The University of Forestry (UF) – Sofia is a national educational and scientific institution that provides the world with highly skilled professionals in Forestry and related disciplines. It presents programs and develops research opportunities in the fields of forestry, ecology, veterinary medicine, plant breeding and protection, general engineering, earth sciences, and even tourism and administration.
Students participate in international projects and programs, and many become members of international research and professional organizations as they interact with colleagues from other countries, such as the United States, Japan, Russia, and other European countries.
This becomes an essential requirement for effective intellectual and social development for students. It is also necessary for competition within the European Union. It is exciting to know that this university has a museum and a botanical garden, which attract students who want to enjoy natural vibe during their study period.
The Location of the University of Forestry
The University of Forestry is a non-profit public higher education school in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The city is home to more than 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 inhabitants. The university is close to other popular universities in Sofa, namely Technical University and the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy.
Sofia is located in the Sofia Basin in the western section of the nation and in the geographical center of the Balkan. Interestingly, the University of Forestry controls two Forests for academic purposes. The first one is a coniferous forest near the hamlet of Yundola. The other one is a deciduous forest near the village of Barzia.
History
The University of Forestry has been Bulgaria’s only university offering forestry and forest management education for almost 90 years. The management board of the university added ecology, agronomy, veterinary medicine, and business management specialists in the 1990s to further improve the university.
The Department of Silviculture was created in 1923 by the Faculty of Agronomy at Sofia University (SU), paving the way for the Forestry Division at SU. The Forestry Division at SU was established two years later, in 1925. On February 20, 1925, the Academic Council of SU agreed that the division should begin its teaching activities by enrolling the first 10 forestry students.
The SU Forestry Division unified with the Plovdiv University Forestry Division in 1947 to become the SU Faculty of Forestry. This faculty was one of four entities that established the groundwork for the establishment of the “Agricultural Academy” in 1947. The Agricultural Academy was reformed, and three independent institutions were founded by a Decree from the National Assembly of Bulgaria in 1953.
These institutions are the Georgi Dimitrov Agricultural Academy, the Higher Veterinary Medicine Institute, and the Higher Forestry Institute. With the National Assembly of Bulgaria’s Decree of 1995, the Higher Forestry Institute was renamed the University of Forestry.
The University switched to a three-level degree structure in the mid-1990s, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It also followed the European Credit Transfer System. Prof. Ivan Iliev has served as Rector of the University of Forestry since 2016.
Faculties
The University of Forestry Sofia has 6 faculties and 30 departments. All these establishments have engaging study programs and high-tech labs and equipment. The University of Forestry is the only university in Bulgaria’s capital city that teaches Veterinary Medicine in English. Trakia University is the other Bulgarian university that provides this English-language study program. The faculties of the University of Forestry Sofia include:
- Faculty of Forestry
- Faculty of Agronomy
- Faculty of Forest Industry
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Business Management
- Faculty of Ecology and Landscape Architecture
Admission
Admission to the University of Forestry is only possible after meeting several conditions, including submitting certain paperwork and taking a Biology and English admission exam. Many agencies in Bulgaria can assist you with all admissions procedures.
Admission requires getting successful points in the entrance exam. Its purpose is to assess the candidates’ understanding and linguistic abilities. In September, the entrance exam is usually taken online by many students. The examination has 50 multiple-choice questions. There is a book that can help you pass the exam. You will take 120 minutes to complete the exam. After the admission exam, the academic year begins a few weeks later. Usually, the required documents for admission include:
- High school certificate
- Eligibility letter from the school
- Getting 62% of both Biology and Chemistry subject marks
- Medical Certificate
Student Life & Living Expenses
Forestry University Sofia charges 4500 EUR every academic year for veterinary medicine. The Forestry University tuition cost can be paid in two installments: 50% at the start of each semester and the remaining 50% at the end.
When it comes to student life in Sofia, the University of Forestry is located in the “Studentski grad” neighborhood of Sofia, which contains the majority of the city’s universities and educational destinations. You can find several restaurants and businesses in the area. Even late at night, this neighborhood remains bustling with activity!
You can live comfortably on a student budget in Sofia! When compared to other large cities around the world, living costs in Sofia are significantly lower. To give you an idea, a beautiful private apartment in the city center costs roughly 350-400 EUR per month and a cab journey from the airport to the city center costs around 10 EUR.
You can easily meet students from all over the globe, thanks to other international universities that offer programs in fields such as economics, engineering, and medicine. There are also several activities arranged by older students to assist you in adjusting to university life as fast as possible.
Sofia, as a capital city, provides a variety of leisure activities and centers that include activities such as bowling, wall climbing, yoga, dancing, and kickboxing. This makes your daily life more fascinating and enjoyable! If you enjoy nature, go to the Vitosha Mountains, which are only 15 minutes away by vehicle from the “Studentski grad” neighborhood!
