What New Bulgarian University does

New Bulgarian University (Нов български университет) is a private higher education institution headquartered at ul. Montevideo No. 21, Sofia 1618, Bulgaria, founded in 1991 and governed by a Board of Trustees with Prof. Plamen Doynov serving as Rector and Prof. Veselin Metodiev as Chairman of the Board. It serves prospective and current students across five faculties (Basic Education, Bachelor, Master, Distance/Electronic/Continuing Education, and the School for Professional and Continuing Education) and more than 26 departments spanning humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, arts, and professional fields, offering over 80 undergraduate and more than 90 graduate programs as well as doctoral, minor, and individual study tracks. The institution has received renewed institutional accreditation with a high evaluation score and maximum term from Bulgaria's National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.

The university's core technology and product surface is built around an Integrated Information System delivering electronic services (e-candidate, e-student, e-teacher, e-mail) and a MOODLE-based e-learning platform supporting distance and blended learning. Beyond degree programs, NBU operates a publishing house, library with electronic resources, Radio-Television Center, University Theater hosting an annual Shakespeare Festival, Museum, Gallery UniArt, and Career Development Center; it runs the International Biennial of Glass, masterclasses featuring artists such as Raina Kabaivanska, and recent additions including the PR Academy, a Spine 2D character animation workshop, and the FUT-KULT-URA podcast.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees for bachelor, master, doctoral, and distance learning programs (annual subscription-style billing), professional development and continuing education courses through the School for Professional and Continuing Education, and external research and project funding including Erasmus+, the Central Strategic Development Fund, and other national and international grant mechanisms. Go-to-market relies on direct-to-consumer recruitment via Information Days, an online e-candidate portal, high school outreach, career forums, and a multi-channel presence on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. International reach is supported by membership in the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), joint degree programs with the University of York, Erasmus+ mobility agreements, and Central European Initiative cooperation, while the primary operating geography remains Sofia, Bulgaria.

Name

New Bulgarian University

Legal name

Нов български университет

Website

https://nbu.bg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

New Bulgarian University is a private higher education institution in Sofia, Bulgaria, offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, distance learning, and continuing education programs across 5 faculties and 26+ departments to domestic and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• Distance learning courses
• Continuing professional education
• Academic research programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: NBU generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for bachelor, master, and doctoral programs. The university offers both full-time and distance learning options with associated fee structures.
2. Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from professional development and continuing education courses offered through the School for Professional and Continuing Education (Училище за професионално и продължаващо обучение).
3. Research and Project Funding: External project funding through various national and international research programs, including Erasmus+, Central Strategic Development Fund, and other grant mechanisms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

New Bulgarian University is a private higher education institution delivering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and qualification programs across more than 26 departments and 5 faculties, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, arts, and professional fields. Programs are delivered on-campus and through distance/electronic learning supported by MOODLE, supplemented by professional and continuing education courses and supported by auxiliary cultural and research facilities.

Product overview

New Bulgarian University operates as a comprehensive higher education institution offering a multi-level educational structure including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, along with distance learning and continuing education. The university provides a diverse portfolio of educational and support services centered around its core academic offerings. Key products include the MOODLE-based E-learning Platform for online course delivery, Library Services with electronic resources and specialized reading rooms, the Radio-Television Center for media production training, Masterclasses featuring international artists like Raina Kabaivanska, the Publishing House for academic publications, and Distance Learning programs. The university supports student life through the University Theater, Museum, Gallery UniArt, and Career Development Center. Additional services include the Professional and Continuing Education School, Center for Books, and the International Biennial of Glass art exhibition. The institution also participates in the ERUA (European Reform University Alliance) for international collaboration. Electronic services are provided through dedicated portals for prospective students, current students, and faculty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E-learning Platform (MOODLE) Electronic learning management system providing online course delivery, educational content distribution, and student-teacher interaction for NBU students.
• Library Services Comprehensive library services including electronic resources, catalog search, bibliographic services, and specialized reading rooms named after prominent Bulgarian scholars.
• Radio-Television Center (RTC) University media complex providing television and radio production facilities, student media training, and project development services for media students.
• Masterclasses International masterclass programs featuring renowned artists including Raina Kabaivanska (opera), Ludmil Angelov (piano), Angel Zaberski (piano), and Vicky Almazidou, offered to students and the public.
• Publishing House University publishing operation producing academic journals, books, monographs, and electronic periodicals for scholars and readers.
• Distance Learning Programs Comprehensive distance and electronic education programs enabling remote learning across Bulgaria through the Faculty for Distance, Electronic and Continuing Education.
• Career Development Center Career services providing job placement assistance, internships, employer networking events, and professional development for NBU students and alumni.
• University Theater Professional theater producing student performances, classical productions, and hosting the annual Shakespeare Festival for students and audiences.
• Museum of NBU University museum preserving and exhibiting historical artifacts, student artwork, and archival materials for visitors and researchers.
• Gallery UniArt University art gallery showcasing contemporary art exhibitions, student projects, and cultural events for visitors and the public.
• Professional and Continuing Education School Vocational training and professional development programs for adult learners seeking career advancement and lifelong learning.
• Center for Books Book distribution center managing university bookshops, reading clubs, and creative writing workshops for students and visitors.
• Electronic Services (E-Services) Online portal providing e-services for prospective students (e-candidate), current students (e-student), and faculty (e-teacher), including email services.
• Bachelor's Degree Programs Accredited undergraduate degree programs offered across over 26 departments covering humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, arts, and professional fields, targeting prospective undergraduate students.
• Master's Degree Programs Accredited master's degree programs (over 90) offered across humanities, sciences, arts, and professional fields, including joint programs with the University of York, for graduates pursuing advanced qualifications.
• Doctoral Degree Programs Accredited doctoral degree programs offered across multiple disciplines at New Bulgarian University for candidates pursuing research-focused advanced qualifications.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Reform University Alliance (ERUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBU is a member of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), a consortium of universities committed to educational reform and modernization. The alliance enables student and faculty mobility, joint research initiatives, and collaborative academic programs across member institutions. The 6th Annual ERUA Summit is scheduled for November 2026 with the theme 'Affirming Achievements, Building Resilience'.
• University of YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBU offers joint degree programs with the University of York, allowing students to earn British university credentials while studying at NBU in Sofia. The partnership provides access to international academic standards and qualifications through combined program delivery.
• Central European Initiative (CEI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBU participates in CEI educational initiatives including the 2026-I Training Visit focused on 'Promoting the Twin Transition through Green and Digital Innovations in Education'. The partnership supports international cooperation in education policy and innovation.
• Erasmus+ ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNBU participates in the Erasmus+ program enabling student and staff mobility for studies, traineeships, and teaching. The university maintains bilateral agreements with partner institutions across Europe for academic exchange.
• Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBU collaborates with Bulgarian Academy of Sciences on joint research projects, conferences, and academic exchanges. Notable collaborations include events with the Institute of Microbiology and other BAS institutes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Technical University of Sofia: The leading public technical/engineering university in Bulgaria. It competes with NBU's Informatics and Telecommunications departments for STEM students and represents a low-cost alternative to NBU's science and engineering programs.
• University of National and World Economy (UNWE): UNWE is Sofia's leading public economics and business university. It competes directly with NBU's economics, administration, and law programs, drawing students who would otherwise consider NBU's private offering.
• European University at St. Petersburg: A private postgraduate university in Russia offering liberal arts and social sciences programs. Comparable as a small, private, internationally-oriented humanities/social sciences institution operating in a price-sensitive post-Soviet market.
• Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski": A major public university in Bulgaria's second-largest city. It overlaps with NBU across humanities, social sciences, and law, and draws regional students who might otherwise choose NBU's Sofia-based programs.

Direct peers

• Varna University of Management (VUM): VUM is a private Bulgarian university offering bachelor, master, and doctoral programs with strong international student recruitment. It competes head-to-head with NBU for international and Bulgarian fee-paying students across business, hospitality, and IT programs.
• University of York: NBU's joint-degree partner, University of York is a UK research university. As a strategic partner it is comparable in business model and academic structure, providing a benchmark for international academic collaboration and dual-degree offerings.
• American University in Bulgaria (AUBG): AUBG is a private liberal arts university in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, offering US-accredited degrees. It is the closest direct competitor to NBU in the Bulgarian private higher education market, competing for the same fee-paying domestic and international students.

Broad incumbents

• Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski": Sofia University is Bulgaria's largest and oldest public research university, headquartered in Sofia. It is the dominant public-sector incumbent against which NBU competes for top domestic students and faculty, offering most disciplines at minimal tuition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCa-YjledUY4p8kA4nky7Sxg
• Facebookfacebook.com/6146567
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-bulgarian-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/new_bulgarian_university
• Xx.com/nbusofia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Bulgarian University