Students who win prizes at national or international olympiads and competitions in 11th grade, or medals at Olympic, world and European championships, can now use them when they apply to state universities. The Council of Ministers press office said so. Until now, an award counted towards the admission score and ranking only if it was won in the final year of school, 12th grade.
The government made the change with a decree amending the rules on state requirements for admitting students to universities in Bulgaria. This brings the rules in line with the Higher Education Act.
The rule covers winners of national and international olympiads or competitions, and medallists from Olympic, world and European championships. Universities give olympiad winners a top mark of 6.00 in the entrance exam for the subject they competed in.
On 17 September, prime minister Rumen Radev presented medals in the Council of Ministers' Granite Hall to students who won them at international science olympiads in 2026. "You are opening a window of opportunity for Bulgaria's growth as a high-tech country," he said at the ceremony. He said Bulgaria is a country of talent, science, quality education and industries of the future.