Applying for universities

For Hungarian citizens higher education can be state supported or self-financed. In case it is state-supported, a contract is signed with the state that the student will work at least as many years in Hungary in the next 20 years as they attended university. The language of education is Hungarian but there are English programmes as well for which language contribution fee should be paid for each semester that varies programme by programme. In some cases, for instance with a refugee status foreigners also have the same rights to apply for the state supported programmes with the same conditions as Hungarian citizens. Information and application for progammes are in all cases done through the FELVI system (www.felvi.hu). 

It is more common that as a foreigner you apply for a student visa in order to attend university. As an EU Citizen the fee you need to pay is equal to the fee of the self-financed citizens. As a third-country national the fees are lot higher.  Fee-paying students can submit their applications either electronically through the FELVI system (www.felvi.hu)(which requires advanced level Hungarian) or by mailing their documents directly to the institution. Although the application procedure for enrolment may vary at different institutions and courses, in general the process should be the following:

1. Find your university and programme

• Visit the website of the chosen higher education institution and choose the programme that suits you through our Study Finder. https://studyinhungary.hu/study-in-hungary/menu/find-a-study-programme/study-finder.html 

2. Check entry requirements and deadlines

• Before you make your decision, always read the entry requirements for the degree programme you are applying for. Application period and exact dates for self-financed foreign students usually vary from one institution to another so first contact the chosen university to find out any relevant information. The deadline for the first round of admission procedures is usually in November for those classes that commence in February while the second round of admission procedures is in February for classes commencing in September.

3. Apply online

• Fill in the online application form of the programme on the website of the chosen university, then upload or submit the required documents. After submitting your papers, you may be required to arrange an appointment for a Skype interview. Contact the university or the college to find out if there is anything else you need to do.

4. Wait to receive confirmation from the university

• If you are accepted, you will get a notification from your university around late July and the contact person from the institution will inform you regarding further steps. Fee-paying students are usually required to transfer (part of) the tuition fee prior to the enrolment in the academic period.

Generally, you’ll need the following documents to be submitted:

- an up-to-date CV

- a letter of motivation 

- certification of the grades 11-12

- copy of your passport / ID 

- proof of language proficiency

- English translation of transcripts of records

- English translation of obtained diplomas

- two academic reference letters