Application Process for International Students (Non-EU Countries)
Master’s Programme in Nuclear Security – UNWE
1. Preparation of Application Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Bachelor’s degree diploma
- Academic transcript
- Medical certificate
- English language certificate (minimum level B2)
- Completed UNWE application forms
2. Legalization and Translation of Documents
All academic documents must be legally certified and translated into Bulgarian by a certified translation agency.
Recommended agency:
www.prevodachi.eu
The documents must be submitted in original hard copy to UNWE (by post, courier, or authorized agency).
3. Legalization Requirements Depending on the Country of Origin
3.1 Applicants from Countries that are Parties to the Hague Apostille Convention
If the diploma is issued in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the documents must include:
- Bachelor’s diploma
- Academic transcript
- Apostille issued by the competent authority in the issuing country
- Official translation into Bulgarian
More information about Apostille certification:
https://nacid.bg/en/document-certification/
Check whether your country is part of the Apostille Convention:
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
3.2 Applicants from Countries that are NOT Parties to the Hague Apostille Convention
If the issuing country is not part of the Apostille Convention, the documents must undergo full legalization, including:
- Certification by the Ministry of Education (or competent authority) in the issuing country
- Certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country
- Legalization by the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate
- Official translation into Bulgarian
Information about Bulgarian diplomatic missions abroad:
https://www.mfa.bg/en/embassies
4. Submission of Documents and Diploma Recognition (NACID)
After UNWE receives the complete set of legalized and translated documents, they are forwarded to the:
Bulgarian National Centre for Information and Documentation (NACID)
NACID performs the official academic recognition of the diploma.
The recognition procedure usually takes approximately 4–6 weeks.
More information:
https://nacid.bg/en/
5. Issuing Preliminary Admission Documents
During the application process UNWE may issue:
Preliminary Acceptance Certificate
This document supports the applicant in the funding or scholarship application process.
Certificate of Submitted Documents
This confirms that the applicant has submitted the required documents and has been approved as a student at UNWE for the respective academic year.
6. Final Admission Confirmation
After successful diploma recognition, UNWE issues:
- Final Admission Letter
- Confirmation of enrollment in the programme
These documents are required for the visa application.
7. Visa Application (Type D)
With the admission documents, the student applies for a Type D student visa at the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate.
The visa procedure usually takes approximately one month or longer.
8. Tuition Fee and Payment Procedure
The tuition fee for the programme is:
EUR 2,500 per semester
EUR 7,500 total for the three-semester programme
Once the student obtains a Type D visa, they may request UNWE to issue a tuition invoice to the IAEA or another sponsoring institution.
9. Accommodation
UNWE assists students with accommodation.
Students may stay in UNWE student dormitories, where accommodation costs range between:
EUR 80 – EUR 100 per person per month
Students may also choose private accommodation.
Rental listings can be found here:
https://imoti.info/en
Programme Duration and Tuition Fees
The Master’s Programme in Nuclear Security consists of 3 semesters.
Tuition fees:
- Bulgarian and EU students:
3,297.84 EUR (3 × 1,099.28 EUR) - Students from non-EU countries:
7,500 EUR (3 × 2,500 EUR)
Enrollment at UNWE
After arriving in Bulgaria with a valid Type D visa, the student completes the official enrollment at UNWE and begins the programme at the start of the academic year.
Throughout the process, UNWE maintains communication with the students and assists them during the different stages of the application procedure.