The Higher School of Civil Engineering “Lyuben Karavelov“ - Sofia is a successor of the specialized military engineering school established with His Majesty Tsar Boris III's Decree № 22 on 18.10.1938 for the needs of the Army Corps' Engineers (Labor service, Labor Army Corps).

Later, with Decree of the Council of State № 1815/16.08.1973 the School was reorganized into Higher Military School of Construction Engineering “Gen. Blagoy Ivanov“ (VNVSU “Gen. Blagoy Ivanov“). The education was performed on the subject “Industrial and Civil Engineering“ with two departments: building constructions and technology of the construction.

During the period from 1938 till 2000 in the School have been prepared many management cadres not only for the Army Corps' Engineers and the Construction filed but also for the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Transport and other authorities. The School became attractive educational centre not only for the young people in our country but also for the people from many other countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  As a result of some intergovernment agreements, at the School have been educated cadets and officers from Tanzania, Mozambique, Cuba, Laos, Yemen, Vietnam, Mongolia, Syria and others.

In 1991, with a Decree of the President of Republic of Bulgaria the School was renamed into Higher Military School of Construction Engineering “Lyuben Karavelov“ (VVISU “Lyuben Karavelov“).

In August 2000, with a Reorganization of the Construction Military Corps, the Military Corps of the Ministry of Transport and the Military Corps of the Committee of Post and Telecommunications into State Companies' Act (Official Gazette, issue 57/14.07.2000), the School was demilitarized and renamed into Higher School of Civil Engineering (VSU)  “Lyuben Karavelov“ with statute of state higher specialized school.