The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme is one of Europe’s most prestigious government-funded scholarships, offering international students the opportunity to study in Hungary tuition-free at top universities. Established by the Government of Hungary in 2013, the programme aims to strengthen international cooperation in education and to support outstanding students from partner countries.

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 academic year, covering Bachelor’s, Master’s, One-Tier Master’s, Non-Degree programmes, and Postgraduate Specialist Training Courses.

Overview of the Scholarship

Host Country: Hungary
Levels of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, One-Tier Master’s, Non-Degree (Hungarian language preparatory), Postgraduate Specialist Training
Study Modes: Full-degree and partial (exchange) studies
Instruction Language: Mainly English or Hungarian (some programmes in French or German)
Application Deadline: 15 January 2026, 14:00 CET
Application System: apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu
Programme Information: stipendiumhungaricum.hu

About the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme

The programme was launched to enhance Hungary’s international engagement in higher education. Today, it is available to students from over 100 partner countries and territories across five continents. It supports the full spectrum of higher education, except doctoral programmes which are covered by a separate call.

Key developments include:

• Continuous growth in the number of international applicants

• Significant expansion in English-taught programmes at Hungarian universities

• More than 4,500 scholarships awarded for the 2025 intake

The programme is operated by the Tempus Public Foundation and supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.

Scholarship Benefits

1. Tuition-Free Education

Scholarship holders are exempted from paying tuition fees throughout the duration of their studies.

2. Monthly Living Stipend

For bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s and non-degree students:

HUF 43,700 per month (approximately EUR 110), paid for 12 months a year.

This is a contribution toward living expenses, not full coverage.

3. Accommodation Support

Recipients receive either:

• A place in a university dormitory, or

• A monthly accommodation contribution of HUF 40,000 (approximately EUR 100)

Note: This amount does not fully cover rental costs in major cities such as Budapest.

4. Health Insurance

Scholarship holders have access to:

• Hungarian public healthcare services

• Additional private medical insurance up to HUF 65,000 per year

Available Study Levels

Bachelor’s Programmes (BA/BSc)

Duration: 2–4 years
Available as full-degree and partial studies.

Master’s Programmes (MA/MSc)

Duration: 1–2 years
Available as full-degree and partial studies.

One-Tier Master’s Programmes

These undivided programmes combine bachelor’s and master’s studies.
Duration: 5–6 years.
Typical fields include Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Law, and Veterinary Medicine.

Non-Degree Programmes

Hungarian language preparatory courses designed to support students intending to pursue full-degree studies in Hungarian.
Duration: 1 year.

Postgraduate Specialist Training Courses

Professional training programmes following a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Duration: 1–2 years.

Study Modes

Full-Degree Studies

Students complete their entire academic programme in Hungary and earn a Hungarian degree.

Partial (Exchange) Studies

1–2 semesters in Hungary, typically as part of ongoing studies at the home institution.
Duration cannot exceed one academic year and cannot be extended beyond 30 June of the academic year.

Applicants must select the correct study mode during application. Changes are not permitted after the deadline.

Participating Institutions and Programmes

Approximately 30 Hungarian universities host Stipendium Hungaricum scholars. Applicants can choose from nearly 900 study programmes, primarily offered in English. Programme details and institutional information are available in the online application system.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Hold citizenship of a partner country or territory with a current bilateral educational cooperation agreement with Hungary.

• Be nominated by the responsible Sending Partner in their country.

• Meet the academic and language requirements of the chosen programme.

Examples of eligible regions include Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific.

Who Cannot Apply

Applicants are not eligible if:

• They are Hungarian citizens (including dual nationals).

• They hold refugee, asylum-seeker or certain residence statuses in Hungary.

• They are under 18 years old on 31 August 2026 (except for Dance programmes).

• They previously held a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship and did not complete their studies or violated programme rules.

• They apply for a lower level of study than a previously completed scholarship-supported programme.

• They are applying for a doctoral scholarship under this same call (doctoral scholarships have a separate process).

Language Requirements

Most programmes are offered in English. Applicants must provide:

• An official language proficiency certificate meeting the minimum requirements of the selected programme, or

• Proof that previous studies were conducted fully in the language of the programme.

Students intending to pursue studies in Hungarian may complete a one-year preparatory course.

All scholarship holders studying in a language other than Hungarian must complete a mandatory Hungarian as a Foreign Language course in the first year.

Selecting Study Programmes

Applicants may apply for up to two study programmes in order of preference. These may be at the same or different universities.

The order of preference is important, as the first choice is given priority during allocation. Programme selection cannot be changed after submission.

Application Timeline (2026/2027)

• Now – December 2025: Review application requirements and consult your Sending Partner.

• 15 January 2026, 14:00 CET: Online application deadline.

• January 2026: Technical check by Tempus Public Foundation.

• February 2026: Sending Partners submit nomination lists.

• March – May 2026: Universities conduct entrance examinations.

• Late May – Early June 2026: Scholarship allocation and evaluation.

• End of June 2026: Notification of results.

• July – August 2026: Visa application and travel planning.

• By 30 September 2026: Arrival and enrolment in Hungary.

Required Application Documents

The following documents must be uploaded by 15 January 2026:

1. Online Application Form

2. Motivation Letter (minimum one page)

3. Proof of Language Proficiency

4. Secondary School Certificate (for bachelor’s) or
   Bachelor’s Degree Certificate (for master’s)

5. Transcript of Records

6. Copy of Passport or National ID Card

7. Statement for Application (accepted within the online system)

Additional requirements:

• Arts and music applicants must submit a portfolio or recordings.

• Self-financed students in Hungary applying for conversion must submit a recommendation letter.

Applicants lacking final certificates due to ongoing studies may upload a declaration and submit the final documents by 1 August 2026.

Selection Procedure

Step 1: Technical Evaluation

The Tempus Public Foundation checks:

• Completeness of documents

• Eligibility and compliance with programme rules

• Acceptance of the Statement for Application

Incomplete or ineligible applications are eliminated.

Step 2: Nomination by Sending Partner

Only applicants included on their country’s official nomination list proceed to university evaluation.

Step 3: University Entrance Examinations

Host institutions conduct academic assessments, including:

• Written examinations

• Oral interviews

• Portfolio evaluations (for arts applicants)

A minimum of 56 out of 100 points is required to be considered.

Step 4: Final Selection and Allocation

The final decision considers:

• Entrance exam results

• Sending Partner priorities

• Programme capacity and institutional quotas

• Applicant’s order of preference

• Scholarship distribution policies

Successful applicants receive the final result via the application system.

After Selection

Visa Application

Successful applicants must apply for a student visa at the nearest Hungarian consulate. Scholarship holders are exempt from visa application fees, but approval is not automatic.

Arrival and Registration

Students must:

• Notify the host university of their arrival date

• Enrol by 30 September 2026

• Complete the mandatory medical examination

Failure to arrive on time without approved justification may result in loss of the scholarship.

Obligations of Scholarship Holders

Scholarship holders must:

• Sign a Scholarship Contract with their university

• Maintain satisfactory academic performance

• Complete an average of 18 credits per semester across two active semesters

• Participate in compulsory Hungarian language courses (where applicable)

• Reside habitually in Hungary during the study period

Scholarships may be terminated for academic misconduct, inadequate progress, or violation of programme rules.

Additional Resources

• • Programme details: stipendiumhungaricum.hu

  • Application platform: apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu

  • Contact (Tempus Public Foundation): stipendiumhungaricum@tpf.hu

  • Study in Hungary information: studyinhungary.hu

  • Call for Applications for bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, non-degree programmes, and postgraduate specialist training courses 2026/2027 1763374234873

Conclusion

The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme is an excellent opportunity for international students to pursue their academic goals in Hungary. With comprehensive support and a wide range of study programmes, this scholarship can be a gateway to a successful future. Don’t miss out on this chance to study in Hungary – apply now! https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/

For more details and to apply, visit the Stipendium Hungaricum website.