2023 Bulgarian University Ranking: Sofia University Remains at the Top, Number of Unemployed Higher Education Graduates “Seriously Down”
The number of unemployed holders of higher education degrees in Bulgaria is seriously decreasing, the unemployment rate of some professional fields is below 1%, and the income of some graduates reaches BGN 4,000 to 6,000 a month, said Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tzokov at the presentation of the 13th edition of the rating system of higher education institutions in Bulgaria. Once again Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” ranked first in most professional fields.
“This is the 13th rating of universities and it is perhaps the best, as it shows sustainability. The rating also brings to the fore some interesting facts: the numbers of foreign students and publications of Bulgarian scientists in international databases have increased,” the minister said.
The 2023 edition of the rating system compares the performance of 51 accredited universities offering education in Bulgaria within 52 professional fields based on dozens of indicators. They measure various aspects of the teaching process, research activity, learning environment, administrative services offered, and graduates’ success on the labour market, among others.
Sofia University at the top
Sofia University leads the rating in the following fields: Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, “Economics, Informatics and Computer Science, History and Archaeology, Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Public Communications and Information Sciences, Pedagogy, Political Science, Law, Psychology, Religion and Theology, Social Services, Sociology, Anthropology and Cultural Sciences, Theory and Management of Education, Tourism, Physical Sciences, Philology, Philosophy and Chemical Sciences.
The highest average taxable income is reported by graduates of the Sofia University programme in Computer Science and Informatics. They earn BGN 6,469 (compared to BGN 5,592 last year), followed by graduates of the same field at New Bulgarian University (with an income of BGN 5,767 against BGN 4,333 last year).
The lowest unemployment (less than 1%) is reported among the alumni of the Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Military Studies and Mathematics programmes. Unemployment is highest (3.4%) among the Social Services alumni.