📝 Admissions — Hungary

Hungary is one of the strongest Central European destinations for international students because it has many English-taught degrees, well-known medical universities, affordable living costs compared with Western Europe, and major scholarship routes such as Stipendium Hungaricum. However, Hungary does not have one single application route for every international student. Some applicants use direct university portals, many self-funded international applicants use institutional application systems such as DreamApply, scholarship applicants use scholarship portals, and Hungarian or EU-style central admissions can involve Felvi.

Quick summary

Official sources

• Study in Hungary
• Study in Hungary - Entry and Admission Requirements
• Felvi - Admission Guide for International Applicants
• Stipendium Hungaricum
• National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing - Student residence

Higher education structure

Hungary follows the Bologna system with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It also has undivided one-tier programmes in fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, architecture, law and some teacher-training routes. These programmes are longer and often highly selective.

Universities and universities of applied sciences

Hungary has research universities, applied universities, medical universities, arts institutions and private institutions. Before applying, check whether the degree is recognised and whether the programme language, accreditation and professional value fit your goals.

Application routes

Direct university application

Most self-funded international students apply directly through each university’s online portal. Several Hungarian universities use platforms similar to DreamApply for international applications. You usually upload documents, pay an application fee, attend an entrance exam or interview if required, and receive an admission decision.

Felvi central admission

Felvi is Hungary’s official higher education admission information and e-admission system. It is especially relevant for Hungarian and some EU/central admission procedures. International applicants should use the current Felvi international guide only where the programme and applicant category require this route.

Stipendium Hungaricum

Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s flagship government scholarship. It is not just a university admission process: applicants must meet scholarship eligibility, partner-country nomination rules and institutional admission requirements. For 2026/2027, the official Study in Hungary announcement listed the Stipendium Hungaricum application deadline as 15 January 2026, 2 p.m. CET. Future cycles usually open around November and close around January, but applicants must always check the new call.

Admission requirements

Study in Hungary lists common documents such as CV, motivation letter, passport or ID, proof of language proficiency, English translations of transcripts and diplomas, and academic references. Bachelor’s applicants need a high-school diploma and transcript. Master’s applicants need a bachelor’s diploma and may need entrance exams.

Bachelor’s and undivided programmes

You normally need a recognised secondary school certificate that gives access to higher education in your country. Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine usually require science knowledge and entrance exams. Business, engineering and IT may use interviews, mathematics tests or document-based assessment.

Master’s programmes

Master’s admission depends on your bachelor’s degree, subject fit, ECTS or course content, grades, language level and sometimes interview or entrance exam. Lack of subject match is a common rejection reason.

PhD programmes

PhD applicants usually need a master’s degree, research proposal, CV, publications if available, supervisor or research-field match, and proof of English or Hungarian depending on the programme.

Language requirements

English-taught programmes usually require IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, Duolingo, previous English-medium education or an institutional English interview. Hungarian-taught programmes require Hungarian. Medical programmes often test English scientific vocabulary during the entrance exam.

Translations and document authentication

Hungarian universities commonly ask for English translations of diplomas and transcripts. Some may ask for certified copies, legalisation, apostille or embassy authentication, especially at enrolment or visa stage. Scholarship applicants must follow both scholarship and university document rules.

Tuition fees

Fees vary widely. Humanities, social sciences and business programmes may be more affordable; medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine are significantly more expensive. Stipendium Hungaricum can cover tuition and provide stipend, accommodation contribution and insurance support, but it is competitive and country-dependent.

Student residence permit

Non-EU students normally apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studies through the Hungarian consulate or, where allowed, through Enter Hungary. The official immigration authority states that an application submitted abroad can include the entry visa for collecting the residence permit. Hungary also lists student work rights: third-country nationals with a student residence permit may work up to 30 hours per week during study periods and full-time for up to 90 days in a year outside study periods.

Recommended timeline

• November-January: scholarship calls such as Stipendium Hungaricum are usually open.
• January-May: many self-funded applications open or close, especially for visa-required students.
• March-June: entrance exams and interviews.
• June-August: admission letters, tuition deposits and residence permit applications.
• September: enrolment and start of autumn semester.

Common mistakes

• Missing the early scholarship deadline.
• Assuming scholarship admission and university admission are the same step.
• Applying to medicine without preparing for biology, chemistry and English entrance tests.
• Ignoring residence permit timing and tuition deposit requirements.
• Submitting unofficial translations when certified versions are required.
• Not checking whether the programme is recognised or professionally useful in your target country.

Official sources

• Study in Hungary
• Study in Hungary - Entry and Admission Requirements
• Study in Hungary - Application Timeline
• Felvi - Admission Guide for International Applicants
• Stipendium Hungaricum
• OIF - Residence of the student, pupil

This is starter guidance and changes often — always confirm on the official source before applying.