It is hard to resist its charm: mild climate, thermal springs, picturesque mountains, Budapest, recognized as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world… And on top of that, Hungary is famous for its ancient traditions of university education. It is no coincidence that over the past 20 years, more than 10,000 foreign students from various countries around the world have graduated from Hungarian universities.
Hungarian diplomas gained international status in 2004 when Hungary joined the EU, but to be fair, they fully deserved it even earlier. This small country, long considered a European health resort, has always been famous for high-quality training of specialists in all areas of medicine: from therapy to pharmacology. Medical diplomas obtained here are recognized everywhere, including in countries as demanding of physician qualifications as the United States. Becoming a doctor with an education recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a very attractive prospect.
Hungarian universities also successfully train economists (including agricultural experts), marketers, managers, biologists, engineers, lawyers, and creative professionals – musicians and artists.
How it all works
Our students coming to study in this country find it easy to adapt: the Hungarian education system was under Soviet influence for a long time, and Russian was a compulsory language to study. Times have changed, but the five-point grading system is still used, and similar requirements are imposed on applicants and students. However, there is also a difficulty: instruction is conducted in Hungarian, which is considered one of the most difficult languages in the world. But mastering it at a level sufficient for university study is quite realistic. Moreover, there are universities where you can study in English, German, or French, and there are even programs in Russian.
Higher education institutions (there are about 70 in Hungary) include colleges and universities. Colleges are focused on practical training of specialists for a particular industry. A college diploma has a lower rank than a university diploma, although graduates receive a bachelor's degree.
Universities train bachelors (3-4 years) and masters (1-2 years, in medicine – 3 years) in many specialties. Studying at a university allows you to later obtain a doctoral degree (PhD/DLA). According to Hungarian legislation, all higher education institutions are required to undergo licensing and accreditation every eight years, during which the quality of teaching, curriculum content, and research results are evaluated. Such a strict approach provides additional guarantees that the diploma obtained will carry weight in the eyes of a future employer.
Choosing a university
Despite the rich traditions of colleges, most foreign students prefer universities, of which there are about 20 in Hungary. The most famous among them are Budapest University of Humanities (founded in 1367), Semmelweis University (1769), University of Pécs Medical School, Budapest University of Technology and Economics (1782), the Institute of Business, Hospitality and Tourism (1857), and the Academy of Arts (19th century). Of course, this is far from an exhaustive list: whichever university you choose, you will find a special environment where traditions are sacredly preserved and maintained, renowned scholars teach, and among the graduates are Nobel laureates. For our students, who attach great importance to the prestige of the university, this often becomes an additional point in Hungary's favor.
Since the early 1990s, not only foreign students but also foreign universities have appeared in Hungary. With the support of leading Western universities, the Budapest campus of McDaniel (the 'parent' college is in the United States, in Western Maryland), a branch of the British university Oxford Brookes, and the Central European University (CEU) have been established. These universities have two important advantages. First, they offer applicants a wide selection of programs in the most relevant fields: banking, tourism, advertising, psychology and sociology, information technology, management, etc. Second, they allow studying not in Hungarian but in English, German, or French. On top of that, these universities have inter-university exchange programs: after starting studies in Hungary, you can go for an internship at a foreign partner university, and upon completion of studies, you can receive an additional diploma.
Collecting documents and applying
Going to study in Hungary is not difficult – study visas are rarely refused, but you will have to go through a rather cumbersome bureaucratic procedure.
You must apply for a visa at the Hungarian consulate. The standard set of documents (application form, language test results, motivation letter, photo) must include an invitation from the educational institution or preparatory courses. Of course, a secondary education certificate – a notarized copy in English – will be needed.
It is somewhat more difficult to meet the requirements of universities for applicants. First, your secondary education document must be recognized by the Ministry of Education of Hungary (intermediary firms or foreign student centers at universities help with this procedure). Second, if you are applying for an English-language program, you need to get an international language certificate with good scores or take a language exam. Third, you will have to take mandatory entrance exams set by the chosen university. It should be noted that the admission conditions for each university are individual and depend on many factors (competition, specialty, location of the university).
The requirements for applicants are quite strict, but they are quite comparable to those of prestigious domestic universities. If you studied well at school and thoroughly prepared for admission, you have every chance. Exams are held in the summer, usually at the end of June - early July. The passing score for enrollment in each faculty is determined annually by universities in the second half of July.
Preparation of foreigners for Hungarian universities is carried out centrally - at an independent educational institution called the International Higher Learning Centre. The center's program lasts 10 months and costs just over $2,000. The center does not guarantee admission, but it does make life easier for applicants, as it cooperates with universities on a contractual basis. This provides graduates with certain privileges when applying.
Admission rules for each specific case can be found at the special Hungarian service National Higher Education Admissions Office (Orszagos Felsooktatasi Felveteli Iroda), which usually acts as an intermediary between the applicant and the university when processing documents.
Prepare for the workload
At all levels of education, students can expect an intensive learning process: seminars and lectures, many laboratory works and practical classes, consultations, independent work in the library. Interactive classes are often held, scientific debates and discussions are organized. This is an ancient tradition of learning through communication dating back to the Middle Ages. Our students are not afraid of workloads, but it is still better to be prepared in advance that no concessions will be made for foreigners.
Five years ago, Hungary introduced the European credit transfer system (credits), according to which one credit point is awarded for every confirmed 30 hours of student work - both group and independent (lectures, seminars, homework, library hours, etc.). Over three years of bachelor's studies, you need to accumulate at least 180 points. Not everyone likes this approach, but it develops self-discipline skills excellently. Studying well and graduating with honors is very important - it will provide real prospects for further employment in Hungary and European countries.
The cost
Higher education in Hungary is free, but unfortunately only for citizens of the country. Foreigners have to pay: if you know Hungarian, tuition will cost you a truly ridiculous amount (from $400 per semester). English-language programs cost about 4-5 times more ($1,500-3,000, and for medical specialties up to $4,000). But this is still cheaper compared to Western Europe, the USA, and Canada. Moreover, expenses for accommodation, food, and local transport amount to only about $300 per month.
You will like it
The center of student life is the capital of Hungary, Budapest, where most universities and colleges are located. The second most important city is Debrecen, a three-hour drive from the capital. Hungary is a miniature country, and wherever you study, you can get to any city or resort of interest in just a few hours. Along with studying, you can improve your health in thermal baths, play sports, study Hungarian history and culture, and enjoy excellent national cuisine.
Anastasia IVANOVA. 