Study in Hungary – Top Universities, Scholarships, Visa, Intake

Description: Want to study in Hungary? Get free counselling for top universities in Hungary? Courses, student visas, scholarships, costs, and more!

Study in Hungary – Top Universities, Visa, Scholarships, Courses

Hungary is one of the best countries to study abroad because it has highly ranked universities, scholarships, affordable tuition, and high-quality courses, because of this, it is an excellent study location. Hungary offers several highly QS-ranked universities that offer quality education at affordable rates. Bachelors, masters, vocational curriculums, and PhDs are offered at low prices that will not break the bank. If you find that you cannot afford the tuition and cost of living in Hungary, you can apply for the various scholarships available to international students.

Hungary offers many fully funded scholarships to high-achieving international students who wish to study in their country. These scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation costs, groceries, as well as other costs. Some scholarships only cover certain courses, so be sure to study the requirements of your chosen scholarship in detail.

Additionally to top universities and scholarships, Hungary also offers excellent courses in various fields such as medicine and law. Hungary provides a multitude of courses across various universities and colleges, you are sure to find a course of study within your field of interest. Hungary also allows you to study further into your chosen course through Masters’ and PhD programmes.

Once you have chosen your desired course, you have to apply for a student visa. Feeling scared about applying for your visa? Don’t be! Applying for a student visa in Hungary is pretty simple. Make sure you speak to the Hungarian Embassy in your home country and have all the required documents such as your passport, photographs, and financial proof.

If you are planning on gaining new experiences, earning a quality qualification, and growing your network, Hungary is an excellent place to do so! Let us strap in and explore the nitty-gritty of why and what you need to study in Hungary.

Latest updates:

  • Visa requirement: Non-EU students have to pay tuition and enrollment fees before their visa interview, therefore make sure you pay early.
  • Academic reputation: Hungary is positively recognized globally for their medical research and initiatives.

Key Highlights

FeatureDetails
Top coursesMedicine, Engineering, Business Administration, Law
Top QS ranked UniversitiesEötvös Loránd University (ELTE), University of Szeged, University of Debrecen
Student VisaApply for the long-term National Visa (Type D) to study for longer than 90 days and qualify for a residence permit.
ScholarshipsStipendium Hungaricum, Erasmus Mundus, and Bilateral State Scholarships.
IntakesFall (September) and Spring (February)

Why Study in Hungary?

  • Affordable tuition fees: Hungary charges one of the lowest tuition fees in Europe, therefore it is affordable for international students.
  • High-quality education: Hungary offers high-quality education that meets European standards while saving your bank account.
  • Safety: According to the Global Peace Index, Hungary is the 15th safest country among 163, additionally it also has few natural disasters.
  • Low living costs: Numbeo states that Hungary’s living costs are 43% lower than those in the United States, and rent is over 70% lower than in the US.
  • Diverse and multicultural: Hungary is culturally rich and has a diverse student community while offering plenty of activities for international students to enjoy.

Education System in Hungary

  • College education: After graduating from high school, students pursue a college education in the field of their choice. They first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • University education: Similarly to college education, this is the first step after graduating high school. Depending on the course and programme, a bachelor’s degree lasts 4 to 6 years.
  • Vocational curriculum: This curriculum focuses on giving students practical experience to prepare them for the job or enter a field. A vocational curriculum also usually lasts two years.
  • Masters Degree: A Master’s degree is taken after a bachelor’s degree and is completed in 1-2 years, depending on the chosen field.
  • University PhD courses: A PhD degree is completed after a Masters degree and usually takes 3 years to complete.
  • Credit System: Hungary uses ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System), which are used to show the amount of work required to complete each module with the total amount needed to complete a full academic year. Additionally, it usually takes 60 credits to complete a full academic year.

Eligibility to study in Hungary

  • Academic transcripts: A bachelor’s degree requires an English or Hungarian-translated high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Proof of language proficiency: Proof of English language proficiency through certificates like TOEFL or IELTS.
  • Visa requirement: Non-EU members will need a student visa to study in Hungary.

Document Required to Study in Hungary

  • English or Hungarian translated academic transcripts.
  • TOEFL/IELTS test scores.
  • Up-to-date CV
  • Letter of motivation
  • Passport / ID
  • Two academic reference letters

Top courses to study in Hungary

Course NameAverage Fees (Annual) Intake
Medicine8,000-10,000 EurosFall
EngineeringAround 5,000 EurosFall
Business Administration4,000-6,000 EurosFall
Law2 500 – 5 000 EurosFall

 Top Universities to Study in Hungary

Top UniversityQS RankingAction
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)564Apply
University of Szeged570Apply
University of Debrecen574Apply
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME)721 – 730Apply
University of Pécs771 – 780Apply

Intake in Hungary

FallMonthAction
Fall IntakeSeptember – JanuaryApply
Spring IntakeFebruary – JuneApply

Cost of studying in Hungary

Study ProgrammeAverage Fees (Annually)Action
Undergrad programmes3,000 – 5,000 EurosApply
Masters Programmes4,000 – 6,000 EurosApply
Doctoral programmes6,000 – 8,000 EurosApply
Medical and Dental programmesUp to 16,000 EurosApply
Vocational Programmes1,5000 – 5,000 EurosApply

Cost of living in Hungary

  • Accommodation: 2,000 – 3,000 Euros per year.
  • Travel cost: Around 120 Euros per month.
  • Health Insurance: Around 300 Euros per year.
  • Food and Groceries: 115 – 150 Euros per month.

Scholarships to study in Hungary

Name of ScholarshipDescriptionFunding
Stipendium HungaricumInternational students from nearly 70 countries can apply for the Hungarian Government’s Stipendium Hungaricum.Full Funding
Erasmus MundusFor non-EU students who wish to study for their Masters.Fully Funded
Bilateral State ScholarshipsAvailable for foreign students who live in a country that has an educational or scientific agreement with Hungary.Fully Funded

Part-time Work Options for International Students in Hungary

Foreign students will require a student residency permit to stay in Hungary for the duration of their studies while working part-time. Foreign students are allowed to work for up to 24 hrs per week during their academic semester but can work full-time (40 hrs per week) during semester breaks or holidays. Part-time work they could do are:

  • On-Campus Employment: On-campus jobs are convenient because they offer employment close to the student’s academic studies. Examples include research assistant, library assistant, as well as administrative roles.
  • Off-Campus Employment: Students can work off-campus jobs in retail, cafes, as well as restaurants.
  • Internships: Foreign students can get experience within their field of study through internships as well as apprenticeships. This will help students build a network additionally to possibly get a permanent position in the future. So please consider doing an internship.
  • Freelancing: Freelance work allows students to work flexible jobs in addition to various projects across different fields. Therefore, you will be able to work while studying.

Post-Study Work Permit in Hungary

Once an academic qualification is completed, all international students can apply for a post-study permit after that. The post-study permit will allow the student to stay for 9 months after completing their degree, just remember to apply for the permit 15 days before your student visa expires.

Post-study work permit requirements

  • Proof you are job hunting or starting a business.
  • Financial proof that you have enough money to stay in Hungary.
  • Valid health insurance
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Ability to leave the EU if your permit is denied.

Student visa requirements for Hungary

International students who plan to stay for longer than 90 days need to apply for a long-term National Visa (Type D), The national visa will also allow you to apply for a residence permit after enrollment. Requirements are:

  • Valid passport: Must have at least two blank pages and six months validity beyond your stay.
  • Visa application form: Completed and signed.
  • Photographs: Must have 2-3 recent passport-size photographs.
  • Letter of acceptance: Proof of acceptance from a Hungarian university.
  • Financial proof: Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living costs, an average of 3,000 – 7,800 Euros.
  • Health insurance: Must have health insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros.

Documents Required for Visa Application

  • Copy of passport
  • 2-3 photographs
  • Visa application form
  • Letter of acceptance
  • Bank statement
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Proof of accommodation
  • CV
  • Cover letter
  • Letter of motivation

Job prospects in Hungary

  • Software Developer: 1,500 – 2,000 per month.
  • It Project Manager: 2,000 – 2,500 per month.
  • Mechanical Engineer: 1,300 – 1,800 per month.
  • Electrical Engineer: 1,300 – 1,800 per month.
  • Civil Engineer: 1,300 – 1,800 per month.

Final Take Away

Hungary is an ideal study destination because it offers highly ranked universities, quality education, and excellent courses all at a low price. Hungary charges low tuition fees while offering fully funded scholarships. While earning a high-quality qualification, international students can also work part-time to gain valuable experience and build their network. In Hungary, you can learn a lot of valuable skills while building connections with other international students and having a great time.

When you apply for your student visa, make sure you visit the Hungarian embassy in your country and have all the required documents for your visa such as your passport, financial proof, and photographs. In conclusion, Hungary is a wonderful study location, and you should certainly consider choosing it as your next study location!

FAQs

1. Is Hungary good for international students?

Yes, Hungary is an excellent study location for international students.

2. Is education free in Hungary for international students?

No, however, you can apply to multiple scholarships that provide full and partial funding.

3. Which course is best in Hungary?

Hungary is renowned for its medical and dentistry qualifications.