Training Process

The duration of studies at B.Sc. degree level is 8 and 10 semesters for full-time and part-time students, respectively, and at M.Sc. degree level it is 3 or 5 semesters, depending on the degree course followed at B.Sc. level. The degree is awarded after finishing the studies and defending a graduation project or passing a state exam.

The academic staff employed at the university includes 240 full-time and 85 part-time lecturers, 131 of the full-time and 37 of the part-time having a Ph.D. degree. The total number of students is 7219, 61 of which are international students and 3845 are part-time students.

Teaching and learning methods:

  • Lectures;

  • Seminars;

  • Laboratory practice;

  • Course work  assignments;

  • Projects;

  • Practice hours;

  • Research.

The lecture/seminar hours ratio in the curricula is 1:1.

Each course is completed by knowledge assessment within a semester.

An academic period lasts 45minutes and the periods are grouped in twos or threes for the classes. They start at the quarter past the hour with a break of 15 min.

Classes start at 7.15 at the earliest and finish at 20.00 at the latest.

The evaluation and giving marks to the knowledge and skills acquired by the students is regulated by the curricula and syllabi. Examinations are conducted in regular and resit sessions, fixed by the schedule of the training process. Each year an exam calendar is formed co-ordinated with students and teaching staff and it is approved and signed by the Rector. The marks obtained at the exams or the current testing are entered in exam protocols, student's mark report and the principal register of the Faculty which is signed by the examiner.

The basic evaluation method is the written exam, but higher exactingness, impartiality and so­me specific features of some courses require addi­tional oral discussion on the examination mate­rial. When the final mark is formed, the marks form previous tests, homework assignments, etc., done during the semester are taken into consideration.

The diploma work/project is defended in front of State Board of Examiners which consists of not fewer than 5 examiners of high academic rank, at least 3 experts in this field and one member of the Board comes from another department. Each diploma work/project is reviewed in advance. The State Board of Examiners gives two marks: for writing/developing the work/project and for the defense of the diploma work/project.

Students' performance is assessed by means of a 5-stage scale which ranges from:

  • Excellent - 6;

  • Very good - 5;

  • Good - 4;

  • Fair/satisfactory - 3;

  • Poor/fail - 2.

Students who fail an examination have to resit.

At TU Gabrovo the language of instruction is Bulgarian.

Areas of Research

Research at the Technical University of Gabrovo is carried out in the following major areas:

  • CAD and fine mechanical element and instrument technologies

  • Communication engineering

  • Driving and control equipment

  • Dynamics of machines

  • Instrumental equipment

  • Machine-building structures and mechanisms

  • Mechanics

  • Multimedia technologies

  • Optimum design of mechanical structures and engineering materials optimization

  • Renewable energy sources

  • Welding, recovery, electrotechnological and heat metal treatment

Support Units

In addition to the research laboratories, the Technical University of Gabrovo has the following support units:

  • Centre of Postgraduate Qualifications, where various additional courses are provided;

  • Centre for Quality of Training;

  • University Library, storing a great number of books – textbooks, manuals, Bulgarian and foreign periodicals, description of inventions and patents;

  • -rmation Systems and Technologies Centre, equipped with modern computers and software for administrative service and training;

  • University Centre for International Programmes and Projects, which organizes student and staff mobility, as well as the participation of the university in international educational and research programmes and projects;

  • Department for Language and Specialized Training;

  • Centre for Research and Technologies;

  • University Publishing House “Vassil Aprilov”;

  • Bulgarian-German Institute for Quality Management;

  • High Tech Centre;

  • University Radio.

There are two university canteens and five cafeterias on the university campus. Besides, there are numerous restaurants, bars, fast-food restaurants,etc. within walking distance.

The Technical University of Gabrovo has on-campus sports facilities, including a gymnasium and sports grounds, and a rowing club at the village of Mladen. There is a swimming pool in the town and several recreational facilities with swimming pools in the outskirts.