Public · Budapest
ELTE
Hungary's oldest and largest university. Broad subject range — humanities, sciences, law, education. Strong international community.
€1.5ktuition/yr100+EN programs
Destination guide · 2026 intake
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship covers your full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation and insurance — for hundreds of programs across every Hungarian university. It's the most accessible full scholarship in Europe.
Stipendium recipients enjoy free housing or housing contribution
Bachelor, master, one-tier (medical), PhD — all covered.
€130/mo (Bachelor), €350/mo (Master), €450/mo (PhD).
University dorm free, or €100/mo contribution if you rent privately.
Full medical insurance throughout your studies, no out-of-pocket.
Open to citizens of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and 90+ other countries. Annual deadline: January. We start preparing in October.
Why Hungary
Hungary doesn't have Spain's weather or Germany's economy. What it has is value — measured in degrees per dollar — that nowhere else in the EU matches.
5,000+ Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships awarded annually to non-EU students. That's an order of magnitude more than Germany's DAAD master's awards. Your odds are genuinely good with a strong application.
Budapest is 35–40% cheaper than Madrid, 50% cheaper than Munich. Smaller cities like Debrecen and Szeged drop further. €700/month covers rent, food, transport comfortably.
Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged — Hungary has Europe's most established English-language medical programs. MD degrees recognized in the EU, US, India, Pakistan, Nigeria after local registration.
Travel all 27 EU countries on your student visa. Your degree is recognized everywhere in Europe. Many students pivot to Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands for work after graduation.
Universities we work with
Hungarian universities tend to be specialists rather than generalists. Pick the right one for your subject and you'll outperform a more famous "generalist" anywhere.
Hungary's oldest and largest university. Broad subject range — humanities, sciences, law, education. Strong international community.
Top-ranked medical university in Central Europe. English-medium MD program for 200+ years. Highly competitive.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Hungary's leading engineering school. Particularly strong in mechanical, civil, electrical engineering.
Top business university in the region. Strong economics, finance, management. Triple-accredited (AACSB-EQUIS-AMBA pending).
Largest international student community in Hungary. Broad subjects including medical, agriculture, engineering, IT. Cheaper city.
Research-intensive university with a Nobel laureate alumnus. Strong in life sciences, pharmacy, medicine. Smaller, calmer city.
What it costs
Self-funded numbers below. With Stipendium Hungaricum, your tuition is €0 and you receive a monthly stipend on top — net cost is often €0 or even positive.
| Item | Budapest | Debrecen / Szeged / Pécs |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (non-medical) | €1,500 – €5,000 / yr | €1,200 – €3,500 / yr |
| Tuition (English medical MD) | €16,000 / yr | €11,000 – €13,000 / yr |
| Rent (shared flat) | €300 – €500 / mo | €180 – €320 / mo |
| University dorm | €100 – €180 / mo | €80 – €140 / mo |
| Food & groceries | €150 – €230 / mo | €120 – €180 / mo |
| Transport (student pass) | €10 / mo | €8 / mo |
| Health insurance | €30 – €50 / mo | €30 – €50 / mo |
| Total (non-medical) / yr | €7,500 – €11,500 | €5,500 – €8,500 |
Stipendium Hungaricum eliminates tuition + adds €130–€450/month stipend + housing. Your only cost is the gap between stipend and your living expenses, usually €100–€300/month.
Visa & arrival
Hungary's student visa is reliable for prepared applicants — 95%+ approval rate. Stipendium recipients have an even smoother path since the scholarship is itself proof of funds.
Apply 60–90 days before classes start. Within 30 days of arrival, register your address at the immigration office.
Hungary FAQ
Citizens of 90+ countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt and many more. Annual deadline is mid-January; we prepare applications October–December.
No, not for English-taught programs (600+ available across all levels). You'll naturally pick up basic Hungarian for daily life. Stipendium recipients can take free Hungarian classes.
Yes — recognized across the EU, US (after USMLE), India (after FMGE/NEXT), Pakistan, Nigeria and most countries after local registration exams. Semmelweis, Debrecen and Pécs medical degrees are particularly respected.
Yes — up to 24 hours/week during term, full-time during holidays. After graduation, you can apply for a job-search residence permit for up to 9 months.
Beautiful, walkable, cosmopolitan, surprisingly affordable. Strong cafe culture, excellent public transport, and a very large international student community. Winters are cold (sub-zero) — pack accordingly.
Stipendium deadline approaches each January