The Master’s program Quantum Technologies is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree and acquired basic knowledge in the field of quantum physics. It aims to train highly qualified specialists in the rapidly developing fields of quantum informatics and quantum technologies – quantum computers, quantum simulations, quantum communications, quantum cryptography, quantum metrology and quantum sensors.

Application requirements: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any of the disciplines of physics, engineering physics, mathematics, informatics, engineering sciences or chemistry. They must have taken courses in quantum mechanics, statistical physics and atomic physics, as well as basic knowledge of mathematics and computer science. Bachelors from majors who have not attended or attended to a lesser extent such courses can also be accepted. They will additionally have to take as electives the relevant specialized courses offered in the undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Physics.

The Master’s program starts in the winter semester (state-subsidized tuition and fee-based tuition). Admission of students to subsidized studies takes place with an entrance exam in physics. Applicants for a paid form of study are ranked without an exam, according to the average grade of the higher education diploma (the grade must be no lower than Good).

The training is carried out by highly qualified teachers from the Faculty of Physics and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, who have many years of experience in scientific research on quantum informatics and quantum technologies. At the time of enrollment, each student will be assigned an academic mentor from among the professors in the program.

In the first and second semesters of the master’s program, students must take and pass exams in 5 compulsory courses (including Quantum Control Methods, Introduction to Quantum Technologies, Modern Atomic Physics, Quantum Computing and Quantum Algorithms and Quantum Simulations and Quantum Metrology) and 3 electives academic disciplines (see the content of the curriculum), from which they can earn 30 credits per semester. Students can also choose courses from among those offered in the other master’s programs in the Faculty of Physics and in the other faculties of Sofia University. The third semester of the program includes 2 elective courses and is dedicated to research work under the supervision of a professor and the preparation of a thesis (30 credits in total).

In addition to basic theoretical knowledge of quantum technologies, students will also get acquainted with the main experimental achievements, to which a significant part of the lectures on Modern Atomic Physics and Introduction to Quantum Technologies will be devoted, as well as some of the elective courses. Within the Quantum Computing and Quantum Algorithms course, students will also gain practical hands-on skills in writing quantum software for the IBM Online Quantum Computer.

Graduates of the program will receive a master’s degree and will acquire basic knowledge in the field of modern quantum technologies.

Graduates of the program will possess the necessary knowledge and skills to start a successful career in this field in Bulgaria or abroad. The knowledge and skills of the graduates of the program also have a practical character, which will allow them to realize themselves professionally in emerging companies developing quantum technologies or in the software industry.

Possible realization of the completed masters: in universities, scientific institutes and laboratories in the country and abroad, carrying out fundamental research in the field of quantum technologies, as well as in the software industry – development of quantum software, modeling of systems and data analysis.

The Master’s program is inextricably linked with research work. Students in this master’s program are offered work in research project teams led by the program’s faculty. This allows for the natural transition of graduates into doctoral study, which is the most logical next step in the development of program graduates. To the extent that the Master’s program is fully in line with global trends in this rapidly developing field of science and technology, graduates of the program will have the opportunity to begin Ph.D.