Quality of Economics Education in Bulgarian Higher Education Institutions: Аssessment Criteria Systematization

Education is a key factor for national competitiveness and a significant element of the social infrastructure, on which the achieved level of public welfare depends. Professional realization and the return on investment in human capital are largely determined by the quality of higher education and the acquired knowledge and skills. In this context, the purpose of this article is to study and analyse the quality of education in economics in Bulgarian higher education institutions and, on this basis, to formulate conclusions and recommendations regarding the possibilities for its improvement. To achieve the set goal, a descriptive analysis of the strengths, challenges, and opportunities for development is carried out, and criteria and sub-criteria for assessing the quality of economics education in higher education institutions in Bulgaria are systematized. The usefulness of such a study is expressed in the proposed system of criteria and sub-criteria for assessing the quality of economics education in higher education institutions, taking into account external and internal factors of impact on the overall process, from admission through training, and finally to implementation.