- MSc programme: Applied Economic Geology (120 credits) (in English)
Duration: 4 semesters (120 credits)
Education form: full-time (paid education)
Programme manager: Prof. Athanas Chatalov
Faculty of Geology and Geography; tel. +359 2 9308255
Terms of acceptance: Foreign student’s admission is according to the rules of Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski”.
E-mail: foreignstud@admin.uni-sofia.bg; Tel: +359 2 8467429
Course Curriculum (effective from 2026)
Aims and Educational Objectives
The Master’s Program “Applied Economic Geology” is offered within the professional field 4.4. Earth Sciences and leads to the award of the Master’s degree. The duration of the program is four semesters and comprises a total workload of 120 ECTS credits, including an introductory bridging module. Graduation is achieved through the preparation and public defense of a Master’s thesis. The Master’s Program “Applied Economic Geology” starts at summer semester of the academic year.
The program is primarily designed for graduates who have completed a three-year Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS credits) within the European Higher Education Area. To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Bulgarian higher education system and to provide the necessary academic equivalence, the curriculum includes an introductory bridging module.
The bridging module is intended to harmonize and deepen fundamental knowledge in Earth Sciences and to ensure that all students meet the academic standards required for advanced specialized study within the program. This structure guarantees comparability of academic preparation regardless of differences in national educational models.
Admission is based on submitted documents. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geology or in a closely related field within Earth Sciences. A good command of English is required, sufficient for full participation in the academic process, as the program is delivered entirely in English.
The Master’s Program in Applied Economic Geology has a strong applied and international orientation. It is designed to prepare specialists for active participation in mineral exploration, investigation and preliminary resource evaluation in accordance with contemporary European and international professional standards.
The program integrates academic training with practice-oriented modules developed in cooperation with exploration and mining companies. Its primary objective is to develop professional skills for working with real geological datasets, analyzing results from field and laboratory investigations, and contributing to the assessment of the resource potential of specific exploration targets.
Description of the educational content
The program combines theoretical coursework with intensive practical training, including fieldwork, project-based learning and case studies derived from real exploration activities. Cooperation with industrial partners constitutes a key component of the educational process and provides students with exposure to authentic working environments and contemporary exploration practices.
Throughout the program, students acquire practical experience in geological mapping, sampling procedures, drill-core documentation, data interpretation and the construction of geological models. The Master’s thesis represents an independent applied research project and may be developed based on a real industrial case study.
Professional and general competences, specific competences
Graduates of the program acquire competences for participation in international exploration programs, analysis and interpretation of geological, geochemical and geophysical information, and effective performance in multicultural professional environments. They are prepared to apply contemporary methods for the investigation and preliminary evaluation of mineral deposits and to prepare professional documentation in accordance with internationally recognized standards.
Professional realization
The acquired qualification provides opportunities for employment in international and national exploration and mining companies, consulting firms and research institutions in the field of mineral resources. The program also provides a solid academic foundation for continuation of studies towards a doctoral degree in Earth Sciences.