Faculty of International Economics and Administration 
Department of Computer Science and Economics
Professional area: Economics

Speciality: International Marketing

Master Degree programme: Marketing and Public Relations in Education, Science and Culture

Awarded qualification: Master in Economics – Marketing Communications

Level of qualification: Educational-and-qualification Degree “Master”

Length of programme: 
1 year (2 semesters) – for Bachelors in Economics;
1,5 years (3 semesters) – for specialist from other professional areas.

Number of credits: 
60 credits – for Bachelors in Economics;
90 credits – for specialist from other professional areas.

Field of study (ISCED-F): 0414 Marketing and advertising.

Specific admission requirements: Bachelor’s Degree, average performance not less than Good 3.50 according to the Bulgarian system of grades; entrance examination – a discussion.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning: 
Formal: recognition of credits based on a university diploma (Bachelor’s Degree).
Informal: foreign language and computer certificates and other type of competency in line with the study plan of the specialty.
Unofficial: certification exam in foreign language, IT skills or other competency before a commission at Varna Free University.
Procedures for informal and unofficial recognition of competencies from previous study:
1. Allocation of credits on the basis of submitted papers: academic transcript or a diploma for higher degree from previous study; 
- International diplomas and foreign language certificates (English- Cambridge FCE, TOEFL; German - Zertifikat Deutsch, Sprahdiplom, Zweite Stufe; Russian – ТРКИ; French- DELF; Spanish - DELE);
- International diplomas and ECDL (The European Computer Driving Licence) certificates.
2. Certification of knowledge and skills by means of taking exams in: 
- foreign languages at the Department of Foreign Language Teaching;
- IT skills at the Department of Computer Studies.

Qualification requirements and regulations: 
In order to be awarded the qualification 90 credits are necessary for specialist from other professional areas, (60 credits for Bachelors in Economics); 30 of the credits come from equivalency courses for specialists from other professional areas, 27 credits from compulsory courses, 9 credits from elective courses; 6 credits from optional courses and 15 credits from state exam.

Profile of the programme: 
The Master’s Degree programme Marketing and Public Relations in Education, Science and Culture is aimed at preparing specialists in marketing and public relations in the area of educational and cultural institutes and organizations, as well as scientific institutes.
In recent years the social technology Public Relations has entered categorically all levels of the Bulgarian society. Hundreds of institutions and organizations which function in the area of education and culture have full-time specialists who are not able to use the possibilities of the technology public relations. 
The intense competitive environment and the changing objective circumstances impose the need of qualified specialists in Marketing and Public Relations. This necessity has already been realized and different possibilities for improving the qualification of the specialists are sought. 
The scientific institutes and other organizations experience similar demand. They realize the need to be open to society and the need for their achievements and the authority of the most prominent specialists to become popular and be recognized at home and abroad.
Journalists who work with media production for the development and achievements in the area of the spiritual can also join the programme.

Programme learning outcomes:
The Master’s Degree programme Marketing and Public Relations in Education, Science and Culture offers a complex of economic, legal and managerial knowledge and skills. The graduates from the Master’s Degree programme will be able to enrich their professional culture and enhance their opportunities for active public conduct in both every day and specific situations. For that reason the programme is open for Bachelors and Masters in different majors. The main plus of the programme is that no similar programmes can be found in other Bulgarian universities. Established experts from the practice have been invited to be the lecturers. A cycle of discussions with the participation of experts and leaders at national and international level are included in the training as well as an internship in Bulgaria and abroad.

Programme structure diagram with credits*:

* In Varna Free University, a credit equals 30 lessons, of which 10 contact hours (lectures and seminars) and 20 hours independent work.

Mode of study: full-time; part-time.

Examination regulations and grading scale: 
During training – tests, project assignment; written and oral exams at the end of each course.

Obligatory or optional mobility windows:
Students can participate in Erasmus student mobility for placements which enables them to know better the European business and to have successful professional realization in an intercultural environment. They can join additional placements and internships annually which are organized in:

• Germany – the Province of North Rein Westphalia and Baden-Wurttemberg in business organizations, commercial and industrial chambers, municipal and regional administrations;
• Russian federation – Moscow, St Petersburg;
• Brussels – in European institutions, etc.

Work-placement:
Pre-graduation placement is held in the PR departments of the Presidency, Parliament, Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria and other prestigious public institutions, national public media and leading educational, cultural and scientific institutes.
The students gain real insight into the practice of the profession, as well as valuable practical advice straight from professionals in the fields of Public Relations and Marketing, related to education, science and culture. After completion of the learning experience the students take a defense exam of the pre-graduate practice at a commission.

Work-based learning:
Students do placements in national and regional PR and marketing agencies.

Occupational profiles of the graduates:
The graduates from the Master’s Degree programme in Marketing and Public Relations in Education, Science and Culture can work as specialists in marketing and public relations in the area of educational and cultural institutions and organizations and scientific institutions.

Access to further studies: Graduates can enter PhD programmes.

Programme Director: Assoc. Prof. Georgi Kalaglarsky, PhD 
VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” Room A-106
Phone number: +359 52 359 617; 
e-mail: kalaglarsky@yahoo.com

ECTS-coordinator: Eng. Pavleta Krasteva
VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” Room D-8
Phone number: +359 52 359 572; mobile: +359 878 417 494
e-mail:  pavleta.krasteva@vfu.bg 
pavleta.krasteva@gmail.com