Obtaining a degree or academic title in Bulgaria is a strictly regulated and competitive process. In this article we will look at the minimum national requirements for applicants for academic degrees and titles in the field of pedagogical sciences, based on the provisions of the Academic Staff Development Act in the Republic of Bulgaria and the relevant by-laws.
Which sciences are categorised as pedagogical sciences in Bulgaria?
According to the Academic Staff Development Act in the Republic of Bulgaria the category of pedagogical sciences includes:
- Educational theory and management
- Pedagogy
- Teaching methods (by subject).
How to obtain a scientific degree or academic title in the field of pedagogical sciences?
The main document regulating the procedure for awarding scientific degrees and academic titles in Bulgaria is the Act on the Development of Academic Personnel in the Republic of Bulgaria, a legislative act enacted in 2010 with subsequent amendments, including the latest one of 18 March 2025. It sets both general provisions and specific minimum national requirements for different scientific fields, including pedagogical sciences.
In order to obtain a doctoral degree, it is necessary to successfully defend a thesis, complete doctoral studies, pass all compulsory examinations and confirm scientific qualifications through additional academic achievements. These include publications in prestigious international databases (Scopus, Web of Science), publication of monographs and books, registration of patents and copyrights, and a high citation index (H-index).
Awarding of scientific degrees (Doctor, Doctor of Science) and academic titles (Chief Assistant, Associate Professor, Professor) is done on a competitive basis. Candidates are evaluated according to a point system: the more points gained for scientific achievements, the more chances for successful defence of the thesis and awarding of a scientific degree/title.
In our previous article we have examined in detail the requirements and procedure for awarding Doctoral and PhD degrees in Bulgaria.
The table below shows the minimum points that a candidate must fulfil in order to successfully obtain a scientific degree or a scientific title in the field of pedagogical sciences.
Minimum number of points required for degrees and titles in pedagogical sciences
Number of points for the indicators:
|
Group of indicators |
Indicator |
Number of points |
|
А |
1. Defence of a thesis for the scientific degree "Doctor". |
50 |
|
B |
2. Defence of a thesis for the scientific degree "Doctor of Science". |
100 |
|
C |
3. Monograph on the dissertation for the scientific doctoral degree. |
100 |
|
D |
4. Publication of a monograph not submitted as a major thesis. |
100 |
|
5. Publication of a book based on a defended dissertation for the scientific degree of "doctor" or "doctor of sciences". |
75 |
|
|
6. Scientific publications in journals reviewed in the international databases Scopus or Web of Science (*n - number of co-authors). |
30/n |
|
|
7. Scientific publications in non-peer-reviewed scientific journals or collective collections (*n - number of co-authors). |
10/n |
|
|
8. Studies published and cited in scientific journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science (*n - number of co-authors). |
45/n |
|
|
9. Studies published in non-peer-reviewed scientific journals or collective collections (*n - number of co-authors). |
15/n |
|
|
10. Published chapter in a collective monograph (*n - number of co-authors). |
20/n |
|
|
E
|
11. Citation in scientific publications that are indexed in international databases Scopus/Web of Science or in monographs and collective collections. |
15 |
|
12. Citation in monographs and peer-reviewed collective collections. |
10 |
|
|
13. Citation in non-peer-reviewed scientific journals. |
5 |
|
|
F
|
14. Obtaining the scientific degree "Doctor of Science". |
40 |
|
15. Scientific supervision of a successfully defended doctoral student (*n - number of co-supervisor of the corresponding doctoral student). |
40/n |
|
|
16. Participation in a national scientific or educational project. |
15 |
|
|
17. Participation in an international scientific or educational project. |
20 |
|
|
18. Leading a national research or education project. |
30 |
|
|
19. Management of an international scientific or educational project. |
40 |
|
|
20. Published university or school textbook (*n - number of co-authors). |
40/n |
|
|
21. Published university textbook or school textbook (*n - number of co-authors). |
20/n |
|
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