This article is on How to Study in Hungary for International Students. Hungary is a popular destination for international students due to its spectacular sights, rich cultural heritage and vivid student life. Hungarian students are generally sociable and welcoming to international students, which makes studying in Hungary even more appealing.
However, before submitting an application, it is inevitable to be familiar with the process and requirements of admission. In this article, we will cover how international students can study in Hungary.
How to Study in Hungary as an International Student
International students can maximize their chances of studying in Hungary by following these procedure:
Know how much it cost to study in Hungary and come up with a plan to cover that cost. It is vital that international students plan on covering that finances first before they do anything. I’ve seen many times where international students would apply to universities, get in, but couldn’t go because of finances. So, plan your finances first.
Prepare to meet the application requirements. There are many application requirements such as Language requirements and general requirements. Prepare to meet those.
Apply to universities in Hungary.
Once you get accepted, apply for a student visa.
1. Prepare to Meet the Cost of Studying in Hungary for International Students
The fact that tuition fees and the cost of living are quite affordable in Hungary as compared to other European countries can be a strong incentive for anyone coming to the country. Tuition fees can range from 600 up to 8000€ per semester, depending on the faculty. The most expensive fields of study are generally Medicine and Dentistry. Regarding the cost of living, it can vary between 350 and 800€ per month, according to accommodation type, lifestyle and daily habits.
To successfully study in Hungary for international students, you need to plan on how you will be able to meet these expenses. Some of the ways might be working, getting scholarships, or attending affordable universities in Hungary.
Read Also: Top Universities in Hungary with no application fee for International Students
2. Meet the General Application Requirements in Hungary
Concerning admission requirements, different rules might apply to undergraduate and graduate students. This section might help applicants by stating some general facts as well as looking at specific examples.
The most crucial topic is the expected level of English. For many English-speaking education programmes in Hungary, assessment of foreign language skills is incorporated in the entrance exam. In other cases, students are asked to provide an international language exam certificate. IELTS or TOEFL are the most widely recognised exams in Hungary, although some universities accept different exam types as well.
General English requirements for undergraduate students
As for undergraduate students, institutions generally require between 5.0 – 6.0 scores for the IELTS test and between 60 – 80 for the TOEFL iBT test. You need to meet these requirements if you wish to study in Hungary as an international stduent.
For instance, Corvinus University of Budapest admits undergraduates for the International Business programmes only with the band of 6 or more in IELTS and score 66 or more on TOEFL iBT.
As stated on the homepage of the University of Pécs, applicants need to reach at least band 5.5 in IELTS and 72 points in TOEFL iBT. For more information, visit this page.
As for the University of Debrecen, nevertheless, having an IELTS/TOEFL language certificate is not a compulsory requirement. English proficiency can be proven by different language certificates as well, such as GED, SAT, ACT results.
Applicants are strongly advised to check language requirements specifically for the selected university and programme, as there might be some variation. Also, requirements for programmes based on languages other than English vary from university to university.
General English requirements for graduate students
Requirements for graduate students may be higher than those for undergraduate students. Institutions usually admit students with band 5.5 – 6.5 in IELTS or 70 – 90 points in TOEFL iBT test, yet, there might be some exceptions.
Looking at the example of Corvinus University for Business Informatics MA, at least 79 points are needed in TOEFL iBT or band 6,5 in IELTS for a successful application.
On the other hand, at the University of Debrecen, graduate candidates face the same expectations as undergraduates regarding their level of English, with the exception of MA or PhD courses in English studies. These courses, obviously, require higher IELTS (at least band 7) and TOEFL iBT (at least 95 points) scores.
The University of Pécs does not have higher requirements for graduates either; what is more, applicants in possession of a BA in English do not have to present other language certificates.
Application requirements for undergraduate students
There might be a little variation depending on the university regarding the necessary documents for application, but rules do not differ to a great extent. For example, the University of Debrecen requires these documents from undergraduate applicants:
High School Diploma (English or Hungarian translation is required, depending on the language of the training programme)
CV
Certificate of English knowledge (besides TOEFL and IELTS, other certificates are also accepted, such as GED, SAT, ACT)
Entrance exam/ interview
Application form (completed online)
Bank receipt proving the transfer of application fee (150 USD)
Certificate of citizenship and/or permanent residence (e.g. passport)
Medical certificate
Application requirements for graduate students
As described by the University of Debrecen, the following conditions are valid for the applications of graduate students.
BA or BSC diploma (English or Hungarian translation is required, depending on the language of the training programme)
Detailed transcript and descriptions of courses taken before
Detailed CV
Certificate of English knowledge (besides TOEFL and IELTS, other certificates are also accepted, such as GED, SAT, ACT)
Entrance exam/ interview
Application form (completed online)
Bank receipt approving the transfer of application fee (150 USD)
Certificate of citizenship and/or permanent residence (e.g. passport)
Medical certificate
Entry requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programmes can differ depending on the school and the institution. Specific requirements might be valid for particular programmes. Application fees can vary between 100 and 150€, depending on the university. Therefore, it is inevitable to check the selected course’s description for details.
3. Apply to Universities in Hungary
The third step of studying in Hungary for international students, you need to apply to Hungarian universities. Students have the opportunity to file their applications before 15th February (for classes starting in September) or 15th November (for classes starting in February). Application guides can be found at universities’ official websites. It is, however, preferable to check this information in the course description, since deadlines might change due to certain circumstances. Application guides can be found at universities’ official websites.
For instance, according to the homepage of Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest (ELTE), the following steps need to be completed:
Check out what programmes the university has to offer and find a suitable one
Read the course description and admission details carefully
Register in the online application system
Begin the process of application:
fill in the online application form
upload the necessary documents
Submit your application
Pay the application fee
Take the entrance exam (can be online or offline, depending on the course)
Wait for the outcomes
After a successful application, you receive the “Letter of Acceptance”
Accept the offer about your application
Prepare for the journey
4. Apply for Student Visa
Students willing to continue their studies in Hungary need to be aware of the VISA requirements and ask for a residence permit. This process may seem complicated, but universities offer support to their international students. This is the easiest step in your journey to study in Hungary for international students.
Visas and residence permits of students arriving from one of the Schengen States are valid for Hungary too. However, these regulations only allow a stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Of course, students who are EEA citizens can stay in Hungary for more than three months if they attend an education institution offering accredited programmes. The only condition is that they register at the Office of Immigration and Nationality within 93 days from the time of entry. In order to complete their registration, their certificate of university admission is needed. After a successful registration, they get a residence permit which is valid with a personal ID document or travel document and has no expiry date.
Third country nationals (Non-EU & EEA citizens) in possession of a full-time legal student contract with a registered Hungarian public educational institution or other state-recognised higher education institution, can obtain a residence permit that allows them to stay more than 90 days. Those enrolling in a preparatory course connected to one of the school types/ courses described above are also eligible to residence permit.
For more information, visit the homepage of National Directorate of Hungary.
Have you gone through all the steps? Well done, your application is complete!
After you have gone completed all the stages and have been admitted to university, pack your bags, get on a plane and enjoy your travel to fascinating Hungary. An unforgettable experience is waiting for you.
I hope that this article on how to study in Hungary for international students was helpful.
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