Higher Education in Hungary
The oldest university being established in 1367, Hungary has a long history of providing quality education and being extremely affordable at the same time. The way universities in Hungary have gained popularity among the student&’s community is really commendable and has a marvelous journey to it. Hungary has 10 of its top universities standing tall in between the world’s top 1,300 universities in the QS World Ranking and 1,600 universities in Times Higher Education. This diverse country is safe and is welcoming towards students from all parts of the world. The cost of living is surprisingly low compared to the other countries in Europe.
Some of the unique programs offered are Masters in Digital Transformation Management, Cybersecurity, Animal Husbandry Engineering, Innovative Recycling, Ceramic Design, Digital Manufacturing, Business and Diplomatic Studies, Mechatronics Engineering, Food Engineering, Theology and more.
Quick Facts
| Tuition Fees Public Universities – €1200-€5000 per year Private Universities – €5000 to €7500 per year MBA – €6,600 – 10,000 per year
Post-Study Work Visa
Part Time Work |
Program Duration Foundation – 1 Year Bachelors Degree – 3 Years Masters Degree – 1-2 Years MBA – 1.5 Years-2.5 Years
Living Cost
Intakes |
Why Hungary?
Most affordable education
Hungary has the most affordable education and living for students compared to other European countries. Here students from all around the world have to pay only €1200-€5000 in a year to pursue their education. Also the accomodation and food expenses can be as less as €100-€125. it is not just the price but the value attached to it, Hungary is becoming more and more popular among the international students now-a-days.
Hungary represent academic excellence of more than 650 years
The Oldest university being established in 1367, Hungary has a long history of delivering gems all around the world. Hungary is home to thousands of students all over the world, in the recent 2021-22 academic year it has increased to almost 34.8 thousand international students. In the 65 higher education institutions, the are range of study fields to choose from is humungous, Agricultural Science, Computer Science and Information Technology, Legal Science, Economic Science, Medical and Health Science, Arts, Arts and Humanities, Arts Education, Engineering Science, Social Science, Teacher Training, Sport Science, Natural Science the list goes on.
Plenty of Scholarships
There are different scholarships for the international students like- Erasmus+ (if you are from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Norway, Turkey and applying for Bachelors and Masters levels, as well as Doctoral level programs. Also students with mental or physical health conditions can apply for this scholarship), Erasmus+ Internship (with this you can combine your study programs with a professional experience), Stipendium Hungaricum programme (this scholarship is provided by the Hungarian government to encourage foreign students to enroll in study programs in Hungary. With this students can avail education without any tuition fee, also a stipend of €130-325, €100 for accomodation and medical insurance as well), CEEPUS (students from Central Europe or the South- Eastern part of Europe, are eligible to apply for the CEEPUS Programme), Bilateral State Scholarships (it is based on scientific and educational cooperation agreements signed by the governments of two countries, Hungary has bilateral agreements with 68 countries), and Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People.
Work And Earn While You Study
International students are permitted to 24 hours a week during study period, or 90 days or 66 working days outside study period. Through this you can finance your living alongside your monthly stipend and you gain work experience in your field of study.
Top Ranked Universities
Hungary has 10+ universities ranked within 1300 top universities worldwide in the QS world Ranking of universities 2022 and 1600 top universities worldwide in Times World University Ranking 2022. Apart from the ranking Hungary has provided higher student satisfaction rates and a safe home for the international talents.
Top 10 Universities in Hungary
According to Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2022
Semmelweis University
Eötvös Loránd University
University of Debrecen
University of Pécs
University of Szeged
Óbuda University
Budapest University of Technology
and Economics
Corvinus University of Budapest
Hungarian University of Agriculture
and Life Sciences
University of Miskolc
What is the admission procedure?
Step 1
Course research – Since there are several universities and programs available, you must research before choosing your desired course. Hungary is known for its highly specialized courses, including some of their unique programs in management, cybersecurity, design and technology.
Step 2
Check requirements – you must check the requirements for the course of your choice. There are different entry requirements applied within the same university, ensure you are reading and following accurately. You can reach the university through email or if you are unsure, contact your counsellor. Once you have your GRE/IELTS score in hand, narrow down on the universities based on your budget, city, profile, and interests.
Step 3
Procure your documents – each course and university require certain documents for applying for an eligibility check. Generally, you will be required to keep your highschool/bachelors/masters documents, transcripts, ID handy. They might require you to write a letter of intent explaining why you are passionate about the course and how qualified you are to pursue this degree.
Step 4
Submit your application – create an account through the university website and upload your documents. You must apply individually to your preferred course and university. Most Universities charge approximately €100 to €150 for applications, while some of them can be a little less or even free.
Step 5
Accept the admission letter and start preparing for your dream university.
Eligibility
Some of the common eligibility criteria to get into top universities:
Postgraduate eligibility requirements
✔ Bachelor&’s degree by an internationally recognized university
✔ Bachelor&’s degree in a relevant subject
✔ GRE/GMAT score
✔ The accepted test of English exams is IELTS, TOEFL, C1.
✔ Work experience, if applicable
Undergraduate eligibility requirements
✔ go through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) and submit UCAS code and university code in their application form
✔ The majority of programmes require 75% or above in all subjects
✔ Hungarian university requires a specific subject requirement at UK ‘A’ Level whereas some of other top universities in Hungary require an A* for UK A level, with 85% or above in the final year of school
✔ should have minimum of 32 points in the IB Diploma which will also be considerable for admission to undergraduate degree programmes
✔ Some universities might require students to submit an aptitude test.
✔ A Score report for a valid GRE, GMAT, TOEFL/iBT or IELTS exam, where required
Documents required
To enrol in a master’s degree, you must have a relevant bachelor’s degree recognized by the Hungarian Universities. The following are the list of common documents required by universities:
- Your up-to-date CV
- Letter of motivation
- Copy of your passport / ID
- Proof of language proficiency eg. IELTS, TOEFL
- English translation of transcripts of records
- English translation of obtained diplomas
- Two academic reference letters
Types of Visas
Indian students require a visa to enter and stay in Hungary for the duration of the course. You get a national visa that is intended for longer studies. Whereas for short courses, a Schengen visa which is valid for 90days or 3 months is required. The following documents required to receive a student visa are:
✔ Valid passport
✔ Photograph
✔ Schengen Health Insurance
✔ Academic transcripts
✔ A letter of acceptance
✔ Statement of Purpose for visa
✔ Accommodation proof
Cost of Tuition and Living Expenses
Hungarian Universities generally take less tuition fees among all the other European countries. It is much more affordable not just only in terms of academic expenses but also in terms of living and accommodation costs. Living expenses for students in Hungary are relatively lower compared to countries like the US, UK, or Switzerland. The average monthly living expenses of a student in Hungary is around € 250 – 550 per month, including expenses like accommodation, books & materials, lifestyle and others. The total cost of living depends on factors like the location and type of lifestyle. International students are allowed to work 24 hours a week during study period, or 90 days or 66 working days outside study period. And there are plenty of scholarships and funding options in Hungary.
Job Opportunities
Every foreign student with a degree from any Hungarian university (or any other higher education institute) is eligible for the study-to-work visa but you must hand in your application no later than 15 days before your student residence permit expires. This allows the fresh graduate to stay up to 9 months after the completion of the program. The country has a 40-working hour per week requirement. Being a computer science graduate, you will be eligible for several IT- based jobs like technical analyst, data scientist, data engineer, System Engineer, Software Architect, Software Developer, etc.
The top employers recruiting fresh graduates in Hungary:
- IBM
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Deloitte
- Zalando
- KPMG
- Nokia
- Citi
- Accenture
- Randstad Sourceright
- EPAM Systems
FAQs
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for a master’s degree?
A: Each university and course have different criteria, but the most common is a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Check thoroughly the institute website for the relevant course to find exact requirements.
Q: Which language is important to study in Hungary?
A: The English language is important, if you are not native English speaker, you must provide a valid English language certificate eg: TOEFL/iBT or IELTS.
Q: Is IELTS or TOEFL mandatory for applying to courses?
A: Mostly all Hungarian universities require an English language certificate to as a proof of your proficiency. However, this requirement might be waived if your previous education has been in English.
Q: Will I be allowed to work as an international student in Hungary?
A: Yes, you will be allowed to work part-time while studying your course for a limited period, also you can apply for study-to-work permit that allows you to search for jobs till 9 months after the completion of your course.
Q: What are the most affordable cities in Hungary?
A: Some of the most affordable cities to live in in Hungary are Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged, Győr and Budapest.
Q: Are international students eligible for the scholarship?
A: Yes, there are plenty of scholarships available in Hungary for international students, like Erasmus+,Stipendium Hungaricum programme,Bilateral State Scholarships etc.
Q: Can international students get admission to public universities?
A: Yes, anybody can get admission to state-funded universities with relevant experience, and documentation proving the purpose of pursuing the course in the university.
Q: Can I stay in Hungary after my studies?
A: Yes, Indian students can stay in Hungary and look for a job for 9 months after graduation. You must apply for a study-to-work permit, and you will be eligible to search for employment.
Q: Is it difficult to find a job in Hungary post-graduation?
A: No, not at all, but challenging as it is in any country. Having good professional contacts and seeking a university employability team will help you find the relevant job.
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