A guide to applying in Hungarian University
In the past two decades, Hungary has become a very popular destination for international students. Their cities, especially Budapest, attract hundreds of thousands of students who go there for the quality educational system, but also for the affordable living and fascinating architecture. This is the home of several leading universities in Europe, amongst which the most popular are the ones that teach sciences like dentistry and medicine.
If you are interested in becoming an international student in Hungary, you should read the short guide below to learn what to expect from this endeavour.
The System
The Hungarian education system consists of colleges and universities. Colleges operate as faculties of universities and in most institutions, you can take either type of courses. The old system required college to last 3 or 4 years, while university studies lasted for 5 years (except for their medical programs that lasted 6 years).
Since 2005, Hungary transformed in order to meet the Bologna system’s regulations.
Today, universities and colleges can launch programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies. Their degrees are currently transferable and equivalent throughout the EU territory and other countries.
This means that studying in Hungary will open up many opportunities for you if you obtain one of their degrees. This is why this location is one of the top choices in terms of education quality.
Enrolment Requirements
The requirements for enrolling into a college or a university in Hungary depend on the institution, but also the degree level you need to pursue. The two common and general requirements for international students include a diploma and transcript of records for the previous educational level you’ve completed. For example, you’ll need your high school diploma and transcript of records to apply for a Bachelor program.
Some programs also include an entrance exam as one of the requirements for enrolment.
Master’s programs can require a proof that your Bachelor’s degree is related to your desired program.
And of course, doctorate studies may require proof or professional experience or published papers.
Finally, there’s the thing that most institutions will require, especially if you are aiming to get a scholarship there – admission papers. You’ll need admission essay, personal statement, and other information about your skills and education. If you’re having some trouble with this, you might want to hire gradesfixer and their writers to help you make it perfect and land a nice scholarship.
Visa Requirements
Unless you are a member of the European Union, you’ll need a Student visa to stay there for longer than 90 days. Of course, your studies there will require more presence than just three months, which is why you need to apply for this visa prior to getting there.
The regulations regarding this visa can vary for different countries, so make sure that you ask in advance about the rules. The only way to apply for a visa is from the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate in your country or state of permanent residence. The processing takes between one and two months.
Here is the tricky part. To apply for a visa, you must first get an offer from one of their universities. So, make sure that you apply for scholarships or enrolment early in the process so that you have the time to finish this final errand.
When you’re applying for a visa, you might be asked to provide a myriad of documents. You’ll need a proof that you have paid the tuition fees or that you’ve been granted a scholarship. To prove that you’ve been accepted by a university, you’ll need to provide an acceptance letter. And since you’ll need a proof of housing or address in Hungary, you need to find your residence at least two months before you leave.
Of course, you’ll also need your passport, which has to be valid at least six months beyond your entry date, a proof of health insurance, and a proof that you have sufficient funds to cover the living expenses.
Once you step foot in Hungary, you should apply for a residence permit. The timeframe for this is only 15 days since your arrival, so don’t forget this!
Expenses
Affordability is one of the best advantages of studying here. Hungary has considerably affordable tuition fees, small application and exam fees, and comparatively low living costs.
Rent in the smaller cities costs around 200 Euros, while rent in the bigger cities like Budapest start at around 300 Euro.
If you live with roommates, you should be able to get by with around 500 to 600 Euros per month. This should cover your health insurance, public transport, accommodation, study materials, and even your free time activities.
If you’ve set your mind on Hungary for your studies, you’ve made an excellent choice. Start the search and application process early to avoid any potential troubles. Good luck!
Author’s Bio
Emma Rundle is a college advisor in the United States. She is a psychologist with a Master’s degree from a prestigious European university. Emma has worked at this position for five years now.
Source: Emma Rundle