Number of Foreign Students in Bulgaria Increases

Jerusalem, 28 November, 2022 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 28.11.2022 16:15 (BTA)
The number of foreign students in higher education establishments in Bulgaria has increased in the 2021/2022 academic year to 16,525 people, which is 8.2% of all students in the country. In comparison, in 2013, foreign students in Bulgaria were twice as few (4.1%), it transpires from a draft update of Bulgaria’s National map of higher education, which has been published for public consultation, the Education and Science Ministry said in a press release here on Monday.

According to the document, Bulgaria has the largest share of international students in medical specialties in the EU. A total of 58.5% of those studying medical professions in Bulgaria are foreigners.

The total number of students in higher education establishments in Bulgaria is 200,781. This is less than half (48%) of the total capacity of all higher education institutions in this country (415,472 places), according to the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.

The average income of university graduates in Bulgaria has almost doubled in the last decade. In 2013, the average income was BGN 868 per month and in 2022 it is BGN 1,646. Currently, unemployed are only 2.5% of all students who graduated in Bulgarian higher education establishments in the last five years, compared to 4.15% in 2013.

The draft update of the National map of higher education shows that it is women who pursue higher education more. There are 114,000 female students and 86,000 male students in Bulgaria. Those majoring Education and Educational Management Theory are almost entirely women, while men predominate significantly in Metallurgy, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Automation, Power Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Bulgaria’s National map of higher education was adopted by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 2021. It is updated annually and is used to determine state policy for higher education, including for admission to certain fields and specializations, and opening of new universities or branches.