The system includes universities and other higher education institutions. These institutions operate in accordance with national legislation and may be established as public, private or public-private institutions.

Universities are the main providers of higher education. Public universities represent the core of the system, alongside private universities and one public-private institution. Universities offer study programmes at all three cycles: bachelor, master and doctoral studies. They are composed of faculties, academies and research institutes, which carry out teaching and research activities within specific fields.

Faculties are the main organisational units within universities. They are responsible for the implementation of study programmes, academic staff and student assessment. Academies, mainly in the field of arts, operate under similar principles.

In addition to universities, higher education is also provided by professional higher education institutions (високи стручни школи). These institutions are accredited independently and offer professionally oriented programmes focused on applied knowledge and skills. Such programmes may also be delivered within universities.

The system also includes other institutions that carry out higher education activities, such as scientific institutes, institutions of religious communities and a foreign higher education institution operating in the country. A military academy also operates under specific legal provisions within the higher education system.

Higher education institutions enjoy institutional autonomy in academic, organisational and financial matters. At the same time, they are subject to national regulations concerning accreditation, quality assurance and recognition of qualifications (Source: Agency for Quality in Higher Education).