Sofia University
Bulgaria’s oldest higher education institution, founded in Sofia in 1888.
1888 Year founded
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Why Bulgaria · Education
Universities in Bulgaria
41 universities and academies, from Sofia University, founded in 1888, to the private universities of the 1990s. Each has its own page with its history, faculties and current figures.
Higher education in Bulgaria · 2025/26
41 universities and academies
By Type
Student numbers are shown only where a dated figure is published: the Ministry of Education’s 2025 rating system for the three largest, and the universities’ own figures elsewhere.
13 cities in 11 provinces
Universities by Province
Sofia has 17 of the 41, but every large regional centre has at least one. Click a dot for the university, or the list of a city with several; click a province for its figures and companies.
- 1 Angel Kanchev University of Ruse University in Ruse, founded 1945
- 2 D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics University in Svishtov, founded 1936
- 3 Georgi Benkovski Higher Air Force School University in Dolna Mitropoliya, founded 1959
- 4 Medical University of Pleven University in Pleven, founded 1974
- 5 Universities in Shumen 2 universities and academies: Shumen University, Military Faculty, Shumen
- 6 Universities in Varna 5 universities and academies: TU Varna, Economics – Varna, Medical University of Varna, Varna Free University and 1 more
- 7 Universities in Veliko Tarnovo 2 universities and academies: Veliko Tarnovo University, National Military University
- 8 Technical University of Gabrovo University in Gabrovo, founded 1964
- 9 Universities in Sofia 17 universities and academies: Sofia University, Lyuben Karavelov, Technical University, University of Transport and 13 more
- 10 Universities in Burgas 2 universities and academies: Burgas State University, Burgas Free University
- 11 Trakia University University in Stara Zagora, founded 1995
- 12 Universities in Plovdiv 5 universities and academies: University of Plovdiv, Agricultural University, Food Technologies, Medical University Plovdiv and 1 more
- 13 Universities in Blagoevgrad 2 universities and academies: South-West University, American University (AUBG)
Classical universities
The large multi-faculty universities in Sofia and the regional centres.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel Kanchev University of Ruse | Ruse | 1945 | Public | – |
| Burgas State University Prof Dr Asen Zlatarov | Burgas | 1963 | Public | – |
| Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen | Shumen | 1971 | Public | – |
| Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski | Sofia | 1888 | Public | 19,799 students (2025) |
| South-West University Neofit Rilski | Blagoevgrad | 1975 | Public | – |
| St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo | Veliko Tarnovo | 1962 | Public | – |
| Trakia University | Stara Zagora | 1995 | Public | – |
| University of Plovdiv Paisii Hilendarski | Plovdiv | 1962 | Public | 16,285 students (2025) |
Technical, agricultural and transport
Engineering, chemistry, mining, architecture, forestry, food, farming and transport.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural University of Plovdiv | Plovdiv | 1945 | Public | – |
| Lyuben Karavelov University of Structural Engineering and Architecture | Sofia | 1938 | Public | – |
| Technical University of Gabrovo | Gabrovo | 1964 | Public | – |
| Technical University of Sofia | Sofia | 1945 | Public | 10,724 students (2023–24) |
| Technical University of Varna | Varna | 1962 | Public | – |
| Todor Kableshkov University of Transport | Sofia | 1922 | Public | – |
| University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy | Sofia | 1942 | Public | – |
| University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy | Sofia | 1953 | Public | – |
| University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv | Plovdiv | 1953 | Public | – |
| University of Forestry | Sofia | 1953 | Public | – |
| University of Mining and Geology St Ivan Rilski | Sofia | 1953 | Public | – |
Economics and business
Economics, finance, management and business informatics.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics | Svishtov | 1936 | Public | – |
| University of Economics – Varna | Varna | 1920 | Public | – |
| University of National and World Economy | Sofia | 1920 | Public | 17,092 students (2025) |
Medical universities
Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, with many programmes taught in English.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical University of Pleven | Pleven | 1974 | Public | – |
| Medical University of Plovdiv | Plovdiv | 1945 | Public | Over 6,000 students (January 2022) |
| Medical University of Sofia | Sofia | 1917 | Public | – |
| Medical University of Varna | Varna | 1961 | Public | – |
Arts, music and sport
Music, dance, fine arts, theatre and film, and sport.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts Prof Asen Diamandiev | Plovdiv | 1964 | Public | – |
| Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts | Sofia | 1948 | Public | – |
| National Academy of Art | Sofia | 1896 | Public | – |
| National Academy of Music Prof Pancho Vladigerov | Sofia | 1921 | Public | – |
| Vassil Levski National Sports Academy | Sofia | 1942 | Public | – |
Private universities
Universities founded after 1991 by foundations and private owners.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University in Bulgaria | Blagoevgrad | 1991 | Private | 1,211 students (Spring 2025) |
| Burgas Free University | Burgas | 1991 | Private | – |
| New Bulgarian University | Sofia | 1991 | Private | – |
| Varna Free University Chernorizets Hrabar | Varna | 1991 | Private | – |
Military and security
Officer training for the armed forces, and the police academy.
| University | City | Founded | Type | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of the Ministry of Interior | Sofia | 2002 | Public | – |
| Georgi Benkovski Higher Air Force School | Dolna Mitropoliya | 1959 | Public | – |
| Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy | Varna | 1881 | Public | – |
| Rakovski National Defence College | Sofia | 1912 | Public | – |
| Shumen Military Faculty | Shumen | 1948 | Public | – |
| Vasil Levski National Military University | Veliko Tarnovo | 1878 | Public | – |
By city
All 41 Universities and Academies
Every university with its own page: history, faculties, current figures and sources.
Sofia (17)
-
Lyuben Karavelov
State higher education institution in Sofia, established in 1938 and civilian since 2000.
1938 Year established
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Technical University
A public Bulgarian technical university founded in 1945, with campuses in five cities.
1945 Year founded
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University of Transport
A public transport-focused higher education institution in Sofia, established in 1922.
1922 Year founded
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UACEG
Public technical university in Sofia, Bulgaria, with 3,800 students.
1942 Year founded
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UCTM
A public university in Sofia, founded in 1953, with 3,800 students.
1953 Year founded
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University of Forestry
A public Sofia university with six faculties and a specialist focus on forestry and natural resources.
1953 Established as a higher forestry institute
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Mining and Geology
A Sofia-based university specialising in geology, mining and engineering, with a branch in Kardzhali.
1953 Year established as an independent institution
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UNWE
A public university in Sofia, founded in 1920, with eight faculties.
1920 Year founded
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Medical University Sofia
A public medical university in Sofia, founded in 1917, with four faculties and 14 university hospitals.
1917 Year founded
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NATFIZ
Sofia’s public academy for theatre, film and media arts, founded in 1948.
1948 Year founded
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National Academy of Art
A public arts institution in Sofia, founded in 1896, with two faculties and a Burgas branch.
1896 Year founded
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Music Academy
Sofia’s public music academy, established in 1921 and organised into three faculties.
1921 Year founded
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National Sports Academy
Sofia’s state sports academy, founded in 1942, with three faculties and around 3,500 students.
1942 Year established
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New Bulgarian University
A private Sofia university founded in 1991, with around 10,000 students.
1991 Year established
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Interior Ministry Academy
A Sofia higher education institution preparing public servants for Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior.
2002 Year the institution became the Academy of the Ministry of Interior
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Rakovski Defence College
Bulgaria’s military higher education college, established in Sofia in 1912.
1912 Year established
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Plovdiv (5)
University of Plovdiv
A public university in Plovdiv, with nine faculties and branches in Smolyan and Kardzhali.
1962 Year founded
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Agricultural University
A public university in Plovdiv, founded in 1945, with four faculties focused on agriculture and related fields.
1945 Year founded
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Food Technologies
A Plovdiv university founded in 1953, with three faculties and accommodation for more than 1,000 residents.
1953 Year founded
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Medical University Plovdiv
A public medical university in Plovdiv, founded in 1945, with more than 6,000 students in 2022.
1945 Year established
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Music, Dance & Fine Arts
A Plovdiv higher education institution offering programmes in music, dance and visual arts.
1964 Year founded
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Varna (5)
TU Varna
A public technical university in Varna, Bulgaria, founded in 1962.
1962 Year founded
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Economics – Varna
A public university in Varna, Bulgaria, founded in 1920 and focused on economics and related fields.
1920 Year founded
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Medical University of Varna
A state medical university in Varna, Bulgaria, with faculties and affiliates in three other cities.
1961 Year founded
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Varna Free University
A private university in Varna, established in 1991, with programmes from undergraduate to doctoral level.
1991 Year established
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Naval Academy
A public maritime and naval academy in Varna, Bulgaria, founded in 1881.
1881 Year founded
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Blagoevgrad (2)
South-West University
A public university in Blagoevgrad, founded in the 1970s, with nine faculties.
1975 Founded (the Bulgarian account dates the institution to 1976)
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American University (AUBG)
A private, American-style liberal arts university in Blagoevgrad, founded in 1991.
1991 Year established
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Burgas (2)
Burgas State University
A public university in Burgas, founded in 1963, with five faculties and three colleges.
1963 Year founded
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Burgas Free University
A private university in Burgas, established in 1991, with four faculties and international links.
1991 Year established
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Shumen (2)
Shumen University
Public university in Shumen with five faculties and around 7,000 students.
1971 Year founded
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Military Faculty, Shumen
A Shumen faculty of Vasil Levski National Military University with roots in the city’s military school.
1948 Year the artillery school was separated as a distinct military school
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Veliko Tarnovo (2)
Veliko Tarnovo University
Public university in Veliko Tarnovo, established in 1962, with nine faculties.
1962 Year established
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National Military University
Bulgaria’s national military university, founded in 1878, with faculties in Veliko Tarnovo and Shumen.
1878 Year founded
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Dolna Mitropoliya (1)
Air Force School
Military and civil aviation education in Dolna Mitropoliya, Bulgaria.
1959 Founded
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Gabrovo (1)
TU Gabrovo
Public technical university in Gabrovo, Bulgaria, established in 1964.
1964 Year established
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Pleven (1)
Medical University Pleven
A public medical university in Pleven, founded in 1974.
1974 Year founded
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Ruse (1)
University of Ruse
Public university in Ruse, Bulgaria, with eight faculties and around 11,000 students in 2016/2017.
1945 Year the predecessor institution was established
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Stara Zagora (1)
Trakia University
A public university in Stara Zagora, established in 1995, with approximately 9,000 students.
1995 Year established
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Svishtov (1)
Tsenov Academy
A state economics academy in Svishtov, founded in 1936.
1936 Year founded
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Each university page was checked in October 2026, with every fact linked to its source. The national figures above come from:
Sources
- Wikipedia: List of higher education institutions in Bulgaria, 51 accredited at December 2025 (in Bulgarian)
- Infoz: Students in Bulgaria, NSI higher education data for 2025 (in Bulgarian)
- Dnevnik: Most new graduates hold business degrees (NSI, in Bulgarian)
- DBR: 46.1% of foreign students study medicine (NSI, in Bulgarian)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited higher education institutions are there in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria had 51 accredited universities, academies and colleges in December 2025.
How many students are there in higher education in Bulgaria in 2025/26?
Bulgaria had 202,900 higher education students in 2025/26.
How many foreign students study in Bulgaria in 2025/26?
Bulgaria had 16,800 foreign students in higher education in 2025/26.
How many bachelor’s and master’s graduates did Bulgaria have in 2025?
Bulgaria had 48,100 bachelor’s and master’s graduates in 2025.
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