St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
At a glance
| Bulgarian name | Великотърновски университет „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1962 |
| Opened | 15 September 1963 |
| City | Veliko Tarnovo |
| Type | Public |
| Rector | Prof. Dr. Dimiter Dimitrov (2023–2027) |
| Faculties | 9 |
| Website | uni-vt.bg |
Source: Wikipedia: Veliko Tarnovo University; Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Великотърновски университет; Official website: St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo1,2,3
History
The university was established by a Council of Ministers decree on 27 September 1962 as the Higher Pedagogical Institute “Brothers Cyril and Methodius”. It opened in Veliko Tarnovo on 15 September 1963, with its first students studying Bulgarian Philology, Russian Philology, History and Fine Arts. The university identifies its traditions with the medieval Turnovo Literary School. In 1971, the institute was transformed into a university.2
Professors Aleksandar Burmov and Penio Rusev are named as founders of the modern institution. During its first academic year, around 25 full-time teachers and assistants were joined by 10 to 15 part-time professors and associate professors.1,2
Faculties and programmes
The university has nine faculties and provides education at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.1,2
- Economics
- Education
- Fine Arts
- History
- Law
- Modern Languages
- Orthodox Theology
- Philosophy
- Mathematics and Informatics
Source: Wikipedia: Veliko Tarnovo University1
Research and international links
Students took part in national and international academic events from the university’s early years, including conferences, symposia, seminars and research expeditions. The first volume of the institute’s annual scholarly proceedings was published in 1964.2
The university established links with peer institutions in cities including Lviv, Minsk, Kraków, Halle and Berlin. It also publishes academic, educational and popular-science books, journals and annual proceedings through its university publishing house.2
Locations and facilities
The university’s facilities in Veliko Tarnovo include the Rectorate, a Fine Arts faculty building, a Slavic Studies complex, a Mathematics and Informatics building, and a sports complex. It also has a branch in Vratsa, a pedagogical college in Pleven, and centres in Sofia, Plovdiv and Dobrich.2
Sources
- Wikipedia: Veliko Tarnovo University
- Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Великотърновски университет
- Official website: St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
Facts checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. Check admissions, fees and programmes with the university before applying or recruiting.
