BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMS - uni-plovdiv.bgfiles.slovo.uni-plovdiv.bg/ma/ma-ba-en/BA_MA-prog-en.pdf · Introduction to General Linguistics. 7. ... ( assigned readings, independent

UNIVERSITY OF PLOVDIV “PAISIJ HILENDARSKI”

BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMS

FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY

Plovdiv

3.7.2012 г.

Degrees offered at Faculty are on three levels; Bachelor, Master and Doctor (non available in

Englis). A Bachelor degree is the first level, which must be completed to proceed on to the

following two. A bachelor degree is generally four years in length. The second level of study

is the master degree or Magistеr. This level takes one year after obtaining a bachelor degree.

Usually students are required to complete a thesis and pass a state examination to obtain the

degree.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE credits

I course I semester

Psychology 3

Studies (UK) 5

Introduction to General Linguistics 7

Introduction to Literary Theory 4

English (Practical Course) 11

30

I rate second semesters

Audiovisual and information technology 2

Elective course 1 (Language and communication or presentation such as language skill)3

Classical Language (Latin) 4

Practical Phonetics of English 3


Contemporary English (Phonetics) 4

Modern Bulgarian language practice in language skills 4

Physical Education 0

30

II course, semester III

English literature (Victorian) 5

Elective course 2 (English) 2

Pedagogy 5


Contemporary English (Lexicology) 5

Optional course 1 3

Physical Education 0

30

II course, semester IV

English Literature (New English Literature) 5



Studies (USA) 4

Contemporary English (Morphology) 5

Theory of translation 4

30

III course, V semester

American literature in the twentieth century 6

English Literature (Old English literature) 6


Optional course 2 (English) 3

STUDENT DISCIPLINE credits


Contemporary English (Morphology) 5

30

Third year, sixth semester

American literature in the twentieth century 5

English Literature (Old English literature) 5

Historical Linguistics (History of the English language) 5


Contemporary English (Syntax) 5

Hospetirane 2

30

Fourth year, semester VII

English Literature of the Enlightenment 5

Methods of Teaching English 5



Contemporary English (Syntax) 5

Current pedagogical practice (English) 4

30

Fourth year, semester VIII

English Literature of the Romantic 6



Internship teaching practice (English) 7

Contemporary English (Stylistics) 6

30

State Examinations

Integrated practical examination (English) 4

Written exam in English 6

10

For the entire period of study (hours) 250

MASTER’S PROGRAM

LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS

ADMISSION:

The program is open to both Bulgarian and foreign students, who have already got a

Bachelor’s degree in areas related to English Studies. The Bulgarian students must have an

overall grade Good 4 from their BA diplomas, whereas foreign students should have their

diplomas verified by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education.

THE CURRICULUM DESIGN:

Language and Linguistics is a two-semester program. The curriculum offers a variety of

courses in modern linguistic theories, together with courses on language and style, as well as

courses which address specific contexts, such as the media. The program also offers a

significant corpus in English language practice at the proficiency level. The students will be

exposed to different approaches and strategies for academic studies.

COMPETENCIES:

Graduates will develop:

A. Knowledge and understanding of:

current issues in theoretical linguistics

the key questions that drive current research in syntax, semantics & pragmatics

methods and concepts of linguistic analysis

B. Intellectual skills to:

reason critically

identify a problem

pose a cogent research question

exercise independence of thought

C. Practical skills to:

access the wide range of information sources available to academic scholarship

produce cogent, structured and professionally presented reports

give a professional oral presentation

manage a project

D. Transferable skills to:

communicate effectively

present ideas orally and visually

listen actively

take initiative and demonstrate a proactive approach

act with independence

Graduates will be proficient in English for a wide range of applications and contexts.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT:

The graduates can pursue careers as:

researchers

university faculty members

cultural commentators

experts and consultants to government bodies and NGOs

CURRICULUM

English Philology – Language and Linguistics, MA

Courses CW L S OW TW CR FA

І Term

Mandatory Courses

Sociolinguistics 60 60 0 90 150 5 exam

Cognitive Linguistics 60 60 0 90 150 5 exam

English Language Practice 60 0 60 60 120 4 continues

English Language Origin 45 45 0 45 90 3 exam

Language – Style and Register 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Elective Courses

Elective 1 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

Elective 2 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Elective 3 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Interdisciplinary Elective Courses

Interdisciplinary Elective 1 15 15 0 15 30 1 exam

Total Number of Classes 360 210 150 540 900 30

ІІ Term

Mandatory Courses

English Language Practice 60 0 60 60 120 4 exam

Generative Transformational Syntax 60 60 0 90 150 5 exam

Language and style in Business Communication 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Research Methodologies 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

Language and The Media 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Text Analysis 40 0 40 60 120 4 exam

Elective Courses

Mandatory Elective 4 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

Mandatory Elective 5 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Interdisciplinary Elective Courses




Thesis or Written State Exam 15

For the Entire Period of Study

(Total Number of Classes)

700 330 370 1100 1800 75

Legend

CW –Classroom Workload

L-Lectures

S-Seminars

OW-Workload outside the classroom ( assigned readings, independent work, library

visits, etc.)

TW- Total Workload

CR-Credits

FA- Forms of Assessment

LIST OF MANDATORY ELECTIVE COURSES AND ELECTIVE COURSES

The list is revised each academic year.

MANDATORY ELECTIVES:

1.Functional Grammar

2. Semilogy

3. Modality in Cognitive Grammar

4. Aspect and Aspectuality

5. Discourse Analysis

6. Pragmatics

7. Language and Rhetorics

8. Business Presentation

CURRICULUM

English Philology – Linguistics and Translation, MA


І Term

Mandatory Courses

1. History of Linguistic Theories 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

2. Typology of Language Change 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

3. Theory and Practice of Translation 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

4. Techniques and Genres of Translation 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

6. Contrastive Linguistics 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

7. History of Translation and The Profession of

the Translator

15 0 15 15 30 1 exam

8. Language and Style in Business

Communication

45 15 30 75 120 4 exam

Specialised Translation

9. Translation of Political and Socio-Economic

Texts

30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

10 Translation of Scientific and Engineering

Texts

30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

11. Translation of Documents and Legal Texts 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Elective Courses

І. – Functional Grammar 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

- Cognitive Linguistics 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

ІІ. – Translation of Poetry 30 0 30 30 60 2 exam

- Translation of Prose 30 0 30 30 60 2 exam


ІІ Term

Mandatory Courses

1. Comparative Linguistics (Aspect and Aspectuality)

30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

2. Generative Transformational Syntax 60 60 0 60 120 4 exam

3. Information Technologies for Translation 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

4. Research Methodologies 30 0 30 30 60 2 exam

5. Theory of Consecutive and Simultaneous

Interpreting

20 0 20 40 60 2 exam

6. Practice of Consecutive and Simultaneous

Interpreting

30 0 30 60 90 3 continuous

Specialised translation

7. Translation of Medical Texts 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

8. Translation of EU documents 60 0 60 60 120 4 exam

Elective Courses

ІІІ. – Discourse Analysis 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

- Pragmatics 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

ІV. – Language and Rhetorics 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

- Language and The Media 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam


Thesis or Written State Exam 15


(Total Number of Classes)

710 285 425 1090 1800 75

Легенда


L-Lectures

S-Seminars

OW-Workload outside the classroom ( assigned readings, independent work, library visits,

etc.)

TW- Total Workload

CR-Credits


На Български съответно:

Аудиторна заетост

Лекции

Семинари

Извънаудиторна заетост

Общ брой часове

Кредити

Форма на контрол

CURRICULUM

MA in Translation for the European Institutions (with two languages)

COURSES CW L S OW TW CR FA

Іst semester

Mandatory Courses

Translation Theory and Methodology 30 30 0 45 75 3 exam

Practical Translation Module (English language)

(Social and Political Sciences; Law; Media,

Education, Art and Culture)

60 0 60 90 150 6 exam

Practical Translation Module (German/French)

(Social and Political Sciences; Law; Media,

Education, Art and Culture)

60 0 60 90 150 6 exam

Translation as a Profession 15 0 15 35 50 2 exam

Text Editing and Proofing (Part One) 15 15 0 35 50 2 continu

ous

Introduction to European Integration 15 15 0 35 50 2 exam

Translation for the European Institutions 15 15 0 35 50 2 continu

ous

Intercultural Communication 15 15 0 35 50 2 exam

Interdisciplinary Open-format Course 10 10 0 25 35 1

Elective Courses

I. – Sociopolitics and Economics Cycle 15 15 0 35 50 2 course

project

ІІ. – Linguistics and Cultural Linguistics Cycle 15 15 0 35 50 2 course

project

TOTAL 265 130 135 495 760 30

ІІnd

Semester

Mandatory Courses


(Economics; Agriculture; Architecture and Civil

engineering)

60 0 60 90 150 6 exam


(Economics; Agriculture; Architecture and Civil

Engineering)

60 0 60 90 150 6 exam

IT for Translation 30 30 0 45 75 3 exam

Text Editing and Proofing (Part Two) 15 15 0 35 50 2 exam

Translation Internship 20 0 20 130 150 6 continu

ous

Thesis Tutoring (Part One) 7 0 7 68 75 3 continu

ous

Elective Courses

ІІІ. – Sociopolitics and Economics Cycle 15 15 0 45 60 2 exam

ІV. – Linguistics and Cultural Linguistics Cycle 15 15 0 45 60 2 exam

TOTAL 222 75 147 528 750 30

ІІIrd

Semester

Mandatory Courses


(Science and Technology; Ecology; Medicine)

60 0 60 90 150 6 exam


(Science and Technology; Ecology; Medicine)

60 0 60 90 150 6 exam

Thesis Tutoring (Part Two) 8 0 8 67 75 3 continu

ous

Master’s Thesis 0 0 0 375 375 15 official

defense

TOTAL 128 0 128 622 750 30

FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF STUDY

(TOTAL NUMBER OF CLASSES AND

CREDITS)

615 205 410 1645 2260 90

CURRICULUM

English Philology – Translation and Business Communication, MA


І семестър

Mandatory Courses

Techniques and Genres of Translation 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

History of Translation and The Profession of

The Translator

20 0 20 10 30 1 exam

Business Documents 30 0 30 30 60 2 exam

Business English 60 0 60 60 120 4 cont.

Business Communication and Public

Relations

30 0 30 30 60 2 exam

Business Ethics 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

Specialised Ttranslation

Translation of Political and Socio-Economic

Texts

30 0 30 90 120 4 exam

Translation of Documents and Legal Texts 30 0 30 90 120 4 exam

Translation of Scientific and Engineering

Texts

30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Elective Courses

I. – Semantics of Business Vocabulary 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

- Etimology of Business Vocabulary 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

ІІ. – Translation of Business Documents 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

- Translation of Prose 30 0 30 30 60 2 exam


ІІ Term

Mandatory Courses

Language and Style in Business Documents 45 15 30 75 120 4 exam

Information Technologies for Translation 30 0 30 30 60 2 exam

Error Analysis in Translation 30 30 0 60 90 3 exam

Theory of Consecutive and Simultaneous

Interpreting

20 0 20 40 60 2 exam

Practice of Consecutive and Simultaneous

Interpreting

30 0 30 60 90 3 contin

uous

Business English 60 0 60 60 120 4 exam

Specialised Translation

Translation of Medical Texts 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

Translation of EU Documents 45 0 45 75 120 4 exam

Elective Courses

ІІІ. – Mass Communication 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

- Text Linguistics 30 30 0 30 60 2 exam

ІV. – Business Presentation 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam

- Language and The Media 30 0 30 60 90 3 exam


Thesis or Written State Exam and Oral

Presentation 15


( Total Number of Classes)

700 135 565 1100 1800 75

Легенда


L-Lectures

S-Seminars

OW-Workload outside the classroom ( assigned readings, independent work, library visits, etc.)

TW- Total Workload

CR-Credits


Universities inBulgariaUniversities inBulgaria

Human Resource Development Centre15 Graf Ignatiev Str., fl.3, 1000 Sofia

tel.: (+359 2) 915 50 10; fax: (+359 2) 915 50 49e-mail: [email protected]; http://euroguidance.hrdc.bg ©

2007.

Hum

an R

esour

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evel

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ent C

entr

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication (com-munication) reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of information contained therein.

HRDC is certified according to the standard ISO 9001:2000

�

HIGHER EDUCATION IN BULGARIA

General overview

Thesystemofhighereducationincludes5�highereducationinstitutions–uni-versities,specializedhigherschoolsandcolleges,37ofwhicharepublicandtherest-private.

Since�995inaccordancewiththeHigherEducationActthereare3stagesinBulgarianHigherEducationSystem,namely-Bachelor(fouryearsofeduca-tion),Master(atleastoneyearafterBachelor’s)andDoctoraldegrees(atleast3yearsafteraMaster’s).

CollegesofferhighereducationdegreeSpecialistwhichrequires3yearsofeducationandtraining.Thisdegreestudyprovidesopportunitiesforthede-signofprogrammesinpartnershipwithemployersandlearningintheworkplace.

Inaddition,anumberofpostgraduatecourses,certifiedwithaneducationalcertificateotherthanaDiploma,areofferedateveryhighereducationinsti-tution.Theylastfromseveraldaystooneyearandareintendedtoprovidepreparationforspecificprofessionalactivities,usuallyfollowingcompletionofageneraldegree.Withinthesystemthereareabout�000degreeandnon-degreecourses.Accesstoallofthemisdeterminedthroughnationaland/orinstitutionalregulations.

Tertiaryqualificationsarelinkedtoskillsneededforanalytical,leadershipandmanagementpositions.

TheEuropeanCreditTransferSystem(ECTS)hasbeenadoptedunderthenec-essarylegislation(HigherEducationAct)anditisimplementedsince�004.

HigherEducationInstitutionsinBulgariaareautonomous.Theyarerespon-sibleforprogrammedesignandqualityassuranceoftheeducationprovided.Inall institutionsaqualitymanagement system for internalmonitoringandevaluationisintroducedduetolegislationrequirements.

TheexternalmonitoringandevaluationisunderresponsibilitiesoftheNation-alAgencyforEvaluationandAccreditation.TheAgencyhasbeenestablishedthroughHigherEducationActasastatutorybodyforevaluation,accreditationandmonitoringof thequality inhigher education institutions and scientificorganizationsaimedattheenhancementoftheirteachingandresearch.

3

Higher education system

UPPER SECONDARY NON-TERTIARY

CollegeEducation

AftercompletedSecondaryEducation�9-��

Vocationalcolleges

Artcolleges

MedicalColleges

Diploma for completed education as Specialist

HIGHER EDUCATION

Bachelor AftercompletedSecondaryorCollegeEducation

HumanitarianUniversities

TechnicalUniversities

ArtUniversities

SportUniversities

MedicalUniversities

Continuing traininginUniversity’sDepartmentsforadditionalqualification

Master AftercompletedBachelordegree

Doctor AftercompletedMasterdegree

Diploma for completed respected degree level of higher education (bachelor, master, doctor)

ADMISSIONS

How to apply for a Bulgarian university?

Bulgarianhighereducationinstitutionsareopentoallforeignnationalswhoholdasecondaryeducationcertificate thatmakes themeligible forhighereducationinthecountryinwhichtheyhavereceivedtheirsecondaryeduca-tion.

ForeignnationalscanapplyfordoctoralprogrammesiftheyholdaMaster’sdegree.Studentswhohavegraduatedfromforeignhighereducationinstitu-tionscanapplyfordoctoralprogrammesiftheirhighereducationdegreehasbeenofficiallyrecognized.

Foreignstudentscanbeadmittedonlytofull-timestudyprogrammesinBul-garia.

4

ForeignnationalscanapplytostudyinhighereducationinstitutionsintheRepublicofBulgaria: • pursuant to intergovernmental agreements on educational, culturalandacademicexchange; • incompliancewithCouncilofMinistersOrdinances; • afterpayingthefulltuitionfee.

ForeignnationalscanapplytostudyatBulgarianhighereducationinstitu-tionsunderthesametermsandconditionsasthoseforBulgariannationals,providedthatthey:

• holdapermanentresidencepermit; • havearefugeestatus; • areofBulgarianorigin,certifiedinaccordancewiththe�993CouncilofMinistersDecreeNo.�03regulatingtheeducationofBulgarianexpatriates.

Applicants under intergovernmental agreements submit their applicationdocumentstotheMinistryofEducationandScienceviathecompetentinsti-tutionsinthecountriestheyapplyfrom.Applicantsareadmittedunderthetermsandconditionsandtothespecifichighereducationinstitutiondefinedintheintergovernmentalagreement.

Alldocumentsmustbetranslatedandcertifiedbytheauthoritiesintheap-plicant’scountry(MinistryofForeignAffairs),bytheBulgarianConsularOf-ficeintheapplicant’scountry(ifthetranslationofthedocumentswasmadethere),orbytheConsularOfficeoftheBulgarianMinistryofForeignAffairsinSofia.AlldegreesandeducationcertificatesmustbelegalizedattheBul-garianMinistryofEducationandScience.

TheUniversityauthorities forwardapprovedapplicants’documents to theMinistryofEducationandScience,sothataD-typevisacanbeissued.

Thedeadline to submit documents is�stOctober for under-graduate stu-dents,and3�stMayforpost-graduatestudents.

AnnualtuitionfeesforforeignstudentsaredeterminedwithaDecreeoftheCouncilofMinisters.Eachuniversitysetsitsfees,whichmayvarybetween€900and€6000,dependingonthespecificmajor.

Application documents

�. Applicationformorletterofapplication(withaCVattached),specifyingthehighereducationinstitutionandmajorstheapplicantisapplyingfor,as

5

wellastheformandtermoftraining(educationaldegree).Intheletterofap-plicationapplicantsshouldalsospecifytheirlevelofproficiencyinBulgarian.

�. Officialtranslationofsecondaryeducationcertificate(includingacademictranscript),ifanapplicationismadeforacompletedegreeprogramme,oranofficialtranslationofuniversitydegree(includingacademictranscriptandanysupplementspecifyingnumbersoftraininghours)and/oranacademictranscript ifanapplicationisbeingmadeonlyforapartofadegreepro-grammeorforahigher-rankingdegree(e.g.aBAapplyingforaMaster’sprogramme).

Adocumentissuedbyacompetentauthoritycertifyingtheapplicant’srighttocontinuehis/hereducationatthetertiarylevelinthecountrywherehe/sheacquiredsecondaryeducation.

3. Healthcertificate,issuednomorethanonemonthpriortothedateofapplication,andverifiedbythecompetentauthoritiesofthehomecountry.

4. Theeducationcertificate/degreeandhealthcertificatemustbelegalized,translatedintoBulgarian,andcertifiedpursuanttotheinternationalagree-ments between theRepublic ofBulgaria and the country issuing the saiddocuments.Intheabsenceofaninternationalagreement,thegeneralpro-cedureforlegalization,translationandcertificationofdocumentsisfollowed.Secondary education certificates from foreign schools are legalized at theMinistryofEducationandScience.

5. PhotocopyofpersonalIDdocument.DualcitizenshipholdersapplywithboththeirIDs.Inthecaseofinconsistencyinapplicant’snamesinthedif-ferent IDs, a certifieddeclarationofname identityor a certificate fromamunicipalitymustbeenclosed.

6. Declarationof applicant’s financial support for theperiodof his/herstudies.

7. CopyofpersonalIDdocumentwithapplicant’snameprintedintheRo-manscriptandhis/herdateandplaceofbirth.

8. 4photographs.

AccordingtotheHigherEducationActeachhighereducationestablishmentisanautonomousinstitutionandmayadoptitsownrequirementsconcern-ingapplicationdocumentsanddeadlines.

Universityauthoritiesforwardapprovedapplicants’documentstotheMinis-tryofEducationandScience,sothatalong-termvisaisissued.

Theapplicationdeadline is�stOctober forBA/BScandMA/MScappli-cants,and3�stMayforPhDapplicants.

6

InmostuniversitiesinBulgariatheacademicyearbeginson�stOctoberandendson30thJune.Insomeuniversitiesclassesstarton�5thSeptemberandendon�5thJune.

University residence opportunities

MosthighereducationinstitutionsinBulgariahavetheirownhallsofresi-dencethatprovidetemporaryhousing.AccordingtoanOrdinanceof theMinistry of Education andSciencehigher education establishments adopttheirownrulesforthemanagementanduseofhallsofresidence.Inmostcasesaccommodationinahallofresidenceisprovidedafteranapplicationhasbeenfiledattheuniversity’sSocialIssuesandHousingBoard.ForeignstudentsstudyinginBulgariaonthebasisofabilateralagreementoranor-derofaBulgariangovernmentalbodyareentitledtoaccommodationinhallsofresidence;theSocial IssuesandHousingBoardprovidesthemwithac-commodationonrequestbytheMinistryofEducationandScience.Foreignstudentswhoarepayingtheirtuitionfeesreceiveaccommodationathallsofresidenceonlyiftherearevacantrooms/beds.Rentalsvaryfromuniversitytouniversity,rangingbetween€30and€50amoth.

Iftheconditionsinhallsofresidencedonotliveuptoastudent’sexpecta-tions,itisbestthathe/sheshouldrentaprivateflatorroom.Privateflat/roomrentalsvarybetween€�50and€350amonth.

7

UNIVERSITIES IN BULGARIA

HUMANITARIAN UNIVERSITIESSofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”http://www.uni-sofia.bg/Sofia�504�5,“TsarOsvoboditel”Blvd.Phone:(+359�)[email protected]

Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”http://www.uni-plovdiv.bg/Plovdiv4000�4,“TsarAsen”St.Phone:(+3593�)�6�[email protected]

University of Rousse “Angel Kantchev”http://www.ru.acad.bg/Rousse70�78,“Studentska”St.Phone:(+3598�)[email protected]

New Bulgarian Universityhttp://www.nbu.bg/Sofia�6�8OvchaKupelquarter,��,“Montevideo”St.Phone:(+359�)8��0�47/ext.��[email protected]

“St. Cyril and St. Methodius”University Veliko Turnovohttp://www.uni-vt.bg/VelikoTarnovo5000�,“T.Tarnovski”St.Phone:(+3596�)6�[email protected]

“Konstantin Preslavski” University Shumenhttp://www.shu-bg.net/Shumen9700“University”str.Phone:(+35954)830495,83��[email protected]

South-West University“Neofit Rilski”http://www.swu.bg/en/Blagoevgrad�700“Georgilzmirliev-Makedoncheto”Sq.Phone:(+35973)88550�[email protected]

Burgas Free University http://www.bfu.bgBurgas80006�,“SanStefano”St.Phone:(+35956)[email protected]

Bourgas “Prof. Assen Zlatarov” Universityhttp://www.btu.bg/Bourgas80�0�,“Prof.Jakimov”St.Phone:(+35956)86004�[email protected]

Trakia University Stara Zagorahttp://www.uni-sz.bg/StaraZagora6000Student’scampusPhone:(+3594�)6730��,6707�[email protected]

International College Albenahttp://internationaledu.org/Dobrich9300Phone:(+35958)6556�[email protected]

Varna Free University“Chernorizets Hrabar”http://www.vfu.bg/Varna9007,GoldensandsPhone:(+3595�)35959�[email protected]

��

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS

IncompliancewiththeLisbonRecognitionConventionamendmentstosev-eral acts of the secondary legislation regarding recognition of documentscertifying secondary and higher education acquired as well as periods ofeducationcompletedwerepromulgated.TheCouncilofMinistersDecreeNo.�68of�4August�000adoptedanOrdinanceontheStateRequire-mentsforrecognitionofhighereducationacquiredorperiodsofeducationcompletedinforeignhigherschools.

Theactiveprocedureappliedtotherecognitionofhighereducationqualifi-cationawardedabroadfollowsArt.�0,Par.�,P.4oftheHigherEducationAct(�995)andArt.8,Par.7oftheHigherEducationAct(�999)inrespectofgeneraltermsandconditions.Furthermore,followingOrderNo.RD–09–594of�6October�000,oftheMinisterofEducationandScienceincom-pliancewithArt.3�oftheactiveHigherEducationActaspecialcommission(StateCommissionforRecognition–SCR)wereconstitutedtoimplementtheprovisionsofthe law.TheStateCommissionforRecognitionshallbecomposedbyrepresentativesofdifferentuniversitiesholdinghighacademicranksaswellasbyexpertsfromtheMinistryofEducationandScience.TheCommissionissuesaCertificateidentifyingthespecialityinaccordancewiththeStateRegisterapprovedbytheCouncilofMinisters.

Recognitionofastudyperiodofhighereducation isaccomplishedby therespectivehigherschoolwherethestudenthassubmittedhis/herapplicationforms.ThoughtheHigherEducationAct/�995/providesfortheintroduc-tionofmodularstructureforthestudyprogrammesandofthecreditsystem,theimplementationoftheseprovisionsexperiencerelativelyslowprogress.Mostoften,institutionsdecideontherecognitionofcreditsearnedinadif-ferentinstitutiononacasebycasebasis.Thereis,however,astrongten-dencytowardsacceptingtheEUdirectives,theCouncilofEurope/UNESCOguidingdocuments/forexampletheDiplomaSupplement/referringtotherecognitionofqualificationsandcreditstransfer.TheDiplomaSupplementhasbeensuccessfullypromotedanditsfurtherimplementationisforeseenasmedium-termobjective.

TheNationalAcademicAssessmentCommission shall recognize doctoraldegreesawardedbyforeigninstitutions.

Usually,recognitionofforeignqualificationsisformallyrequiredinordertoapplyforfurthereducationorforappointmentstoresearchpositions.Undertherecentmarketconditionsemployersacceptdiplomasanddegreesonabasisoftheprestigeoftherespectiveforeigninstitution.

��

Acting Procedures

UponsigningtheBolognaDeclarationthenationallegalframeworkrelatedtoacademicrecognitionofdiplomasandqualificationswasupdatedfollow-ingtheprinciplesapprovedbythe�9Europeanministersofeducation.

TheprocedureforrecognitionofhighereducationacquiredinforeignhigherschoolisorganizedandcarriedoutbytheMinistryofEducationandScience(Art.7,Par.�).TheOrdinanceontheStateRequirementsforrecognitionofhighereducationacquiredorperiodsofeducationundertakenabroad(Coun-cilofMinistersDecreeNo.�68of�4August�000)isthemajorsecondarylegislationdocument,regulatingtherecognitionprocedure.

According to Article 11 of the Ordinance:

(�)Therecognitionofhighereducationacquiredinforeignhigherschoolsshallbeaccomplisheduponcomparingthedataofthedocumentspresentedandoftherequirementsapprovedforobtaininghighereducationinthesameand/orinasimilarspecialityinBulgarianhigherschools.

(�)Thefollowingindicatorsaretakenintoconsiderationinrecognizinghigh-ereducation:

�.Enrolment.�.Durationofthestudies.3.Totalhoraryofthestudiedsubjects.4.Proportionbetweenthehoraryof thestudiedsubjects thatprovide thefundamental,thespecial,andthespecializededucation.5.Theoretical/practicalhoraryration.6.Graduationrequirements.

Furthermore,incompliancewithArt.�7,Par.�and�ofthesamedocu-ment,theNationalInformationCentreforAcademicRecognitionandMobil-ityENIC/NARICshallsupporttheactivitiesonrecognitionofhighereduca-tion.TheCentreisofficiallypositionedwithanOrdinanceNo.RD–�4–�89oftheMinisterofEducationandSciencedated��September�000.

�3

ERASMUS PROGRAMME

ErasmusprogrammeispartofEC’sLifelongLearningProgramme(�007-�0�3).

ThissectoralprogrammeaimstoincreasethequalityofthehighereducationinEurope.ItcontributestothecreationoftheEuropeanareaofhigheredu-cationandencouragestheinnovationprocessandthetransferofknowledgeandtechnologyinthehighereducation.

TheprogrammeforhighereducationErasmusisoneofthemostsuccess-ful initiativesof theEuropeanCommission. Introduced in�987,�0yearsnowitgivesstudentsandlecturersfromalloverEuropetheopportunitytoparticipateinanacademicandculturalexchangewithintheboundariesofthecontinent.Morethan�millionstudentsandover�00000teachershaveparticipatedinthisattractiveEuropeaninitiative.

All member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey are taking part in the Erasmus programme.

Intheprogrammeareincludedonlyhighschools,possessingErasmusUniver-sityCharteroftheEuropeanCommission.TheyapplyfortherealizationofthemobilitytotheNational Agency for the Lifelong Learning Programme inthegivencountry.Physicalpersons/studentscan’tapplydirectlytotheNA,theirparticipationisorganizedbytheinstitution,wheretheylearn.

TheErasmusprogrammegivesthefollowingopportunitiesforstudentmo-bility:

• Studentmobilityforlearningpurposes; • Erasmusstudentplacements.

Student mobility

TheErasmusprogrammegives students theopportunity to live in anotherEuropeancountryandtoimprovetheirsocial,culturalandacademiccompe-tences.Theeducationinthecontextofaforeigneducationalsystemforhighereducationgivesstudentstheopportunitytotakeadvantageoftraining,imple-mentedthroughnewanddifferenteducationalmethodsandapproaches.

Thestudents,whohavefinishedthefirstyearofeducation intheirnativecountry,canrealizeaperiodofeducationbetween3and��monthsinan-otherhostcountry.Studentsofalldegrees,includingPhDcanparticipateinthemobility.

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The Erasmus student mobility for learning purposes offers the Bulgarianstudents:

• Fundingfortheperiodofthemobility;• Exemptionofacademicfeesatthehostuniversity;• LanguageandculturepreparationfortheErasmusperiodthroughpar-ticipation in the Erasmus Intensive Language Courses, intended only forErasmusstudents;• Academic acknowledgement of the results of the teaching during theErasmusmobility.

Erasmus Student placements

The Erasmus programme supports Student placementswith duration be-tween3and��monthsincommercialestablishmentsandresearchcentreswithintheboundariesoftheEuropeancountrieswiththeexceptionoftheinstitutionsoftheEuropeanUnion,theembassiesandthediplomaticmis-sionsandinstitutions,engagedintheadministrationofEuropeanprogramsandinitiatives.

ThepurposeofErasmusstudentplacementsistoacquirepracticalexperi-enceandskillsinaninternationalenvironmentandtogetacquaintedwiththespecialrequirementsoftheEuropeanlabormarket.Throughtheplace-ment,theErasmusstudentsgainkeycompetencesandqualificationsascom-municationandteamworkskills,knowledgeofforeignculturesandmarkets,analysisandprocessingofinformationetc.

TheErasmusstudentplacementsofferthestudents:

• MonthlyErasmusgrantfortheperiodofthemobility;

• European Erasmus work placement contract among the Bulgarianhighschool,thecommercialestablishmentintheEuropeanUnionandthestudent;

• Language and culture preparation for the Erasmus period throughparticipationintheErasmusIntensiveLanguageCourses,intendedonlyforErasmusstudents;

• Recognitionoftheachievementsofthemobilityperiod(throughtheDiploma Supplement, the Europass documents and the EuropeanCreditTransferSystem).

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EUROPASSEuropassinitiativeisestablishedaccordingtheDecisionNo��4�/�004/ECoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof�5December�004onasingleCommunityframeworkforthetransparencyofqualificationsandcom-petences.

ThisDecisionestablishes a singleCommunity framework for achieving thetransparencyofqualificationsandcompetencesbymeansofthecreationofapersonal,coordinatedportfolioofdocuments,tobeknownas‘Europass’,whichcitizenscanuseonavoluntarybasistobettercommunicateandpresenttheirqualificationsandcompetencesthroughoutEurope.

Improvedtransparencyofqualificationsandcompetenceswillfacilitatemobil-itythroughoutEuropeforlifelonglearningpurposes,thereforecontributingtothedevelopmentofqualityeducationandtraining,andwillfacilitatemobilityforoccupationalpurposes,betweencountriesaswellasacrosssectors.

Whetheryouareplanningtoenrolinaneducationortrainingprogramme,lookingforajob,orgettingexperienceabroad,itisimportanttobeabletomakeyourskillsandcompetencesclearlyunderstood.

• maketheirskillsandqualificationsclearlyandeasilyunderstoodinEurope(EuropeanUnion,EFTA/EEAandcandidatecountries);• moveanywhereinEurope.Europassconsistsoffivedocuments:• twodocuments (Europasscurriculumvitae (CV)andEuropassLanguagePassport)youcanfillinyourself;and• three other documents (Europass Certificate Supplement, Europass Di-plomaSupplementandEuropassMobility)filledinandissuedbycompetentorganisations.

TheEuropassCVenablesyoutomakeyourskillsandqualificationsvisible,andotherEuropassdocumentscanbeattachedtotheCV.

TheEuropassLanguagePassportallowsyoutodescribeyourlanguageskills,skillsthatarevitalforlearningandworkinginEurope.

TheEuropassMobilityisarecordofanyorganisedperiodoftime(calledEuro-passMobilityexperience)thatapersonspendsinanotherEuropeancountryforthepurposeoflearningortraining.

Thisincludesforexample:

• aworkplacementinacompany; • anacademictermaspartofanexchangeprogramme; • avoluntaryplacementinanNGO.

TheEuropassMobilityisintendedforanypersonundergoingamobilityexpe-

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rienceinaEuropeancountry,whatevertheirageorlevelofeducation

TheEuropassCertificateSupplementisdeliveredtopeoplewhoholdavo-cationaleducationandtrainingcertificate;itaddsinformationtothatwhichisalreadyincludedintheofficialcertificate,makingitmoreeasilyunderstood,especiallybyemployersorinstitutionsoutsidetheissuingcountry.Theinfor-mation in theEuropassCertificateSupplement is provided by the relevantcertifyingauthorities.TheEuropassCertificateSupplement is issuedby theauthoritiesthatawardstheoriginalvocationalcertificate.

TheEuropassDiplomaSupplement is issued tograduatesofhighereduca-tion institutionsalongwith theirdegreeordiploma. Ithelps toensure thathighereducationqualificationsaremoreeasilyunderstood,especiallyoutsidethecountrywheretheywereawarded.TheEuropassDiplomaSupplementwasdevelopedjointlywithUnescoandtheCouncilofEurope.TheEuropassDiplomaSupplementisissuedbythehighereducationinstitutionawardingtheoriginaldiplomaordegree.

Accordingtothenormativeorderfrom�004yeareveryuniversityinBulgariaisobligatedtoissueDiplomaSupplementwhenastudent,graduatinginoneoftheformsofthehighereducation,requestedone.

Ineverycountry(EuropeanUnionandEuropeanEconomicArea),aNationalEuropassCentre(NEC)coordinatesallactivitiesrelatedtotheEuropassdocu-ments.ItisthefirstpointofcontactforanypersonororganisationinterestedinusingorlearningmoreaboutEuropass.FortheNECBulgariayoucanfindmoreinformationat:www.hrdc.bg

USEFUL LINKS

MinistryofEducationandScience-http://www.minedu.government.bg

NationalAgencyforEvaluationandAccreditation-http://www.neaa.government.bg

Rectors’ConferenceoftheRepublicofBulgaria-http://www.bgrectors.com

AssociationofthePrivateHigherEducationInstitutionsinBulgaria-http://aphei-bg.org/

NationalEducationalPortal–BulgarianVirtualUniversity-http://www.bvu-bg.eu

HumanResourceDevelopmentCentre–http://www.hrdc.bg

DepartmentofForeignLanguages(St.KlimentOhridskiUniversityofSo-fia)-http://www.deo.uni-sofia.bg/index_en.html