By: Hammad Ishaq | AI/ML Engineer
Last verified on: November 05, 2025

Benefits / Funding

Tuition and fees

• Tuition‐free education at the host Hungarian higher education institution: scholarship holders are exempt from paying tuition fees. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Living expenses support

• For bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s or non-degree programmes: monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 (approximately EUR 110) for 12 months a year until completion of the studies. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Doctoral level: Monthly stipend of HUF 140,000 (~EUR 350) for the first phase (4 semesters), and HUF 180,000 (~EUR 450) for the second phase (4 semesters) for 12 months a year. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Accommodation

• Free dormitory place if available; or accommodation allowance of HUF 40,000/month (≈ EUR 100) if you rent outside the dormitory. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Insurance & other provisions

• Medical insurance according to Hungarian legislation plus supplementary annual insurance up to HUF 65,000 (~EUR 160). (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Important note

• These amounts are contributions to living expenses and may not fully cover all costs, especially in larger cities (e.g., Budapest). (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Eligibility

• Applicants must hold nationality of one of the “Sending Partner” countries/territories with which Hungary has an educational cooperation agreement. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Hungarian citizens (including dual citizenship) are not eligible. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• The scholarship covers full degree programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s, One‐tier Master’s), non‐degree programmes (e.g., preparatory Hungarian language year), postgraduate specialist training, and doctoral programmes. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Applicants may be required to be 18 years of age by 31 August of the year of commencement of studies (for most levels) unless specific exceptions apply (e.g., dance arts). The rules do not set a maximum age; however, national sending partners may impose additional age criteria. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Applicants must be nominated by the sending partner authority of their country. Without nomination, application is not valid. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Additional eligibility conditions such as successful high school diploma (for bachelor’s), university degree (for master’s/doctoral), language proficiency, etc., will depend on the chosen study programme and host institution.

• Non‐eligibility includes: re‐applying for the same cycle of education as a previous scholarship holder, failing to start previous scholarship etc. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Timeline & Deadlines

• The official “Call for Applications” for the 2025/26 academic year is published on the programme website. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Typical deadline for online submission: 15 January at 14:00 CET of the application year. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  • For example, the 2025/26 call listed 15 January 2025 deadline. (tbilisi.mfa.gov.hu)

• Timeline (indicative) for 2026/27 (from official document):

  1. November 2025–January 2026: preparation & contact with sending partner. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  2. Until 15 January 2026: submission to online portal. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  3. End of February 2026: sending partner nominates list. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  4. March–May 2026: Entrance/exam/admission by host institutions. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  5. Late June 2026: Allocation final decision; successful applicants notified. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  6. July–August 2026: Visa/arrival in Hungary. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Start of studies typically in September for the autumn semester.
  Important: Timelines vary by country’s sending partner—always check your national authority.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Find your chosen programme

   • Visit the official portal to browse host universities/institutions and available programmes approved for your country. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

2. Contact your Sending Partner

   • In your home country, the responsible authority (often ministry, education council or Hungarian embassy) must be involved—applications must also be submitted to that partner. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

3. Register & upload documents

   • Create an account in the online application system (https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu) and fill out required fields. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

   • Upload scanned documents (see checklist below).

4. Select up to two study programmes

   • You may choose a first preference and a second preference. The order matters. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

5. Submit application before deadline

   • Ensure that all required documents are uploaded and the “Submit” button is clicked before the official deadline. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

6. Nomination & admission process

   • After online submission, sending partner will nominate shortlisted applicants; nominated applications forwarded to Hungarian host institutions for entrance/admission check. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

7. Accept scholarship & enrol

   • If selected, you accept the scholarship online, complete any outstanding steps (visa, residence permit, enrolment at university).

8. Arrival in Hungary

   • Travel and register at host institution by date given (often before end September).

   • Scholarship status begins when you enrol and maintain active student status.

Required Documents Checklist

Typical required documents (may vary by sending country and study level) include:

• Completed online application form (via portal) (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Statement for Application (consent form) (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Passport or identity document copy

• Curriculum vitae (CV)

• Motivation letter / Statement of purpose

• Academic transcripts (high school for bachelor, bachelor degree for master, etc.)

• Diploma or certificate of previous studies (if applicable)

• Language proficiency proof (English or other language of instruction, if required by host institution)

• Two recommendation letters (depending on host institution)

• For doctoral applications: supervisor statement if required by the doctoral school. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Medical certificate (some host institutions require a health certificate) (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Sending partner nomination (via your national authority)

• Other institution‐specific or country‐specific additional documents (art/music applicants, self-financed transition applicants, etc.) (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Selection Criteria & What Reviewers Look For

• The process has multiple rounds: technical eligibility check → sending partner nomination → institutional admission/exam → allocation based on quotas and ranking. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Key factors:

  • Academic record and potential

  • Suitability of the chosen study programme to applicant’s background

  • Motivation and intent to study in Hungary

  • Language proficiency

  • Entrance examination results (minimum 56/100 in many cases) for some programmes. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

  • Sending partner ranking and available quota per country and per programme

  • Strategic priorities of the programme (for example STEM+, certain fields may be prioritised) (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Note: Reviewers will not favour applications that are incomplete, late or duplicate (more than one account). (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Choose programmes that match your academic background and strengths; being realistic increases your chance.

• Prioritise your first‐choice programme wisely—second choice usually has fewer places.

• Ensure your application is complete and error‐free ahead of time; technical glitches occur near deadlines.

• Highlight your motivation to study in Hungary, international mindset and how you'll contribute to your field.

• Prepare for any entrance examination: review host institution entrance requirements early.

• Make your CV and motivation letter clear, concise, and specific—not generic.

• Demonstrate your language readiness (English or relevant language) if possible.

• Contact your country’s sending partner early to confirm their internal deadline and any additional criteria.

• Check cost of living in your chosen city (Budapest may be more expensive) and consider budgeting; the stipend is a contribution, not full living cost. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Avoid submitting multiple applications/accounts: duplications lead to automatic disqualification. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

• Use a stable email (avoid temporary or institutional mails) for registration to ensure future access. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Official Links & Apply Now

• Official programme website: Stipendium Hungaricum – Study in Hungary

• Application portal (online submission): Apply here: Stipendium Hungaricum Online Application

• Call for Applications PDF for 2025/2026: BA/MA/OTM Call for Applications

👉 Call to Action: If you’re eligible and interested, start preparing now and submit your application via the official portal: https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu

FAQ

Q1: Can I apply if I am already studying in Hungary on a self‐financed basis?
A: Yes, but only under specific conditions: if you are a self‐financed student at a Hungarian institution applying for the same level, you must be recommended by your university. Check the Call for Applications for details. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Q2: Can I combine the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship with another scholarship?
A: Not for studies outside Hungary longer than 30 days: the Operational Regulations state that if you receive another scholarship supporting studies abroad >30 days, your Stipendium Hungaricum status may be terminated. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Q3: Are travel/flight costs covered by the scholarship?
A: No, the scholarship provisions mention tuition, stipend, accommodation contribution, insurance—travel costs are generally not covered. (The official documents note the living cost contribution only.) (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Q4: What happens if I don’t enrol by the host institution’s deadline?
A: If you are awarded the scholarship but fail to enrol by the given date (e.g., 30 September for autumn intake) and do not withdraw, you may lose the scholarship and may be barred from re-applying for a set period. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Q5: Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
A: The official rules do not specify a universal minimum GPA; however, host institutions and sending partners may set minimum requirements for specific programmes. Always check both sending partner and host university rules. (Stipendium Hungaricum)

Disclaimer: Always double-check dates, quotas and official details on the programme website or your national sending partner’s portal, as these may change by application cycle.