Varna University of Management (VUM) is an international business and management university in Bulgaria that has been developing leaders since 1992 when it began as the Bulgarian‑Dutch Institute of Management. It later became International University College – Dobrich, then was renamed Varna University of Management (VUM) by a decision of the Bulgarian National Assembly. VUM was among the first private higher education institutions in Bulgaria to teach entirely in English and to offer joint/double degree programmes in cooperation with universities in the UK, Switzerland, France and other countries.
The university educates students from dozens of countries worldwide, with a strong emphasis on internationalisation, entrepreneurship, and modern business‑oriented teaching methods. VUM is ranked highly in student mobility criteria and has received recognition for its MBA and tourism management programmes in Central and Eastern Europe.
VUM operates across multiple campuses including Varna, Dobrich, and Sofia.
Varna University of Management offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, most of which are delivered entirely in English. Core areas include:
Bachelor’s Programmes (examples):
International Business and Management
Business & Management
Software Engineering
Hospitality & Tourism Management
Gastronomy and Culinary Arts
(Varies by academic year and course catalogue.)
Master’s Programmes (examples):
Master of Business Administration (MBA) – often offered as a dual degree with partner universities such as Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK)
MSc in International Hospitality and Tourism Management
MSc in Strategic Management and Leadership
(Advanced programmes focus on leadership, business, hospitality, IT and related fields.)
Doctoral Programmes: Available in select academic fields as part of VUM’s research profile.
Programmes typically include practical internships, work placement opportunities, and Erasmus+ mobility options across Europe.
The admission process at VUM is structured and in line with the regulations of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. It applies to both EU/EEA and non‑EU/EEA applicants.
Send an email to admissions@vum.bg or submit the VUM Application Form.
For non‑EU/EEA applicants, attach scanned copies of:
Valid passport
Secondary school diploma and transcript (for Bachelor’s)
Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or equivalent – recommended)
Declaration of personal data collection
(Applicants from countries with divided secondary education must include both certificates.)
The admissions team reviews your documents.
You will be contacted for an admission interview (mandatory).
If you do not hold an internationally recognised English certificate, you will take an online English test at VUM.
Successful applicants receive a conditional offer letter, details of tuition and payment terms, and how to confirm the place.
Once accepted, the university assists with the Ministry of Education permission document necessary for a Type D Student Visa.
After visa processing, students travel to Bulgaria and complete final registration at VUM. (Standard visa timelines apply.)
The language of instruction is primarily English.
Academic sessions typically begin in September and February each year.
