Higher education in Hungary at a glance
Hungary is an affordable EU destination, especially known for strong medicine and engineering. Many English-taught programs are available to international students, and tuition and living costs are lower than in Western Europe.
Education follows the Bologna system, with degrees recognized across the EU. Budapest is a beautiful, affordable European capital.
Advantages of studying in Hungary
- Affordable tuition and living costs in the EU.
- Strong medicine and engineering.
- Programs in English.
- Degrees are recognized across the EU.
- Budapest is a beautiful and comfortable capital.
Study budget
Hungary is one of the most affordable options for European education; English-taught tuition is paid but inexpensive, and the cost of living is moderate.
In a consultation we'll share current amounts and scholarships.
Steps to enrolment
Admission is based on your diploma and an IELTS/TOEFL certificate; for medicine there are often entrance exams in biology and chemistry.
We'll help you choose a program, gather documents and arrange a visa.
The route:
- Pick your track. Hungary's main draw is the state-funded Stipendium Hungaricum: nearly 900 programs, mostly in English. The alternative is direct fee-paying admission.
- Deadlines. Stipendium Hungaricum applications close in mid-January (15 January for 2026/27). Fee-paying programs keep wider windows - usually into early summer.
- Documents. Translated school certificate, language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL or the university's own test), motivation letter, medical certificate; medicine adds biology and chemistry exams.
- Selection. Scholarship applicants pass a national nomination first, then university exams and interviews online. Fee-paying admission runs on documents and an interview.
- Student residence permit. Issued via the consulate and doubles as your entry visa; allow 4-8 weeks.
Applying straight after 11th grade
Hungary accepts 11-year school certificates directly - no preparatory year, you can apply straight after school. Committees look at grades, language and motivation; medical and some technical programs add a subject exam. That makes Hungary one of the shortest routes to an EU degree - see our guide for comparisons.
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship
Hungary's government program covers tuition in full and adds a monthly stipend, a housing allowance and health insurance. Applications close once a year in mid-January; selection has two stages - national nomination, then a university exam or interview. The competition is real but winnable: a strong GPA and a clear motivation letter matter more than a "perfect" profile. Scholarship holders also skip the visa fee.
Master's degrees in Hungary
A bachelor's diploma gets you in directly. Stipendium Hungaricum works here too - graduate quotas are traditionally generous, including one-tier master's tracks (integrated degrees in medicine, pharmacy, architecture, law). Fee-paying prices stay moderate by EU standards, and English is the default teaching language.
What studying in Hungary costs
| Expense | Budget for |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's and master's (fee-paying) | about €1,500-5,000 / year |
| Medicine and dentistry | about €12,000-18,000 / year |
| With Stipendium Hungaricum | €0 + monthly stipend and housing |
| Dormitory / rent | €150-300 / €400-700 in Budapest per month |
| Living costs | €400-600 / month |
Budapest costs more than regional cities - Debrecen, Szeged and Pécs let you live noticeably cheaper without trading down on universities.
FAQ
Above all strong medicine, plus engineering - at an EU-affordable price.
Yes, many - especially in medicine and engineering.
Hungary is one of the most affordable options in the EU for tuition and living costs.
Often yes - entrance exams in biology and chemistry. We'll help you prepare.
Yes, 11-year school certificates are accepted directly with no preparatory year. Medicine and some technical programs add subject exams.
Full tuition, a monthly stipend, a housing allowance and health insurance. Scholarship holders are also exempt from the visa fee.
Once a year in mid-January (15 January for 2026/27). Start preparing in autumn: nomination and university exams follow the application.
Most programs run about €1,500-5,000 a year; medicine and dentistry cost €12,000-18,000. Budapest housing takes €400-700 a month plus €400-600 for everything else.
Thinking about studying in Hungary?
We'll tell you about the options, universities and costs - free, no obligation.
Universities in Hungary we help you get into
Each comes with a full guide - faculties, prices and requirements. The list will keep growing.
Get a free consultation
Talk to a real consultant - we'll explain admission in Hungary and match a program to you.
- Program selection and admission preparation
- Help with scholarships and university discounts
- Documents, translations and student visa
- A personal consultant from the first message to enrollment
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