Educational Programs

Education at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy lasts 4 years (8 semesters). Graduates who successfully complete the educational program receive a higher education diploma and are awarded a Bachelor’s degree. If you wish to obtain a Master’s degree, you must continue your education for an additional year and a half. Education is conducted entirely in English. Graduates can immediately obtain a license to practice their profession in Italy or another country. Doctoral studies last up to 3 years. Students can only apply to doctoral programs if they already hold a Master’s degree. The Higher Education Diploma awarded by NVNA is recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Maritime University (WMU), and the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) according to the International Convention on Standards of Education (STCW) standards. The academic year begins on October 1st and ends at the end of June, followed by exams until mid-July. The Academy’s structure consists of three main units:
Faculty of Navigation
Faculty of Engineering
Graduate Education Department
1. Faculty of Navigation
The duration of education is 4 years (8 semesters) for a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years (10 semesters) for a Master’s degree. After graduation, you can work on all merchant ships as Officer in Charge of Navigation, Second Captain, Chief Captain and Captain, as well as in shore-based positions such as Ship Manager, Maritime Agent, Cargo Inspector and specialist positions in electronics, computer hardware and programming.

Ship Captain
Education is conducted in English. The Navigation Department successfully trains highly qualified engineering specialists in the field of “Navigation”. The training includes annual practice in a training camp, on a training ship and on other ships sailing in the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. Graduates who successfully complete the four-year education program are awarded a Bachelor’s degree. They can assume the role of “Chief Captain” of all civilian ships and can also be assigned to the following shore-based positions: Ship Manager, Ship Agent, Broker, Freight Specialist, etc.
Information and Communication Technologies in the Maritime Sector
Language of Instruction – English
Duration of Study for Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years (8 semesters)
The “Information and Communication Technologies in the Maritime Sector” specialization is a new discipline designed to train IT specialists in all areas of the maritime business. The comprehensive training allows graduates of this specialization to become IT specialists in fields outside of the maritime business as well.
Water Transport Management
Language of Instruction – English
Duration of Study for Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years (8 semesters)
The “Water Transport Management” specialization is the only specialization within the “Management and Administration” professional field of the NVNA accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Agency.
This specialization aims to meet the growing demand for managerial personnel in the dynamic international environment of water transport through a combination of engineering, economics, management, and legal education. It prepares future specialists and leaders in international maritime trade, maritime business, port complexes, and state control agencies. Fleet and Port Operations
Language of Instruction – English
Duration of Study for Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years (8 semesters)
Graduates who successfully complete this specialization are awarded a Bachelor’s degree and are prepared for positions such as Organizer, Assistant Port Manager, and Small Port Manager. They can also work in various operator and specialist positions in port administration and maritime companies.
Logistics
Language of Instruction – English
Duration of Study for Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years (8 semesters)
The education under this program aims to prepare future professionals in logistics activities by developing skills for the effective management of commodities-material values ​​and related flows between economic operators.
River Transportation
Language of Instruction – English
Duration of Study for Bachelor’s Degree – 4 years (8 semesters)
The education in this specialization lasts four years. Students graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and can take on the position of “Deck Officer” of all ships, ships sailing on rivers, as well as various positions in the transportation management process in ports and river transportation trading companies. 2. Faculty of Engineering
After successfully completing your education, you will be qualified to work as a Marine Electrician, Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch on commercial vessels, Second Engineer on coastal vessels, and also as Assistant Port Manager, Small Port Manager, Specialist in logistics companies, maritime business and international maritime trade, and many other positions in the field of maritime transport and industry.

Ship machinery and mechanisms
Language of instruction – English
Duration of education for the Bachelor’s degree – 4 years (8 semesters)
Graduates who successfully complete the four-year education program are awarded a Bachelor’s degree. They can take on the following positions: “Officer in Charge of Maintenance and Engineering Watch