Speciality: International Maritime Law
Specialization: International Maritime Law
Awarded qualification: Master in International Maritime Law
Level of qualification: Master
Specific admission requirements: Candidates must have graduated in Law, degree Master, with an average grade from the higher education diploma not less than Good. Candidates go for an interview. It is formed by taking into account the result of the interview and the average grade from the higher education diploma.
Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning :
• Information and directions:
ECTS-coordinator of the European system for accumulation and transfer of credits provides initial information and directions about the possibilities of recognition and credit awarding in relation to prior education.
ECTS–Faculty of Law coordinator:
Prof. Ekaterina Mateeva, DSc; telephone number: 052/359-563 (+359 52 359563)
e-mail: uf_vfu@abv.bg
ECTS– coordinator of Legal Sciences Department:
Assoc. Prof. Elisaveta Kalinova PhD, telephone number: 052/359-614 (+359 52 359614)
e-mail: law_vfu_2011@abv.bg
• Procedure:
а) Credits recognition on the basis of the following documents submitted:
- a transcript or a diploma from prior higher education, in accordance with the curriculum of the Master’s program;
- international diplomas and certificates in a foreign language (English or Russian for Specific Purposes in the field of Law);
b) Knowledge and skills certification by taking exams in:
- English or Russian for Specific Purposes (at the Foreign Language Teaching Department);
• Credits allocation:
Students are awarded credits in accordance with the curriculum of the Master’s Program, on the basis of the recognition of previous examinations from higher education/a/ or on the basis of the results of knowledge and skills certification /b/.
Qualification requirements and regulations: For successful semester completion students are required to pass semester examinations in subjects of the curriculum with a total workload of not less than 45 ECTS-credits. In order to graduate, after the semester completion , students are required to pass a state exam successfully or to defend a diploma thesis successfully, each of which is awarded 15 ECTS-credits.
Profile of the programme: The Master's program is intended for Masters with a law degree. It aims to meet the modern needs of highly-qualified specialists in international maritime law. About 80% of international economic trade exchange are carried out by sea transport. This type of transport is regulated by numerous and various international acts of universal, multilateral, regional and bilateral character. This regulation is in direct relation to the national legislations of the countries involved. In modern conditions of commercial marine navigation, specific transport risks are constantly increasing. Attention to these issues is shown by the people involved in operations in maritime trade (international purchase and sale and transport), as well as by insurers, taking into account the increase in auto and cargo claims ratio.
The curriculum is elaborated on the basis of the Bulgarian and international experience in training specialists in maritime law and is in line with the Bulgarian legisltaion and existing international legal legislation.
Three blocks of disciplines are involved: compulsory, elective and optional. Students are provided with the acquisition of compulsory minimum of legal knowledge as well as with the opportunity to orient themselves to a desired specialization through the elective specializing disciplines. The syllabuses of the corresponding relevant disciplines, realizing the curriculum during learning theory of Legislature and Law enforcement are built on the principles of interdisciplinary and comparative legal method. There is optional education in specialized English or Russian whose good command is a modern requirement for a successful professional career.
During their studies students are required to participate in the scientific research activity of the faculty, and the best works are included in the university editions.
After a successfully passed state examination or successfully defended diploma thesis, the graduates in the Master’s Program are issued with a diploma in higher education in educational-and-qualification degree Master. For postgraduates from Varna Free University the distinction with the DS Label and ECTS label of the European Commission gives them a certain advantage.
Key learning outcomes
The curriculum includes three blocks of subjects: compulsory, elective and optional. This ensures the statutory minimum of legal knowledge in the field of maritime law, as well as an opportunity for students to orient themselves to a desired and narrower specialization.
After the completion of the first semester students acquire a system of knowledge in key areas in maritime law – legal public and legal private, thus significantly upgrading the basic knowledge received during their major in Law.
The second cycle of elective subjects enables students to build an attitude to certain areas connected with the security and safety of maritime shipping and the protection of marine environment from pollution.
After completing all semester studies and passing state examinations or defending a diploma Master’s thesis, students take Master’s educational-qualification degree.
Occupational profiles of graduates
The Master’s program trains jurists for further master’s degree after higher education, which can provide an advantage when working in different fields of maritime law and international trade exchange. The Master’s program gives graduates broad opportunities for a professional career in the areas of international business and law relating to merchant shipping.
Access to further studies: Graduates can continue their studies in other bachelor’s and master’s programs, postgraduate specializations, as well as, for the purpose of obtaining the educational and scientific degree "Doctor of Law".
In the professional area of Law, doctors are trained in the following Doctor’s programs accredited by the National Agency for assessment and accreditation:
• Constitutional Law
• Civil and Family Law
• International Law and International Relations
• Forensic Science
• Criminology
Examination regulations, assessment and grading: The following forms of knowledge and skills assessment are used: examinations, continuous assessment, defense of task assignments and projects as well as other forms of control as defined in the curricula and syllabuses. The assessment is carried out in the six-grade system (in words and figures- integers) and in alphabetical letters under the European system for accumulation and transfer of credits in which the highest rating awarded is 6 (A), and the lowest one is an average 3 (E), for successfully passed examinations and allocation of credits.
Graduation requirements: After completing all semester studies and passing a state examination or defending a diploma Master’s thesis, graduates take a Master’s degree in the major "International Maritime Law" with the professional qualification "Master in International Maritime Law".
Mode of study: part-time
Head of Master’s Degree Programme: Assoc. Prof. Elisaveta Kalinova, PhD
Institute of Maritime Law and Logistics, Main Building – A-Section - Room А-203
Working hours: Monday from 12.00 - 15.00
tel: +359 52 359614
е-mail: impl@vfu.bg
Secretary of Legal Sciences Department: Milena Raynovska
Administrative Building of the Faculty of Law - Room В8
Working hours: Every week day from 8:30 - 10:00 and from 13:30 - 15:00
tel: +359 52 359562
е-mail: law_vfu_2011@abv.bg