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Iranian students at Hungary’s Pécs University issue desperate plea amid mounting woes: studies at risk of collapse
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Economic hardship means that Iranian students in Hungary are struggling not only to cover tuition and living costs but also to receive funds during the war. A petition has already garnered widespread support.
Foreign students pay steeply for studies in Hungary
In Hungary, those who fail to meet the minimum entry scores for degree programmes can only study on a fee-paying basis in higher education. Successful applicants qualify for state scholarships, studying effectively tuition-free. Yet Hungarian fee-payers contribute far less than their foreign counterparts.
A Hungarian aspiring dentist in Pécs, for instance, who misses the state scholarship threshold, pays just under HUF 2 million annually. By contrast, a foreign “self-funded” student, typically on English-taught courses with less state subsidy, must pay HUF 5.8 million in dollars or euros. Naturally, some foreigners secure scholarships via quotas, but most foot the bill themselves.
Iranian students in Hungary battle severe challenges
Iran has grappled with acute economic crisis for months, with the rial’s value plummeting, leaving the roughly 300 Iranian students at Pécs particularly vulnerable. Families now face added hurdles transferring money due to the war. In response, the students have launched a petition, signed by more than 100 Iranian peers. They urge the University of Pécs leadership to show understanding and prevent their studies from derailing. The university has yet to rule on the matter, reports the local press.
PM Orbán references Iranian students amid terror warnings
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán name-checked the Iranian students in last night’s ATV interview, though scarcely in glowing terms. He warned of heightened terror risks in Hungary from the Middle East conflict, potentially severe enough to warrant soldiers patrolling the streets (a measure last seen, to widespread derision, during Covid).
With Iranian students here, Schengen openness allowing free movement, vigilance is essential if threats escalate, Orbán cautioned, according to 444.hu.
If you missed our previous articles concerning the Hungarian higher education:
- Hungarian university ranks among world’s top 200
- Has Hungary forgotten its Palestinian students trapped in war-torn Gaza?
The EU should use some of war with Russia funds to cover all the cost for students. The EU couldn’t be trusted or relied on to take part in Iran. Little
9 million Israelis did the job much better anyway.
What was Fidesz doing bringing Iranians into Hungary when it creates public hysteria about a “Muslim threat”. Fidesz has been far too friendly with the evil Iranian regime and it is aligned with Russia.