American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is located in Blagoevgrad, a vibrant regional economic and cultural center in the picturesque Southwestern part of Bulgaria. The mission of the American University in Bulgaria is to educate students of outstanding potential in a community of academic excellence, diversity, and respect and to prepare them for democratic and ethical leadership in serving the needs of the region and the world. We envision a community of diverse and creative students of outstanding potential living and learning together in an engaging and rigorous academic environment on a campus which offers world-class academic, recreational, and residential facilities. Mentored by internationally respected faculty committed to the liberal arts tradition, graduates will be fully prepared for lives of professional achievement, personal fulfillment, and service.
Quality and Accreditation
AUBG has full American accreditation, as well as Bulgarian. Graduates receive an American diploma, as well as the Bulgarian national diploma and European supplements when they have successfully passed the state examinations. AUBG is recognized as one of the finest universities in eastern Europe, and the University currently attracts top students from more than 30 countries from around the world.
Fields of Study and Professors
AUBG offers Liberal Arts education based on a general education foundation and a specialization in a declared major and/or minor. Instruction is in English. Majors offered are: Business Administration; Computer Science; Economics; European Studies; History and Civilizations; Journalism and Mass Communications; Mathematics; Political Science and International Relations. Students at AUBG may, and most do, take two majors. Courses are taught by high-quality, American and international faculty experienced in teaching in a multicultural, learner-centered environment.
Safe and Modern Campus
AUBG offers accommodation in the Skaptopara Residence Halls I and II, located in a green park area, a ten-minute walk from the AUBG Main Building. Residence facilities are equipped with TV lounges, study areas and fitness equipment. There are canteens and cafes in the Main Building and the Scaptopara Residence Hall that offer a variety of meat and vegetarian meals, as well as salads, desserts, and beverages. The university library is the largest English language library on the Balkans. The whole collection of more than 100,000 volumes is indexed through a computerized catalogue. In Fall 2008 AUBG opened a new 2000 square meter library building on the Skaptopara campus which provides a comfortable, welcoming and safe environment for study, research, quiet reflection and collaborative work. Each student has free access to the Internet at more that ten student computer labs, in the Skaptopara Residence Halls, and at wireless “hot spots” across campus.
Student Services
The Advising Center, the Career Center, and the Counseling Center all work cooperatively to provide a complete, integrated program of services designed to provide support for student needs ranging from personal counseling to assistance with their job search. At present AUBG offers a variety of sport opportunities, including baseball, tennis, boxing, chess, skiing, fitness, dancing, soccer, American football, swimming, and aerobics. The AUBG Career Center assists students in planning for the future. Every year a Job Fair and a Graduate School Fair are organized. The Job Fair gathers representatives of leading international companies who wish to employ AUBG graduates. The Center also maintains current information about graduate school opportunities at leading American and European universities. The Health Center provides health services and ensures prompt consultation, evaluation and treatment of medical problems, working according to the regulations established by the Bulgarian legislation and the standards of the American College Health Association.
English Language Institute
Applicants to AUBG who are generally qualified for admission but whose test scores, particularly in English, fall short of AUBG minimum requirements, may enroll in AUBG’s English Language Institute (ELI). Intensive programs in English language/TOEFL preparation are offered during the summer, as well as during the fall and spring semesters. ELI is a Certified Internet-Based TOEFL Test Center and has an excellent record in preparing future AUBG applicants for the TOEFL and SAT exams.
All ELI instructors are university graduates with at least a Master's degree in English and with substantial teaching experience. The higher level courses are taught by a team of instructors - non-native English speakers emphasize grammar and text, while native English speakers teach listening comprehension skills and conversation. ELI classes are small and “learner-oriented,” and the center applies a variety of modern and effective methods of language instruction, using the latest state-of-the-art educational technology.
Applicants for the full-time intensive courses seeking admission to the University should present a high school diploma with GPA of minimum 5.00 (Bulgarian Grading System) or its equivalent if the candidate is a non-Bulgarian.
Admissions requirements and deadlines
AUBG requires a minimum SAT score of 1,000 (Critical Reading plus Math) and a TOEFL score of 80 (iBT Internet based) or 550 (paper-based). If a student is otherwise qualified but not yet able to achieve the required TOEFL score, we may offer conditional admission with the requirement that the student spend a semester doing intensive language study at AUBG’s English Language Institute.
Open Society Institute (OSI) Scholarships deadline - January 1st
Complete application for Fall Semester should be received at AUBG Admissions Office:
- By March 1 for early admission and more favorable financial aid.
- By June 1 for regular admission and financial aid.
Complete application for Spring Semester should be received at AUBG Admissions Office:
- By October 1st for non-EU students and financial aid.
- By November 1st for EU students and financial aid.
Students need to submit to the AUBG Admissions Office the following:
- A completed application form with a non-refundable $25 application fee (unless the application is completed on-line)
- An application essay on a topic announced by AUBG (the essay may also be submitted on-line or by email).
- Official educational records -- original documents or notary certified copies, with a certified English translation if they are not in English
- Three confidential letters of recommendation from teachers or professors, a guidance counselor, or an academic advisor
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or ESOL examinations and SAT or ACT score reports should be sent to AUBG directly from the agencies administering the tests. For the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the College Board, the AUBG institutional code for receiving TOEFL and SAT test scores from ETS is 2451.
TOEFL and SAT Tests
Students must meet the minimum requirements for proficiency in English based on TOEFL or IELTS or ESOL examinations and present SAT or ACT test scores. Test scores should be officially sent to the AUBG Admissions Office by the respective organization administering the tests. The TOEFL score is valid for 2 years and the SAT score is valid for 5 years. Applicants can take the tests while still in high school. Schedule the TOEFL and SAT no later than January for the fall semester applications and June for the spring semester applications.
Financial Assistance
We believe that AUBG offers outstanding value. Whereas a high-quality education is not inexpensive, AUBG is committed to making it possible for every qualified applicant to attend. Students and their families are expected to pay a significant portion of the cost of their education. If a student does not have the resources to pay the full amount, we work with the student to find supplemental sources of support, including direct aid from the University, loans, and funds earned in work-study or a work-travel program. Most students find that after the first year they are able to earn the full cost of tuition and expenses during summer work-travel jobs.
All further information, necessary application forms and templates are available online at: www.aubg.bg in the Admissions section.
