Study in Hungary

Medicine, dentistry and engineering taught in English at a fraction of Western costs, a fully funded government scholarship for thousands of students a year, and Budapest — one of Europe’s most affordable capitals.

Hungary is Europe’s medical-school destination: Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged train thousands of international doctors in English, with degrees recognised across the EU.

Beyond medicine, Budapest University of Technology and Corvinus run strong engineering and business programs, and the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship funds around 5,000 international students a year — tuition, housing and a stipend. Living costs are among the lowest in the EU. After graduation you can stay nine months to find work, and Budapest hosts a fast-growing shared-services and tech sector.

Universities
11
Scholarships / yr
5,000
Job-search permit
9 mo
Living / yr
€8k

Why hungary

  • Medicine in english: Four EU-recognised medical schools (#1)
  • Stipendium hungaricum: Fully funded places every year (5,000)
  • Lowest living costs: Among the cheapest capitals in the EU (€8k)
  • Stay after: Job-search permit after graduation (9 mo)

Intakes

  • September — starts September — apply Nov – Jun of the prior year — The main intake — Stipendium Hungaricum closes 15 January; medical entrance exams run spring–summer.
  • February — starts February — apply Sep – Nov of the prior year — Medical and dental programs at Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged; some engineering.
  • Foundation — starts Sep — apply Jan – Jul same year — One-year pre-medical foundation courses for students who need biology and chemistry.

What it costs: TUITION €4–16K · LIVING €7–9K · + INSURANCE €0.3K

  • Medicine & dentistry: €14 – 18k / yr — Six-year MD programs at Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged.
  • Other programs: €4 – 8k / yr — Engineering, business and IT at BME, Corvinus and ELTE.
  • Living costs: €7 – 9k / yr — Budapest is the dearest; Debrecen, Szeged and Pécs a third cheaper. Permit proof is about €4,000.
  • Health insurance: €0.3k / yr — Private or university student insurance required for the permit.

Scholarships and funding

  • Stipendium Hungaricum: FULLY FUNDED — Tuition, dormitory, health insurance and a monthly stipend — 5,000 places from 80+ partner countries.
  • University merit awards: 10 – 50% TUITION — Medical schools offer partial waivers for top entrance-exam scores.
  • Diaspora & bilateral awards: FULLY FUNDED — Scholarship programs for specific countries — apply through your national agency.

Tests you may need

  • English proficiency: Most programs — IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80 typical — set per program and intake.
  • Medical entrance exam: Medicine & dentistry — Written and oral tests in biology, chemistry and English — held in many countries.
  • Graduate entry: Rare — GMAT only for a few Corvinus business master’s.

Medical schools run their own entrance exams — each program page lists exactly what its intake asks for.

Residence permit · four steps

  1. Admission & deposit: Accept your offer and pay the first tuition instalment or the Stipendium confirmation.
  2. Show funds & insurance: About €4,000 for the year plus health insurance and proof of accommodation.
  3. Apply via Enter Hungary: The €110 online application, then biometrics at the consulate. Gradsy assembles the file.
  4. Register on arrival: Collect your residence card and register your address within three days.

Work while you study and after

  • Part-time work: Up to 24 hours a week in term, 90 days full-time outside it.
  • Clinical rotations: Medical programs include paid or credited hospital placements in the final years.
  • Job-search permit: Stay after graduation to find work or start a business.
  • Work permit: Permanent residence after three years of continuous residence.

Typical graduate salaries

  • Software engineering: €25k – 40k
  • Data & AI: €27k – 42k
  • Engineering: €22k – 35k
  • Business & finance: €22k – 35k

Student cities

  • Budapest: A grand capital at Central European prices — Semmelweis, BME and Corvinus
  • Debrecen: Hungary’s second city — the largest international medical school
  • Szeged: The sunny university town on the Tisza
  • Pécs: A UNESCO city with a 650-year-old university
  • Győr: Audi’s Hungarian home — engineering and automotive
  • Miskolc: Engineering and materials science in the northern hills

Questions students ask

Are Hungarian medical degrees recognised abroad?

Yes — MD and DMD degrees from Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged are recognised across the EU and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, so graduates can sit licensing exams in the US, UK, India and elsewhere.

What is Stipendium Hungaricum?

The government’s flagship scholarship — around 5,000 places a year for students from 80+ partner countries, covering tuition, dormitory, insurance and a monthly stipend. Applications close 15 January.

Do I need to speak Hungarian?

No — hundreds of programs are taught in English, and universities include basic Hungarian in the curriculum. English is widely spoken in Budapest.

Can I stay after graduating?

Yes — graduates can apply for a nine-month residence permit to look for work or start a business, then switch to a work permit once employed.

Search 11 Hungary universities · Find your best-fit programs