University of Economics - Varna

What University of Economics - Varna does

University of Economics - Varna (Икономически университет – Варна) is a public higher education institution headquartered in Varna, Bulgaria, founded in 1920 as Bulgaria's first Higher School of Commerce. It offers education across four degree levels — Professional Bachelor (College of Tourism, constituent since 1999), Bachelor (28 specializations in 4 professional fields), Master (29 specializations, 4 taught in English), and Doctoral (16 programs) — serving approximately 1,547 bachelor, 5,800 master, and 300 tourism college students, plus continuing-education cohorts. The university is the only Bulgarian HEI holding the European Solidarity Corps Quality Label, has received consecutive maximum (4.00) Ministry of Education policy-implementation scores, holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, and is ranked in the Times Higher Education World University Impact Rankings.

The institution operates a comprehensive digital infrastructure that includes the eLearn distance-learning platform, WebStudent information system, UEBN business-network and career-center platform connecting 747 corporate partners, an Eclipse electronic library catalog with 350,000+ volumes and 9,900+ electronic resources, an online bookstore, and an alumni platform (UEVA). It supports Erasmus+ and CEEPUS international mobility, 4 English-language master programs, and dedicated foreign-student services. ICT infrastructure is GDPR-compliant and integrates Google OAuth for staff access.

Revenue is generated through state-funded student quotas (държавна поръчка), per-semester tuition fees (varying by specialty and study form), distance-learning fees, continuing education and corporate training, and ancillary services (bookstore, library, exam fees). Distribution occurs via the national university admissions system, on-campus enrollment, the eLearn platform for distance students, and dedicated international recruitment channels. Industry partnerships (NSNI-Varna, Varnapreneurs, Varnapreneurs, 747 business partners under UEBN) connect students to internships, practical training, and graduate employment.

Name

University of Economics - Varna

Legal name

Икономически университет – Варна (University of Economics - Varna)

Website

https://ue-varna.bg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Short description

University of Economics - Varna is a public Bulgarian higher education institution founded in 1920, offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and continuing-education programs across economics, business, tourism, and informatics to roughly 7,600 students in Varna.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online For-Profit Career Universities (EDAHALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• Economics business education
• Tourism management education
• Professional qualification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Varna

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees (Semester Fees): Revenue from tuition fees charged per semester for students in paid admission programs. Fees vary by specialty and form of study (full-time, part-time, distance learning). Fee payments processed through UniCredit Bulbank with IBAN specified for wire transfers. Fees also accepted via university cash office with debit/credit cards.
2. State-Funded Student Quotas: Revenue from state-funded student places (държавна поръчка) where government subsidizes tuition for qualifying students. University receives state funding based on enrolled state-funded students.
3. Continuing Education Services: Revenue from professional qualification programs, Bulgarian language training for foreigners, specialized short courses, and employer-partner training programs offered through the Continuing Education Center
4. Electronic Bookstore (Bookstore Sales): Revenue from online bookstore (bookstore.ue-varna.bg) selling textbooks, academic materials, and university publications
5. Library and Research Services: Revenue from library services including document copying, interlibrary loans, computer access, and scanner use fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

University of Economics - Varna is a public higher education institution delivering accredited degree programs across four levels — Professional Bachelor, Bachelor (28 specializations), Master (29 specializations, 4 taught in English), and Doctoral (16 programs) — in economics, business administration, informatics, management, and tourism. It also operates a 61-year-old College of Tourism offering European-standard professional bachelor qualifications, and delivers continuing education, corporate training, and language programs for foreigners. Delivery modes include on-campus full-time, distance learning via the eLearn platform, and international exchange through Erasmus+ and CEEPUS.

Product overview

University of Economics - Varna operates as a multi-faculty higher education institution offering a portfolio of educational products across four degree levels (Professional Bachelor, Bachelor, Master, PhD) through its main campus and constituent College of Tourism. The university provides technology-enabled learning through its eLearn platform for electronic and distance learning, complemented by the WebStudent information system for academic management. Career development services are delivered through the UEBN (Business Network) platform connecting students with employers, while the Eclipse library system provides digital research resources. The institution also maintains an electronic bookstore, alumni platform (UEVA), and specialized assessment tools for student placement testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• eLearn: Electronic and distance learning platform
• UEBN (University of Economics Business Network)
• WebStudent
• UEVA

Products and services

• Bachelor Degree Programs (Бакалавър)

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,547 bachelor students, 5,800 master students, 300 annual tourism college students enrolled
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Association of Real Estate (НСНИ) - VarnacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2026Cooperation agreement signed between UE-Varna and NSNI-Varna for collaboration in education, research, and student placement in real estate sector. Partnership signed by Rector Prof. Dr. Evgeni Stanimirov and NSNI Chairman Rosén Vlayev.
• Erasmus+ Programme (EU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity participates in Erasmus+ mobility program enabling student and staff exchanges with European partner universities. Supports both study abroad and practical training (internship) mobility. Includes international staff week events hosting international participants from partner institutions.
• CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional mobility network enabling student and staff exchanges among Central European universities. Complements Erasmus+ by providing additional exchange opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Dukenet (Dunya Knowledge Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university network focused on knowledge sharing and academic collaboration among member institutions worldwide.
• Businet (Business International Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational business education network connecting universities for collaboration on business programs, student exchanges, and joint initiatives.
• VarnapreneurscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperation agreement with Varnapreneurs - largest and most dynamic entrepreneurial community in Eastern Bulgaria. Unites proactive individuals with business interests, diverse experience, and shared vision for development. Provides mentorship, networking, and entrepreneurial opportunities for students.
• 747 Business PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive network of 747 business organizations supporting bachelor programs. Partners provide practical training opportunities, guest lectures, case studies, student employment, and graduate recruitment. Part of UEBN (University of Economics Business Network) platform.
• Curtin University (Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ mobility exchange with Curtin University in Australia enables faculty visits and academic collaboration under international exchange program.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights14 records

Direct peers

• New Bulgarian University: Private Bulgarian university in Sofia known for its liberal arts and professional programs including business administration. Competes for the same pool of fee-paying Bulgarian and international students seeking flexible program formats.
• Burgas Free University: Private Bulgarian university based in Burgas, another Black Sea coastal city. Closely comparable in geographic positioning and competing for similar student segments along the Black Sea coast.
• University of Plovdiv 'Paisii Hilendarski': Major regional Bulgarian public university with economics and management programs. Competes for Bulgarian students outside the capital and Varna, and serves as a comparable public-university benchmark for scale and program breadth.
• University of National and World Economy (UNWE): Bulgaria's largest and most prominent economics university based in Sofia, offering similar bachelor, master, and doctoral programs in economics, business, and management. Direct head-to-head competitor for domestic economics students and the primary benchmark for UE-Varna's positioning in Bulgaria.
• International University College (IUC): Bulgarian private university with strong English-language programs and tourism/hospitality management focus, headquartered in Dobrich with operations in Varna. Direct competitor in the tourism education niche and in recruiting international students to the Black Sea coast.
• Varna University of Management (VUM): Private Varna-based university with strong international focus and English-language programs in business, hospitality, and tourism. Most direct private-sector competitor in Varna, particularly for fee-paying international and EU students.
• Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE): Romania's leading economics and business university and the most direct regional peer in Southeast Europe. Comparable scale, program structure, and regional positioning; useful proxy for evaluating UE-Varna's potential and trajectory.
• Varna Free University 'Chernorizets Hrabar': Private university based in Varna, directly competing in the same geographic market for local and international students. Offers overlapping business, economics, and management programs with greater private-sector agility.
• Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski': Bulgaria's oldest and most prestigious comprehensive university with a strong economics and business faculty. Competes with UE-Varna for top Bulgarian students and international applicants, particularly for English-language programs.

Broad incumbents

• Athens University of Economics and Business (ASOEE): Greece's premier economics and business university. While larger and more internationally established, it serves as a regional incumbent benchmark for English-language economics education in Southeast Europe and a potential partner/competitor for Erasmus+ student flows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ue_varna
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/uevarnabg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ue.varna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-economics---varna
• Instagraminstagram.com/uevarna

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 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 University of Economics - Varna