PhD

Admission Procedures for PhD Students

Bulgarian and foreign citizens who have obtained a Master’s degree are eligible to apply for a PhD programme at the Medical University – Sofia.

The scientific specialty for which candidates may apply must be in the same professional field as their Master’s degree.

The Medical Faculty at the Medical University – Sofia offers the following modes of study:

Full-time
Part-time
Independent mode of study

If you have not yet chosen a topic or a scientific specialty, a full-time or part-time mode of study is suitable for you.

If you have chosen your topic, scientific specialty, and PhD supervisor, and if you work under an employment contract, the independent mode of study is more suitable for you.

Admission of full-time and part-time PhD students

The procedures for the admission of full-time and part-time PhD students for positions approved by the Ministry of Education are initiated by a decision of the Academic Council to conduct a competition. The competition is announced in the State Gazette as well as on the website of the Medical University – Sofia on the day the announcement is published in the State Gazette.

The deadline for the submission of documents is two months after the publication of the announcement in the State Gazette. Applicants for the PhD competition are required to submit a set of documents to the Scientific Research and Academic Staff Development Sector, as follows:

1. Request to the Dean (model form).
2. European CV format, signed by the applicant.
3. Notarized copy of a diploma for the obtained Master’s degree, together with the diploma supplement or assurance of successfully passed state exams and an academic transcript.

If the applicants have obtained a Master’s degree abroad, they may apply after their degree has been recognized in accordance with the Ordinance on the State Requirements for Recognition of Educational Degrees and Periods of Study Completed in Foreign Higher Education Institutions. They must also submit a translated and legalized copy of the diploma and a certificate of its recognition.

4. Copy of an employment contract (for applicants in the part-time PhD competition).
5. Certificate from an organization confirming that it will cover the costs of the training and dissertation defense, required for PhD students who are not employed at the main units of the Medical University – Sofia or at university hospitals affiliated with the university.
6. Other documents certifying interests and achievements in the relevant scientific field.

The set of documents must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Applicants will receive a reference number upon submission of their application.

The admission of applicants to the competition is carried out by a Commission appointed by order of the Rector. The Commission examines the documents, makes a decision on admission or non-admission within 20 days after the document submission deadline, and informs applicants in writing.

PhD applicants are required to take an exam in their chosen specialty as well as in one foreign language (English, French, German, or Russian). The specialty exam consists of two parts – written and oral – with separate grades for each part. Applicants who achieve an average score of at least "Very Good" (5.00) across the written and oral exams are classified as successful candidates.

Only candidates who successfully pass the specialty exam are admitted to the foreign language exam. Candidates who achieve a score of at least "Good" (4.00) in the foreign language exam are classified as successful candidates.

The results of each exam are recorded in an examination board assessment protocol and communicated to the candidates.

Full-time or part-time PhD students (state-funded training) are assigned by order of the Rector of the Medical University – Sofia, based on a decision of the respective Faculty Council. PhD students pay a state fee upon admission.

The tuition and application fees for state higher education institutions for the respective academic year are approved by a decree of the Council of Ministers.

Tuition Fee for Bulgarian Citizens and Citizens of the EU and EEA (Full-Time Mode):

The fee must be paid in one installment at the beginning of the training, within one month after the issuance of the order.
The PhD student is exempt from the fee for the next two years of study.

Tuition Fee for Bulgarian Citizens and Citizens of the EU and EEA (Part-Time Mode):

The fee must be paid for two consecutive years.
In the first year of training, the fee must be paid within one month after the issuance of the order.
The PhD student is exempt from fees for the third and fourth years of study.
The fees must be paid by bank transfer to the account of the Medical Faculty – Sofia at the Medical University – Sofia.

Bank: Eurobank EFG Bulgaria

Address: 1, Bulgaria Sq., Sofia

Postal code: 1000

Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University – Sofia

IBAN: EN 63 BPBI 7940 3163 9822 01

BIC code: BPBIBGSF

Reference for Payment: Tuition fee – full-time/part-time PhD studies, full name of the candidate (as per the identity document).

Full-time PhD students are entitled to:

A scholarship, which is provided throughout the year.
Health insurance coverage.

If you have any questions, please contact the Scientific Research and Academic Staff Development Sector:

Address: 1, St. Georgi Sofiyski" St., Sofia

Postal code: 1431

Phone: 02/952 05 21 – Yasna Stoycheva, Head of the Scientific Research and Academic Staff Development Sector

Phone: 02/917 27 87 – Anna Angelova and Yoana Kirilova – experts in the Scientific Research and Academic Staff Development Sector

Admission of PhD students- independent mode of study

The admission of PhD students in the independent mode of study is conducted year-round without requiring an entrance exam.

Applicants for PhD studies in the independent mode of study must submit to the receiving unit (department) a dissertation project and bibliography, as well as the following documents:

1. Application form;

2. European CV format;

3. Notarised copy of Diploma for the obtained Master's degree, along with the Diploma Supplement in the professional field of the doctorate;

4. Certificate from Employer and a copy of the employment record book;

5. Part of Dissertation that constitutes at least two-thirds of the complete work;

6. List of scientific publications and developments;

7. Certificate from an Organization confirming it will finance the training and dissertation defense (for applicants not employed by the main units of the Medical University – Sofia or affiliated university hospitals under contract with the Medical University – Sofia).

The submitted dissertation project and bibliography will be reviewed by the Departmental Council or Council of the Clinical Centre in the presence of the applicant within 30 days of submission. If the review is positive, the Head of the Departmental Council/Clinical Centre will, within 14 days, submit a written proposal to the Head of the receiving unit. This proposal will include:

1. Full name of the applicant (as per identity document)

2. Form of assignment

3. Subject of the dissertation

4. Scientific field

5. Professional field

6. PhD programme

7. Scientific supervisor/ advisor

8. Deadline for completion of the dissertation project (up to 3 years)

9. Main place of work

10. Organization responsible for financing the training and dissertation defence (if applicable)

If the Departmental Council makes a positive decision, the Head of the Department will submit a report to the Dean, accompanied by a copy of the Protocol from the Departmental Council, regarding the assignment of the PhD student to the independent mode of study.

The Faculty Council will make the final decision on the assignment of the PhD student through open and simple majority voting. This decision will confirm the dissertation topic and appoint the scientific supervisor/advisor (if applicable).

Based on the Faculty Council’s decision, the Rector will issue an order for the PhD student’s assignment.

PhD students in the independent mode of study who are not employed by the Medical University – Sofia must pay a fee as determined by the Academic Council.
PhD students employed by the Medical University – Sofia are exempt from tuition fees.

Payment Details:
Fees must be paid via bank transfer to the account of the Medical Faculty – Sofia at the Medical University – Sofia.