Why Your Secondary School Diploma Must Include a Mark Scale – And What Happens If It Doesn’t?

If you're planning to study for a Bachelor's degree in Bulgaria, it's essential to understand how your high school diploma and academic transcripts are evaluated — especially when it comes to grades and mark scales.

One of the most important steps in the application process is obtaining a Certificate of Equivalency from the Regional Department of Education in Bulgaria. This certificate confirms that your secondary school education is comparable to the Bulgarian system — and it’s a requirement for university admission.

However, here's where many students face delays or even rejection:

If your diploma does not clearly show your subject marks and a mark scale (grading system), your documents cannot be processed.

Why Is the Mark Scale So Important?

The Bulgarian authorities need to understand the context of your grades — how high or low a grade is, and what it means in your country. A “B” or a “70” can mean very different things in different systems. Without a clear mark scale attached to your transcript or diploma, the Regional Department of Education cannot fairly assess your academic level or issue an equivalency certificate.

Be Careful with Key Subjects

Even if your transcript includes marks and a scale, you also need to make sure that you meet the minimum grade requirements for university admission in Bulgaria.

For most technical or science-based programs (like Engineering, Computer Science, or Medicine), your grades in core subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry must be above 62%. This is a legal requirement.

If your grades are below that level:

• Your university application may be rejected, or
• You could fail your student visa interview, as the visa is based on eligibility to study.

How to Avoid Issues?

Before submitting your documents:

Make sure your diploma includes a grading scale, either on the back or as an attachment. Double-check that all required subjects for your desired program are clearly listed with grades. Confirm that all marks are above 62%, especially for subjects that are relevant to your degree. If your school doesn’t issue transcripts in English, provide certified translations with clear grade explanations.

Tip: If you're unsure whether your diploma meets the requirements, reach out to an experienced educational consultant or your future university in Bulgaria. They can guide you on what to prepare before sending your application.

Getting everything right from the start will save you time, stress, and help you secure your place at a Bulgarian university — without surprises during the process.