Education in Bulgaria

Sofia University Rectorate TB

NBU campus

Sofia - 164th high school

Education in Bulgaria is a well-structured system that is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Science. The country provides comprehensive education that is compulsory for children from the age of 5 or 6 up to 16 years of age. The Bulgarian education system is divided into several stages: pre-school, primary, secondary, and higher education.

Pre-school Education

Pre-school education (kindergarten) in Bulgaria is for children from 3 to 6 or 7 years of age. This stage is not compulsory but is highly encouraged to prepare children for primary school.

Primary Education

Primary education in Bulgaria is compulsory and covers grades 1 through 4, for children from 6 or 7 to 10 or 11 years of age. The curriculum focuses on basic subjects such as Bulgarian language and literature, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and social sciences.

Secondary Education

Secondary education is divided into two main tracks: general and vocational. General secondary education lasts for 5 years (grades 8 through 12) and culminates in the acquisition of a Diploma for Secondary Education. Vocational education provides students with specific skills for the labor market and also lasts for 5 years, offering a Diploma for Secondary Specialized Education. Students have the option to sit for matriculation exams, which are necessary for university admission.

Higher Education

Higher education in Bulgaria is aligned with the Bologna Process, which aims to ensure comparability in the standards and quality of higher-education qualifications across Europe. Higher education institutions include universities, colleges, and specialized higher schools. Degrees are structured into three main levels: Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees.

Adult Education

Adult education in Bulgaria is available for individuals seeking to continue their education or acquire new skills. This includes a variety of programs such as vocational training, language courses, and secondary education completion programs.

Challenges and Reforms

The Bulgarian education system faces several challenges, including modernizing the curriculum, improving the quality of teaching, and reducing disparities in educational outcomes. Recent reforms aim to address these issues by enhancing the relevance of education to the labor market, promoting inclusive education, and increasing the efficiency of education spending.

International Cooperation

Bulgaria participates in several international education programs and initiatives, which facilitate academic exchange and collaboration with institutions abroad. This includes participation in the Erasmus+ program, which offers opportunities for students, educators, and institutions to study, teach, and collaborate across Europe.