Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria
Bulgarian Government Scholarships for Foreign Citizens (intergovernmental agreements)
Edit ScholarshipState-funded study places at Bulgarian public universities for foreign citizens admitted under bilateral agreements or Acts of the Council of Ministers, administered by the Ministry of Education and Science.
Overview
The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science awards study places at Bulgarian public universities to foreign citizens under bilateral intergovernmental agreements. These agreements exist between Bulgaria and a range of partner countries, and the terms of each — including what costs are covered and how candidates are selected — are set by the relevant agreement rather than by a single national rulebook.
In most cases the scholarship package includes full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and health insurance. Dormitory accommodation may also be available under some agreements. Because the process is driven by bilateral negotiations, you do not apply directly to a Bulgarian university at the start. Instead, your home country's Ministry of Education or Ministry of Higher Education nominates you through the official channel with Bulgaria.
If your country does not have a bilateral agreement with Bulgaria, you will not be eligible under this programme. However, admission is also possible under an Act of the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria in specific circumstances. Check with your home Ministry and with the Bulgarian embassy in your country to confirm your country's status.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria (government) |
| Host Country | Bulgaria |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Value | Tuition exemption, monthly stipend, health insurance; terms set by each bilateral agreement |
| Deadline | Annual; nominations and deadlines set under each bilateral agreement |
| Eligible Nationalities | Citizens of countries with bilateral education agreements with Bulgaria |
| Official Website | Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality Requirements
You must be a citizen of a country that has a current bilateral educational, scientific, or cultural exchange agreement with Bulgaria, or you must be eligible for admission under an Act of the Council of Ministers. Your home Ministry of Education can confirm whether such an agreement exists for your country.
Academic Requirements
Academic selection criteria are determined by the relevant bilateral agreement and the Bulgarian universities involved. In general you are expected to have a strong academic record appropriate to the degree level you are applying for. Final selection is competitive.
Language Requirements
Bulgarian public universities offer programmes in Bulgarian and, in some cases, in English or French. Language requirements depend on the programme and university you are nominated for. Some agreements include a preparatory Bulgarian-language year for students who will study in Bulgarian.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition coverage at the Bulgarian state university
- Monthly stipend for living expenses (amount set by the bilateral agreement)
- Health insurance
- Dormitory accommodation (where provided under the relevant agreement)
How to Apply
- Confirm your country has a bilateral agreement with Bulgaria. Contact your home Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, or the Bulgarian embassy in your country to check whether an agreement is in force and whether there are available places for the current academic year.
- Obtain a nomination from your home Ministry. The process for obtaining a nomination varies by country. Your home Ministry will tell you what documents to submit and by what internal deadline.
- Prepare your application documents. These typically include academic transcripts, a passport copy, birth certificate, a medical certificate, and a motivation letter. Exact requirements depend on your country's agreement with Bulgaria.
- Submit through the designated channel. In most cases this is either through the Bulgarian embassy in your country or through your home Ministry of Higher Education, which forwards the file to the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.
- Await placement confirmation. The Bulgarian Ministry allocates nominated candidates to universities. You will be informed of the university and programme assigned to you.
Required Documents
- Valid passport (copy)
- Academic transcripts and graduation diplomas
- Birth certificate (legalized or apostilled where required)
- Medical certificate
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose
- Additional documents as specified by your home Ministry or the bilateral agreement (e.g. language certificates, recommendation letters)
Key Dates & Deadlines
Deadlines are set under each bilateral agreement and managed by your home Ministry of Education in coordination with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. There is no single universal deadline. Contact your home Ministry early in the academic year — typically at least six months before the intended start date — to ask about current-cycle timelines for Bulgaria.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Contact your home Ministry of Education early. The nomination process takes time and your Ministry may have its own internal deadline well before the bilateral deadline.
- Prepare certified and where required apostilled copies of all documents in advance, since document authentication can take several weeks.
- Research Bulgarian universities and programmes you are interested in before the nomination process begins, so you can express informed preferences to your home Ministry.
- Learn basic Bulgarian if your intended programme is taught in Bulgarian. A language preparatory year is sometimes available, but demonstrating initiative is an advantage.
- Check the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science website (mon.bg) for any updated lists of partner countries and available quota places.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying directly to a Bulgarian university first — under this programme, your nomination must come through the bilateral channel, not through a direct university application.
- Missing your home Ministry's internal nomination deadline, which is often earlier than the bilateral deadline.
- Submitting uncertified document copies. Most bilateral agreements require authenticated originals or certified copies.
- Assuming your country has an agreement with Bulgaria without verifying it. The existence and scope of bilateral agreements changes over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my country has a bilateral agreement with Bulgaria for the Bulgarian Government Scholarships for Foreign Citizens?
Contact your home country's Ministry of Education or the Bulgarian embassy in your country. The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (mon.bg) also publishes information on intergovernmental agreements.
Do I apply directly to a Bulgarian university for the Bulgarian Government Scholarships under intergovernmental agreements?
No. You are nominated by your home-country Ministry of Education under the bilateral agreement. The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science then assigns you to a university. Direct applications are not part of this process.
What does the Bulgarian Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens cover?
Coverage is set by each bilateral agreement but generally includes full tuition exemption, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and health insurance. Dormitory accommodation may also be included depending on the agreement.
Can I choose which Bulgarian university I attend under the intergovernmental scholarship?
University placement is handled by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science after nomination. You may be able to express preferences through your home Ministry, but final placement decisions rest with the Bulgarian side.
Is there a language requirement for the Bulgarian Government Scholarships for Foreign Citizens?
Requirements depend on the programme and the terms of your country's agreement. Some agreements include a preparatory Bulgarian-language year for students studying in Bulgarian. Programmes taught in English or French have their own language requirements.
How long does the Bulgarian Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens last?
The duration corresponds to the standard length of the degree programme for which you are nominated — typically three to four years for a bachelor's, one to two years for a master's, and three or more years for a PhD.
What is the monthly stipend amount under the Bulgarian Government Scholarships for Foreign Citizens?
Stipend amounts are set by the bilateral agreement between Bulgaria and your country. They are not published as a single figure for all nationalities. Your home Ministry of Education can tell you the rate applicable under your country's agreement.
Can I work part-time while on the Bulgarian Government Scholarship for Foreign Citizens?
Work rights depend on your student visa conditions and Bulgarian law. The scholarship terms themselves do not explicitly address part-time work. Check with your Bulgarian host university and the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency for current rules.
Are there Bulgarian Government Scholarships available for countries without a bilateral agreement?
In limited cases, admission may be possible under an Act of the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria. This is separate from the bilateral agreement pathway. Contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science directly for details.