🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Monthly stipend ranging from 120 BGN to 240 BGN plus tuition waiver
⏱
Duration
Duration of the degree program (plus 1 year for language prep if needed)
🗓
Deadline
Varies by country (Typica
🏥
Fields
Most academic fields (specif
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies based on bilateral quotas with partner countries
🏛️
Provider
Ministry of Education and
📊
Acceptance
Varies significantly by country of origin and current quotas
The Bulgarian Government Scholarship is a state-funded program administered by the Ministry of Education and Science. It is primarily offered to international students based on bilateral agreements for educational, scientific, and cultural exchange between Bulgaria and other nations. The program supports students at all levels of higher education, providing a pathway to study in European-standard public universities while covering core educational and living costs.
👥 Who Should Apply
Must be a citizen of a partner country, hold a high school diploma (for UG) or relevant degree, and be nominated by their home country's Ministry of Education.
🏛️ Host University
Accredited Bulgarian Public Higher Education Institutions
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Education and Science - Bulgaria
🏥 Fields of Study
Most academic fields (specific restrictions may apply to Medicine and Arts depending on the agreement)
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides a monthly maintenance allowance, offers health insurance, and grants access to low-cost student housing.
🎯 Target Students
International students and researchers
🏷 Tags
Bulgaria
Government Scholarship
International Students
Europe
Tuition Waiver
PhD Scholarship
💸 Funding Breakdown
Total Award
Monthly stipend ranging from
✈️ Travel: No (Usually covered by the applicant or their home country)
🏠 Accommodation: Subsidized (Access to student dormitories at the same rates as Bulgarian students)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes (Covered under the Health Insurance Act for the duration of study)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: Free
🏡 Accommodation
Subsidized (Access to student dormitories at the same rates as Bulgarian students)
✈️ Travel Allowance
No (Usually covered by the applicant or their home country)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (Covered under the Health Insurance Act for the duration of study)
🎁 Other Benefits
Free Bulgarian language preparatory course (9 months) for students not proficient in Bulgarian
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to maintaining good academic standing and passing all yearly exams
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Citizens of countries that have bilateral educational exchange agreements with Bulgaria
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Master's, PhD
📊 Minimum GPA
Usually 75% or equivalent in previous studies
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies; B2 level if the program is taught in English, otherwise mandatory Bulgarian language year
🎂 Age Limit
Generally under 25 for Bachelor's and under 35 for PhD
💼 Work Experience
Not required for most programs; may be preferred for specific PhD or Master's research
🏆 Leadership
Not explicitly required
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
International students and researchers
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Statement of Purpose or Research Proposal for PhDs)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually 2 letters of recommendation)
Interview
Varies (May be required by the home country's nominating committee)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Usually 2 letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Varies; B2 level if the program is taught in English, otherwise mandatory Bulgarian language year
- Interview: Varies (May be required by the home country's nominating committee)
- Min GPA: Usually 75% or equivalent in previous studies
📋 Application Process
Start the application via your local Ministry of Education as they handle the initial nomination process. Ensure all documents are translated into Bulgarian and legalized.
💡 Insider Tip: Focus on the cultural exchange aspect in your motivation letter and how studying in Bulgaria benefits your home country.