Liberalization or emigration: new admission policies and the future of Bulgarian youth
As new university admission rules come into force in 2025/2026, Bulgaria is trying to keep young people in the country and address labor shortages in key sectors. The National Map of Higher Education has been updated to prioritize strategic programs, while many universities have expanded online learning options. But the question remains: will this be enough to reverse the long-standing trend of youth migration?
What is changing in the system?
The Ministry of Education introduced relaxed admission for STEM programs, including the option to apply with a diploma instead of national exams. Universities, especially private ones, are offering more online and English-language programs to attract both domestic and foreign students. Targeted scholarships now support fields with critical shortages like energy, IT and engineering.
Key players and reactions
Public universities are cautiously adapting, while private ones aggressively pursue international partnerships. Employer organizations support the reforms but warn that without clear job opportunities after graduation, the effect will be short-lived. Meanwhile, students remain skeptical – recent surveys show that 1 in 3 high school graduates still plans to study abroad regardless of the reforms.
Future scenarios
Scenario A – Successful reform: New options and incentives help retain more students. Links between education and the labor market improve.
Scenario B – Temporary effect: Liberalized access isn’t enough to fix deeper issues like low wages or poor academic quality. Migration continues.
Scenario C – Reputational risk: If scandals emerge around admissions or quality, trust in the system collapses and migration accelerates.
Ultimately, the success of these reforms depends not only on institutional action but also on the real outcomes graduates experience after university.
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Disclaimer: This article is an analytical overview by the editorial team of BurgasMedia and reflects the opinion of an expert group based on current political, economic and social developments. The conclusions are hypothetical scenarios, not predictions or factual claims. The publication is not liable for any future discrepancies and encourages readers to form their own opinion based on verified sources.
Коментари (38)
4erveno_flag2002
30.07.2025, 09:50абенемадаспреникоймиграциата,всчикиискатдабqгат! 🤔
факт
30.07.2025, 09:51факт!
viki_qna
30.07.2025, 09:54факт!
martin_242015
30.07.2025, 09:55sigurnokeizbeyatchakdoZapada,tukanemakakdaotselyavat😅 🔥
нопаритерешават_абемоляте_условиятасаважни
30.07.2025, 10:18абемоляте,условиятасаважни,нопаритерешават...
PICH_007
30.07.2025, 10:18факт - младите пак ще багат...
бягат
30.07.2025, 10:20ясно че ще бягат, кой ги дрържа тука с тия мизерни заплати бе
NQKOI
30.07.2025, 10:21лудница! нищо няма да спри миграцията!!
n. георгиев
30.07.2025, 10:23факт, миграцията е по-силна от всички университетски програми
TONY_STARK
30.07.2025, 10:25Браво, ще им предложим купон в Zoom, пък те да избягат веднага 🤣🚀
bg_tigar
30.07.2025, 11:00пак ще бягат, щом няма работа и перспектива!
луд_петко
30.07.2025, 11:01distantsionnoto obuchenie mozhe bi e chastichno reshenie.
KRISKO_BG
30.07.2025, 11:03факт!
pr@v_eu
30.07.2025, 11:05факт!
[email protected]
30.07.2025, 11:01Абе нема шанс, всеки ще бега докат може!
vasil_p
30.07.2025, 11:03нищо не може да спре младите да търсат по-добро бъдеще навън.
повече_купон_дистанционно
30.07.2025, 11:20Купон! Повече дистанционно = повече свобода 😎🚀
ГОШО
30.07.2025, 11:22факт! дистанционното е бъдещето, но не спира изтичането на мозъци 🤔
PICH_007
30.07.2025, 11:21Чакай, сериозно ли? Пак ще си ходим в 4ужбина 🛫🤷♂️
факт
30.07.2025, 11:22факт!
13E
30.07.2025, 11:24😂
Kombinator1972
30.07.2025, 11:30факт!
p. Иванов
30.07.2025, 11:32Дали ще ги спрат? 🤣 Чакай да си kupя билет за Лондон! 🛫
KAKA_
30.07.2025, 11:36Лесна работа - по-добре навън, отколкото тука да 4акаш оставка 🙄✈️
Maimunata1977
30.07.2025, 11:33факт!
XD
30.07.2025, 11:59Лудница!Явнопоредниqтопитбезрезултат. 👎
BratVasko1989
30.07.2025, 12:01абе моля те, нищо няма да спре емиграцията...!
Maimunata1987
30.07.2025, 12:03миграцията щи продължи, факт..
petrov2000
30.07.2025, 12:28дистанционно? аз съм already в гирмания 🚀
NIKI_BG
30.07.2025, 12:29Абе, тия условия - като тъпа шега. Пак ще избягаме 🏃♂️💨
fanata
30.07.2025, 12:30Abe, pak shte byagame... Koy li shte spre tazi valna? 🙈!!
докатонеоправимзаплатитеиусловията_абе
30.07.2025, 12:31Абе,докатонеоправимзаплатитеиусловията,бягствотопродължава😒🛫
Луд_Петко
30.07.2025, 12:33университетите-лятнаваканция,чужбина-възможност🤷♂️
MAGA
30.07.2025, 12:52Купон ще стане, след 3 години пак ще сме навън 😂🇩🇪
peshaka2018
30.07.2025, 13:19миграцията ще продължи, факт!
5EA5
30.07.2025, 13:21Факт!Докатозаплатитесамизерни,младитещебягат.
NoComment2021
30.07.2025, 13:22нямам думи колко е тъжно....
Maimunata
30.07.2025, 13:24абе пореднната лудница с тия условия