Area : 110,993.6 sq km
Population : 7,974, 000 (2001)
Capital city : Sofia
Official language : Bulgarian
Religion : There is freedom of religious confessions. Traditional religion in the Republic of Bulgaria is Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Bulgaria has been an associated member of the European Union (EU) since 1992.
Student Visa
First requirement for those who are interested in joining an institute of higher education in Bulgaria is a Diploma or Certificate proving successful completion of the previous stage of education. Although there is no specific threshold set for the diploma marks, general understanding is that candidate should have secured at least 63 %. As a practice the particular university authorities have the right and obligation to chose their students among the best candidates.
Second requirement is whether the candidate could secure financial support for its education plus cost of living in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Universities are autonomous and have the right to set up the education fees for foreign students.
Depending on the University and the education speciality chosen the education fee varies from around 4000 USD/year for the basic education up to 5400 USD/year for the post graduate specialisations. For those who will attend Bulgarian language preparatory course general fee is 2800 USD for 9 months and 1700 USD for 6 months.
Minimum cost of living in Bulgaria for a foreign student, including dormitory at the campus (double share basis), food, transportation and other miscellaneous is in the range of 2000 USD/year.
Be advised that opportunities for selfsupport through student employment are minimal. Generally Bulgarian government and Bulgarian Universities do not provide any scholarships for foreign students with just a few exceptions for the exchange students.
Third requirement is a good health, which should be proven by a medical certificate.
There are two main ways of enrolment into the Bulgarian institutes of higher education.
First one is through your own inquiry - you could contact directly the authorities of the particular University. They will send you a guide and advise you about the necessary procedure. As a result of this procedure you will receive from the University the ORIGINAL ADMISSION LETTER issued by the Ministry of Education of Bulgaria valid as a Visa Support Document. After that you could apply for a student visa at the Bulgarian Embassy
Living in Bulgaria
A breakfast in an ordinary restaurant costs about 4 leva (approx. £1.40 )
a dinner - 10 leva (approx. £3.60)
supper - around 15 leva (approx. £4.50).
One-litre bottle of mineral water costs 0.80 leva (approx. £0.30).
Bulgarian juices cost no more than 2 leva (approx. £0.80) a litre and the imported ones cost around 3 leva (approx. £1.50).
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the biggest city in the country, the most developed and also the busiest. With a population of over 1.5 million people, together with thousands of businesses, foreign Embassies, branches of international companies and organisations, corporate HQs and public administration buildings, Sofia has the most developed and dynamic property market in Bulgaria.
1 bedroom apartment can be available around 500 Euros.
