University of Plovdiv Paisii Hilendarski
At a glance
| Bulgarian name | Пловдивски университет „Паисий Хилендарски“ |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1962 |
| City | Plovdiv |
| Type | Public |
| Rector | Prof. Rumen Mladenov (2019–) |
| Students | 16,285 (2025) |
| Faculties | 9 |
| Additional locations | Smolyan and Kardzhali |
| Website | uni-plovdiv.bg |
Source: Wikipedia: Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"; Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Пловдивски университет; BTA: The rating system of Bulgarian universities (2025); Official website: University of Plovdiv Paisii Hilendarski1,2,3,4
History
The university is listed as founded in 1962. Its Bulgarian institutional history traces its origins to the Higher Pedagogical Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, established in 1961. The institute opened its first academic year on 15 September 1961.1,2
On 12 January 1972, a State Council decree transformed the institute into Plovdiv University. The institution was named in honour of Paisii Hilendarski, the Bulgarian historian also known in English as Saint Paisius of Hilendar.1,2
Faculties and programmes
The university’s nine faculties cover natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and economics. Its subject areas include biology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, languages, education, philosophy, history, law and economics.1,2
- Faculty of Biology
- Faculty of Economics and Social Science
- Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Languages and Literature
- Faculty of Philosophy and History
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Law
Source: Wikipedia: Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"1
Language and literature degrees were introduced in 1973, followed by education programmes in 1984, law programmes in 1992 and economics programmes in 1994.1
Campus and facilities
The university has facilities in Plovdiv and branches in Smolyan and Kardzhali, as well as a technical college in Smolyan. In Plovdiv, university buildings include the Rectorate on Tsar Asen Street, a newer building on Bulgaria Boulevard, a building on Kostaki Peev Street and the Faculty of Biology building in the Old Town.1,2
University facilities and services include a library, specialist laboratories, language and computer rooms, a distance-learning centre, a career guidance centre, a sports centre and a teaching theatre. The university library was established in 1961 and holds around 280,000 documents.2
Sources
- Wikipedia: Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"
- Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Пловдивски университет
- BTA: The rating system of Bulgarian universities (2025)
- Official website: University of Plovdiv Paisii Hilendarski
Facts checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. Check admissions, fees and programmes with the university before applying or recruiting.
