Bulgaria 2023/24 - student fees and grants

National student fee

In Bulgaria all students pay tuition fees in the first and second cycle; there are no short-cycle programmes. At state universities the fees are set by the Council of Ministers on the institutions' proposal, and the Academic Council can set lower fees for certain groups of students. Fees depend on the discipline: costly subjects such as medicine or theatre acting are more expensive than, for example, economics or pedagogy, and amounts can differ even within one professional field. The same programme can also cost differently as a Professional Bachelor and a Bachelor, or as a Master and a Master after Bachelor.

According to Eurydice data, in 2023/24 annual fees for home full-time students ranged from EUR 205 to EUR 1,918 in both cycles.

Students on state-funded places in fields with the biggest expected labour shortages pay no semester fees for their entire studies; the government decides which fields are on that list. Other reductions depend on socio-economic criteria. Students from the EU/EEA/EFTA pay under the same rules as Bulgarians, while other international students pay more than home students.

Student grants

Bulgaria offers need-based, merit-based and universal grants. They go to full-time home and EU/EEA students, and to international students who live permanently in Bulgaria. You cannot get one if you study part-time, are on a place not funded by the state or have extended your studies. There is no age limit.

According to Eurydice data, in 2023/24 need-based grants were EUR 736 to EUR 1,227 a year (most commonly EUR 933), and merit-based grants EUR 614 to EUR 1,023 (most commonly EUR 828). In the summer semester of 2023/24, 31% of full-time students on state-funded places received a grant.

Loans

Publicly subsidised loans are available to home and EU/EEA/EFTA full-time students under 35 in the first and second cycle, at both public and private institutions. Students who have extended their studies or are taking a second degree with the same qualification are not eligible. Loans can be combined with grants. The source gives no loan amounts or repayment terms for 2023/24.

Tax benefit for student's parents

There are no tax benefits for students' parents or for students.

Family allowances

There are no family allowances for students' parents.