: "very good", "good", "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory". For more information visit the website of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA).

International treaties

Bulgaria signed the Lisbon Convention in 1997 and ratified it in 2000. It has also signed over 30 bilateral treaties with individual countries for mutual diploma recognition.

Diploma Supplement

At present Bulgaria is disseminating information about the Diploma Supplement by means of higher education brochures and seminars. The 2004 amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1995 laid the legal basis for integrating the Diploma Supplement into the Bulgarian education system. Since 2005, Bulgarian graduates receive copies of the Diploma Supplement in both Bulgarian and English. More information about the Diploma Supplement (DS) is available on the Europass website.

Composition of file

The file must include: • the Bulgarian diploma and associated list of marks; and • a certified translation of both documents.

Overview of higher education institutions

• Website with the Register of Higher Education Institutions with an overview of recognised higher education institutions (provided by the ministry).

• NEAA’s overview of accredited higher education institutes. • ’Study in Bulgaria’ website with an overview of Bulgarian universities. Colleges providing academic education in the structure of a university: • Technical college – Smolian in the structure of the University of Plovdiv. • Pleven College of Education in the structure of the University of Veliko

Tarnovo. • Technical College - Silistra and Technological College – Razgrad in the

structure of the University of Rousse.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 13

• Technical College, College of Tourism and Medical College – Bourgas in the structure of the University ‘Prof. D-R Asen Zlatarov’.

• College of Tourism – Varna in the structure of the University of Economics - Varna.

• College of Economics and Management – Svishtov the structure of the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov, there is a website in English and Bulgarian.

• Technical College of Lovech in the structure of the TU of Gabrovo. • Medical College – Sofia in the structure of the MU of Sofia. • Medical College – Varna in the structure of the MU of Varna. • The Medical College – Plovdiv in the structure of the MU of Plovdiv. • Medical College – Pleven in the structure of the Higher Institute of Medicine -

Pleven.

Independent Colleges: • Higher College of Telecommunications and Posts – Sofia. • College of Management, Trade and Marketing – Sofia. • European College of Economics and Management – Plovdiv. • College of Theatre ‘Lyuben Grois’ – Sofia.

Useful links

• The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. • The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency. • The Bulgarian NARIC, providing the text of the Higher Education Act of 1995 in

English. • The Human Resource Development Centre including information about

higher education in Bulgaria.

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 14

Diplomas

Диплома за среднo образование Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie – Secondary education (vocational stream), page 1:

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 15

Диплома за среднo образование Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie – Secondary education (vocational stream), page 2:

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 16

Диплома за среднo образование Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie – Secondary education (vocational stream), translation – page 1:

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 17

Диплома за среднo образование Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie – Secondary education (vocational stream), translation – page 2:

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 18

Диплома за среднo образование Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie – Secondary education (vocational stream), translation – page 3:

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 19

бакалавр Bakalavr – Bachelor (university education), page 1:

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Bulgaria

Education system Bulgaria | Nuffic | 2nd edition, February 2011 | version 2, January 2015 20

бакалавр Bakalavr – Bachelor (university education), page 2: