Education is controlled by the Ministry of Education and is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. At primary and secondary level, education is free of charge. Literacy rate is high at over 98% and there is no gender disparity.
To enter secondary education, students have to achieve their elementary certificate. In secondary education students can choose between academic or vocational schools. Students can also choose to specialise in languages, maths or IT.
At higher education level there are three types of institution: universities, colleges or specialised higher schools. Undergraduate studies last for at least four years. Sofia and Plovdiv Universities are among the largest.
