Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree Programs for EU Students

Foreign students, who apply for study in Bulgarian higher education institutes, must have a document for completed secondary education, providing access to the higher education institutions in the country of graduating secondary education, or a document for completed higher education, or a higher education degree.

The minimum required grades of the school disciplines from the document for completed secondary education, which are forming the entrance grade for the chosen programme, should be no lower than 62 percent of the maximum value of the grading system in the country of acquired education.

Foreign students are enrolled in Bulgarian higher education institutions on the basis of diploma review on compliance with any specific requirements the university might have.

Please follow the steps below to find the program.

Step 1: Please, make your registration here https://online.ibsedu.bg/?go=login&p=register&lang=en. 

Step 2:  After you made it you will see the field  “Student Recruitment Bachelor”on the page: 

Step 3: Please, click over it and you will see an application for where you need to fill in your Personal and Contact Information. and below these on the same page you can select the program. 

=> And on the same page, below Personal and Contact information you can select the program. Just click over the grey field of Program 1 and you will see a fall-down menu with all the programs. 

=> Choose from the fall-down menu

• BBА Business Administration
• BA Digital Marketing

1. Please send us the copy of the supplement thereof with the grades and the copy of the Diploma of secondary education.

Copy of the Diploma should be certified by a Notary Public and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country where the documents were issued and by the Bulgarian Embassy or to have a stamp Apostille.

2. A certificate from the Regional Department of Education (RDE) in the city of residence or the Ministry of Education for recognized secondary education, certifying that the candidate is entitled to continue his/her education at the higher education institutions in the country where the secondary education was acquired (original). The documents should be translated in Bulgarian language and have a stamp of Apostille.

3. A document for proficiency in the English language.

It has to be a copy without any additional stamps.

We can accept the following English language certificates:

• For studies in English language, students need to provide a valid certificate of a minimum B2 level of proficiency in English.
• Cambridge – grades from A to C, with no expiry date.
  Cambridge-FCE (First Certificate of English),
  Cambridge-CAE (Certificate Advanced in English) and
  CPE (Certificate Proficiency in English).
• TOEFL – scores of 80-100, validity for two years after the test date.
• IELTS level – grades from 6 to 9, validity for 3 years after the test date.
• TOEIC – scores of more than 600, validity for two years after the test date.
• Trinity College
• Integrated Skills in English (ISE), CEFR- Levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: we recognize B2–C2, with no expiry date.
• ECCE – The Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English – Level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, with no expiry date.

If you do not have such a certificate, you can sit an exam in English language at the University’s Foreign Language Department and receive a certificate. The Exam is provided online and it costs 50 euros. 

In case that English language is official in the Country of the Citizenship, then the Applicant does not need to provide an English language certificate or to certify it.

IMPORTANT: 

Translation and Legalization in Bulgaria – The documents referred to item 1 and item 2 should be translated into Bulgarian. The translation of the documents in Bulgarian language can be done here in Bulgaria, since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a list of the approved translation agencies located in Bulgaria and translations made from other agencies in other countries are not accepted. IBS has an official partner agency supporting the translation and validation of our students documents and the cost for such service is 200 euro.

If an applicant’s diploma for higher education is issued in a country, part of the Apostille Convention (Hague Treaty Convention 12), it does not need legalization and certification with the APOSTILLE stamp. It needs a translation to Bulgarian ONLY. Translation to Bulgarian should be made abroad or in Bulgaria.

When you are ready with your Documents, please continue with the application form in the e-IBS platform and upload them.  

If you need to upload any additional documents, after you completed your application form, please send them to: vyordanov@ibsedu.bg 

In Bulgaria, the Government should recognize every Diploma for secondary Education. For the Foreign Students the University can do that in the regional department of Education. 

Duration: 20-30 days

After that we send the Documents to the Ministry of Education and Science in Bulgaria and if everything’s fine, they issue a Certificate for Admission. The University issues a Certificate for Admission too. Those two Documents we send to the Applicant for a Visa by e-mail (it is not needed to have originals).

Semester Fees for Programs thought in Bulgarian

Winter Semester

• One-time payment – upon enrollment for the semester – BGN 1620.
•    Payment in installments:

– First installment – upon enrollment for the semester – BGN 860.

– Second installment – deadline for payment by November 30 – BGN 860.

Summer Semester

• One-time payment – deadline for payment by January 31 – BGN 1620.
• Payment in installments:

          – First installment – deadline for payment by January 31 – BGN 860.

          – Second installment – deadline for payment by March 31 – BGN 860.

Semester Fees for Programs thought in English

1. Bulgarian and EU citizens 

Winter Semester

• One-time payment – upon enrollment for the semester – 1,300 euros
• Payment in installments:

       – First installment – upon enrollment for the semester – 700 euros

– Second installment – deadline for payment by December 1 – 700 euros

Summer Semester

• One-time payment – deadline for payment by January 31 – 1300 euros
• Payment in installments:

          – First installment – deadline for payment by January 31 – 700 euros

          – Second installment – deadline for payment by March 31 – 700 euros

Administrative Fees

• Application fee / competitive entrance exam fee for Bulgarian and EU citizens – BGN 50.
• Academic recognition, through NACID, of a degree of higher education acquired abroad, with the aim of continuing studies at MVBU – BGN 200.
• Translation and Legalization in Bulgarian language – 200 euro

Administrative fees are not refundable in case of refusal of the student or applicant from the service.

Tuition Fee Discounts

1. For high academic achievement in obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in English programs:

• 400 Euros for the first year, valid for all applicants from the EU and non-EU countries (including Bulgarian citizens) with a GPA of at least 5.00 (“very good”) from their high school diploma.
• 400 Euros for each subsequent year of study with a GPA of at least 5.00 (“very good”).

  3. For family members studying in all programs at IBS, for all applicants from the EU and non-EU countries (including Bulgarian citizens):

• 10% for the second and each subsequent family member (spouses, siblings, parents, and children) who graduated from IBS no more than five years ago.
• 25% for each second family member studying at the same time.

   4. For a one-time payment of the fee for the entire academic year:

• 10% for all students from the EU and non-EU countries (including Bulgarian citizens) for obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in programs in Bulgarian and English.

7. For early enrollment for a Bachelor’s degree by April 1:

• 10% for all students from the EU and non-EU countries (including Bulgarian citizens) in all programs in Bulgarian and English.

Every enrolled student or doctoral student at IBS is entitled to use only one discount per academic year.

Payment Methods

• Online Payment in e-IBS Platform
• By bank transfer – The fee is deposited into the IBS bank account.

OBB – Office Botevgrad

IBAN: BG76UBBS81551089856718

SWIFT BIC: UBBSBGSF

Reference: …………… Name: …………… Personal ID: ……………

Thinking about studying abroad? Seeking an exciting destination? Consider studying in Bulgaria! Located in South-Eastern Europe, Bulgaria is increasingly popular among international students. It shares borders with Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, and the Black Sea to the east.

Bulgaria is a unique blend of Slavic and Hellenic cultures. Moreover, as the third-largest economy in the Balkans, it offers excellent opportunities for internships and part-time jobs.

Bulgaria – Quick Facts & Figures

Bulgaria is not only an educational hub but also a beautiful country. From the vast grasslands in the west and the rocky hills in the south to the stunning Black Sea coastline, it offers plenty for nature enthusiasts. Many Bulgarians enjoy weekend getaways to the coastal city of Varna. Additionally, a Bulgarian visa allows you to travel to all Schengen countries within the European Union for up to 3 months.

For international students, Bulgaria is an ideal destination. With its educational opportunities and natural beauty, it has something for everyone.

Education in Bulgaria

Bulgaria participates in the Bologna Process, which structures its higher education system into three tiers. Additionally, Bulgaria is a member of the Erasmus program, allowing you to complete part of your studies or even an internship in another country from Europe.

Housing & Living Costs

Living costs in Bulgaria are quite affordable, being the lowest among all twenty-seven EU countries. Housing expenses are also relatively low, making it an attractive option for many international students, particularly in the capital city, Sofia.

Living costs in Bulgaria are generally very low, in fact, they are the lowest among all twenty-seven EU countries. Housing costs are also quite affordable compared to other nations.

Some average costs of living in Sofia (in BGN and USD) are:

• Monthly rent (1 bedroom apartment): 710BGN ($440) *
• Utilities (monthly average): 200BGN ($125)
• Monthly public transport pass: 50BGN ($31)
• Meal (inexpensive restaurant): 12BGN ($7.50)
• Coffee: 2.60BGN ($1.60)
• Milk (1 liter): 2.10BGN ($1.30)
• Vegetables (1kg): 2BGN ($1.25)
• Eggs (dozen): 3BGN ($1.90)
• Water (1.5 liter): 0.95BGN ($0.60) **
• Chicken (1kg): 10BGN ($6.20)
• Wine (bottle): 10BGN ($6.20)
• Bread (loaf): 1.20BGN ($0.75)

Most students, both Bulgarian and international, prefer to live in university accommodation, which is significantly cheaper than private renting. In Bulgaria, students typically reside in small flats or larger shared apartments. At IBS, we provide both private and university accommodation options for our students.

In cities like Sofia and Varna, tap water is generally safe to drink. However, in other areas, water quality can be inconsistent, so it’s advisable to buy bottled water when traveling outside the cities. The average cost of living in Sofia is 920 BGN ($575) per month, excluding rent, which is typically considered a separate expense in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s healthcare system is undergoing rapid improvement. While healthcare is not entirely free, you generally need to pay for doctor visits and treatments. Residents contribute to the healthcare system through taxes, so you’ll need to use your medical insurance for access. Some insurance plans also offer coverage for private healthcare services.

With a residence permit, students can work part-time. Those holding a student Visa ‘D’ are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during vacations.

Language & Culture

The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet, the same script used for Russian. Remarkably, Bulgarian is the oldest recorded Slavic language. This is just the beginning of what Bulgaria has to offer. Bulgarian shares many similarities with other Slavic languages such as Serbian and Ukrainian, providing an opportunity to broaden your language skills if you delve into it.

Bulgaria’s culture is a rich blend of Slavic, Hellenic, and Turkish influences, reflecting its location in the Balkans, where it borders Greece and Turkey. This unique cultural mix is evident in Bulgaria’s cuisine, traditions, and architecture. Sofia, in particular, is a vibrant showcase of these distinctive customs and is an ideal place to experience the authentic flavor of Bulgarian culture.

Another highlight of Bulgaria is its picturesque countryside. Although Bulgaria is not very large, it offers a diverse range of landscapes. From the fertile farming plains in the west and the lush wine valleys in the north to the rugged hills in the south, the country is full of variety. The Black Sea coastline is also stunning, adding to Bulgaria’s natural charm.

The coastline is becoming an increasingly popular attraction for tourists. Cities like Varna and Burgas are gaining fame as top destinations, thanks to their azure waters, pristine white and golden sand beaches, warm climate, and vibrant beach bars and resorts. It’s no surprise that Bulgaria is emerging as a prime spot for sun, sea, and sand vacations.

Many international students take advantage of the opportunity to visit these coastal resorts during their time in Bulgaria. The country offers a safe environment and a unique study abroad experience that you’ll appreciate.

1. Is the Tuition fee paid at one time-payment or in instalments?

• It can be paid in max two instalments for one calendar year (one payment per 6 months).

2. How long does the procedure in Bulgaria takes?

• 2-3 months

3. Is the Health Insurance paid at the beginning of the application process?

• No, it is paid when the visa documents are prepared, as it expires in 1 year. The insurance must be valid only when the visa documents are submitted.

4. Can I pay higher fee for health insurance?

• Yes, you can, however no less than 30 000-euro coverage

5. Do I need to go to a language course, If I have an English Proficiency Certificate?

• If required English Certificate is available, no need of language course to be taken

6. If I do not possess an English Certificate, do I need to be physically in Bulgaria for the course?

• It can be taken online, when there is a group of at least 5 students enrolled for the course