- MSc programme: Applied Economic Geology (90 credits) (in English)
Duration: 3 semesters (90 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)
Course Curriculum
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 three semesters and comprises a total workload of 90 ECTS credits. Graduation is achieved through the preparation and public defense of a Master’s thesis.
Admission is based on submitted documents. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geology or in a closely related field within Earth Sciences. Applicants are required to demonstrate good command of English, sufficient for full participation in the academic process, as the program is delivered entirely in English. The number of admitted students is determined in accordance with the officially approved capacity of the program and the decisions of the competent academic authorities.
The Master’s Program in Applied Economic Geology has a strongly practice-oriented and professionally focused character. It is designed to prepare graduates for active participation in mineral exploration, investigation and preliminary resource evaluation within a real professional environment. The program is aligned with contemporary international practices in the mineral resources sector and aims to integrate academic knowledge with industry requirements.
Its primary objective is to develop practical skills for working with real geological data, analyzing results from field and laboratory investigations, and contributing to the assessment of the resource potential of specific exploration targets. The program fosters critical interpretation, evidence-based decision-making and the ability to operate effectively in an international professional context.
Description of the educational content
The program combines theoretical modules with intensive practical training, including fieldwork, individual research assignments and project-based tasks developed from real case studies. A key component of the program is cooperation with exploration and mining companies, which enables part of the training to be conducted in an authentic working environment and provides access to real datasets from ongoing exploration activities.
Students gain practical experience in geological mapping, sampling procedures, drill-core documentation, preliminary data interpretation and the construction of working geological models. The Master’s thesis may be based on a real exploration project or an applied industry case study and demonstrates the student’s capacity to conduct independent, practice-oriented research.
Professional and general competences, specific competences
Graduates of the program acquire competences for participation in exploration programs, analysis of geological, geochemical and geophysical information, and effective teamwork in professional settings. 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 practices.
The program develops adaptability to dynamic working conditions, communication skills in a multicultural environment and the capacity for professional engagement in an international context.
Professional realization
The acquired qualification provides opportunities for employment in international and national exploration and mining companies, consulting firms and research institutions working in the field of mineral resources. The strong practical orientation of the program ensures readiness for immediate integration into exploration teams. The program also provides an academic foundation for further studies towards a doctoral degree in Earth Sciences.