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Fees

UNWE — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:11:14 GMT

Type of Enrolment	Annual Fee	Semester Fee

Bulgarian and EU Students	2198.56 EUR	1099.28 EUR
Students from non-EU Countries	5000 EUR	2 500 EUR

Note: The Master's programme in Nuclear Security consists of 3 semesters.
• Bulgarian and EU students: 3,297.84 EUR (3 × 1,099.28 EUR)
• Students from non-EU countries: 7,500 EUR (3 × 2,500 EUR)

Home

UNWE — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:37:35 GMT

Welcome to International Master's Programme in Nuclear Security

The new admissions cycle Requirements for Entry in the 2026/2027 academic year -

Deadline for Application 30th of June, 2026 (for enrollment in the winter semester)

Our new requirements for Application in the 2026/2027 academic year are now ready. For more details, please click HERE

Brief overview of the programme

The International Master`s Degree Programme in Nuclear Security started at the beginning of January 2016 with the active support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna and the Bulgarian government.

The objective of the Programme is to prepare highly qualified managerial staff for the nuclear security sector. Two groups of 20 students from ten countries (Bulgaria, Nigeria, Zambia, Lebanon, Jordan, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Sudan, Mauritania, Uganda) have succesfully graduated the first and second cycle of the Programme. Part of the students are also scholarship students of IAEA. Currently we have the third and fourth group of international students and we are preparing for the fifth admission cycle.

The Master's Programme is the one of the positive results of implementing the Practical Arrangements between the UNWE and IAEA signed by the Rector, Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev and the IAEA Director General, Mr. Yukiya Amano during his visit to Sofia in June 2014.

The Programme is supported by IAEA, International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN), a member of which our university became in 2014, the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The teaching consortium consists of representatives of more than 10 Bulgarian and foreign universities, research institutes, governmental institutions and nuclear facilities.

Are you looking for a programme that opens doors for you everywhere from the busy administrative districts of Vienna to high-security locations in France, the UK, Russia and more?

The University Department "National and Regional Security" offers such a Master's topical programme - "Defence and Security Economics" with a specialization in “Nuclear Security”.

The programme's duration is 3 semesters for students who have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The programme is structured according to the state's requirements for the Master's degree and those of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Security Series No. 12.

The Master's programme is a result of an agreement between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia, Bulgaria. The IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano has signed Practical Arrangements in education and research in the field of nuclear security with UNWE, one of the leading Bulgarian universities. The signing took place during an official visit to Bulgaria from 30 June to 1 July 2014.

The aim of the Master's programme "Defence and Security Economics” with a specialization in “Nuclear Security” is to prepare highly qualified middle management personnel for the nuclear industry.

The Master's Programme has been developed and supported by the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) and several Bulgarian and international institutions, including the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia University, King’s College, London, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, and The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Introduction to Nuclear Security;

International and National Legal Framework Regulating Nuclear Security;

Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Nuclear Applications;

Threat Assessment;

Physical Protection Technologies, Systems and Equipment;

Security of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material in Transport;

IT/Cyber Security and Computer security for a nuclear world;

Nuclear Security at Major Public Events and others.

Full list of disciplines - HERE

The lecturers are highly experienced experts from Bulgaria and international organisations and universities.
Duration of the Programme - 1,5 years ( three semesters). The Academic Year starts in October or February.

Language: English

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Admission at a Glance

UNWE — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:36:52 GMT

Dear aplicants, please read carefully the information below. Some of the admission requrements are specific only to the International Master's Programme in Nuclear Security and may differ from other University programmes' requrements.

All applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Educational Qualification Degree (EQD) in any area of higher education.

Pursuant to University and National Regulations there are two categories of applicants:

Citizens of Bulgaria and EU member countries; (for this category please follow the Link)
Citizens from all non-EU countries.

Application procedure for citizens from non-EU countries is divided in 4 major steps.

STEP 1 - for citizens from all non-EU countries

deadline - 30th of June, 2026 (for enrollment in the winter semester)

All prospective candidates must send via e-mail to nusec@unwe.bg scanned copies of the following documents:

1. Motivation letter (200 words) including indication of whether you will need financial support

2. CV

3. Scanned Bachelor's diploma (in the original language and a translated copy in English)

Note: If your Bachelor's diploma was issued by a foreign educational institution, you may be required to go through a recognition procedure in Bulgaria. Please check whether your country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention and what legalization steps are required. The official authority responsible is the National Center for Information and Documentation (NACID).
More information is available here: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications – NACID

4. Scanned copy of documents proving your English language skills (please consult our webpage

English Language Entry Requirements

STEP 2 - for citizens from all non-EU countries

This is a pre-selection procedure of candidates in order to check if they are eligible for the programme. Results are expected after communication with IAEA, i.e. end of April, 2026

STEP 3 - Final application for citizens from all non-EU countries

After checks for eligibility only short listed candidates, who are also eligible for financial support and those who do not need financial assistance will be invited to submit their official documents.

Please see section Aplication documents

IMPORTANT NOTICE: According to the University and national regulations, application documents for FINAL APPLICATION (STEP 3 of application procedures), sent by fax, e-mail or by post are not accepted, not examined and will be disregarded.

Instead, fully legalized and notarized application documents must be submitted by 14th July, at the UNWE - Sector 'Foreign Students and European Appendices to Diplomas' (Central Lobby of the University) personally by the applicant or by an authorized representative.

The Foreign Students’ Sector examines and approves the documents of each applicant and then submits the students’ application files to the Ministry of Education and Science. The Ministry of Education and Science issues a Certificate of Admittance, confirming the acceptance or rejection of the applicant.

After the Certificate has been obtained, the Academic Council of UNWE makes a decision on the recognition of the respective higher education degree of the applicant in order for them to continue their education at the UNWE.

The decision is then sent to each applicant – in person, by mail or via an intermediary.

STEP 4 - Obtaining a visa - for citizens from all non-EU countries

Only approved candidates could apply for visa

For more details on visa issues, Please follow the link №1 and

the website of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Republic of Bulgaria at this link №2

For more details, please, visit our FAQs section.

Gallery

UNWE — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:31:48 GMT

Video:

Contacts

UNWE — Fri, 30 May 2025 20:16:56 GMT

Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov

Rector of the University of National and World Economy

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Spassov

Coordinator of the Master’s Programme in Nuclear Security

Email: sspassov@unwe.bg

Georgi Tasev

Administrative Contact for International Applicants – Master’s Programme in Nuclear Security

Senior Specialist, International Students Division

Email: georgi.tasev@unwe.bg

Please, contact us on e-mail: nusec@unwe.bg

The International Master's Program in Nuclear Security is in

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To contact the UNWE's

Foreign Students and European Appendices to Diplomas Sector

please, follow this link.

Postal Address:

Department "National and Regional Security"

University of National and World Economy

Studentski Grad “Hr. Botev “,

1700 Sofia, Bulgaria

Map of UNWE-Sofia

Application Documents

UNWE — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:47:45 GMT

IMPORTANT NOTICE: According to the University and national regulations, application documents for FINAL APPLICATION (STEP 3 of application procedures), sent by fax, e-mail or by post are not accepted, not examined and will be disregarded.

Application Form (download);
Request Form (download);
Notarized copy of the Diploma for completed higher education - Educational Qualification Degree (EQD) of Bachelor's or EQD of Master and a transcript of records;
A Medical Certificate issued within one month prior to the date of application and certified by the corresponding bodies in the country where the person applies from;
A certificate for proficiency in English
A copy of the documents for citizenship; – for applicants with double citizenship and the one of which is Bulgarian;
Two photos in passport format;
A copy of the Identification Document;
Two copies of the full set of application documents.

The documents mentioned in p. 3 and 4 must be legalized, translated in Bulgarian and certified in compliance with the regulations of international agreements of the Republic of Bulgaria with the state where the documents have been issued. In the absence of such regulations, the general rules for legalization, translation and certification of documents shall be observed.

An administrative fee for submission of papers for recognition of completed higher education degree at the foreign universities is due at the time of documents submission.

Administrative fees for applications:

(in Bulgarian Levs - BGN)

Name

Service

Recognition of the level of higher education in foreign universities

390

Master's Degree Education in Nuclear Security: Results and Diploma

UNWE — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:34:13 GMT

This Master's Programme is for you if:

You wish to develop a highly advanced skill set which will be in high demand in the foreseeable future.
You want to be a part of a growing, high-tech industry.
You care about the safe and peaceful utilization of clean energy sources.

Nuclear security is multidisciplinary and requires experts from several different spheres of knowledge. Different aspects of nuclear security, such as political, economical, social or technical, will be covered by universities according to their expertise. This would allow students to acquire a full range of nuclear security know-how.
Assuming that universities provide courses on general education related to a graduate programme, the proposed MSc programme in nuclear security is compatible with the requirements for a Master’s programme offered in universities worldwide, with requirements contained in the Sorbonne/Bologna Declarations and with requirements developed for a European MSc by the European Nuclear Engineering Network.

The Programme at a glance:

Duration – 1,5 years (3 semesters), 17 courses;
Location – University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, EU;
Goals – become a manager in the nuclear industry;
Requirements – Bachelor's degree, English language skills.

The structure of the Master's Programme in Nuclear Security consists of a set of 12 compulsory courses, providing solid knowledge in the fundamental areas (such as the legal framework, nuclear technologies and applications, radiation protection) and in-depth expertise in the main nuclear security areas (prevention, detection and response), together with more advanced know-how in 10 elective courses that could be selected by students to obtain a specialization in certain areas of nuclear security.
The design of the Master's Programme in Nuclear Security is characterized by a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, e.g. demonstrations, laboratory exercises, case studies, technical visits and simulations, which is in line with the teaching policy of the University and defined by the individual academic teachers.
The Programme ends with the preparation of a Master's thesis and its defence.

Diploma

Succesful graduates from the Master Programme will obtain a Master of Science diploma from the University of National and World Economy (UNWE).

Gallery Study visits and Graduation ceremonies

Obtaining a visa type D and arrival in the Republic of Bulgaria

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 17:11:34 GMT

To obtain a Visa type D (as a student), you have to visit in person the Bulgarian embassy or the consular service in the respective country, presenting the certificate of Admittance, a passport and a letter of accommodation.

The documents for visa type D should be submitted at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the respective country where the applicant comes from.

The deadline for issuance of visa type D is two months.

Prerequisites for Prospective Students

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:52:57 GMT

Prerequisites
Profile of a successful candidate:

You must be interested in science – academic background is required.
You will communicate with people from all over the world – candidates should have English language skills at the required level.
You have to care deeply about securing a peaceful tomorrow in a world that views nuclear energy with suspicion.

As a prerequisite for Master's Programme in Nuclear Security, students must hold an academic degree, e.g. a Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent degree from an accredited university, and should have the required knowledge in English.

Recognition of the respective higher education degree

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:05:19 GMT

Instead, fully legalized and notarized application documents must be submitted by 15th June, at the UNWE - Sector 'Foreign Students and European Appendices to Diplomas' (Central Lobby of the University) personally by the applicant or by an authorized representative.

The decision is then sent to each applicant – in person, by mail or via an intermediary.

Applicants from non-EU Countries

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:09:49 GMT

The applicants may enrol at UNWE to take a Master's Degree in Nuclear Security after the respective procedures have been implemented:

Citizens of Bulgaria and EU member countries'

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:02:42 GMT

Citizens of Bulgaria and EU member countries are eligible to apply for an Master's Degree in Nuclear Security at the UNWE. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any area of higher education.
Applicants have to submit their documents according to admission requirements and procedures for Bulgarian students in UNWE, usually the deadline for submission is the end of September. Admission details are described on this page UNWE site
After documents submission applicants must take two exams: an entry test for non-economists and English language skills examination (if they do not posses appropriate English proficiency certificates).
Please send us a scanned copy of your English proficiency certificate in order to assess if your qualification is acceptable.
Another option is to pass a test in English, provided by our University. Please, contact us for details.

Please, send your inquiries to our e-mail address nusec@unwe.bg before the deadline for documents' submission

Frequently Asked Questions

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 11:18:37 GMT

Q. May I send my application documents by fax, e-mail or by post directly to the University of National and World Economy – Sofia?

A. It is possible to send your documents via e-mail or by post only for STEP 1 of the application procedure. For STEP 3 it is not possible. According to the University and national regulations, official and legalized application documents at STEP 3 for studying at UNWE, sent by fax, e-mail or by post are not accepted, not examined and will be disregarded.
This is related with possible problems when the documents will be examined and in case of problems there will be no opportunity for feedback and corrections. That's why the procedure with personal submission at desk is chosen (i.e. submission personally by the student or his representative).
In case you needed and upon your request we may recommend you trusted company specialized in these services with foreign students in Bulgaria. This company could be your representative in Bulgaria during the application and you have to pay for their services. Using of this company is optional and your documents could be submitted in person by your friends or partners in Bulgaria.
Our advice is the application documents to be submitted well in advance before the deadline in order to have enough time for corrections if needed. Please, have in mind that diploma's recognition is often a subject of different intergovernmental and international agreements and cases may vary from country to country.

Q. What your tuition fees cover?

A. Your tuition fee will cover all the things our university should reasonably provide to enable you to complete your degree.

It includes:

Lectures, seminars and tutorials

Access to university library

Access to computer facilities

Technical visits to selected nuclear facilities and infrastructure

University support services - finding suitable accommodation, offering professional careers guidance.

Membership of a students’ union

Admin stuff

Q. What your tuition fees won’t cover?

A. Tuition fee only covers the cost of the courses.

Tuition fee does not cover accommodation, living expenses, books & supplies and miscellaneous expenses/local travel. Living expenses plus accomodation may vary but they are estimated at 500-600 Euro per month in Sofia. In some cases our university may help with accomodation especially in the beginning of your study in Bulgaria.

Q. Are you offering scholarships for this programme?

A. It is good to know that our University does not provide fellowships or scholarship for this programme. Maybe you should try to find some funding opportunities as Partnership for Nuclear Security, CRDF Global or similar, through your government or international organisations.

Q. How to apply for Bulgarian visa type D?

A. You may find relevant and complete information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Republic of Bulgaria at this link.

Q. Official language in my country is English? What kind of certificate you need?
Q. I have different certificate in English instead of IELTS?

A. We could accept other types of certificates, especially for English-speaking countries. Please send us a scanned copy of your documents for English language skills in order to find out if your qualification is acceptable.
Another opportunity is to pass an online test in English, provided by our University. Please, contact us for details. Send your inquiries to our e-mail address nusec@unwe.bg

Q. How can I obtain health insurance needed for visa application?
A. The procedure is the following - you have to buy health insurance from your country, which is valid for Bulgaria. To the best of our knowledge, it should be at least for 6 months and the minimum coverage is 30000 Euro. You may consult also with Bulgarian consulate in your country. The price of such insurance varies between 40-100 Euro

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Learning Materials

UNWE — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:31:57 GMT

Teaching materials are developed by IEAE International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN)

As one of teaching tools we use Google Apps Classroom.

Each student will receive its own address in Department domain - e-dnrs.org, which can be used also for access to Classroom and to other resources.

The learning materials are divided according to Programme cources and contain Lectures, Cases, Video materials and Presentations.

English Language Entry Requirements

UNWE — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:33:44 GMT

If English is not your native language, studying in this programme can be very challenging. That's why we check whether you have the English language skills necessary to cope with your course right from the start.
The requirement is overall IELTS 6.0 or equivalent test.
Certificate at B1 or upper level (corresponding to minimum 360 hours), issued by a language centre in accordance with the principles of CEFR /Common European Framework of Reference or Languages/ is required.

Alternative English language tests accepted by the University

We could accept other types of certificates, especially for English-speaking countries. Please send us a scanned copy of your documents for English language skills in order to find out if your qualification is acceptable.
Another opportunity is to pass an online test in English, provided by our University. Please, contact us for details.

Send your inquiries to our e-mail address nusec@unwe.bg

Apply for Bulgarian State Order Quota

UNWE — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 14:25:49 GMT

Currently there is no Bulgarian State Order Quotafor education of Bulgarian students in Nuclear Security Master's Programme.

Guides for Bulgaria, Sofia and Students Town

UNWE — Mon, 18 May 2015 15:39:29 GMT

Comprehensive Guide: BULGARIA DISCOVERED

Information for foreign students at the main UNWE site

Master's in Nuclear Security

UNWE — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:46:55 GMT

Welcome to Master Programme in Nuclear Security

Are you looking for programme that open doors for you everywhere from the busy administrative districts of Vienna to high-security locations in France, the UK, Russia and more?
University Department "National and Regional Security" offers a Master's programme "Economics of Defence and Security" with specialization “Nuclear Security”. The programme is for a period of four semesters for students who have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The programme is structured according to the state's requirements for the Master degree and International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Security Series No. 12.
The Master's programme is a result of an agreement between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia, Bulgaria. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano has signed an agreement on cooperation in education and research in the field of nuclear security with UNWE, one of the leading Bulgarian universities. The signing took place during an official visit to Bulgaria from 30 June to 1 July 2014.
The aim of the Master's program "Economics of Defence and Security” with specialization “Nuclear Security” is to prepare highly qualified managerial personnel at middle management level to for the needs of the nuclear industry.

The Master's Programme is developed and supported by International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) and several Bulgarian and International institutions, among them are Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Kings College, London and Middlebury Institute of International Studies, The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

Lecturers are highly experienced experts from Bulgaria and international organisations and universities.

Duration: 2 years (four semesters), the academic year starts in October of the relevant academic year.