Study procedures and deadlines
Study procedures and deadlines
Graduation
The graduation is the final stage of university tuition for acquiring the relevant educational and qualification degree. The final achievements are directly dependent on the knowledge gained, the skills acquired and the competences formed in the educational process realized throughout the course of study.
Forms of graduation
The state exam format is determined in the curriculum of faculties and can be:
- Teaching Qualification state exam;
- Defense of thesis;
- State exams – written or oral; written and oral.
Students who have successfully passed all semester exams and have successfully completed the planned pre-graduation teaching practice are subject to graduation.
Students who have completed the semester submit the following documents to the secretaries of departments in the primary unit:
- For state exam or teaching qualification state exam
Application for admission to a state exam accompanied by a reference from the Academic Department for passing all semester exams. The reference is attached to the application.
- For thesis defense
1. Application for admission to а defense of a diploma thesis with a reference for passing all semester exams. The reference is attached to the application.
2. A thesis submitted to the department within the specified deadline, approved by the supervisor's signature in one electronic and one paper copy.
3. Declaration of originality and authenticity of the diploma paper, signed by the graduate:
https://www.swu.bg/images/documents/graduation/decl_origin_bg.pdfTuition Fee Exemption
Tuition Fee exemption is applicable once for:
- persons with permanent disabilities and reduced work capacity of 70 and over 70 percent;
- parentless child (up to the age of 26);
- military disabled persons;
- persons who, at the time of reaching the age of adulthood, have a measure of protection taken in accordance with the Child Protection Act –accommodation in a foster family, a residential-type of social service or a specialized institution;
- PhD students in the last two years of doctoral studies;
- undergraduates and PhD students admitted under the conditions and in accordance with the procedure defined in an act of the Council of Ministers, in case such an exemption is provided for in this act.
- In case of tuition fee exemption, an application is submitted to the Rector, accompanied by the relevant documents certifying the basis for this application.
Payment of semester fees
The payment of the specified semester fees is made in the following terms:
- for part-time studies – until the end of the full-time classes for each semester;
- for full-time studies – up to 15 days after the beginning of classes for each semester.
The receipt for the paid fee is presented to the relevant faculty inspector responsible for the student status.
A student who has not registered for the semester and has not paid the semester fee within the specified deadlines will have to suspend their studies for one academic year.
After the start of the academic year, in case of refusal of study, the semester fees paid by the newly admitted students are not refunded.
For newly admitted students before the start of the academic year, a part of the semester fee will be withheld in case of refusal of study.
Where suspended or dropped out students have paid a semester fee prior to the issuance of a suspension order, fees shall be refunded.
Issuance of a Diploma of Higher Education
The diploma for a completed educational and qualification degree of higher education is issued after all regulations in relation to the curriculum of the relevant specialty have been fulfilled.
Immediately after graduation, graduate students submit to the Academic Department:
- 3 recent portrait photographs (size 3.5/4.5 cm);
- Circulation sheet (only for full-time students);
- Questionnaire.
Graduated students check and sign their diploma in person, according to a schedule prepared by the primary units.
Students who have successfully completed Bachelor's and Master's degree programs receive their diplomas at an official ceremony, which is conducted once a year. The diploma is received in person by the holder verified with a signature.
Information on the dates of the ceremony and registration of graduates can be received from the information boards in the faculties or the university website. Formal attire at the graduation ceremony is mandatory.
Issuance of a European Diploma Supplement
The European Diploma Supplement (DS) is an official document that higher education institutions issue according to Art. 7, para. 1 of the Higher Education Act and Art. 7, para. 1 and 2 of the Ordinance on the state requirements on the content of the main documents issued by the Higher Education Institution (adopted by the Council of Ministers No. 215 of 12.08.2004). A DS is issued as a supplement to the original diploma and does not replace the official supplement to the higher education diploma.
A European diploma supplement is issued only in English to graduate students who study in compliance with curricula after the introduction of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer System.
In order to receive a European Diploma Supplement, graduate students submit an application form to the Rector of the University in the faculty office. A copy of the higher education diploma is attached to the application.