University of Agribusiness and Rural Development is the successor of Higher School ‘Agricultural College’.

Higher School ‘Agricultural College’ was founded on October 23rd, 1992 by a decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Following a positive assessment by NEAA and by a decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria dated November 15th, 2000 published in State Gazette No. 95 of 2000, the higher education institution was granted the status of independent college, which in 2003 received institutional accreditation from NEAA for a five-year period.

In 2008, the Accreditation Council of NEAA gave a positive assessment of the projects for opening branches in Veliko Tarnovo and Rousse.

In 2009, Higher School ‘Agricultural College’ received institutional accreditation for 6 years.

In 2011, the Agricultural College was transformed into University of Agribusiness and Rural Development with a positive assessment by NEAA of the submitted transformation project, Council of Ministers Decision dated May 26th, 2011 and Decision of the 41st National Assembly dated July 06th, 2011 (promulgated in State Gazette No. 54 of 15.07.2011).

In 2013, University of Agribusiness and Rural Development - Plovdiv received institutional accreditation from NEAA with a validity period of 4 (four) years.