University of Economics – Varna

1. The candidate sends scanned copies of the documents to UE-Varna International Relations Office, Foreign Students Division at foreign_students@ue-varna.bg for prior examination. All pages including stamps must be scanned.
2. The Foreign Students Division examines the documents and contacts the candidate.
3. Upon approval by the Foreign Students Division, the candidate sends the entire package of the original documents by post to:

Foreign Students Division, International Relations Office
University of Economics – Varna
77 “Knyaz Boris I” Blvd.
9002 Varna
Bulgaria

4. After the original documents are received, the Foreign Students Division forwards the documents to the Committee for Recognition of Higher Education Acquired at Foreign Universities. The Committee contacts the higher education institution which issued the diploma to verify its legitimacy. In case no reply is received, the request is directed to the National Center for Information and Documentation (NCID). The procedure for diploma recognition can take from two weeks up to several months depending on how long it takes for the diploma legitimacy to be verified. The fee for diploma recognition is 103 EURO and must be paid in advance. The fee can be paid in cash at UE-Varna or payment can be sent to the bank accounts below.
5. Once the candidate's diploma legitimacy is verified, but no later than mid-February of the respective academic year, the applicant’s documents are forwarded to the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. The procedure for examination and a subsequent decision by the Ministry may take from two weeks up to a month. In case the recognition is processed after the beginning of the summer semester of the respective academic year, the applicant’s application will be processed for the next academic year.

• Upon approval of the application, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science issues a certificate necessary for application for visa D.
• In case the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science needs additional documents or endorsements, it sends an official letter to UE-Varna in which it explains the reasons for not issuing the certificate. The Foreign Students Division notifies the applicant who may amend his/her application documents and re-submit them for review after the application deadline.

6. After receiving an approval by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, the Foreign Students Division issues and signs a certificate which states that the applicant has been accepted for studies in the chosen major at UE-Varna.
7. The Foreign Students Division sends the candidate the original documents necessary for visa D application:

• A certificate issued by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science;
• A certificate issued by the Foreign Students Division at UE-Varna

8. The applicant personally files his/her application for visa D in the diplomatic or consular missions of the Republic of Bulgaria in his/her own country of birth.
9. The applicant must pay the tuition fee for the first semester of his/her studies by sending the payment amount to the following bank account:

1. The applicant sends to Academic Research and PhD Studies Department information which includes: fields of scientific interest, prior education and language proficiency. The information must be sent to doktoranti@ue-varna.bg.
2. An employee of the Academic Research and PhD Studies Department evaluates the opportunities for applicant’s enrollment in accordance with the academic department regarding the theme and academic direction to which the candidate is interested. Then, the applicant is notified.
3. When there is an opportunity for the applicant to be enrolled he/she sends the scanned application documents for prior examination to Academic Research and PhD Studies Department at doktoranti@ue-varna.bg. All pages of the documents must be scanned, including the stamps.
4. Upon approval by the Academic Research and PhD Studies Department the applicant sends the entire package of documents in originals by post to:

5. Academic Research and PhD Studies Department
   University of Economics – Varna
   77 “Knyaz Boris I” Blvd.
   9002 Varna
   Bulgaria

5. Upon receipt, the Academic Research and PhD Studies Department forwards the applicant’s documents to the Committee on the recognition of higher education acquired in foreign universities. The Committee formally request the educational institution which issued the diploma to verify its legitimacy. In case no reply has been received, the request is directed to the National Center for Information and Documentation (NCID). The procedure for diploma recognition can take from two weeks up to several months depending on the speediness in which the diploma legitimacy is verified. The fee for diploma recognition is 200 lv. (103 euro) and must be paid before starting the procedure. The fee can be paid in cash at UE-Varna or into the following bank accounts:

6. BANK ACCOUNT IN EUR	BANK ACCOUNT IN BGN
   BANK UNICREDIT BULBANK AD IBAN: BG87UNCR70003425163758 BIC: UNCRBGSF Account holder: University of Economics – Varna	BANK UNICREDIT BULBANK AD IBAN: BG59UNCR70003125161789 BIC: UNCRBGSF Account holder: University of Economics – Varna

    

6. Once the Committee has recognised the higher education diplomas, the applicant is informed and he/she can then proceed with his/her application at the university.
7. The PhD applicant pays the tuition fee for the first year of his/her studies.