How to Study in Hungary for Free

The experience of pursuing education can vastly differ from country to country across the globe. European countries have upheld a namesake for quality education and affordable tuition fees against the backdrop of some popular and beautiful cities. Hungary is one such country that is especially known for its safe and modern cities.

Recently, the country has become a popular study destination for international students, as Hungarian cities offer a perfect blend of academic and personal experiences. The multicultural nation sets the perfect environment for students complete with a bustling environment for social and extra-curricular activities. In this article, we look at how you could benefit from all these perks of studying in Hungary for little to no charge. Read along until the end.

How to Study in Hungary for Free

1. Prioritize Applying to Public Universities

Public universities in Hungary offer programs that are entirely free of charge for citizens of Hungary. However, international students might have to incur a small amount of tuition expenses every year. Even though there are excellent private institutions in the country, Hungary’s public universities are highly sought out by international students as academic expenses are relatively lower, and the standard of education is higher.

For example, a master’s program in Communication and Media studies costs 6,000 EUR for EU students and 7,000 EUR for non-EU international students per year at the Budapest Metropolitan University; a prominent private institution in the country. The same program is offered by the Eötvös Loránd Public University for just 5,600 EUR per year.

2. Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships can be a great way to supplement your finances during your stay in a foreign country. When applying to just about any university across the globe, be mindful of scholarship opportunities and grants offered by the government, the institution you are applying to, or any third-party organization.

According to some netizens, Hungary is the easiest country to get a fully-funded scholarship in Europe. The country is surely known for the opportunities it provides international students to pursue education for a relatively lower cost. A good example is the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, a fully-funded scholarship for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students that covers everything from tuition fees, accommodation fees, and insurance in addition to providing a monthly stipend of up to 110 EUR.

3. Excel in Your Studies

Scholarships across the world are offered based on merit, academic qualifications, and a student’s financial background. Top performers in any discipline are usually awarded regardless of which country you hail from. The Bilateral State Scholarship is one such scholarship that is offered to outstanding foreign students.

Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Hungary

Hungary offers multiple opportunities for incoming bachelor’s students to fund their studies without a hassle. Offered by the government, one such initiative is the Stipendium Hungaricum Program discussed above. This fully funded scholarship can be claimed by eligible bachelor’s students from some of the country’s top universities, including the University of Debrecen, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, and Eötvös Loránd University.

Another initiative of the government is the Tempus Public Foundation fund for international students at all levels of education. As part of the Tempus Public Foundation’s scholarships, this organization offers many financial provisions for students in the bachelor’s level. Scholarships could either be partially or fully funded.

Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Hungary

External scholarships like Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters and the Bilateral State Scholarships are also popular among international students who are planning to pursue master’s studies in Hungary. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship is tailored for master’s students who come from a select few nations to study in universities across Europe.

As a joint initiative with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Government of Hungary, the FAO-Hungarian Government Scholarship is offered in the academic year 2024-2025 for students following a select few master’s programs at specific universities. This scholarship covers tuition, application fees, accommodation, and health insurance.

Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Hungary

At the Central European University, scholarships are offered to students at both master’s and doctoral levels. The CEU Doctoral Scholarship and the Presidential Scholar Awards are two such financial rebates a student could benefit from when studying at CEU.

Other than this, descendants of Hungarian nations also have the option to apply for a popular Hungarian scholarship called the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship. This scholarship allows students from around the world to study at prestigious universities in the country for affordable tuition rates. The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship applies to students of all levels of higher education.

FAQs: Studying in Hungary as an International Student

Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in Hungary for Free?

Even though most universities in Hungary charge some tuition fees for international students, they are relatively affordable compared to universities in the Western world. Hungary itself offers the benefits of low-cost education and affordable living expenses, making life as a student infinitely easier.

However, if you wish to further cut down on expenses during your stay in the country, consider enrolling at a public university. Hungarian public universities are extremely affordable and students can even try their luck at full and partial scholarships like the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship for international students to help minimize costs potentially to a zero.

How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in Hungary?

The annual academic cost in Hungary is relatively lower compared to many other countries around the world and in Europe. The average annual tuition fee in Hungary varies between 4,500 and 16,000 EUR. As a general rule, undergraduate courses are usually on the lower end of the spectrum, and postgraduate programs may be slightly expensive.

Course fees vary from university to university. Public institutions in the country are known to cost way less than private institutions in the country. The University of Szeged, one of the best universities for international students offers programs that could cost anywhere between 3,000 and 16,000 EUR per year. The most expensive programs offered at the university are General Medicine and other Ph.D. programs.

Hungary is one of the best study destinations in the world for affordable and high-quality education. While international students might not directly benefit from the country’s free education policy, there are many opportunities for international students to study tuition-free in the country.

We hope this article helped find your way through some of the country’s most recognized educational scholarships and grants. For more study options, check out our Open Courses for programs you can enroll in.