Hungary is becoming one of the top destinations for international students for several reasons. Perusing a degree in Hungary for international students is affordable as compared to other European nations. Other advantages are iconic landscapes, historic architecture, and a multicultural student environment.
Hungary is famous for its rich culture and historical urban centers. The castles and vast green lands of Hungary add to its exquisite experience. The city of Budapest provides a rich experience to the tourists. What better reason to study in Hungary; a place where you can not only study in high ranking international institutions but also spend time exploring the cities and expanding your experiences.
General requirements for applying in a Hungarian university
Following are some of the general requirements that you have to meet for applying in a Hungarian university, depending upon the degree level:
1. For bachelor’s degree
- Certified high-school diploma
- Certified high school transcript with all academic records and marking criteria.
- university entrance test (only for specific programs)
2. For Master’s degree
- A certified bachelor’s diploma (if you are applying for a one-year Master’s program, then a four-year undergraduate degree is required).
- Official university transcript showing semester wise grades.
- Proof that you are applying for a related Masters program as your Bachelors degree.
3. For PhD degree
- University degree equivalent to Masters of Science or Masters of Arts.
- Proof of professional experience (specific for some programs)
- Research proposal (for most of the programs)
Language Requirements
In Hungary, you can either pursue your degree in Hungarian language or the English language. If you wish to apply for an English based degree program, then you have to provide an English language certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS. The following are some of the language requirements for different degree levels.
1. Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 60-80 score. But your chances of admission increases if your score is above 80.
- IELTS: 5.0-6.0 band
- Some universities also accept an official document from your school that states that you took all your lectures in English and can read, write, and comprehend the English language.
2. Master’s degree
- TOEFL: 70-90 score
- IELTS: 5.5-6.5 band
In Hungary, there are many programs that are taught in the German language. If you want to apply for German taugh programs, you must provide a German language certificate. You can also consult the study abroad consultants in Islamabad to help you with all the language requirements for different universities and programs so you can save not only your time but also money.
Application Process
Following is a step by the steps application process.
1. Choose a university and program
Hungary is an excellent place for international students who want to pursue their degrees abroad. Hungary offers 66 higher education institutions from which you can choose your desired programs. Top 7 international ranking universities in Hungary for the year 2020 are:
| Universities | Times Higher Education Ranking | |
| 1 | Semmelweis University | 401 |
| 2 | Eötvös Loránd University | 601 |
| 3 | University of Debrecen | 801 |
| 4 | University of Pecs | 801 |
| 5 | University of Szeged | 801 |
| 6 | Budapest University of Technology and Economics | 1001 |
| 7 | Corvinus University of Budapest | 1001 |
As for the programs, you can choose them depending upon your interests and skills. In case you cannot make a decision, some of the most popular programs in Hungary are:
- Master’s in Business Administration
- Masters in International Relations
- Masters in Computer Sciences
- Masters in Biosciences
2. Entry requirements and documents preparation
Once you have made your decision regarding the university and degree, you want to apply for, check specific requirements, and prepare before the deadline. Following are some of the documents that you would need for the application process:
1. A complete university application form
2. Clear photocopies of following educational documents:
- Degrees/ Certificates
- Transcripts
- Provisional certificate (in case degree has not been issued yet).
3. Two letters of recommendations (academic and professional in case of Ph.D. students)
4. A certified copy of language certificate (original)
5. Copy of Passport or ID card
6. A letter of motivation or Statement of purpose – it should include:
- Introduction about yourself
- Your reasons for choosing to study in Hungary rather than your own home country
- Your reason for choosing the university
- Your reason for choosing a study program
- The relevance of course to your future career.
7. A comprehensive C.V.
Some of the programs also require the following additional documents:
- Research proposal
- A GMAT or GRE score
- An entrance exam
- A face-to-face skype interview
3. Online application
Almost all Hungarian universities have online portals through which you can apply by uploading all the scanned copies of the documents. For online form, you need to pay an application fee that is generally between 100 to 150 EUR.
4. Letter of Acceptance and Visa application
After the application period is over, your respective university will notify you about your application status through email or online portal. If you are a fee-paying student, you will need to transfer some percentage of the tuition fee before your enrolment.
For non-EU students, the average tuition fee in Hungary is 2,000-2,500 EUR/year. But there are several scholarship opportunities like Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program. You can contact a study abroad consultant in Islamabad to find the best scholarship for you in Hungary. These experts can also help you with the lengthy visa process.
The general vis application documents are:
- Visa application form
- University acceptance letter
- Passport
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of accommodation in Hungary
- Financial documentation to show that you can cover living expenses during your study.
Apply away!
If you are an international student aspiring to study abroad, then Hungary is the best destination for you. It not only has internally recognized universities but is also a Schengen Country. It means that you can spend your semester breaks in European countries like Belgium, Austria, Greece, and many more and experience their vast cultures and traditions.
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