Faculty of International Economics and Administration 
Department of Computer Science and Economics

Speciality: International Economic Relations

Awarded qualification: Economist

Level of qualification: Bachelor 

Length of programme: four years

Number of credits: 240

Field(s) of study (ISCED-F): 0311: Economics (14.3 - 314)

Specific admission requirements: Diploma of Secondary Education or Diploma of Higher Education

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning: 
Formal: diplomas and academic transcripts from secondary schools and accredited universities.
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 Science and Economics.

Qualification requirements and regulations, including graduation equirements*: In order to be awarded this qualification, students need to obtain 240 credits, out of which 203 credits are awarded for doing compulsory courses, 18 credits are awarded for doing elective courses, 9 credits are awarded for doing optional courses, 10 credits are awarded for State Examination (Thesis Defence).

Profile of the programme: 
Within the framework of the programme in International Economic Relations, students acquire knowledge and skills in a major field of science, education and business – international economy. The excellent study conditions and facilities provided by VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar, facilitate students’ acquisition of topical and relevant knowledge and skills in the field of world economy, international business, international finance and marketing. The programme is designed for students whose professional interests lay in the field of international economy, the trade practices of modern economic enterprises and financial markets, and stock exchanges. The programme aims to meet the demand for specialists with an international profile of trade, economic and legal education. The programme content is based on leading world and European practices and provides students with professional knowledge and experience of operating foreign economic activities – preparation, contracting and implementation of international trade deals by various firms and enterprises. The training is closely related to the interests and prospects before the Bulgarian economy and politics, and is oriented towards real partaking in international economic and political relations.

Programme learning outcomes:
The education provided lays a solid foundation guaranteeing successful career development in business, administration, non-governmental organizations and scientific institutions. Graduates in International Economic Relations are trained to successfully implement their knowledge and skills in the various business areas:
• to work as managers and specialists in manufacturing and trade organizations with international activities, state administration and international organizations;
• to organize and hold successfully international initiatives and events;
• to do innovative business;
• to tap into the huge potential of the Internet for the purposes of international business and trade;
• to think out of the box when making decisions in the field of international competition.

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, distance learning

Examination regulations and grading scale: General requirements to the students:
• Thorough knowledge of the discipline: functions, graphs, optimization problems;
• Regular attendance of lectures and seminars. Arrival on time and discipline during the lessons. Late arrival, noise during lectures, or distraction of other students’ attention reduce the effectiveness of the learning and teaching process and shall not be tolerated;
• Carrying out of the assigned tasks on time, participation in class discussions, reviewing the material before the lesson;
• Initiative to solve problems and difficulties;
• Adherence to the principles of academic ethics and collegiality.

Continuous and Final Assessment.
Continuous assessment focuses on students’ individual work and is carried out by means of tests which check knowledge. An alternative form of continuous assessment is control work in class. Results from tests for self study are not taken into consideration when these differ dramatically from the results of tests done in class. The date of the test is announced to the students at least a week earlier.
Final assessment is carried out through an exam during the exam sessions. Students who have sat a test in class and their result is over 60% from the overall number of points for the semester can be freed from the final exam. The condition for finishing the semester is students to have at least 10 points from continuous assessment.

Mark formation:
The table below shows the weight of the continuous and final assessment in the formation of the final mark.

The mark of students who are freed from exam is based only on continuous assessment. The mark of students who sit the exam at the correction and liquidation sessions is based only on the exam at these sessions.

The final mark is formed as follows:

Obligatory or optional mobility windows: none

Work placement(s) (if applicable): It is envisaged that the preliminary graduation internship in the amount of 45 working days. The internship is applied between the third and fourth course.

Work-based learning: There are opportunities to involve students in overseas internships organised by partners of the VFU.

Occupational profiles of graduates:
Graduates in International Economic Relations fully meet the career development requirements applying to the most topical positions, where a long-term demand exists for specialists in the various areas of business and administration:
• manufacturing enterprises;
• trade organizations;
• different state departments and enterprises;
• international organizations
• financial institutions – banks, insurance institutions, investment funds etc.;
• research institutions;
• European institutions within the EU;
• foreign companies in the Republic of Bulgaria and outside it;
• overseas missions, embassies and other structures.

Access to further studies: Successful graduates can continue their education in a closely related Master’s programme.
Graduates who wish to expand their scope of education, can enrol on a Master’s programme within a different professional area at VFU, in compliance with the terms and requirements in force.

Head of Department “Computer Science and Economics”:
Assoc. Prof. Galina Momcheva, PhD 
VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” Room D -9
Phone number: 052/ 359-573; mobile: 0888 793 785
email: galina.momcheva@vfu.bg, gmomcheva@gmail.com

Secretary 
Eng. Pavleta Krasteva
VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” Room D -8
Phone number: 052/359 -572; mobile: 0878 417 494
e-mail:  pavleta.krasteva@vfu.bg, pavleta.krasteva@gmail.com