University of National and World Economy (UNWE)

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.

About the University of National and World Economy

UNWE was established in 1920 by 11 professors, businessmen and public figures as the Free University of Political and Economic Sciences. In 1940 it became the State Higher School of Financial and Administrative Sciences, and in 1947 it was merged into Sofia University as the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences. Independence was restored in 1952 as the Higher Economic Institute, and in 1953 it was named Karl Marx Higher Economic Institute. On 27 April 1990 the Academic Council decided to rename it the University of National and World Economy; the National Assembly formalised this on 26 July 1995.^[1]

The Bulgarian News Agency reported that a plaque was unveiled on 2 February 2026 at 6 Slavyanska Street, the building where the predecessor was founded; it gives the founding date as 21 May 1920, while the university’s history page cites an order of 5 July 1920.^[3][1] Today the campus is in the Student District of Sofia.^[6] Wikipedia describes UNWE as a public research university with eight faculties.^[2]

How is UNWE ranked?

QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026): we could not confirm a position for UNWE. The Technical University of Sofia says in its own announcement that only two Bulgarian institutions are in the published ranking and names itself as one, without naming the other.^[8] UNWE’s own “University Ratings” page lists headings for Times Higher Education and QS, but the copy we read shows no positions.^[7] Wikipedia notes, without a date, that UNWE is not listed in the QS, Times or Shanghai rankings.^[2]

Wikipedia also reports high placements in Bulgarian national ratings, which it dates to 2006–2008 or leaves undated, so we do not rely on them. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at UNWE?

UNWE is organised in eight faculties:^[2]

• Finance and Accounting; Business; General Economics;
• Law; International Economics and Politics; Economics of Infrastructure;
• Management and Administration; Applied Informatics and Statistics.

Wikipedia reports 39 bachelor’s majors, four of which are taught only in English: Economics, International Economic Relationships, Finance and Accounting, and Business Informatics.^[2] The foreign-student page says applicants for the Economics subfield in English need proof of English, and that students without Bulgarian or English spend the first year in a preparatory language course.^[9] The Law master’s is listed on the tuition page in Bulgarian.^[5]

How much does UNWE cost for foreign students?

The page was last updated on 22 January 2025 and does not state an academic year, so treat the amounts as a guide and confirm the 2026/27 fee with the Foreign Students Division.^[5] Students with dual citizenship, one of them Bulgarian, pay 50% of the foreigners’ fee, and the fees are determined each year by a decree of the Council of Ministers.^[5] The copy of the page we read lists no other master’s programmes, so we cannot give master’s fees.^[5]

How do you apply to UNWE?

Citizens of EU and EEA states are admitted under the conditions and rules for Bulgarian citizens. Citizens of other countries can apply under intergovernmental agreements, under Council of Ministers acts, or directly under the Higher Education Act, in which case they submit documents to the Sector for Foreign Students.^[9]

Documents for direct applicants include an application form, the secondary school certificate with grades, a document from a competent authority confirming the right to continue to university, proof of Bulgarian or English where relevant, a medical certificate, a copy of the ID document and two photos. Secondary-school grades in the score-forming subjects (Mathematics, Literature, Geography, History) must average at least 62% of the maximum.^[9] Contact the Foreign Students Division in office 1030.^[6]

This foreign-student page was last updated in June 2012, so confirm every requirement with the university. We give no deadlines because they change every year.^[9]

Which language level do you need?

For the Economics subfield in English, the 2012 page asks for one of the following: TOEFL (at least 590 paper, 243 computer-based or 96 internet-based), TOEIC 780, IELTS 7.5, or Cambridge CAE, Proficiency or First Certificate at grades A or B. Applicants without a certificate can sit an exam before a commission and need at least “Very Good 5”; those who do not pass study a preparatory English course in the first year.^[9]

Foreign citizens without Bulgarian take a first-year preparatory course in Bulgarian before Bulgarian-taught bachelor’s programmes.^[9] Because the page is old, ask UNWE whether these scores are still current.

More about studying in Bulgaria

• Bulgaria: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

More university profiles in Bulgaria

• Medical University of Sofia
• Medical University of Plovdiv
• Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
• Technical University of Sofia