Study in Hungary

Study in Hungary

ABOUT HUNGARY

Spanning over 93,030 square kilometres in Central Europe, Hungary is the centre of historic crossroads between the various ethnicities that Europe has experienced. Bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia to the south and Austria to the west, the country stands to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe for its scenic beauty and rich history. This essentially comes from various peoples that have been residents to the present day territory of Hungary which include Celts, Romans, Germanic tribes, Huns, West Slavs and Avars. However, its landlocked conditions also makes it experience a continental climate with hot summers and cold snowy winters. Hungary’s rich culture and economic superiority has quickly made itself rise the rank of developed countries with its residents enjoying a high income. They also share universal health care and tuition free secondary education which explains why it enjoys the 40th rank in the Human Development Index. Its role in international society can also be seen from its active participation in various multilateral organisations such as the United Nations, NATO, World Bank, WTO, IIB, the AIIB and the Council of Europe. Its capital Budapest is also said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the continent with several notable monuments that have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, cities such as Debrecen, Szeged and Miskolc have also been a centre of tourist attraction for its cultural history and metropolitan beauty.

HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN HUNGARY 

With the onset of the Bologna Process, the Higher Education System in Hungary mostly comprises three different cycles. They are:

  • The Bachelor’s or the First Cycle: For students graduating from secondary education, Hungary offers a number of B.A. and B.Sc programs in agriculture, humanities, social sciences, IT, law, public administration, national defence, economics, engineering, health, arts and science. While a typical Bachelor’s program in Hungary lasts upto 3 years, there are some which often go on for either 3.5 or 4 years.

Requirements to pursue Bachelor’s in Hungary

To pursue Bachelor’s in Hungary, students must:

  • Successfully complete class 12 with 60% and above
  • IELTS score of more than 6.0
  • Master’s or the Second Cycle: After the successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree students, Hungary offers a Master’s degree in around 13 branches of study which include subjects such as agriculture, humanities, social sciences, IT, law, management, national defence, economics, engineering, health, arts and science A typical Master’s degree in Hungary lasts for 2 years with some even with an option for 1 to 1.5 years.

Requirements to pursue Master’s in Hungary

To pursue Master’s in Hungary, students must:

  • Successfully complete class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successfully complete undergraduate with 60% and above
  • IELTS score of more than 6.0

  • Doctoral or the Third Cycle: Hungarian Universities offer doctoral degrees to most postgraduate students willing to pursue their research in the country. Such programs are usually of two phases. The first phase is a doctoral course for usually 3 years where students are taught the foundations of research and academic writing. Upon the completion of the first, students have the option of applying for a second phase where they conduct an independent research and defend their paper to a panel of experts. What makes Hungary a unique place to pursue a PhD is that students without the academic experience of adapting to the kind of research required are re-taught through various ways which include seminars, lectures, internships and assessment that specifically catered to their research interest. Such students are also entitled to state-funded grants as their research would contribute to Hungarian academic culture.

Requirements to pursue PhD in Hungary

To pursue PhD in Hungary, students must:

  • Successfully complete class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successfully complete undergraduate with 60% and above
  • Successfully complete master’s with 60% and above
  • Have an independent research idea that they wish to conduct their PhD on.
  • IELTS score of more than 6.0

 

Cost of Education in Hungary 

Hungarian Universities are considered to be much more affordable than most countries with an annual tuition fee ranging between EUR 1200 – 5000 (around INR 100,000 – 420,000). However, courses such as Medicine and Dentistry may cost students upto EUR 12,000 – 16,000 annually (around INR 10,00,000 – 13,00,000).

The average cost of living in a Hungarian city may range from EUR 375 – 700 (around INR 31,000 – 59,000) monthly depending on the type of accommodation that they choose. Most universities offer dormitories under EUR 100 per month. (around INR 8300). Students can also rent a private flat in the city that they choose to live in which may range from EUR 275 – 635 (around INR 23,000 to 53,000). A reason why most international students choose Hungary in Europe is because of the various transport amenities that they enjoy in cities. Students can avail a discounted monthly transport pass for EUR 10 – 15 (around INR 830 – 1200) or a bike sharing system for EUR 22 ( around INR 1800) per semester.

WORK IN HUNGARY 

In Hungary, international students are allowed to take up part time work opportunities for 20 hours per week and contribute a substantial amount to their cost of living. Students can comfortably find a part time job if they have a basic knowledge of the Hungarian native language in areas such as tutoring, companies, cafes and restaurants. Multiple students have shared that they earned around EUR 500 – 600 (around INR 42000 – 50000) per month, during their stay in cities like Budapest and Debrecen.

Most universities in Hungary also have their own career offices which help students in finding job opportunities after their completion of study. However, since getting a job right after graduation is always very difficult, the Government has also introduced a new type of residence permit called the ‘study-to-work’ which allows applicants to stay another 9 months in the country after their graduation. This gives students plenty of time to find a job in the country after their completion of studies. However, students must note that the permit needs to file an application to the Immigraton Service no later than 15 days before the expiry of their student residence permit.

 

VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HUNGARY 

The most basic student visa requirements for Hungary are:

  • University letter of acceptance
  • Proof of any money sent to the University for fees or accommodation
  • A passport that does not expire within 6 months
  • Health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds to sustain education and living expenses in Hungary
  • Details of accommodation in Hungary

Students must also note that consular offices may take about a month or two to complete the visa process. This is why they must initiate the visa process as soon as they receive a letter of acceptance.

SCHOLARSHIPS 

While universities may have their own set of scholarships, the Hungarian Government provides a number of scholarships to international students willing to pursue their education in the country. Most notably, the Stipendium Hungaricum is a fully funded scholarship that the government provides to international students willing to pursue their higher education in the country. There also exists Bilateral State Scholarships between the Hungarian Government and various other countries which fund different eligible nationals willing to pursue their higher education.