Affordable Education and Living Costs: Compared to many Western European countries, Bulgaria offers relatively low tuition fees and living costs. This makes it an economically viable option for students looking to pursue higher education abroad.
Rich Cultural Heritage: Bulgaria has a deep historical and cultural heritage, providing a unique backdrop that is especially beneficial for students of Art & Design. The country's architecture, museums, and historical sites serve as great sources of inspiration and practical learning.
Quality Education: Many Bulgarian universities have updated and modernized their curriculum to meet international standards, providing high-quality education in various Art & Design fields.
Strategic Location: Bulgaria is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a cultural melting pot. This provides students with a broader perspective and exposure to diverse artistic influences.
English-Taught Programs: Although Bulgarian is the primary language of instruction, many universities offer programs in English, which attracts international students who may not be fluent in Bulgarian.
Innovative and Creative Environment: Some Bulgarian universities are known for encouraging innovation and creativity, essential for students in the fields of Art & Design.
Opportunities for Practical Experience: Bulgaria’s growing arts scene and its proximity to other European art capitals offer students numerous opportunities for internships and practical experience in real-world settings.
University |
Program Name |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Bachelor of Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
|
National Academy of Art |
Master of Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
|
National Academy of Art |
Bachelor of Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
|
National Academy of Art |
Master of Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Master of Arts in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Bachelor of Arts in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Master of Arts in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Master of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Master of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
University |
Program Name |
Degree Level |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
Applied Arts |
Bachelor |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts |
Master |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
Applied Arts |
Master |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
Bachelor |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
Master |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
Bachelor |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
Master |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
Master |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
Master |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
University |
Program Name |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Bachelor of Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
Bachelor of Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Bachelor of Arts in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
English, Bulgarian |
4 years |
University |
Program Name |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Master of Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
Master of Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Master of Arts in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Master of Arts in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Master of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Master of Arts in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
English, Bulgarian |
2 years |
University |
Program Name |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
PhD in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
English, Bulgarian |
3-4 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
PhD in Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
English, Bulgarian |
3-4 years |
|
New Bulgarian University |
PhD in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
English, Bulgarian |
3-4 years |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
PhD in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
English, Bulgarian |
3-4 years |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
PhD in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
English, Bulgarian |
3-4 years |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
PhD in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
English, Bulgarian |
3-4 years |
University |
Program Name |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Diploma in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
Bulgarian |
1-2 years |
|
National Academy of Art |
Diploma in Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
Bulgarian |
1-2 years |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Diploma in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
English, Bulgarian |
1-2 years |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Diploma in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
Bulgarian |
1-2 years |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Diploma in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
Bulgarian |
1-2 years |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Diploma in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
Bulgarian |
1-2 years |
University |
Program Name |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Short-term Course in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
Bulgarian |
3-6 months |
|
National Academy of Art |
Short-term Course in Applied Arts |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
Bulgarian |
3-6 months |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Short-term Course in Visual Arts |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
English, Bulgarian |
3-6 months |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Short-term Course in Art History |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
Bulgarian |
3-6 months |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Short-term Course in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
Bulgarian |
3-6 months |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Short-term Course in Fine Arts |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
Bulgarian |
3-6 months |
University |
Program Name |
Degree Level |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Mural Painting |
|
National Academy of Art |
Applied Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Industrial Design, Fashion, Textile Art, Metal Arts |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Multimedia |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Painting, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics |
University |
Program Name |
Degree Level |
Intake Periods |
|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts, Applied Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
September, February |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
September, February |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
September |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
September |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor, Master, PhD |
September |
University |
Program Name |
Degree Level |
Tuition Fees (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts, Applied Arts |
Bachelor |
€3,000 - €4,000 |
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts, Applied Arts |
Master |
€3,500 - €4,500 |
|
National Academy of Art |
Fine Arts, Applied Arts |
PhD |
€4,000 - €5,000 |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
Bachelor |
€3,500 - €4,500 |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
Master |
€4,000 - €5,000 |
|
New Bulgarian University |
Visual Arts |
PhD |
€4,500 - €5,500 |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
Bachelor |
€2,500 - €3,500 |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
Master |
€3,000 - €4,000 |
|
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Art History |
PhD |
€3,500 - €4,500 |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor |
€2,000 - €3,000 |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
Master |
€2,500 - €3,500 |
|
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Fine Arts |
PhD |
€3,000 - €4,000 |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
Bachelor |
€2,500 - €3,500 |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
Master |
€3,000 - €4,000 |
|
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Fine Arts |
PhD |
€3,500 - €4,500 |
Degree Level |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor |
- High school diploma or equivalent |
|
|
- Portfolio showcasing artistic work (for most programs) |
|
|
- Proficiency in English or Bulgarian (depending on the language of instruction) |
|
|
- Entrance exam or interview (varies by university and program) |
|
|
- Meeting minimum grade requirements as specified by the university |
|
Master |
- Bachelor’s degree in Art & Design or related field |
|
|
- Portfolio showcasing advanced artistic work |
|
|
- Proficiency in English or Bulgarian (depending on the language of instruction) |
|
|
- Entrance exam or interview (varies by university and program) |
|
|
- Meeting minimum grade requirements as specified by the university |
|
PhD |
- Master’s degree in Art & Design or related field |
|
|
- Research proposal outlining intended study |
|
|
- Portfolio showcasing professional artistic work |
|
|
- Proficiency in English or Bulgarian (depending on the language of instruction) |
|
|
- Entrance exam or interview (varies by university and program) |
|
|
- Meeting minimum grade requirements as specified by the university |
|
Diploma |
- High school diploma or equivalent (for undergraduate diploma programs) |
|
|
- Bachelor’s degree (for postgraduate diploma programs) |
|
|
- Portfolio showcasing artistic work |
|
|
- Proficiency in English or Bulgarian (depending on the language of instruction) |
|
Short-term |
- Varies by program but generally requires some prior experience or education in Art & Design |
|
|
- Portfolio showcasing artistic work |
|
|
- Proficiency in English or Bulgarian (depending on the language of instruction) |
Scholarship Name |
Provided By |
Eligibility Criteria |
Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bulgarian Government Scholarships |
Bulgarian Ministry of Education |
International students, academic excellence |
Tuition fees, living expenses |
|
Erasmus+ Program |
European Union |
EU and non-EU students, enrolled in participating universities |
Tuition fees, travel costs, stipend |
|
University-specific Scholarships |
National Academy of Art |
Academic merit, financial need |
Partial/full tuition fees |
|
University-specific Scholarships |
New Bulgarian University |
Academic merit, financial need |
Partial/full tuition fees |
|
University-specific Scholarships |
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" |
Academic merit, financial need |
Partial/full tuition fees |
|
University-specific Scholarships |
University of Veliko Tarnovo |
Academic merit, financial need |
Partial/full tuition fees |
|
University-specific Scholarships |
Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts |
Academic merit, financial need |
Partial/full tuition fees |
|
Open Society Foundation Scholarships |
Open Society Foundations |
Academic excellence, leadership potential |
Tuition fees, living expenses |
|
Fulbright Program |
Fulbright Commission |
US citizens, academic excellence |
Tuition fees, living expenses |
|
UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists |
UNESCO |
Emerging artists, various art disciplines |
Training programs, workshops |
|
Visegrad Scholarship Program |
International Visegrad Fund |
Citizens of Visegrad Group, Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership |
Tuition fees, living expenses |
Job Title |
Description |
Average Salary (per year) |
|---|---|---|
|
Graphic Designer |
Creating visual content for print and digital media |
€12,000 - €18,000 |
|
Art Director |
Overseeing visual style and imagery in publications, media, or advertising |
€20,000 - €30,000 |
|
Illustrator |
Producing illustrations for books, magazines, and other media |
€10,000 - €16,000 |
|
Fashion Designer |
Designing clothing and accessories |
€15,000 - €25,000 |
|
Interior Designer |
Planning and designing interior spaces |
€15,000 - €24,000 |
|
Fine Artist |
Creating original works of art for exhibitions or sale |
€8,000 - €15,000 |
|
Curator |
Managing collections of artworks and artifacts in museums or galleries |
€14,000 - €22,000 |
|
Art Teacher/Instructor |
Teaching art in schools or private institutions |
€10,000 - €18,000 |
|
Multimedia Artist/Animator |
Creating animations and visual effects for media |
€14,000 - €23,000 |
|
Art Therapist |
Using art to help people deal with emotional and psychological issues |
€16,000 - €24,000 |
|
Exhibition Designer |
Designing and organizing exhibitions and trade shows |
€13,000 - €20,000 |
|
Industrial/Product Designer |
Designing products for manufacturing |
€18,000 - €28,000 |
