Going way inland into Europe, you can find Hungary, a nation molded by history with significant participation in the events of the world. This Central European country has focused resources on improving its educational system for the international community. Along with the influx of tourists coming into the country as part of the Schengen region, this country boasts of natural beauty, from the vast Danube river to its gothic buildings and mountainous terrain. Here, we will discuss various scholarships in Hungary available for international students.
Living Costs in Hungary for International Students
Accounting for the different rates for Hungary’s largest cities, expect around HUF 60000 to HUF 80000 (€170 to €230) of monthly costs. This includes the dormitory costs which can reach up to HUF 35000 or shared flat rates reaching HUF 55500, especially in expensive Budapest. Monthly expense on food can reach around HUF 40000 on average while a monthly transport pass can cost around HUF 3450.
Can International Students Work in Hungary?
Non-EEA (European Economic Area) students can work for 24 hours per week, depending on their schedule if they have a residence permit for study. This can increase up to 66 working days during holidays. Students from EEA are not restricted by any limitations in working hours as long as they have a registration card.
Top Universities in Hungary
The top universities constantly showing up in international ranking are the Semmelweis University and the Eötvös Loránd University, both located in the capital Budapest. Other top universities which are worth checking out are the University of Pécs, the University of Debrecen, and the University of Szeged. These are also some of the best universities in the Central European region.
Best Scholarships in Hungary
1. Stipendium Hungaricum
The most popular of the Hungarian scholarships, the Stipendium Hugaricum is a government-initiated scholarship to prepare the education system of Hungary for an international audience, aside from improving the foreign and bilateral agreements and relations of the country.
One thing to take note of about the Stipendium Hungaricum is that is not a full scholarship. Other living expenses are to be shouldered by the student. With that said, the benefits of the scholarship are still very much a welcome aid especially because the tuition fee payments are waived.
The accepted applicant will also be receiving a monthly stipend of HUF 140000 (€390) to HUF 180000 (€500) for the first and second phases of the Ph.D. program, for 4 semesters each. This amount is only around HUF 43700 (€120) for everyone else (undergraduate, master’s, etc) for the whole duration of the study. For all students receiving this Hungary scholarship, HUF 100000 worth of annual medical insurance is provided.
Free dorm accommodation within the university is also provided unless the student will opt to live outside. In which case, a HUF 40000 aid will be provided as rent contribution.
The program is partnered with around 27 Hungarian educational institutions, including the top universities mentioned above. Students may also choose from around 600 full-time degree programs including undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
2. University of Debrecen International Scholarship
Located in Hungary’s second-largest city east of Budapest, the University of Debrecen offers international students the opportunity to have their tuition fees in the initial year be reduced by 30% to 90%, after which the discounts will be based on the student’s academic performance. For perspective, the tuition fee in Unideb ranges from US $5500 to $8500 per year for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Only international students are eligible to apply for this scholarship in Hungary and may either be applying for undergraduate or graduate studies. For the undergraduate degrees, these BSc programs are eligible for the scholarship: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Food Engineering, and Rural Development Engineering.
The master’s degree equivalents of the above degrees are also eligible, including agriculture-related degrees such as animal husbandry engineering, agricultural environmental and water management engineering, and plant protection.
3. Visegrad Scholarship Program
For residents of the Visegrad Region in Europe, the Visegrad Scholarship Program allows students from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia to pursue their bachelor’s degree within the Visegrad Region but not including their own country. For Master’s students, the region is expanded to include universities in other countries. These countries include the following:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Ukraine
In return, students from the abovementioned countries are also eligible to pursue their master’s degrees only in the Visegrad region countries.
Students can choose any degree they are interested in as long as there are four semesters in the program. The successful applicant of this scholarship in Hungary is eligible for a €4000 fund every semester: €2500 to be received by the student while €1500 will be paid directly to the institution of choice.
4. Central European University Financial Aid
Various scholarships await applicants to the Budapest campus of the Central European University. The CEU only bases its evaluation on the financial need and academic performance of an applicant. International students are welcome to apply since this Hungary scholarship has no preference in nationality.
The CEU Financial Aid is provided to postgraduate students only. All successful applicants will be covered with health insurance. Various versions of master’s scholarships are provided by the university, which can reach up to 100% waived tuition fees.
In comparison, the doctoral scholarship offered by the CEU is a full tuition fee waiver. Regarding the monthly stipend, master’s students can receive as much as €300 to €1000 to as little as none, depending on the scholarship type obtained. Doctoral students may receive €1350 for ECBS Ph.D. programs while €1300 for other Ph.D. programs.
For reference, CEU master’s and doctoral programs will set a student back by €10000 to €15000 and €15000 to €20000 annually, respectively. Degrees offered by the CEU include those related to Economics, Business Administration, and Legal Studies.
5. Scholarship Programme for Young Christian People
To assist and provide help for people living in countries in crisis or who are targeted because of their religion, the SPYCP offers an opportunity for these students to be able to give back to their home country after studying in Hungary. This is open to students who are not Hungarian citizens, refugees, and those under temporary protection, subsidiary protection, or humanitarian protection. The applicant must be of legal age (18 years old) by the time of their application and must have an official recommendation from an eligible church organization.
Successful applicants for this scholarship in Hungary are provided the following: tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend, accommodation, travel reimbursement, and medical insurance. Take note that these benefits are for one person only; family members are not part of the scholarship. Bachelor’s and master’s students may apply for eligible degree programs as evaluated by the scholarship while doctoral programs are only for those who have already graduated under this same scholarship program.
