Hungary has grown to become a top-quality destination for international students, especially for aspiring doctors. Located in the center of Europe, the country leverages its prime location to get the latest advancements in medicine and the sciences, producing top graduates in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, among others. It also allows for such high-level education to be accessible to most students, as opposed to the competitive yet restrictive recruitment found in most countries. Many universities in Hungary offer courses in English. But more so, an education in Hungary is quite affordable, and as such, students believe they can get the most out of Hungarian education. This is why the country proudly takes in more than 30,000 international students each year.
But more than the education it offers, Hungary gives a glimpse of the simplicity and purity of nature in the countryside. Surrounded by lush hills and wide-open plains in the Carpathian Basin, students can immerse themselves in Hungary’s interesting history in the center of it all, how it stayed true to itself through its unique Hungarian language and folk tradition, while also keeping ahead with modern living.
When in Hungary, get ready for a warm welcome, hearty meals, and a tour of their beautiful cities. In the guide below, we talk about how you can apply for a bachelor’s degree in Hungary.
Application Requirements for Applying for Bachelors in Hungary
Students applying for a bachelor’s degree in Hungary would need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with a copy of official transcripts. Other requirements include the students’ most recent curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, proof of language proficiency in English, two academic letters of recommendation, and a valid passport for proof of identity. Some universities may also require an entrance exam before admission. It’s important to note that the ranking of Hungarian institutions is done by GPA, which might also mean that work and/or research experience might be asked for by some universities.
The next requirement is the student visa. Students simply need a completed application form, valid photographs, the application fee, and other required country-specific documents.
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
Bachelor’s Degree Language Requirements for Hungary
Fortunately, Hungarian universities offer most of their courses in English. As such, English proficiency test scores are most valuable to those aspiring to study here. For undergraduate programs, the minimum score is an IELTS overall band score of 5.0 or a TOEFL score of 60. For students with experience in English, high school certificates with final exam results may also be accepted. However, it would be best to check the desired university directly for any particular English requirement.
Take for example the University of Pecs. The school shows a comprehensive list of English proficiency tests and their acceptable minimum scores. Options include a TOEFL internet-based score of 72; an IELTS overall band score of 5.5; a B2 level in Cambridge ESOL, TELC, or ECL; or an Oxford Online Placement Test score of at least 70.
However, students that are applying for an undergraduate degree in Hungary are exempted from submitting an English test score if this is part of their area of study (ie, English literature), they have proof of study in an institution wherein English is the primary medium of instruction, or if they are native-English speaking as proven by their passport.
How to Apply for Bachelor’s Programs in Hungary
1. Find your preferred courses
Study in Hungary was an initiative by the Tempus Public Foundation (TPF), a non-profit organization set up by the Hungarian Government to encourage more international students to come and apply for undergraduate studies in Hungary. One of the ways is by providing programs and services to make information on studying in Hungary accessible. Here, students can view a quick primer about Hungary, as well as available courses and even scholarships across their top universities.
2. Apply directly through the institution
Different schools have different application processes. At Semmelweis University, the SEMAPHOR portal was created to accommodate all applications. Students must upload the requirements, as well as a Medical certificate indicating that the student is fit for study abroad. Specific training programs such as for General Medicine, Dentistry, and/or Pharmaceutical Sciences require a written exam followed by an interview, but exceptions apply for students who have an existing Bachelor’s degree in a related specialty where English was the primary medium of instruction on case to case basis. However, all students must pay a processing fee of 310 EUR to secure the application.
In the University of Debrecen, students must submit requirements online, with the option for interviews or entrance exams for select science courses. The key difference would be the fees – here, students need a processing fee of 133 EUR to apply, and a reservation fee of 888 EUR within two weeks from the letter of acceptance to confirm the slot. Both fees are non-refundable.
3. Apply for Student Visa
After confirming enrollment, students must apply for their student visas. According to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, the agency that oversees this process, all applicants must appear before the Hungarian Embassy in their country of residence in person. Exceptions apply to those with pre-existing health conditions that prevent them from attending an in-person appointment. During the in-person interview, the applicants’ biometrics – namely, a facial and fingerprints scan – will be taken to be logged corresponding to the residence permit. The visa will be processed in 15 days and will be delivered to the applicant by post.
A corresponding administrative fee will be charged. For those under diplomatic or consulate missions, the fee is EUR 60, but in exceptional cases that the application is submitted to Hungary, the fee costs 18,000 HUF (49 EUR).
Should the visa be denied, the applicant has 8 days to appeal the decision at the Hungarian Embassy or consular mission. An administrative fee of 20 EUR will be charged to process the appeal.
We hope this article on how to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Hungary was helpful. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students and learn more about studying in Europe.
