American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

American University in Bulgaria (AUBG): Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Fees, and Scholarships

The American University in Bulgaria is a private institution established in 1991 and located in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Almost half of the total number of students enrolled in the university are international students. They hail from over 40 different countries across the globe, showing how diverse the AUBG campus is. 

The university boasts of having an extensive network of 4000 successful alumni around the world, who have greatly benefited from the multicultural approach taken by AUBG. Being a liberal arts college, the university allows its students to select their unique concoction of subjects. Each student can enroll in up to two majors and two minors in their desired field of study.

Why study at the American University in Bulgaria?

• AUBG’s unique liberal arts curriculum allows students to select between a variety of majors and minors, allowing them to focus on the things they are most passionate about.
• Classes are taught by top professors hailing from 5 different continents. With small class sizes and a practice-oriented curriculum, success is almost guaranteed.
• The university has a vibrant student life with 30 student clubs operating on campus. 
• Presence of state-of-the-art facilities that consists of one of the largest English-language libraries in South-East Europe, a gym, a running track, a Mac lab, and a JMC studio. 
• A multicultural approach with students hailing from different nationalities allows for the overall growth and development of young minds. 
• The city of Blagoevgrad offers a lot of sightseeing opportunities for students with various cafes and restaurants, hiking trails, and a historical district.
• Students receive an international diploma accredited in both the U.S. and the EU upon graduating from AUBG and can join a united international alumni network.

University Rankings

Programs & Courses offered by the American University in Bulgaria

AUBG allows its students to enroll in a Bachelor’s program and choose between majors, minors, and concentration courses. A major is the student’s primary focus of study whereas a minor is the student’s secondary focus of study. A concentration course is directly related to your major, while the minor course you opt to pursue can help you explore a different field of interest.

13 majors, 20 minors, and 6 concentration courses can be availed by students. Business administration, finance, mass communication, and science programs are very popular among international students. 

Since the undergraduate programs by AUBG are offered only in English, students are encouraged to improve their proficiency in English by joining the English Language Institute (ELI) at AUBG. The ELI is mainly responsible for running two-course programs. These are English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and the Community Program (CP). 

Undergraduate/Bachelor’s Programs:

Subjects students can major in include:

• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Economics
• European Studies
• History and Civilization
• Information Systems
• Journalism and Mass Communications
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Physics
• Political Science and International Relations
• Self-designed Major

Similarly, the subjects that can be selected as part of the minor program include:

• Anthropology
• Economics      
• Entrepreneurship
• European Studies
• Film and Theater Studies
• Finance
• Fine Arts
• History and Civilization
• Information Systems
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Journalism and Mass Communications
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Modern Languages and Cultures
• Psychology
• Physics
• Philosophy and Religion
• Political Science and International Relations
• Public Policy
• Southeast European Studies

Concentration courses can be undertaken in

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management
• Foundation of Computing
• Software Development

The English Language Institute (ELI): 

For those students looking to improve their English, the ELI provides access to 2 courses. 

Students should join the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course if they wish to get a better grasp of the English language within a short period. The course is quite intensive and requires you to devote 4-6 hours to learning every day.

The Community Program (CP) is open for all. It is suitable for children and adults alike. You could also enroll in this course if you wish to work on your English skills to score well in exams such as the iBT TOEFL and the IELTS.

Executive Programs:

The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) offers an Executive MBA course. The Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) program aims to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and aid in the development of future leaders.

Campus and Accommodation

The Skaptopara Campus of AUBG is truly one of its kind. Students get access to all modern amenities and can truly enjoy campus life while pursuing their academic ambitions.

America for Bulgaria Student Center on the campus boasts of a fully equipped sports hall, gym, state-of-the-art theater, restaurant, and cafe alongside ample amounts of seating and study space. 

The Balkanski Academic Center and Panitza Library are the academic hubs of AUBG. Students gather in classrooms here and make use of the well-furnished computer labs. 

The Skaptopara I, II, and III Residence Halls are collectively referred to as the Skaptos and this is where students apply for accommodation. You must note that all undergraduate students are required to live on campus as part of the university mission. This fosters a spirit of mutual respect and allows students to appreciate different cultures. Once you apply to enroll in AUBG, Resident Assistants will help you navigate campus life. These Assistants are highly-trained and motivated students who work with trained counselors to help you feel at ease on campus. 

The residence halls are also disability accessible, which is a big plus point. With aerobic rooms, music practice rooms, multipurpose rooms, activity areas, television lounges, kitchens, and cafes, there is never a dull moment in the Skaptos. The residential halls are also under constant security surveillance which ensures students’ safety at all times. 

The Main Building on campus is where all administrative work is carried out. 

Admission requirements for international students

To be eligible for admission to AUBG, students should have a good score in their English proficiency tests, a decent high-school academic record, and appear for an interview.

Undergraduate Admissions:

To complete your application process, you first need to fill out the application form present on the university’s website. Proceed to write an essay that will elaborate on why you chose to apply to AUBG and help the Admissions Committee get acquainted with you. In addition to this, you should also keep the following documents handy:

•  2 letters of recommendation
•  All previous academic transcripts
•  English proficiency test scores 
•  Your portfolio
•  Your SAT / ACT result (Optional)
•  Your application for financial aid (Optional)

To improve your chances of admission and ensure timely submission of documents, international students should consider applying via Gyanberry, an official admissions partner of AUBG.

Application Deadlines

For the Fall Semester, try and submit your application by March 1 for early admission with preferential financial aid and scholarship consideration. 

Other students can submit their applications by June 1 for regular admission and financial aid for non-EU students. 

For the Spring Semester, try to submit your application by November 1 for regular admission and financial aid.

English Language Institute (ELI) Admissions: 

International students applying to the AUBG University Preparatory Program will need to submit:

• A filled out application form
• A motivation letter
• 1 letter of recommendation
• Previous academic transcripts
• English proficiency test scores (optional)

Tuition, fees, and total cost of attendance

For the current academic year starting from 2022, the fee breakdown per semester is as follows:

Thus, students can estimate their total expenses per semester to be around 9,000 USD if they opt to live in the costliest room in Skaptopara III. This includes the amount spent on one-time expenses such as entry visa fees, health insurance, etc. 

This implies that students who do not receive any financial aid can expect to spend around 18,000 USD or 66,114 AED per year.

Scholarships for international students

AUBG offers several scholarships to its academically-gifted students. International students are eligible to receive any of the following scholarships after their application for financial aid has been accepted.

AUBG Guaranteed Support

This scholarship gives you a waiver of 10% off your tuition fees. It is valid for all 8 semesters of study and can be availed by students hailing from over 25 countries.

AUBG Academic Scholarship

The academic scholarship gives bright students a waiver of 30% off their tuition fees. This scholarship too is valid for all 8 semesters of study and is awarded based on the student’s previous academic records and transcripts.

AUBG Financial Aid

This scholarship is only available for those students who require financial assistance. It is also valid for all 8 semesters of study and provides students with a 20% waiver on tuition fees.

AUBG First-Year Support

A 10% waiver of tuition fees is made available to students who submit their completed application forms by March 1. However, as the name suggests, this scholarship is valid for the first two semesters of study only.

Donor Scholarships 

These scholarships are awarded to those students who meet a certain set of requirements set by the specific donor. Such scholarships can be need-based or merit-based. AUBG offers 14 such donor scholarships. 

The AUBG is a premium institute that is accredited both in the United States and in Bulgaria. The admission process is quite straightforward. Moreover, the large international student population ensures that students foster a mutual sense of respect and admiration for each other and the various cultures across the world.