Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria
Bulgarian State Scholarships for Persons of Bulgarian Descent Abroad (PMS 103/1993)
Edit ScholarshipBulgarian State Scholarships for Persons of Bulgarian Descent Abroad, a government award, fund bachelor's and master's students of Bulgarian descent living abroad. They cover state-subsidised tuition at public universities under annual quotas, admitted under conditions for Bulgarian citizens.
Overview
Under Council of Ministers Decree 103 of 1993, the Bulgarian state offers subsidised study places at Bulgarian public higher education institutions to persons of Bulgarian nationality or descent living outside Bulgaria. The programme treats eligible applicants on the same terms as Bulgarian citizens for admission purposes, which means you compete for state-funded tuition places rather than paying the higher fees charged to international students.
The scheme is aimed at the Bulgarian diaspora — people living abroad who have Bulgarian ethnic roots and identify with Bulgarian national culture. You do not need to hold Bulgarian citizenship, but you must be able to demonstrate Bulgarian descent and a Bulgarian national consciousness. Annual quotas are set per programme and per institution, so available places are limited and competition is genuine.
If you are applying to a specialised institution such as the National Academy of Music, you must also pass the relevant entrance examinations in addition to meeting the decree eligibility criteria. Each Bulgarian higher education institution sets its own entrance requirements within the framework of the decree.
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 |
| Value | State-funded tuition at Bulgarian public higher education institutions (same terms as Bulgarian citizens) |
| Deadline | Annual quota and call administered by the Ministry of Education and Science |
| Eligible Nationalities | Persons of Bulgarian descent living outside Bulgaria |
| Official Website | Ministry of Education and Science — Study in Bulgaria for Bulgarians Abroad |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality Requirements
You must be a person of Bulgarian nationality living outside Bulgaria, with at least one ascendant of Bulgarian origin and a Bulgarian national consciousness. You must not be permanently resident in Bulgaria at the time of application. You must not already be enrolled in a Bulgarian higher education institution.
Academic Requirements
You must have completed the educational level required for entry to the degree programme you are applying for (typically secondary education for bachelor's programmes and a bachelor's degree for master's). Admission is competitive within the annual quotas.
Age & Other Requirements
You must not have previously received benefits under this decree and failed to complete the degree programme on time. You must not have submitted fraudulent documentation in any previous application. Applicants to specialised arts or music institutions must pass institutional entrance examinations.
What the Scholarship Covers
- State-funded tuition at a Bulgarian public higher education institution (you pay tuition at the same rate as Bulgarian citizens, which is significantly lower than the international student rate)
- Annual quotas are set per programme — the number of available funded places varies by field and institution
How to Apply
- Confirm your eligibility under Decree 103/1993. You need at least one ascendant of Bulgarian origin, a Bulgarian national consciousness, and residence outside Bulgaria. Gather documents that demonstrate your Bulgarian descent (e.g. birth certificates of parents or grandparents, family documents, community membership).
- Check the annual call from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. The Ministry publishes the available quota places and application procedure each year on mon.bg.
- Select your Bulgarian institution and programme. Research which Bulgarian state universities offer the programme you want within the quota for your cycle. For specialised institutions like the National Academy of Music, confirm entrance exam dates and requirements.
- Prepare your application documents. Assemble your academic documents, documents proving Bulgarian descent, and any other materials required by the Ministry or the institution.
- Submit your application through the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. The Ministry coordinates the allocation of quota places. Follow the submission procedure published in the current-year call.
- Sit entrance examinations if required. If you are applying to institutions with specialised entrance requirements (such as music, arts, or sports), complete those examinations as directed.
Required Documents
- Document proving Bulgarian descent (e.g. birth certificates of parents or grandparents showing Bulgarian origin)
- Valid passport or identity document
- Educational certificates and transcripts (secondary diploma for bachelor's; bachelor's diploma for master's)
- Proof of residence outside Bulgaria
- Statement or supporting documentation of Bulgarian national consciousness (varies by application cycle)
- Any additional documents required by the specific institution's entrance process
Key Dates & Deadlines
The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science publishes the annual quota and application procedure each year. There is no fixed universal deadline — check the Ministry website (mon.bg) and the websites of the Bulgarian institutions you are interested in for the current-cycle timeline.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Gather genealogical documents early. Tracing and authenticating documents that prove Bulgarian descent can take considerable time, especially if records are held in multiple countries.
- Research quota availability by programme before you apply. Quota places vary by field, so check whether your intended programme has places allocated under the decree for the current cycle.
- Contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science or the specific institution directly if you are unsure whether your descent documentation is sufficient.
- If you are applying to an arts or music institution, prepare for the entrance examinations well in advance — admission to those institutions is competitive regardless of decree eligibility.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming you are eligible without verifying that you have at least one ascendant of Bulgarian origin. Cultural or linguistic connection alone does not satisfy the requirement.
- Applying while permanently resident in Bulgaria — this is an explicit exclusion.
- Submitting incomplete descent documentation. Missing or uncertified genealogical records are a common reason for applications being rejected.
- Applying to a programme without checking whether quota places exist for that specific programme under the current-year call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bulgarian State Scholarship for Persons of Bulgarian Descent Abroad (PMS 103/1993)?
It is a programme established by Bulgarian Council of Ministers Decree 103 of 1993 that gives people of Bulgarian descent living outside Bulgaria access to state-funded study places at Bulgarian public higher education institutions on the same terms as Bulgarian citizens.
Do I need Bulgarian citizenship to apply for the Bulgarian State Scholarship under PMS 103/1993?
No. You need Bulgarian descent — at least one ascendant of Bulgarian origin — and a Bulgarian national consciousness. Bulgarian citizenship is not a requirement, but you must be living outside Bulgaria and not be permanently resident there.
Does the Bulgarian State Scholarship for Persons of Bulgarian Descent cover living expenses?
The decree provides state-funded tuition at the same rate as Bulgarian citizens. It does not automatically include a stipend or accommodation. Check with the specific Bulgarian institution and the Ministry of Education and Science for any additional support available in the current cycle.
Can I use the Bulgarian State Scholarship under PMS 103/1993 for a PhD programme?
The programme covers bachelor's and master's degree levels. PhD study is not listed among the covered degree levels under this decree.
How are quota places allocated under the Bulgarian State Scholarship for Bulgarian Descent Abroad?
The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science sets annual quota places per programme and institution. Places are competitive within each quota. The Ministry publishes the available quotas as part of its annual call.
Does the National Academy of Music require an entrance exam for the Bulgarian State Scholarship for Persons of Bulgarian Descent?
Yes. Applicants to the National Academy of Music must pass specialised entrance examinations in addition to meeting the decree's eligibility requirements.
Can I reapply if I previously used the Bulgarian State Scholarship under PMS 103/1993 and did not finish my degree?
No. If you previously received benefits under this decree and failed to complete the degree programme on time, you are not eligible to apply again.
Is there a language requirement for the Bulgarian State Scholarship for Persons of Bulgarian Descent Abroad?
Most programmes at Bulgarian public universities are taught in Bulgarian. If you do not speak Bulgarian at a sufficient level, you may need to complete a preparatory language year. Check with the institution for language support options.
What documents prove Bulgarian descent for the PMS 103/1993 scholarship?
Acceptable documents typically include birth certificates of parents or grandparents showing Bulgarian origin, family registry documents, and other genealogical records. Requirements may vary by year and institution — contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science or your target institution for the current accepted list.