Doctoral programme "Administrative Law and Administrative Procedure"

Brief Description

The doctoral programme aims to train academic researchers and legal professionals capable of conducting independent research in administrative law and administrative procedure. Research may cover both the general and special parts of administrative law, as well as administrative procedure.

The aim is to produce results that contribute new theoretical insights, critically analyse the existing legal framework, and put forward proposals for its improvement. A key objective is to enable graduates of law faculties to continue their education and obtain the educational and scientific degree of Doctor in this field, in accordance with the Higher Education Act. The programme culminates in the successful defence of a doctoral dissertation written by the doctoral candidate.

Professional Competences Acquired upon Completion

Graduates of the programme develop the following competences:

• Mastery of the methodology, structure and specific requirements of academic writing.
• Application of established and newly acquired disciplinary knowledge to specific research and practical problems in administrative law and administrative procedure.
• Research into sources from Bulgarian legal scholarship, historical legal scholarship and foreign legal scholarship.
• Acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the practice of administrative authorities and courts, thereby strengthening the practical dimension of the candidate’s research.
• Development and publication of scholarly articles and other research outputs, including conference papers and posters.
• Ability to apply newly acquired knowledge when preparing legal opinions.
• Ability to present a specific topic at academic forums and engage in discussion with an audience.
• Development of teaching skills, where possible.
• Achievement of the required standards of foreign-language and computer proficiency.

Potential Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue careers as:

• Researchers capable of undertaking further independent research and producing research findings with practical applications.
• University lecturers.
• Judges, prosecutors, lawyers, in-house legal counsel, arbitrators and other professionals for whom the knowledge acquired through the doctoral degree is relevant.