10 - Bulgaria - Branches of study, specialisation
The main distinction within the system of higher education is made on the basis of qualification
degrees.
Study towards the first one (bachelor) provides basic and widely varied education in professional
tracks and speciality. It is at this stage that students are supposed to acquire basic skills and key
competences (e. g. general or specilised foreign language learning, computer skills, aimed at
achieving personal development and at supporting a student’s professional and research skills)
Study towards the master’s degree provides in-depth preparation combined with specilisation in a
certain sphere.
Study towards acquisition of a doctoral degree is carried out in separate specialities.
In 2002, a Classifier of the Fields of Higher Education and the Professional Tracks was developed and
adopted. According to it, the spheres of higher education in Bulgaria (and the respective professional
spheres belonging to them) are as follows:
• Pedagogic sciences – theory and management of education; pedagogy; pedagogy of
education.
• Humanities – philology; history and archaeology; philosophy; religion and theology.
• Social, economic and legal sciences – sociology, anthropology and cultural studies;
psychology; political sciences; social activities; public communications and information
sciences; law; administration and management; economy; tourism.
• Natural sciences, mathematics and informatics – physical sciences, chemical sciences, earth
sciences; mathematics; informatics and computer sciences.
• Technical sciences – machine engineering; electrotechnics; electronics and automation;
communication and computer sciences; transport; marine navigation and aviation; materials
and sciences on materials; architecture, construction and geodesy; research, obtaining and
processing of mineral resources; metallurgy; chemical technology; biotechnology; food
technology; general engineering.
• Agrarian sciences and veterinary medicine - plant growing; plant protection; stock-breeding;
veterinary medicine; forestry.
• Health care and sports – medicine, dentistry; pharmacy; public health; health care; sport.
• Arts – theory of arts; fine arts; music and performing arts; theatrical and film arts.
• Security and defense – national security, military studies.
All specialities, belonging to the above enumerated spheres, offer education towards acquiring a
‘bachelor’s degree with the exception of architecture, law, medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, which
offer one-level education leading directly to the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The requirement for the duration study changes depending on the format of education (full-time or
extra-mural). The part-time option usually lasts a year longer.
Tertiary schools offer specialisations which represent programmes aimed at in-service qualification
within the notion of life long learning. Specialisations are carried out according to a specialised study
plan without leading to the acquisition of a higher educational degree or a new speciality. Admission of
specilising students to particular institutions is carried out according to the conditions determined in
their regulations.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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