The Agricultural University of Plovdiv (AU‑Plovdiv) is a public higher education institution in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It was founded in 1945 and has since developed into the national centre of agricultural sciences and education in Bulgaria. Over decades of academic growth, the university has integrated into the European educational area, earning institutional accreditation with a top grade from the Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency. It provides education at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels with international cooperation and research activities.
AU‑Plovdiv specializes in agricultural sciences, ecology, economics and regional development. The main faculties that cover its academic offerings include:
Faculty of Agriculture – Core agricultural sciences and agronomy.
Faculty of Horticulture and Wine – Horticulture, viticulture and related specialties.
Faculty of Crop Protection and Agroecology – Plant protection, agroecology and environmental sustainability.
Faculty of Economics – Agricultural economics, rural business and regional development.
The faculties offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs such as:
General Agronomy
Agribusiness
Agronomy with Plant Biotechnologies
Plant Biology
Animal Breeding
Viticulture and Horticulture
Hydromeliorations and Irrigation
Agricultural Engineering
Ecology and Environmental Protection
Biological Farming
Agricultural Tourism
Regional Development Management
These programs combine science, applied research, innovation and practical training in agricultural and rural development fields. Foreign students who complete preparatory Bulgarian language training may also enrol in programs taught in Bulgarian.
International (non‑EU/EEA) applicants typically follow these steps when applying to AU‑Plovdiv:
Document Preparation
– Prepare your secondary education diploma and transcript for bachelor’s admission, or your university diploma and transcript for master’s/PhD admissions.
– These documents usually must be notarized and apostilled in your home country and translated into Bulgarian if required.
Submission of Application
– Submit all required documents to the university admissions office or an authorized representative. AU‑Plovdiv will review your academic credentials and confirm eligibility.
Pre‑Registration/Acceptance
– The university may issue an acceptance letter or pre‑registration confirmation once your documents are approved.
Ministry Approval (non‑EU applicants)
– For students from outside the European Union, AU‑Plovdiv forwards acceptance documents to the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science to obtain the official study permission letter, which is required for applying for a Type D student visa.
Visa Application
– With the ministry’s permission document and proof of accommodation, apply for your D‑type student visa at the Bulgarian consulate in your country.
Arrival & Final Registration
– After visa approval, you travel to Bulgaria, complete final registration at the university, pay tuition fees and begin classes.
Founded: 1945
Type: Public University (Agricultural Sciences)
Location: Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Mendeleev Blvd 12)
Levels of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Specialization: Agriculture, horticulture, plant protection, agroecology, agricultural economics, regional development
