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Scholarships in Hungary for International Students

1 verified scholarships · 1 fully funded · Including Stipendium Hungaricum

Hungary is a top study destination renowned for its centuries-old academic traditions, affordable tuition programs, and rich cultural diversity. We've compiled 1 scholarship opportunities — including 1 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in Hungary in 2026.

1

Total Scholarships

1

Fully Funded

3

Degree Levels

1

Open to All Nations

All Scholarships in Hungary

Stipendium Hungaricum

🇭🇺 Hungary
Fully Funded
Undergraduate Masters PhD
  • Tuition-free education
  • Monthly stipend (HUF 43,700–140,000)
  • Free accommodation or dormitory contribution
Deadline: January 15
Medium

Why Study in Hungary?

Hungary punches above its weight as a higher-education destination through Stipendium Hungaricum — one of the most accessible fully funded scholarship programmes in Europe, available to students from 80+ partner countries. The scholarship covers full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution or dormitory placement, and health insurance, at any of Hungary's 28 participating universities. Tuition for self-funded students is also among the lowest in Europe (€2,000–€8,000/year), and Hungarian universities are particularly strong in medicine, engineering, and music. Budapest is consistently ranked among Europe's most affordable major cities.

Top Universities in Hungary for International Students

These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.

Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)

Budapest

Sciences, humanities, mathematics (oldest Hungarian university)

Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME)

Budapest

Engineering, architecture, computer science

Semmelweis University

Budapest

Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy (English-taught medical programmes)

Corvinus University of Budapest

Budapest

Business, economics, social sciences

University of Szeged

Szeged

Medicine, pharmacy, agriculture

University of Debrecen

Debrecen

Medicine, agriculture, IT

University of Pécs

Pécs

Medicine, humanities, business

Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

Budapest

Music performance and composition (world-renowned)

Tuition and Cost of Living in Hungary

Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.

Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)

Undergraduate
€2,000–€6,000 per year (most programmes); medicine €8,000–€18,000
Master's
€2,500–€7,500 per year; medicine €8,000–€18,000
PhD
€5,000–€10,000 per year; Stipendium Hungaricum covers full tuition

Tuition is fully covered for Stipendium Hungaricum scholars. Self-funded medical/dental programmes are popular among international students; tuition reaches €18,000/year at Semmelweis.

Monthly Living Budget (HUF (Ft)200,000–HUF (Ft)380,000)

Rent
Ft 80,000–Ft 200,000 (~€200–€500; shared accommodation outside Budapest cheaper)
Food
Ft 70,000–Ft 100,000 (~€175–€250)
Transport
Ft 3,500–Ft 9,000 (~€10–€25 monthly student pass)

Budapest is the most expensive city but still ~40% cheaper than Western European capitals. Szeged, Debrecen, and Pécs are 20–30% lower than Budapest.

Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway

Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.

National D Visa / Residence Permit for Study

Visa Fee
€60–€110
Processing Time
30–60 days
Financial Proof Required
Proof of HUF 350,000/month (~€900) in bank account or scholarship confirmation
Health Insurance
Scholarship holders covered automatically; others ~€100–€200/year for student insurance
Work While Studying
24 hours/week during term, up to 90 days full-time during breaks

Post-Study Work Rights

Job-seeker residence permit valid for 9 months post-graduation. Hungary has expanded skilled-worker permits and offers a clear path to permanent residence after 3 years of legal stay (faster for EU Blue Card holders).

English Language Requirements

For English-taught programmes: IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 70–90. Stipendium Hungaricum does not impose a centralised English requirement; each university programme sets its own threshold. Many programmes accept proof of English-medium prior education in lieu of standardised tests.

Application Timeline for Hungary Scholarships

Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.

  1. 1

    10–12 months before

    Identify your country's Stipendium Hungaricum partner agency (sending country deadline varies).

  2. 2

    10 months before

    Apply via Stipendium Hungaricum portal (deadline typically January 15 each year).

  3. 3

    6–8 months before

    Interviews/exams conducted by Hungarian universities (February–April).

  4. 4

    4–6 months before

    Receive nomination from sending country and acceptance from Hungarian institution (May–June).

  5. 5

    2–3 months before

    Apply for D visa, secure dormitory placement, complete pre-arrival paperwork.

How to Win a Scholarship in Hungary

Stipendium Hungaricum has a two-step process: you submit a single online application but you're nominated by your home country's partner organisation (often the Ministry of Education or a specific scholarship office). Check your country's specific Stipendium Hungaricum page on tka.hu/stipendium-hungaricum, since the sending-country deadline may be 4–8 weeks before the Hungarian deadline. The application asks for three programme/university choices. Strong applicants emphasise specific research alignment with Hungarian faculty and clear post-study return-and-impact plans for their home country. Medicine and dentistry are the most oversubscribed disciplines.

Hungary Scholarships at a Glance

  • Stipendium Hungaricum is open to students from 80+ partner countries each year.
  • The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation/housing contribution, monthly stipend, and health insurance.
  • Hungarian medical universities are popular routes to internationally recognised medical degrees.
  • Budapest consistently ranks among Europe's most affordable capital cities for students.

Scholarships in Hungary by Student Nationality

Find scholarships in Hungary tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.

Explore Other Study Destinations

Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Hungary

Yes, Hungary offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.

Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.

Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Many European universities also offer programs in the local language, with preparatory language courses included in some scholarship packages.

Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.

Most student visa categories in Hungary allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.

TheScholarSphere currently lists 1 scholarship programs in Hungary for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

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