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EuroEducation.net The European Education Directory |
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| Bulgaria |
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Structure of Educational System Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition of Foreign Credentials Student Life International Cooperation and Exchanges |
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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) Copyright © IAU, World Higher Education Database (WHED) |
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