site.btaHigher Education Act Amendments Pass on Second Reading

Higher Education Act Amendments Pass on Second Reading

Sofia, February 18 (BTA) - It will be possible to establish higher limits for the number of university-level students and doctoral candidates who may be enrolled for top-priority vocational studies or protected specialties, the National Assembly resolved on Thursday, approving amendments to the Higher Education Act on second reading.

At new higher schools which have no data about the careers of earlier graduates, the number of enrolments for regulated profession courses may be set on the basis of a labour market demand assessment compiled by the Labour Ministry in cooperation with the Education Ministry and other competent ministries, the amended law says.

On the Education Minister's proposal, the Council of Ministers may reduce the tuition fees proposed by the school authorities for top-priority vocational studies and protected specialties in individual state-run higher schools, provided that additional resources are available to finance the learning process.

Foreign students in state-run higher schools will pay fees which may not be lower than the standard fees. Foreign doctoral candidates and foreign post-graduates will pay fees which may not be lower than the differentiated learning expense standards, the amended law says.