Universities in Hungary have an excellent academic reputation. Hungary offers a top-level higher education system for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. It has become an increasingly popular destination for international students. Welcoming culture, beautiful cities, romantic landscapes, impressive history, and well-established universities are great reasons to study in Hungary.
Why Study in Hungary
Hungarian universities have a good placement among the world university rankings. They have been attracting a great number of international students from all around the world. Strong tradition in sciences and availability of English-taught degree programmes make studying in Hungary an excellent idea. Many institutions offer courses in German and French as well. Universities in Hungary are especially popular with medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine options. Also, living costs and tuition fees are relatively lower compared to other European countries.
About Hungary
Hungary is located in Central Europe as a member of the European Union. Hungary is bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine. Budapest is the largest city and capital of the country. Other major Hungarian cities are Debrecen, Szeged, Miskolc, Pécs, and Győr. Hungary has a total population of about 10 million, of which ethnic Hungarians are the majority. Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language of the country. However, English and German are also commonly spoken, especially in Budapest.
Study Medicine in Hungary
Hungary offers high-quality education in medicine as recognized by the World Health Organization. Hungarian higher education institutions are increasingly offering medicine programmes in English and other languages such as German to attract international students. Academic programmes in Hungary conform to European standards and degrees obtained in Hungary are accredited in other European countries as well.
Semmelweis University, Debrecen University, Szeged University, and Pécs University offer medical study programmes in English. Medical degree programmes last six years. The first half is saved for pre-clinical training and the remaining three years is spent on clinical training/ internship.
Study Dentistry in Hungary
Semmelweis University in Budapest, University of Pécs and University of Szeged are places where you can study dentistry in English. Hungarian dentistry schools offer five-year study programmes combining basic and clinical sciences. Graduate students are awarded the title of Doctor of Dentistry upon successful completion. Degrees obtained in dentistry from Hungarian universities are accepted in all European countries.
Study Pharmacy in Hungary
University of Szeged Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen and Semmelweis University provide outstanding training in pharmaceutical studies. Entire study programmes are taught in English, and they last five years. The curricula are oriented towards the adoption and development of key skills including technical knowledge, communication, and computer skills. Students obtain the title of Doctor of Pharmacy (pharmacist, PharmD) upon successful completion of the study programme. Graduates have access to career opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, laboratories or hospitals.
Universities in Hungary
University of Pécs, Széchenyi István University, Szeged University, Central European University, IBS International Business School Budapest, Budapest Metropolitan University,
ELTE Eötvös Loránd University and Debrecen University are among the most prestigious higher education institutions in Hungary. You can obtain bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at top-ranked Hungarian universities.
The tuition fees vary depending on the institution and level of study as well as the nationality of students. Non-EU citizens are requested to pay higher fees that may change between 600-8.000 euros per semester to study in Hungary. Medicine and dentistry schools are generally the most expensive ones. Some departments may require an entrance exam and payment of additional handling fees as part of the admission process.
Living in Hungary
Hungary is a quite modern country with the lowest costs of living in Europe. It has unique architectural properties and landscapes. Danube River flows through the city of Budapest and creates a picturesque view. Vibrant city life offers lots of entertainment options, particularly in Budapest. Given the city’s charm, Budapest has long been called “Paris of Eastern Europe”. The historical roots of Budapest make it an exciting place to discover. A variety of impressive monuments ranging from St. Stephen’s Basilica to Opera House are worth a visit. There are many great activities to do in Budapest whether you want to take a cruise on the Danube or visit interesting museums.
Budapest is also renowned as Hungary’s business centre as it is home to several international companies. There are good post-graduate opportunities for international students in Hungary. There is a great demand for a skilled workforce. However, getting a work requires some knowledge of Hungarian. Hungary has also high safety standards and a good work-life balance.
Cost of Living
Despite being a member state of the European Union, Hungary does not take part in the Eurozone. The official currency of Hungary is Forint (Ft). The cost of living in Hungary is a lot cheaper than in Western European countries. However, costs can get higher in big cities such as the capital city Budapest. Nevertheless, a monthly budget of 375-700 euros would be sufficient for students to cover major expenses including rent, public transportation, food, study materials and entertainment. Several low-cost accommodation options are available through university residences, private dormitories, and rental flats for those planning to study in Hungary. There are also discounts offered to students for public transportation and leisure activities in Hungary.
Ways to Study Abroad
There are alternative ways to study abroad. If you are looking for financial aid, you can find many governments led study abroad programmes organised to attract great talents. You can benefit from scholarships and grants offered to international students. As some of the scholarship schemes can be quite competitive, you can search for institutional discounts on tuition fees that promote the international experience. Bilateral agreements made between universities offer exchange studies to their students.
Attending a language school is another great way to study abroad. You can enrol in language courses offered by local universities and continue your study experience later by applying to a degree programme of your choice. Alternatively, you can take part in volunteering programs to work and study at the same time. Au pair programmes also offer great flexibility to work and study.
ICES Turkey offers academic education consultancy and provides visa and tuition information to international students to study in Hungary and many different countries. ICES has a large network of outstanding universities in Spain, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, UK, Hungary, Denmark, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden, Netherlands, USA, Canada, Poland, Ireland, and Ukraine. ICES supports students throughout the entire process including submission of applications to selected universities, finding accommodation, applying for a student visa, obtaining residence permits or opening bank accounts.