Foreign citizens who wish to study at the South-West University "Neofit Rilski" need to have completed a secondary education. They should submit all the necessary documents by September 1 each year at the Foreign Student's Office of the University located in the main campus.

For all the foreign students admitted to the University the first academic year is preparatory. It is compulsory and it is not a part of any degree programme. During the year they study Bulgarian (English is also an option depending on the language of teaching in the programme they have chosen). At the end of the preparatory year the students pass an exam to demonstrate the level of language knowledge and skills they have acquired in comprehension, reading, and writing. If their language proficiency is good enough they may continue their studies with the programme of their choice.

The fee for the one year language course is 3000 Euros. Students with a knowledge of the language pass only a proficiency examination (written and oral). In that case the fee is 300 Euros.