New Bulgarian University was established on 18 September 1991 with a resolution by the Bulgarian Parliament. The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency, which reviews Bulgaria’s higher education teaching, granted NBU maximum accreditation in three consecutive accreditations in 2001, 2006, 2012, and 2019. Since 2004, NBU is an accredited partner of the Open University UK.
New Bulgarian University pioneered the introduction in Bulgaria of a credit system, Professional Bachelor’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, and distance and continuing education. The list of NBU Honorary Doctors and Honorary Professors includes individuals of international renown such as Richard Rorty, Vera Mutafchieva, Julia Kristeva, Jean-Pierre Vernant, Milcho Leviev, Robert Young, Raina Kabaivanska, Lord Ralf Darendorf, Terry Eagleton, Geert Hofstede, Daniel Libeskind, Ennio Morricone, etc.
The mission of New Bulgarian University is to be an autonomous liberal education institution dedicated to the advancement of university education by offering accessible and affordable opportunities for interdisciplinary and specialized education and research of high quality. Bringing its academic potential to the service of society, the University prepares its graduates for the challenges of modern democratic life cultivating critical and creative thinking, sensitivity to cultural differences, and problem‐solving.
New Bulgarian University participates in the international academic network through various forms of mobility of lecturers and students, through bilateral collaborations, jointly developed projects, and memberships in reputable world educational institutions.
The membership of the NBU in a number of authoritative international organizations contributes to the alignment of university education with world standards. New Bulgarian University is a member of The International Association for Semiotic Studies (IASS), The Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPA), the Association for regional studies (RSA), the European Consortium for Political Studies, Informal European Theater Meeting (IETM), European Theater Association (EAST), European League of Art Institutes (ELIA) and others. Practicing at the NBU are international advisory councils that review curricula, create opportunities for different educational initiatives, and provide international internships to students.
New Bulgarian University is a full member of the Francophone University Agency (AUF), a global organization with a network of multiple educational and cultural institutions in Europe, Africa, Canada, and the United States, set up to support development and exchange in various areas of education and culture. The result of this membership is the Francophone branch of the NBU with a bachelor’s degree program in Political Science. Membership in AUF provides students and lecturers with the opportunity to increase their education in many academic institutions involved in the francophone network of the agency.
The University also works on European Union programs: LIFELONG LEARNING (Erasmus +), TEMPUS, ERASMUS-MUNDUS, and others.
New Bulgarian University organizes annual summer international schools on semiotics, cognitive science, mass communications, archeology, and theatrical art; master classes in opera singing, piano and harp, jazz improvisations, and pop and jazz singing. The NBU is the initiator of numerous seminars and conferences where students meet important scientists and artists from other countries.
