Bulgaria

Bulgaria

Quick Facts & Figures

  • capital

    Sofia
  • language

    Bulgarian
  • currency

    BGN (Bulgarian Lev)
  • government

    Parliamentary Republic
  • religion

    Bulgarian Orthodox, Islam, Christianity, Judaism
  • weather

    Temperate-Continental
  • timezone

    GMT + 3
  • internet domain

    .bg

Bulgaria, officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria, is country located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. It was founded in the 7th century, making it one of the oldest countries in Europe. It is also small country with a distance of about 500km from one end of the country to another. With its size, it makes all places accessible, especially with a well-developed public transportation.  

Bulgarians make up most of the population in Bulgaria. The largest minority group in the country are the Turks followed by the Roma or Gypsies. A few thousand Macedonians, Greeks, Russians, Armenians, Romanians, and Tatars also live in Bulgaria.  

Bulgaria grants freedom of religious expression to its citizens. Majority of the people practice some form of Eastern Orthodoxy. Some people practice Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

 

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Partner Schools

Studying in Bulgaria

Are there scholarships available? How can I finance my studies?
There are many scholarships offered by both the government of Bulgaria and the schools themselves. Visit the Edukasyon profiles of the schools you are interested in to check if they are offering any scholarships.

There are also some international student loans available from different loan giving bodies. University representatives usually work in tandem with their financial aid department that focuses on helping students find options to finance their education. Explore our partner schools here, and click "Send Inquiry" to get connected with your university representative.
What are the requirements for studying at a school in the ‘country’?
Generally, schools in Bulgaria will require the following:
  • Diploma or High School Certificate
  • Financially secure
  • Must be in good health
  • Valid Passport
Do I need a visa? How do I get it?
Studying in Bulgaria will require a visa. Upon arrival at Bulgaria, applicants with Bulgarian student visa must apply for a residency permit, which is valid for one year and renewable every year for the whole period of the studies. Residency permit application must only be submitted in Bulgaria after final registration at a university.

Requirements:
  • Photocopy of Passport valid at least for one year
  • Certificate stating that the applicant is admitted as a student in a Bulgarian university plus the Certificate from the University stating that the applicant will be accommodated in the student hostel.
  • Medical insurance valid for the European Union member states for the whole period of the trip, covering all costs for repatriation and for urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment for the period of the stay indicated in the visa.
  • Bank document issued on the name of the applicant to prove that tuition fee has been paid (in generally for half of annually tuition fee).
  • Colorful photograph 3.5 cm х 4.5 cm against white background (the same holds for a child entered in the passport) – a full-face photo with clear, large enough face which takes up 70-80% of the photo; eyes must be red; the following is ineligible: photos with dark glasses; non-professional photos or cut out of amateur photos
  • Tickets (original and copy) or ticket booking confirmation or financial means
  • For under-aged children travelling without their parents or trustees the following documents shall be submitted:
  • a.  Copy of the birth certificate
  • b.  Original and photocopy of a power of attorney notary certified by both parents/ trustees or by one parent trustee that they agree their child to travel unaccompanied by them.
  • Photocopy of the last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or visas for the UK and the US, if any.
What are the required languages for studying in the ‘country’?
Bulgarian is the official language of the country and is spoken by the majority of the population. It is highly recommended to learn Bulgarian to maximize the learning experience in the country but some programs, especially medicine and master’s degrees, are offered in english.
Why should I study in the ‘country’?
Bulgaria offers high quality education with low living expenses and cheap tuition fees. Studying and graduating from a school in Bulgaria also gives you an internationally recognized diploma since Bulgaria is member of the European Union (EU). Opportunities to work abroad increase because EU countries like Germany, France, etc. recognize your diploma. For these same reasons, schools in Bulgaria have a significant number of international students from other countries and thus, has made the country culture-friendly.

Bulgaria is a small country which makes everything accessible. The distance of one end of the country to another is about 500km. Being a small country does not make Bulgaria limited of places to visit. It becomes an advantage because it is accessible. Throughout your stay in Bulgaria, you can plan to visit mountains, beaches, lakes, or enjoy the numerous sports facilities or night clubs.
How do I choose a school in the ‘country?
There are an endless array of schools and programs available to Filipino students looking to pursue their studies in Bulgaria. After deciding (1) What your career goals are and (2) What academic programs can help you achieve those goals, it's time to do some research on which school is best for you! There are schools in Bulgaria that are looking for Filipino students just like you!
 

Living in Bulgaria

Are there Filipinos living in the ‘country’?
There is no specific number on how many Filipinos are currently living in Bulgaria, but there is a Filipino community in the country that supports their fellow Filipinos in Bulgaria and those who are planning to live or stay in Bulgaria.
How much is the cost of living in the ‘country’?
Minimum cost of of living Bulgaria for foreign students is in the range of 5 280 (BGN) Bulgarian Lev or about 168 000 PHP per year.
What is the lifestyle like in the ‘country’?
Bulgaria is a small country and one of the oldest in Europe. Even with its size, it is still one of the more diverse countries in the continent. In some places, it will feel like the country has not been modernized yet. Although it t is common to see villagers plowing with a donkey or tending their sheep and goats, Bulgaria is a modern-thinking country with a strong sense of innovation in its expanding business centers.

Bulgarians pride themselves on their hospitality and neighborliness. As a host, they give their visitors food and drink during meal times. Sometimes just a rakia, a term for a fruit brandy popular in the Balkans. For visitors, it is considered impolite to reject this hospitality. Also, as a visitor, it is customary to bring flowers or sweets.

One unique thing about Bulgarians is their gesture for a “yes” and “no”. The common way of these gestures is a nod for a “yes” and a sideways shaking of the head that means “no” but in Bulgaria, they do it the opposite way. A nod means “no” and shaking the head sideways means “yes”.

Working in Bulgaria

What are the benefits of graduating from a school in the ‘country’?
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union (EU), which means graduating from a Bulgarian school, will give its graduates an internationally recognized diploma. This diploma will provide multiple opportunities to its recipients and it will be easier for them to look for careers to EU countries like Germany, France, United Kingdom, etc.
Can I work while I’m studying in the ‘country’?
Yes, part time work is allowed for students to support their education and financial needs.