Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy - Maritime Education & Training

Bachelor Degree Programs in Navigation, Marine Engineering, Logistics, Inland Shipping, Ocean Engineering, Marine Radio Electronics and More in Varna, Bulgaria

Founded in 1881 and located in Varna, Bulgaria, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (NVNA) or Naval Academy Varna, Bulgarian Maritime University, is the most authoritative center of maritime science and marine technologies in the country, which prepares world-class mariners and engineers. The Academy provides both theoretical and practical training, using state-of-the-art methods and technologies.

The training facilities comprise a planetarium (the biggest one on the Balkan Peninsula), polygons, simulators, summer camp, boat base, sail training vessels Kalak and Royal Helena, sea born training base 421 and auxiliary training ship 206. Also, an R&D laboratory for practical navigation, a magnetic compass deviation laboratory, and other facilities for training in radio navigation systems, gyrocompasses, echo-sounders and logs, ship handing and maneuvering, rigging, shipping operation, etc.

The training at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy lasts for 4 years (8 semesters). Upon successful completion of the course of study, graduates obtain a diploma of higher education and are awarded Bachelor’s degree. If you want to acquire Master’s degree, you should continue your training with additional one and a half year. Graduates can immediately obtain a license to pursue the occupation in Italy or another country. The training for PhD degree lasts for up to 3 years.

The Diploma of Higher Education, issued by NVNA is recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Maritime University (WMU) and the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) according to the standards of the International Convention on Standards of Training (STCW). The training is conducted entirely in English.

Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor Degree in Navigation (4 years): The training includes annual practice in a training camp, a training ship, and other ships, where the sailing takes place in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. Students could occupy the post of Chief Mate of all civilian vessels, as well as to be assigned to the following coastal positions - Ship Manager, Ship Agent, Broker, Freight Expert, etc.
• Bachelor Degree in Information and Communication Technologies in the Maritime Industry (4 years): The specialty Information and Communication Technologies in the Maritime Industry is a new discipline, designed to train IT specialists who entered all areas of the Maritime Business. Wide-profiled training allows graduates of the specialty to become IT specialists outside the field of Maritime Business.
• Bachelor Degree in Water Transport Management (4 years): The specialty aims to satisfy the trend of increased demand for managerial staff in the dynamic international environment of water transport, with a combination of engineering, economics, management and legal education. It prepares future experts and leaders in international maritime trade, Shipping Business, port complexes and state control institutions.
• Bachelor Degree in Exploitation Fleet and Ports (4 years): Upon successful completion of the specialty, graduates are awarded a Bachelor’s degree and are prepared for the positions of Organizer, Deputy Director of port and Head of a small port. They can also occupy different operator and expert positions in the port administration and in the shipping companies.
• Bachelor Degree in Logistics (4 years): The education under this program aims to prepare future professionals in logistics activities by building skills for effective management of commodity-tangible values and related flows among economic operators.
• Bachelor Degree in River Shipping (4 years): The training in the specialty is four years. Students graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and can occupy the position of Deck Officer of all ships, ships sailing on rivers as well as various positions in transport management process in ports and in merchant companies of river shipping.
• Bachelor Degree in Marine Engineering (4 years): This course prepares students for the positions of Officer in charge of an engineering watch with maintenance or Duty Engineer Officer in an unmanned engine-room (unlimited), Second Engineer Officer & Chief Engineer (up to 3 000 kW), Chief Engineer (Inland up to 3 000 kW). Graduates of the specialty can be assigned to various managerial positions both in the field of maritime and river transport, as well as in industry.
• Bachelor Degree in Electrical Ship Equipment (4 years): This course prepares students for the positions Ship Electrician (ETO) on board of the respective class of civilian ships and other managerial positions in the field of maritime transport and industry such as electro mechanics, power engineers. The curriculum is approved and meets all criteria and requirements of the Maritime Administration.
• Bachelor Degree in Ship Repair Technology (4 years): Upon successful completion of the four-year course of study, graduates are awarded a Bachelor’s degree and acquire a legal capacity Ship Repair Technology Engineer. Graduates of the specialty can be appointed to various managerial positions in the ship repair and shipbuilding industry.
• Bachelor Degree in Ocean Engineering (4 years): Upon successful completion of the four-year course of study, graduates can occupy engineering, research and design positions in the field of marine equipment exploitation.
• Bachelor Degree in Marine Radio Electronics (4 years): Students are prepared to work with ship and shore communications, radar and radio navigation aids and automation systems, as well as for their maintenance.

Last Updated: Dec 18, 2022