site.btaEducation Minister Proposes Measures to Revive Interest in Engineering and Science Degrees

Bulgaria's Minister of Education and Science, Krasimir Valchev, announced a set of proposed reforms aimed at improving the quality and appeal of technical higher education in the country, including the possibility of introducing a mandatory mathematics matriculation exam for high school graduates. Speaking after a meeting with rectors of technical universities, held at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Valchev said that there is broad agreement among academic institutions that encouraging or requiring exams in mathematics, physics, and chemistry is essential for ensuring stronger academic preparation and reversing the declining interest in engineering and technical studies.

“A mandatory math matriculation exam is one of the best things we can do to support technical higher education,” Valchev stated, adding that such a move would be implemented only after a national debate and final decision.
The minister cited concerning statistics: currently, only 2,000 students take the math matriculation exam each year, while a mere 200 opt for chemistry or physics. These figures come amid a demographic decline, with current graduating classes nearly two and a half times smaller than those 30 years ago - down from 150,000 students to just 60,000.

Valchev also highlighted the acute shortage in certain professions. For example, Bulgaria needs 150 hydro-engineers annually, but only 15 graduates complete such studies each year at UACEG.

Reforms in the pipeline

During the meeting, several concrete measures were discussed:

• Linking university admissions more strongly to math exam results starting with the 2026–2027 academic year, especially for high-demand fields such as communications and computer engineering;
• Allowing universities to increase the weight of math scores in their admissions criteria through internal policies;
• Introducing targeted scholarships for students entering university with matriculation exams in math, physics, or chemistry. The amount and eligibility criteria—such as a minimum GPA of 4.50—are still under discussion and expected to be finalized by September.

Valchev also announced that the Ministry will meet with sectors facing the most critical labor shortages, such as water utilities and nuclear energy, to discuss additional scholarships for students in those areas. These would be separate from the science-linked scholarships and are intended to be "motivating in size."

Despite budget constraints, the Ministry is prepared to allocate funds for these scholarships in the next fiscal year, the minister said.

Additionally, a concept for changes in the national curriculum framework will be presented in early May, which will likely include more hours dedicated to mathematics and natural sciences.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to establish national priorities in higher education, discussed earlier this year with rectors, labor unions, and student representatives.