American University in Bulgaria

At a glance

Source: Wikipedia: American University in Bulgaria; Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Американски университет в България; Official website: American University in Bulgaria^1,2,3

History

AUBG was established in 1991 with support from the governments of Bulgaria and the United States, the Open Society Institute, the City of Blagoevgrad and the University of Maine. It opened on 30 September 1991 with an initial class of 208 students and 16 full-time faculty members. The university was founded to provide American-style liberal arts education in the region. By spring 2025, its student body numbered 1,211, with students from more than 40 countries.^1,2

Academic programmes

The university follows the American liberal arts model, allowing students to study across disciplines. Its undergraduate programmes are taught in English. More than half of students graduate with two majors, while others combine a major with a minor.^1,2

• Business Administration; European Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Economics
• Information Systems; an individually designed interdisciplinary major; History and Civilisations; Computer Science
• Literature; Mathematics; Modern Languages and Cultures; Political Science and International Relations; Psychology; Physics

Source: Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Американски университет в България²

AUBG also offers an Executive MBA programme in Sofia, alongside non-degree courses and English-language instruction through its English Language Institute in Blagoevgrad.^1,2

Research and international links

Students can take part in exchange through the International Student Exchange Program, which connects AUBG with universities in the United States. In Europe, the university holds an Erasmus Charter and has agreements with more than 50 institutions. Students and faculty also present research at an annual university conference, and students participate in international conferences and competitions.^1,2

Campus

The Skaptopara campus in Blagoevgrad serves the undergraduate programmes. Its facilities include three residence halls, the Balkanski Academic Center, the Panitza Library and the America for Bulgaria Student Center. The academic centre contains classrooms, computer laboratories and offices. The student centre includes a theatre and concert hall, sports facilities, student-club offices, a career centre, a café and a restaurant.^1,2