Military medical graduates who finish their degree with top honours will be able to apply for a clinical specialty at the Military Medical Academy (VMA) as soon as they qualify. The government has approved changes to the rules for applying the Defence and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria Act, the Council of Ministers press office said.

The competition is open to two groups: graduates with a medical degree who have joined the military, and officers with a master's degree in civilian medicine. Both groups must have graduated with top honours.

The press office said the armed forces will gain doctors who have practical experience, wide learning and deep knowledge, which come from high marks at university.

The changes take effect on the day the decree is published in the State Gazette.

The tenth class of military doctors graduated in August. Twenty young men and women from the class chose to join the anniversary edition of the programme, which combines medicine with military service.