Discover one of the highest potential markets in the EU for transnational education (TNE) as we explore opportunities in Bulgaria as part of our UK-TNE in Europe series.

Why UK TNE in Bulgaria?

Extensive government reforms designed to counter ‘brain drain’ in Bulgaria, boost quality education and address the skills gap have led to a highly favourable environment for collaborations with foreign universities. TNE is flourishing in Bulgaria and attracting many students from outside the country as well as Bulgarians. Among them, some 5,000 UK students are studying medicine and dentistry, drawn by the prospect of an EU degree and the lower cost of living and studying. Italian, German, Greek and North African students are also well represented on TNE courses in Bulgaria.

In 2019, the British Council’s ‘Shape of global higher education’ report showed that Bulgaria has one of the strongest networks in Europe for bilateral cooperation between local universities and other countries. Non-UK countries, including those in non-EU Europe and Central Asia, have also successful set up partnerships with Bulgarian institutions.

Numbers of Bulgarian students studying courses in the UK has fallen significantly since the UK left the EU due to the rise in cost of studying, but interest in UK courses remains extremely high, making UK TNE a valuable prospect. The numbers of students registered at UK-delivered courses in Bulgaria has increased by over 80 per cent in the past five years.

What will this session cover?

The session will start with an introduction to TNE in Bulgaria, outlining the policy and legal framework for facilitating TNE partnerships. 

We will explore case studies of existing TNE collaborations, with speakers from Varna University of Management and their UK partner, Cardiff Metropolitan University.

During the session, we will also explain the British Council's work with the Bulgarian government and British Embassy, and the role this plays in supporting opportunities for UK TNE.

Speakers include:

• Ivana Radonova, Head of Department 'Policies in Higher Education' at the Ministry of Education and Science; Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) and BFUG board member and co-chair
• Christina Armutlieva, Director of International Cooperation, Varna University of Management
• Vanina Valcheva, Academic Partnership Officer, Varna University of Management
• Maria Tsakali, Lead for Higher Education (EU Europe), British Council
• Dobryana Petkova, TNE programme manager, British Council Bulgaria
• Andrew Glass, Country Director, British Council Romania and Bulgaria.

For more information, please contact Dobryana Petkova.