Study and find schools in Hungary

Studying in Hungary

Hungary is a Central European country on the Danube, a member of the European Union and of the Schengen Area, with Budapest as its capital and largest city. Hungarian is the official language, but universities have built up a large offer for foreign students: according to Study in Hungary, the official portal run by the Tempus Public Foundation, institutions offer more than 700 programmes in English, German, French and other languages.

The sector is large for a country of its size. Study in Hungary lists 64 accredited higher education institutions and four foreign institutions operating in Hungary with a licence. University education has a long history: the first Hungarian university was founded in Pécs in 1367. Medicine, engineering, business and the social sciences taught in English attract many international students, and the government's Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship brings students from outside Europe.

The education system

Higher education is offered by two types of institution, the egyetem (university) and the főiskola (college), and both may teach all three cycles. Hungary follows the Bologna structure:

• Bachelor's degrees, usually three years
• Master's degrees, usually two years
• One-tier (integrated) master's programmes in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, architecture and law, lasting 10-12 semesters (5-6 years) and 300-360 credits
• Doctoral programmes of 240 credits over four years, with a comprehensive exam at the end of the fourth semester

The Hungarian credit system is compatible with ECTS: one credit equals about 30 hours of student work. Grades go from 5 (excellent) to 1 (fail). The academic year has two semesters, each with 14-15 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period of six to eight weeks. The autumn semester starts in September and its exams run to early February; the spring semester starts in February.

Admission and recognition

Each institution sets its own entry requirements, so they must be checked programme by programme. For a bachelor's degree, applicants need a secondary-school diploma translated into Hungarian or English, with a transcript; some programmes add an entrance exam. For a master's degree, a bachelor's diploma is required and an entrance exam is common. Typical documents are a CV, a letter of motivation, a copy of the passport, proof of language proficiency, translated transcripts and diplomas, and two academic references.

Fee-paying international students usually apply directly to the university through its online form, because the national FELVI system requires advanced Hungarian. Deadlines vary by institution, and Study in Hungary says that accepted students are usually notified around late July. For recognition, there is no automatic EU-wide recognition of academic degrees: graduates who want to use a Hungarian degree elsewhere should ask the ENIC-NARIC centre of the country concerned.

Student visa and residence permit

Hungary has been part of the Schengen Area since 21 December 2007. Citizens of the EEA and Switzerland can study without a visa; if they stay longer than three months, they must register with the regional directorate of the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing within 93 days of arrival.

Students from other countries, including Latin America, need a residence permit for the purpose of study. The University of Pécs advises non-EEA students to apply for a visa and residence permit at the Hungarian embassy in their home country before arriving. According to Study in Hungary (checked October 2026), applicants must show:

• Full-time student status at a recognised Hungarian institution
• A valid travel document
• Accommodation in Hungary
• Enough money to cover their costs
• Full health insurance, or the means to pay for health care

A residence permit is issued for at least 90 days and at most two years, and is then renewed. After graduating, students can apply for a study-to-work permit that lets them stay for up to nine months to look for a job.

Costs and scholarships

Tuition fees depend on the institution and the programme, and each university publishes its own fees. As an example of a private institution, McDaniel College Budapest charges EUR 4,600 per semester in the first and second years and EUR 4,900 in the third and fourth years for students starting in autumn 2026.

The main government scholarship is Stipendium Hungaricum, founded in 2013 and managed by the Tempus Public Foundation, which is open to students from more than 100 countries with a bilateral agreement with Hungary. For bachelor's and master's students it covers tuition and pays a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700, plus a free dormitory place or HUF 40,000 a month towards rent. For living costs, the University of Pécs estimates that a student needs at least HUF 250,000 (EUR 700) a month; a dormitory place in Pécs costs HUF 72,600-94,100 a month and a student monthly bus pass HUF 4,100.

Where to study

• Budapest concentrates most institutions and English-taught programmes. Examples include IBS International Business School, which has taught business since 1991, and McDaniel College Budapest, a branch campus of the US McDaniel College established in 1994, whose bachelor's degree is awarded by McDaniel College in the United States. Central European University (CEU), founded in 1991 and long based in Budapest, now describes itself as a private university located in Vienna, Austria.
• Pécs, in southern Transdanubia, is home to the University of Pécs, whose roots date back to 1367. It has 25,000 students, more than 5,700 of them international, in 10 faculties.

Other university cities include Debrecen, Szeged, Miskolc and Győr. Smaller institutions in Budapest also offer preparatory courses for foreign applicants and vocational secondary education.

Climate and practical life

Hungary has a continental climate with four seasons: average temperatures range from about -4 °C in January to 26 °C in July. First aid and emergency care are free for foreigners; other treatment must be paid for. Students without cover through an agreement or scholarship can take out insurance with the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) at 30% of the minimum wage, or bring private insurance. Non-EEA students with a residence permit for study can work up to 30 hours a week during term, and for up to 90 days or 66 working days outside term. EEA students have no limit on working hours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Hungary in English?

Yes. Hungarian institutions offer more than 700 programmes in English and other foreign languages, including integrated programmes in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Do I need a visa to study in Hungary?

Students from outside the EEA and Switzerland need a residence permit for study, applied for at the Hungarian embassy or consulate before travelling. EEA students only have to register if they stay longer than three months.

How much does it cost to live in Hungary as a student?

The University of Pécs estimates a minimum of HUF 250,000 (EUR 700) a month for rent, food and some leisure. Budapest is usually more expensive than other university cities.

Are there scholarships for international students?

Yes. Stipendium Hungaricum, run by the Tempus Public Foundation, covers tuition and gives a monthly stipend and housing support to students from more than 100 partner countries.

Can international students work in Hungary?

Yes. Non-EEA students with a study residence permit can work up to 30 hours a week during term and for up to 90 days or 66 working days outside term.