🇧🇬 Bulgaria GPA Converter

Bulgarian universities use a numerical grading scale from 2 to 6 where 6 (Отличен — Excellent) is the highest grade, 3 (Среден — Average) is the minimum passing grade, and 2 (Слаб — Poor) is the only failing grade. This scale is distinctive because it starts at 2 rather than 0 or 1 — making 2 both the minimum possible grade and the sole failing designation. Unlike the Czech and Slovak systems where 1 is the best grade, the Bulgarian scale runs in the same direction as the US GPA system: higher numbers reflect better performance. You can aggregate Bulgarian grades using our GPA Calculator and align credits using the ECTS Credit Calculator.

Bulgarian universities commonly use half-point grades in practice, providing six effective grade points across the passing range: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0. This allows for meaningful academic differentiation within each named descriptor. A grade of 5.5 and above typically represents strong academic performance at most Bulgarian institutions and is generally the threshold for competitive international scholarship applications. A grade of 5.0 (Много Добър — Very Good) is a solid and well-regarded result that meets the minimum GPA threshold for most US graduate programmes.

Bulgarian grading culture varies across institutions and disciplines. Medical universities such as the Medical University of Sofia tend to maintain rigorous grading standards, while some other institutions and faculties may grade more generously in certain disciplines. Bulgarian students should always include a grading scale explanation in international applications — both to clarify the 2 to 6 scale and to contextualise the absence of grades below 2. Students can calculate their local срeден успех (sreden uspeh — weighted average) using the Bulgarian Grade Calculator.

Bulgarian higher education follows the Bologna Process structure. Бакалавър (Bakalavur — Bachelor's) degrees require 180 to 240 ECTS and three to four years of study. Магистър (Magistur — Master's) programmes require 60 to 120 ECTS over one to two years. Доктор (Doktor — PhD) programmes are typically three years of original research. Bulgaria fully implements ECTS credits throughout, supporting international mobility through Erasmus Plus and other European exchange programmes. Quality assurance is overseen by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA — Национална агенция за оценяване и акредитация). Explore the full range of country converters via the International GPA Converter.

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski (Софийски университет „Св. Климент Охридски”), founded in 1888, is Bulgaria's oldest and most internationally recognised university. It is consistently ranked as Bulgaria's highest-rated institution globally and is particularly strong in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, law, and humanities. Sofia University offers programmes in Bulgarian and maintains several English-language postgraduate options. WES evaluations and international applications from Sofia University graduates are generally well-received given the institution's established international recognition.

The Technical University of Sofia (Технически университет — София) is Bulgaria's leading engineering and technology university. It offers programmes across electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, industrial engineering, and applied mathematics. Its graduates are in demand both within Bulgaria and across Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. The University of National and World Economy (УНСС — Университет за национално и световно стопанство) is Bulgaria's largest and leading economics and business university, producing graduates who are active across international finance, management, and public administration.

The Medical University of Sofia (Медицински университет — София) is one of Bulgaria's leading medical institutions and is particularly notable for its long-standing English-language MBBS and MD programmes which have attracted international students from the Middle East, India, Nigeria, and other regions for decades. Bulgarian medical degrees are recognised across the EU under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive, enabling Bulgarian medical graduates to practice medicine across EU member states. For graduates seeking to practice in the USA, ECFMG certification and USMLE examinations are required — the same pathway applicable to all international medical graduates regardless of their country of study.

Bulgaria has become a significant destination for international medical students — particularly from EU countries, India, Nigeria, and the Middle East — who study medicine at Bulgarian medical universities in English-language programmes at significantly lower cost than in Western Europe or the USA. The Medical University of Sofia, Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical University of Varna, and Medical University of Pleven all offer English-language medical programmes accredited by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science and recognised within the EU. Tuition fees at Bulgarian medical universities are substantially lower than equivalent programmes in the UK, Germany, or the USA, making Bulgaria an accessible route to an EU-recognised medical degree.

The quality and international recognition of Bulgarian medical degrees vary, and international students planning to practice medicine after graduating from a Bulgarian medical university should verify recognition in their target country before enrolling. Within the EU, recognition under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive generally applies for EU and EEA citizens. Outside the EU, recognition is country-specific and requires verification through the relevant national medical licensing authority. For graduates seeking US residency, the ECFMG certification and USMLE pathway applies regardless of where the medical degree was obtained. See our Medicine Degree Guide for comprehensive information on international medical degree pathways and recognition.

Bulgarian medical universities grade on the same 2 to 6 national scale as all other Bulgarian universities. Medical programmes are generally regarded as rigorous in their grading standards. A grade average of 5.0 or above from a Bulgarian medical university represents strong academic performance and is broadly competitive for postgraduate medical training applications within Europe. Students completing their medical studies in Bulgaria with a срeден успех of 5.5 or above are generally well-positioned for competitive postgraduate applications.

World Education Services (wes.org) evaluates Bulgarian credentials from universities accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA). WES uses country-specific conversion standards consistent with the Bulgarian 2 to 6 grading scale. The NEAA accreditation status of the institution is the primary quality indicator and WES verifies institutional accreditation through this body before processing a Bulgarian evaluation. You can estimate your WES-converted GPA using the WES GPA Calculator.

WES requires official transcripts sent directly from the Bulgarian institution to WES — students cannot submit documents themselves. Bulgarian transcripts are issued in Bulgarian and require certified English translation unless the institution provides official bilingual documents. Bulgaria is a signatory to the Hague Convention and Apostille certification of Bulgarian documents is available through Bulgarian authorities, which WES typically accepts as a form of document authentication. Students should contact their Bulgarian university's international office or registrar well in advance of application deadlines to arrange direct transcript submission.

WES Document-by-Document evaluations are used for immigration and employment purposes and typically take seven to ten business days once all documents are received. Course-by-Course evaluations, which are required for graduate admissions at most North American universities, provide detailed equivalencies and GPA calculations and take longer to process. Both service types are available for Bulgarian credentials. WES Canada and WES USA are separate services and students should ensure they apply to the correct service for their target country. Processing fees and timelines are listed on the WES website.

Most US graduate programmes require a minimum GPA equivalent of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale. For Bulgarian students, this threshold corresponds approximately to a cumulative grade average of 4.5 to 5.0 on the 2 to 6 scale. Bulgarian students with a срeден успех of 5.0 and above from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, the Technical University of Sofia, Bulgarian medical universities, or UNWE are broadly competitive for US graduate programme consideration. A grade average of 5.5 or above represents strong international competitiveness. Use our University Match Calculator to identify programmes aligned with your profile, and our College Admission Chance Calculator for probability estimates.

Bulgarian students applying to US graduate programmes must demonstrate English language proficiency. Most programmes require a TOEFL iBT score of 80 to 100 or an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0. Estimate your language test scores with the IELTS Band Calculator and TOEFL Score Calculator. Bulgarian applicants whose university instruction was in English may be able to request a waiver from some institutions.

The competitive landscape for Bulgarian applicants to US graduate programmes has improved as Bulgarian universities have strengthened their international research profiles. Graduates of Sofia University in mathematics and computer science, Technical University graduates in engineering disciplines, and Bulgarian medical graduates pursuing research or clinical PhD programmes are all recognised categories of applicant in US graduate admissions. A strong WES Course-by-Course evaluation, together with GRE or GMAT scores where applicable, recommendation letters from faculty at the Bulgarian institution, and a research statement demonstrating academic purpose, significantly strengthens the application.

UK universities assess Bulgarian academic records against the UK degree classification framework. The standard equivalence mapping for Bulgarian grades to UK honours classification is: 5.75 to 6.0 = First Class Honours equivalent, 5.0 to 5.74 = Upper Second Class (2:1) equivalent, 4.0 to 4.99 = Lower Second Class (2:2) equivalent, 3.0 to 3.99 = Third Class equivalent. Most UK Master's programmes require a 2:1 equivalent as minimum entry, meaning Bulgarian students typically need a cumulative grade average of 5.0 and above for competitive UK postgraduate applications. Compare UK and US grading frameworks using the UK vs US Grades comparison tool.

UK universities often make contextual judgements about Bulgarian academic records, taking into account the reputation of the institution and the discipline studied. Sofia University graduates in science, technology, and humanities are generally assessed favourably. Bulgarian medical graduates seeking UK Foundation Programme places or specialist training posts must apply through specific NHS pathways and provide evidence of MBBS equivalency through the General Medical Council (GMC). Bulgarian students applying to UK programmes can calculate their UK equivalent grade using our UK University Grade Calculator.