Hungary’s current nursing education system was established through suggestions from advisers from the United States. In 1993, the former nursing training was converted to a bachelor’s degree structured as a four-year program. The first program was started as a three-year program, eventually transforming into the current curriculum. The first master’s degree in nursing was offered in the country in 2000, running for three semesters.
Nursing doctorate programs were then offered in institutions with master’s programs starting in 2006. The Bologna system was not integrated into the educational system until the same year. A detailed competency of the nursing profession was issued in 2016 by the Ministry of Human Capacities, further advancing and strengthening the nursing program in the country.
Furthermore, more and more top universities in the country are offering nursing programs, and vocational training in nursing, which was previously discontinued, was re-introduced in 2016. In this article, we will look at the best universities for nursing in Hungary!
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Hungary
1. Semmelweis University
Semmelweis University is one of the best nursing schools in Hungary. Its nursing program is offered under the Faculty of Health Sciences. Founded in 1975 as the College of Health Care, it was the first to provide training for healthcare professionals at the college level. The nursing department first offered part-time courses in 1990 and full-time classes in 1991.
The country’s university provided the first four-year program, and master’s programs were offered in 2002. It has now established many partnerships across Europe, Asia, and America. Under the Erasmus exchange program, students and the teaching staff enrich their learning abroad. Its Department of Nursing offers a full-time Bachelor’s in Nursing program for four years.
Meanwhile, the Master’s in Nursing runs for four semesters covering many study areas, such as family planning, nursing education in clinical practice, health ethics, and more. Since 2011, English has been the language of instruction for all programs. International conferences and short training programs are also available to its students.
2. University of Pécs
The University of Pécs offers its nursing programs under the Faculty of Health Sciences. It is the first and one of the leading schools for nursing in Hungary, founded in 1367. Its international student body comes from diverse origins and backgrounds, which is due to its courses in various foreign languages and its multiple advanced studies programs. In 2016, international students were offered short training programs in a summer ‘trimester’ structure.
The Faculty of Health Sciences is a young faculty established only in 1990, which was initially part of the Medical University of Pecs in 1989. It currently has BSc in Nursing, MSc in Nursing APRN (Emergency Care), MSc in Nursing APRN (Intensive Care), and MSc in Nursing APRN (Primary Care). The faculty has established partnerships with international institutions for clinical placements. It also has campuses in Pécs, Kaposvár, Szombathely, and Zalaegerszeg, where collaborations with local hospitals for clinical exposure have also been established.
3. University of Szeged
The University of Szeged is one of the top public universities that offers its nursing program under the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies. It is a recognized nursing institution in Hungary because of the high-quality nursing programs offered to its students. It holds EU accreditations and houses excellent educators in their respective fields, including a Nobel prize winner.
It also has an outstanding reputation in research and grants scholarships to its international students. The faculty was founded as a health visitor training institute in the early 1900s and was given independent status by the university in 2000. It was only in 1973 that the training institute was converted to a college education level emphasizing fundamental and foundational health subjects.
The university offers an English-taught Bachelor’s in Nursing for eight semesters, which gives you 240 credits. Meanwhile, its Nursing Master Program lasts three semesters and is offered only in Hungarian, with local or international students getting a Registered Nurse degree after finishing the course.
4. University of Debrecen
The University of Debrecen offers its nursing programs under the Faculty of Health Sciences. It is one of the leading and most prominent schools in Hungary with over four campuses: Debrecen, Böszörményi Street, Ótemető Street, Kassai Street, Hajdúböszörmény, and Szolnok. Its history goes back to the 1600s, playing a big role in the education system in the country.
In 2007, this university was the first in Hungary to receive the Higher Education Qualification Prize, awarded only to reputable institutions in the country. It adopts the Bologna process, thus, its certificates and diplomas are accepted in countries under the European Union. The faculty offers not only training for nursing but also training for social workers.
Professional training for nurses was started four years after its foundation. Research has also been integrated into its curriculum and has participated in research projects both locally and internationally for over 15 years. Its bachelor’s and master’s programs were offered in 2007 with the adaptation of the Bologna Process.
International students who enroll in nursing programs in Hungary may expect to receive an excellent education, practical training, and global exposure to various healthcare settings. These programs provide students with the skills and abilities necessary to prepare them for a fulfilling profession in healthcare. So, consider the schools mentioned above if you want to pursue this health field.
We hope this article on the best nursing schools in Hungary was helpful. To learn more information on how you can study in the country or Europe respectively, check out the Hungary Page or the Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
