The South-West University “Neofit Rilski” was founded in 1976 in Blagoevgrad. With a history of over 40 years, the University has gained a reputation as a leader in the sphere of science and education in Bulgaria and on the Balkans. At present it is recognized as one of the forefront classical universities in South – Eastern Europe.
The University is accredited with maximum assessment grade by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, which guarantees the quality of the educational service in 75 Bachelor’s and Master’s programs after secondary education, 120 Master’s programs after completion of higher education and 88 Doctoral programs. The training is conducted in 30 professional areas in the fields of the humanities, the technical, management, social, pedagogical, legal and economic sciences, the arts, health care, public health and sports, security and defense, etc. According to this criterion, the university holds a top position in the country ranking.
Currently, over 11,500 students”, of whom more than 500 foreign students from over 20 countries around the world, are receiving training in different areas of education and science at SWU “Neofit Rilski”.
The Erasmus + mobility option is especially attractive for the students. On the basis of signed bilateral contracts they can choose from over 60 universities in Europe and other countries worldwide. This allows the students to study abroad for at least one semester and put into practice the knowledge acquired in foreign scientific and educational institutions.
The South-West University possesses its own library with a rich collection of over 200,000 volumes of scientific literature and access to various international databases.
The University offers accommodation for its graduate and post graduate students in two renovated dormitories. There is a university canteen where students can have both lunch and dinner.
The University possesses some of the most modern sports facilities in Bulgaria such as a multifunctional indoor sports complex, a center for functional research, physiotherapy laboratories, a sports-recreation center, stadiums, outdoor sports grounds etc.
The graduates of the South-West University “Neofit Rilski” go on to pursue successful careers in different spheres of the social, educational, cultural and political life in Bulgaria and worldwide.
Blagoevgrad is a unique place for living and learning. With its two universities and two colleges, the city combines the opportunities and advantages of the big city with its cinema, opera, theaters, libraries, discos and restaurants, on the one hand, and the cozy atmosphere of the small town, on the other.
The town is located only 90 km south of the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia, 20 km from the border with Northern Macedonia and 80 km from the border with Greece. This allows a quick and easy access to many interesting destinations both in Bulgaria and the neighbouring countries such as Bansko, Sandanski, the ancient Rila Monastery, Melnik, the national parks Pirin and Rila, Thessaloniki, Serres, Shtip, Bitola etc.
Within the Erasmus+ programme, students from Erasmus+ partner universities are able to study at the South-West University “Neofit Rilski (SWU) for one or two semesters. The prerequisite for this is that there has to be an Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) with the partner university assigned to the relevant field of study and the student must be nominated for an Erasmus+ stay at SWU by the partner university.
The nomination is undertaken exclusively via the following online application form. The necessary data will be sent to the partner university by e-mail.
After you have been nominated by your home university, you will receive an e-mail with information on the application procedure. If you have not received this email by ten business days, please, send us an email:
At SWU, the faculties have their own Erasmus+ coordinators, who are responsible for all subject-specific matters. Please refer to your mobility coordinator for all questions regarding:
| Faculty of Law and History | Prof. Diana Ivanova | velevad@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences | Prof. Maya Chochkova | mayachochkova@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Economics | Prof. Milena Filipova | mfilipova@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Public Health, Healthcare, and Sport | Prof. Maya Cholakova | maya_tcholakova@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Education | Prof. Maria Kamenichka | m.kamenichka@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Philosophy | Prof. Mario Marionov | mario_marinov@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Philology | Prof. Marinela Mladenova | marinela_mladenova@abv.bg |
| Faculty of Arts | Prof. Ivanka Vlaeva | vlaeva@swu.bg |
| Faculty of Technology | Prof. Fatima Sapunzhi | sapundzhi@swu.bg |
Please be aware that you will need to have appropriate English language skills if you wish to study at SWU. Although, most of the courses are held in Bulgarian, SWU offers English-taught courses to all incoming Erasmus+ students.
Exchange students who wish to study at SWU must possess a language certificate (B1 Level). During the online nomination procedure your home university must confirm that you have sufficient language skills when taking up your studies at the SWU.
Every agreement for Erasmus+ student exchanges that we have signed with your home university contains details regarding the recommended language level.
To find out whether there are enough courses taught in English in your field of study, click on your field of study in the course catalogue HERE.
At the beginning of each semester, the International Office organises information meetings (“orientation sessions”) in English for Erasmus+ incoming students. Incoming exchange students need to register for an orientation session by sending email to the Erasmus+ coordinators.
We recommend an arrival in Blagoevgrad two-three days before the semester starts. Orientations for the winter semester take place between the beginning of September and the beginning of October, the Orientations for the summer semester between the beginning of February and the beginning of March. The event lasts about 60 to 90 minutes.
During the orientation you will complete your registration at the university. You will also receive a Certificate of Arrival which confirms your registration.
You will also receive important information about living and studying in SWU during the orientation (for example, first steps upon arrival, public transport, contact persons, etc.).
In order to confirm your registration at the student dormitory, as well as make the necessary payments for your stay in the student dormitory, personal participation in one of the orientation sessions is compulsory.
Stanislav Grozdanov