Scholarships in Hungary
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International Students study in the U.K. every year
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Scholarships
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Hungary stands out as one of the few global study destinations where international scholars can genuinely secure a fully funded, EU-recognised higher education. Through the government’s Stipendium Hungaricum programme, obtaining a scholarship in Hungary is a highly achievable milestone if you follow a clear application timeline, prepare complete documentation, and apply early.
Maximising Funding Opportunities
Whether you are applying for the flagship government award or a university-specific merit scholarship, studying with financial aid can reduce your tuition to zero. Beyond waiving tuition, Stipendium Hungaricum provides a monthly stipend and an accommodation contribution to help cover your everyday living expenses, letting you plan a sustainable, largely debt-free international degree.
Key Facts: Funding Your Education in Hungary
Record Demand: More than 80,000 applications were submitted for Stipendium Hungaricum in 2025 — a 20% year-on-year increase — from applicants in over 100 countries, with India among the leading source countries alongside Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – 2025 Application Record )
Broad Institutional Reach: 30 Hungarian higher education institutions participate in the Stipendium Hungaricum network, offering 800+ programmes. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – 2025 Application Record )
Comprehensive Coverage: Scholars receive tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, a free dormitory place or accommodation contribution, and supplementary health insurance. (Source: EURAXESS – Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship )
Principal Scholarship Channels in Hungary
1. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary's Flagship Government Scholarship
Funded by the Hungarian government and administered by the Tempus Public Foundation, Stipendium Hungaricum is the most important funding route for international students because it covers both tuition and a meaningful share of your living costs.
What it covers: Tuition-free education; a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 (approx. €110) for Bachelor’s, Master’s and one-tier Master’s students, paid 12 months a year; for Doctoral students, HUF 140,000 (approx. €365) in the first four semesters, rising to HUF 180,000 (approx. €470) thereafter; a free dormitory place or a HUF 40,000/month (approx. €100) accommodation contribution; and supplementary medical insurance of up to HUF 65,000 (approx. €170) a year. (Source: EURAXESS – Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship )
2026/2027 Application Deadline: 15 January 2026, 2:00 PM CET, via apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – 2026/2027 Call for Applications )
Important Note: The programme is explicit that its stipend and accommodation contribution are “a contribution to living expenses” and may not fully cover rental costs in larger cities such as Budapest — applicants should still plan a personal financial buffer. (Source: EURAXESS – Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship )
2. University Merit Scholarships
Top Hungarian universities run independent scholarships to attract outstanding academic profiles. These awards evaluate your past academic performance, standardised test scores and Statement of Purpose rather than family financial background.
Corvinus University of Budapest and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) both offer merit-based tuition reductions and scholarships for exceptional international applicants — confirm current award values directly with each university’s admissions office, as they are revised each intake cycle.
3. Faculty-Specific Financial Aid
Several medical and technical faculties, including at the University of Debrecen and the University of Szeged, offer partial tuition reductions or entrance-exam-linked scholarships for top-scoring applicants — always confirm directly with your target faculty, as these vary year to year.
2026 Scholarship Quick Reference
Evaluating your funding options early helps you align your submission strategy. Here is a breakdown of the primary options for scholarships in Hungary for international students:
| Scholarship Category | Primary Focus & Audience | Typical Application Window* |
|---|---|---|
| Stipendium Hungaricum | All degree levels, 100+ partner countries (Need- and merit-assessed) | November – 15 January |
| Corvinus University Merit Scholarships | High-achieving Business/Economics applicants | Varies by admission round |
| BME Merit Scholarships | Outstanding Engineering & Technology applicants | Varies by admission round |
| Faculty-Specific Medical Scholarships | Top-scoring Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy applicants | Varies by university |
(Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – 2026/2027 Call for Applications )
(*Application windows are indicative and may vary each academic year. Applicants should always refer to the official scholarship or university website for the latest eligibility criteria, deadlines and application procedures.)
The Eleevate Advantage: Flawless Scholarship Compliance
Securing financial aid in Hungary requires precision and timing. From compiling a compelling Stipendium Hungaricum motivation letter and academic dossier to tracking each university’s own merit-scholarship windows, small details can make the difference between an award and a rejection.
At Eleevate Overseas, our specialised admissions and scholarship compliance team manages every detail of your portfolio. We guide you through your Stipendium Hungaricum application, review your motivation letter and essays against university evaluation criteria, and track deadlines across Hungary’s partner institutions to position your profile for maximum funding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can international students apply for both merit and government scholarships in Hungary?
Yes, you can apply for multiple funding options in parallel. However, most Stipendium Hungaricum awards are structured as your primary funding source, so check each university's rules on combining it with an additional institutional scholarship.
2. What documents are required to apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship?
You typically need academic transcripts and certificates, a motivation letter, a CV, proof of English (or Hungarian) proficiency, and, for select programmes, a written test or interview set by your chosen university, all submitted through the apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu portal. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – Application Portal )
3. Is there an age limit for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship?
Age and academic-eligibility criteria are set out in each year's official Call for Applications, which varies by degree level (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral) — always check the current year's Call for Applications document before applying. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – Application Portal )
4. Does the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship cover the entire duration of a degree?
Yes, the scholarship is awarded for the full standard duration of your programme, subject to maintaining satisfactory academic progress each year, as set out in the scholarship's Call for Applications. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – 2026/2027 Call for Applications )
5. Can I apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship for any course?
You can apply for Bachelor's, Master's, one-tier Master's, Doctoral or non-degree programmes across the scholarship's 30 partner universities, selecting up to two preferred programmes on one application. (Source: Stipendium Hungaricum – Application Portal )
6. What happens if I do not receive full scholarship funding in Hungary?
Many students self-finance a portion of their tuition or living costs while still benefiting from university-specific merit reductions; Hungary's relatively low published tuition fees and €500–€600/month average living costs make self-funded study considerably more affordable than in many other EU destinations. (Source: European Commission – Study in Europe (Hungary) )
