Once known as the Bulgarian National Conservatoire, the Sofia Music Academy is one of the most important educational and cultural centers in the republic of Bulgaria. The university celebrated its 100^th birthday last year in 2021, and entered a new phase in its educational and social life. For decades, it has been known as the most prestigious music school of the country and an association for the best musicians and music experts in Eastern Europe. Over its long history, the university has enjoyed the work of some of the best Bulgarian musicians, both as teachers and students. The university has been responsible for various official and governmental events in the past and continues this tradition up to now.

Sofia music school consists of 2 main buildings. One of the buildings is designed for purely academic purposes and all theoretical classes and lectures take place at this building. The other building is used for more practical lessons and consists of several studios and voice and instrument research centers. The university has several concert halls and theaters which are quite beneficial in the practical development of students lives.

One of the most important and substantial duties and missions of the university is the contribution that it makes to the preservation and development of Bulgarian culture. Music is one of the most rudimentary components of every culture, and keeping it alive would mean keeping a culture healthy and alive, a job that Sofia music academy has done perfectly over the past 100 years.

All the buildings and centers of this university are located in Sofia, capital of the republic of Bulgaria. The university consists of 3 faculties in total and offers 30 programs in various fields of music. There are more than 500 professors and teachers employed at this university and more than 2000 students studying at different programs there.

Advantages

The main advantage of this university is certainly its state-of-the-art facilities. The university has studios, concert halls, and classes equipped with all the needed musical instruments. Students do not need to go any where else to practice their knowledge.

The university has got a well-established orchestra, which has been active and performing for over a century now. This orchestra consists of the professors and students of the university and is great chance for students to exhibit their art to the world.

The university has established great international relations and is a member of the Association of Higher Education Institutes if Arts (AES). Based on this membership, the university is connected to a web of music schools all over the world and can be aware of the latest issues and findings of their field.

The university is a member of the European Erasmus program, by which student and staff exchanges are possible between partner universities.

The university has established its own electronic journal and publishes its students’ findings in it. Several conferences are also being planned and organized by this university.

Student life

Studying at this university in itself is a many-year- long concert, and how can one be bored in a concert? Socially and culturally, this university is one of the most important institutions in the country. It is actively participating in various cultural events and social ceremonies. Students can not only enjoy these events as visitors, but by being a student here, have the opportunity of being a part of it and performing music at it.

As for being the center of country’s music, the university is armed to its teeth with various equipment, musical instruments and centers for performing music. Students can easily and freely use these facilities and practice their art.

The university has 2 different dormitory blocks and offers them to its students with fairly low prices. Dormitories are in good shape and offer good facilities to students.

The university has established a career center since 2009 and by hiring expert career consultants, aims at providing professional support to its students and graduates.

The university offers several scholarships to its students by different organizations. All students are eligible to these scholarships and can apply after enrolment.

The university library is also one of the main attractions of this university for its students. Not only does it contain all books related to the field of music, but also it has a vast sound collection. University journals are also headquartered at the library building.

University Ranking

It is one of the best higher education centers of the country and has been mentioned in most international university rankings. It has been mentioned in QS world university ranking, but not yet ranked. Edurank website has ranked the music academy as the 34^th best university of Bulgaria and one of the top 8000 universities in the world. Unirank website has also ranked them among the 8000 top universities in the world, and put them in the 38^th place in the country.

Faculty of Theory, Composition and Conducting:

It is the largest and the most important faculty of the university, containing most of the facilities and many of the professors. The faculty consists of 4 departments and offers courses in all academic levels.

Faculty of Instrumentation:

In 4 different departments, this faculty offers first class and high-quality courses to its students. Various instruments, both popular and less popular are practiced and taught at this faculty.

Vocal faculty:

This faculty is the oldest faculty of the university and attracts thousands of young Bulgarians with a dream of being a singer every year. The faculty consists of 3 departments, the classical singing department being the most attractive one in the whole university. This faculty has also been the birthplace of many of Bulgaria’s elite and eminent singers.

Admissions and application requirements

• Online Application form
• Proof of fee payment
• Medical Certificate
• Declaration for financial support
• Student visa
• TOEFL Certificate
• Photographs
• Local Language Certificate
• Health and Life Insurance
• Passport
• IELTS Certificate
• World Education Services evaluation
• Resume/CV (graduate, postgraduate)

Why Sofia Music Academy?

Sofia Music Academy is a higher education institute in Bulgaria specialized in the field of music. It is one of the most important cultural centers of the country. The university contains all the needed musical facilities and puts them at students’ disposal for practicing. It offers comfortable living conditions at the city of Sofia too. With great international relations and many scholarships at this university, every young student, interested in music, dreams of being a member of this elite family.