Bulgarian Universities Climb in Global Rankings, But Reputation-Reality Gap Persists

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The latest global university rankings from QS and Times Higher Education reveal a complex picture for Bulgarian universities. While Sofia University remains the country's most visible institution internationally, ranking 313th in Europe, the number of Bulgarian universities included in the rankings is increasing. However, a concerning trend is the disparity between a university's reputation and the actual employment outcomes of its graduates. This reputation-reality gap is not unique to Bulgaria, with universities across Europe exhibiting similar discrepancies. On a positive note, Bulgaria's medical education programs are attracting a significant number of international students, with over half of all international students in the country enrolled in medicine or dental medicine.

Why it matters

University rankings play a crucial role in guiding prospective students, but the complex landscape revealed by the latest data highlights the need for universities to better align their reputations with the skills and qualifications of their graduates. This is particularly important for Bulgaria, as it seeks to attract more international students and compete with other European destinations in the higher education market.

The details

The QS ranking places Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski' at 313th in Europe, a slight decline from its 267th position in 2025. However, the Technical University and New Bulgarian University (NBU) have entered the ranking for the first time, while Plovdiv University 'Paisiy Hilendarski' and Veliko Tarnovo University also participate. The overall score for Sofia University is 38.2 points, significantly lower than leading institutions like Oxford (100 points) and ETH Zurich (98.3 points). A concerning trend identified in the QS ranking is the disparity between a university's reputation among employers and the actual employment outcomes of its graduates, with Sofia University among the 25 universities with the largest gap. This issue is not unique to Bulgaria, with universities in Belgrade, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, and several in the UK also exhibiting similar discrepancies. However, medical education is a bright spot for Bulgaria, with over half (59%) of all international students in the country enrolled in medicine (49.2%) or dental medicine (9.9%).

• The QS ranking for 2026 was released in February 2026.
• The Times Higher Education ranking for 2026 was also released in February 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Times Higher Education and QS rankings will continue to be closely watched by students, universities, and policymakers as they navigate the evolving higher education landscape.