Higher education programmes for Foreign Students in Hungary

Pursuing studies abroad is always a challenge and an adventure at the same time. It is an experience that may have a determining impact on a student’s professional life and career as well as in their friendships and in general, the human relations they develop and expand.
In today’s knowledge-based society there is a strong trend of students spending one or more semesters at a foreign university or college in order to improve their knowledge and to gain new experience and information.
Studying abroad presents multifarious challenges. Not only will you have to cope with the country’s bureaucracy but also you will have to accommodate new cultural traditions and phenomena. This is by no means an easy job, but of course it is also an excellent opportunity for students to prove their adaptability and resilience – to themselves and to others. In the global competition young people’s future prospects are enhanced by studying abroad as the working environment is becoming increasingly international and companies demand intercultural skills and competence.
This book is intended to arouse your interest in pursuing undergraduate or graduate (Bachelor’s and Master’s as well as PhD) studies in Hungary. Besides giving an overview of programmes information is provided about the Hungarian higher educational system, the degrees awarded, and of course, about Hungary in general.
We wish that you, reader and prospective foreign student in Hungary find in this book the information which is most important for you; that you gain useful professional experience and fond memories during your studies in Hungary; while enjoying the hospitality of our country, and making the most of the opportunities offered by its rich culture and natural heritage.
Higher Education in Hungary
The Hungarian higher education has a long history. The first Hungarian university was founded in Pécs in south Hungary over 600 years ago, in 1367. Hungarian higher education institutions are autonomous, state or non-state (private and religious) institutions recognised by the state. There are 71 higher education institutions in Hungary (18 state universities, 12 state colleges, 7 none state universities and 34 none state colleges).
The Hungarian higher education system
Hungary has been taking part in the Bologna Process since 1999, whose most important goal is the creation of the European Higher Education Area. With the effect of September 1, 2006 the new Bologna regime two-cycle degree system has been introduced. The first degree programmes (3 to 4 years) lead to Baccalaureus / Bachelor’s degrees, while second degree programmes (1 to 2 years) lead to Magister / Master’s degrees. Unified, undivided, long-term Master’s degree programmes (5 to 6 years) are offered in some fields of study, e.g. in human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, architecture, law and in a few programmes of art education. All Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees grant access to the labour market. Based on a Magister / Master’s degree or its foreign equivalent, PhD or Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA) degrees as third cycle degrees can be awarded after 3 years of study.
In addition to the degree programmes described above, higher education institutions offer non-degree programmes too, such as higher-level vocational trainings, postgraduate specialist training courses based on a first or second degree as well as summer universities and partial trainings in the framework of lifelong learning.
Higher education programmes may be offered in full-time training, part-time training or distance learning courses.
Admission requirements for higher education
According to the Higher Education Act, admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes and unified, undivided, long-term Master’s degree programmes is selective, with the Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its foreign equivalent as a prerequisite for admission with a few exceptions where practical examinations or aptitude tests are also required. The minimum requirement for admission to Master’s degree programmes is a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, to PhD and DLA doctoral programmes is a Master’s degree or its equivalent. Higher education institutions may link admission to Master’s and doctoral programmes to additional criteria.
Degrees and Qualifications
The programmes of study offered in foreign languages include medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, engineering, economics, natural sciences, humanities, art and music. One of the strengths of Hungarian higher education lies in its PhD programmes offered in an equally large variety of subjects. The PhD and DLA doctoral degrees granted by Hungarian institutions - just as the Hungarian Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees - can easily get recognised in Europe. The full range of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD /DLA degree programmes offered by Hungarian higher education institutions can be found in this publication.
Credit system
The obligatory use of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) compatible credit system was introduced in September 2003, but several higher education institutions have already been using it since the middle of the 1990's. One credit corresponds to 30 hours student workload.
Why Hungarian Higher Education?
Hungary has made a substantial contribution to the world’s intellectual heritage. Thirteen Nobel Prize laureates were born Hungarian including acclaimed litterateurs and scientists Philipp E. A. von Lenard, Robert Bárány, Richard A. Zsigmondy, Albert von Szent-Györgyi, George de Hevesy, Georg von Békésy, Eugene P. Wigner, Dennis Gabor, John C. Polanyi, George A. Olah, John C. Harsanyi, Imre Kertész. Other prominent scientists who contributed to the enrichment of human knowledge include Loránd Eötvös, Leó Szilárd, Tódor Kármán and Edward (Ede) Teller. In the world of music mention should be made of Ferenc Liszt, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. Hungary has served testimony of her high intellectual potential in every walk of life.
And last but not least, Hungarian diplomas have a high prestige throughout the world. The programmes are of high standard with tuition fees quite favourable in international comparison, and the costs of living are much lower than in other countries.
How to apply?
The homepages of institutions that offer programmes in foreign languages contain all the information you need about the conditions of application, together with the necessary application forms. You can choose the most appropriate form of study that suits your profile. You can find out about the conditions of entry into Hungary through the homepages of higher educational institutions or through the web site of the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Hungary (http://www.mfa.gov.hu).



Links of interest
For more information about Hungarian higher education please visit the following websites:

The Most Important Authorities
• Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Hungary
• Educational Authority
• National Office for Research and Technology
Information for Foreign Students and Scholars
• National Higher Education Information Centre
• Researcher's Mobility Portal Hungary
• Study Transfer Programme
• A User's Guide to Hungary
Higher Education in Hungary
• Higher Education Institutions
• Hungarian Rectors' Conference
• Hungarian Scholarship Board
• Higher Education and Research Council
• Eurydice Report on the Education System in Hungary
National Student Organisations
• National Union of Students in Hungary
• Association of Hungarian PhD and DLA Students
Recognition of Qualifications
• Hungarian Equivalence and Information Centre
Credit System in Hungary
• Office of the National Credit Council
Accreditation and Quality Assurance
• Hungarian Accreditation Committee
National Contact Point for EU Programmes
• Tempus Public Foundation
Other research links
• Links to R&D Websites
• Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Other important links
• Balassi Bálint Institute
• Hungary on the web
• Hungarian Central Statistical Office