Bulgaria - types of higher education institutions

Higher schools include universities, specialized higher schools and self-contained colleges.

A university is a higher school which provides training in a wide range of subjects in professional areas within at least three of the four major branches of science - humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and technical sciences; offers bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees in the respective major branches of science; has ample scientific and artistic potential and through its activities contributes to the development of major branches of science and culture. A higher school offering academic courses in one or two major branches of science or culture may be a university with its appellation signifying its specific nature.

A specialized higher school conducts scientific research or artistic and creative activities and offers courses of training in one of the major areas of science, arts, physical culture, and military science. Its appellation shall signify the specific area in which it trains specialists. These higher schools may also offer training for acquisition of the educational and qualification degree of "master" and the educational and academic and academic degree of "doctor".

A self-contained college shall provide training for acquisition of the educational and qualification degree “professional bachelor in ……..”. The college shall have full-time faculty, holding at least a half of the classroom teaching and practical exercises in each specialty.

A college may be also established within the structure of a university or of a specialized higher school accredited for the professional areas or majors of regulated professions for which instruction shall be offered. The college shall provide training at the educational and qualification degree “professional bachelor in ……..”.

Training in doctoral programmes shall also be performed in Research Organizations such as Bulgarian Academy of Science, Agricultural Academy, etc.