Everything you want to know about studying in Hungary
Many students come to Hungary every year with the purpose of studying at a higher education institution. If you are considering moving here, here are some basic information to make the decision easier for you as an expat.
You can choose from 35 Hungarian universities and colleges. There are 3 other courses offered by foreign higher education institutions licensed to operate in Hungary. The online platform of the higher education system Felvi.hu made a list which is updated every semester. It currently lists universities offering courses starting from February 2023.
About the tuition system
If you do not receive state scholarship, you are required to pay the tuition fees in Hungary. The tuition costs vary depending on course length, subject, form of training and training level. Hungarian universities receive funding from the state, therefore they can finance the education. You can study for free for up to 12 semesters if you meet the criteria (average, number of credits, etc). As an international student, you will have to pay tuition fees for Hungarian universities. There are some exceptions.
The academic year
The academic year in Hungary consists of two semesters. The first semester begins in the beginning of September and ends in January. This is the autumn semester and is used for attending lectures and seminars. After that, there is a six-week-long period for the exams. The second semester starts in February and lasts until the end of May. There is another six-week exam period after the second semester.
Types of degrees in Hungary
There are different levels of degrees students can choose from. The first level is the Bachelor’s degree, which are usually three-year-programmes, leading to a degree. If you would rather study in Hungary for only two years, the Associate degree (Felsőoktatási szakképzés) will lead you to a certificate.
After you have finished the Bachelor degree, and you still would like to be in the education system, you have two options: either to apply for a Postgraduate degree (Szakirányú továbbképzés) or to enrol for a Master’s degree. There is no free Postgraduate degree, everyone has to pay in order to attend.
If you are still determined to continue your education in Hungary, the country offers a Doctoral (PhD) degree for those most interested in their profession.
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Enroling
You need to have graduated from high school if you would like to enrol at a Hungarian university. You might also be required to pass certain entrance exams, but it depends on the university you had chosen. Fortunately, Felvi.hu made an Admission Guide for International Applicants, in which the most important pieces of information about the application and the procedure are summarised.
Housing opportunities for students in Hungary
If you come from a country west of Hungary, you will probably find everything to be cheaper. The currency exchange is always changing, hand in hand with rent and property prices. A much cheaper option for both international and Hungarian students is living in the dormitory of the university. In this semester (autumn 2022/23), a shared room in the cheapest dormitory of University of Miskolc costs HUF 12,000 (EUR 28,6). This price will increase if you are not a state-funded student, if you prefer a double room or if you wish to live in the newly renovated dormitory building.
The situation is different in the dormitories in Budapest. As a general rule, they are harder to get into because there are not enough places for everyone. Usually, it is further away from the unviersity building and they do not have a campus. Most universities also publish dormitory prices online.
Advantages of attending a Hungarian university
There are more benefits than disadvantages when it comes to attending a Hungarian university. One of them is the student discount, as you are going to receive a 50 percent discount from the transportation price if you travel by train, bus, or local public transportation with your student identity card. Discounts – among other things – also apply to sport facilities, cinemas, theatres, and museums.
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Source: hngary.com, mastersportal.com