Study in Hungary
Why Study in Hungary?
What if you could earn a globally recognized European degree for less than the cost of attending a premium engineering college in India? Hungary isn’t just another European study destination—it’s a hidden gem that is helping shape the futures of thousands of Indian students. While many students face long visa processing times for the US, high tuition fees in the UK, or expensive education in Australia, Hungary offers a compelling alternative: world-class education at an affordable cost, along with opportunities to work during your studies and stay back after graduation.
Imagine studying in Budapest while gaining valuable experience through internships with leading multinational companies such as Google, IBM, and other global employers. Graduate with a European degree that is recognized across the European Union, opening doors to career opportunities throughout the EU—not just in India. This is the reality for more than 2,000 Indian students currently studying in Hungary.
Hungary offers far more than affordable education. It provides an enriching student experience with high-quality academics, a reasonable cost of living, a vibrant multicultural environment, opportunities for part-time work, and a clear pathway to build a career in Europe after graduation. With more than 43,000 international students choosing Hungary each year, the country has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations for higher education.
The question isn’t whether Hungary is worth considering—it’s why you haven’t started your application yet.
Famous Programs and Fields in Hungary
Indian students are drawn to several disciplines in which Hungary offers high-quality education, internationally recognized degrees, and strong career prospects. Medicine and Dentistry attract the largest number of Indian students due to their globally recognized programs, comprehensive curricula, and European-standard training.
The most sought-after fields of study among Indian students include:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Engineering
- Information Technology and Data Science
- Business Administration and MBA
- Nursing and Healthcare
- English Language and Humanities
Affordable Education and Scholarship Options in Hungary
Hungary offers some of the most affordable higher education in Europe. Tuition fees at most public universities range from €3,500–€5,000 per year for undergraduate programs and €3,500–€9,000 per year for most master’s programs. Medical and dentistry programs typically cost €12,000–€16,000 per year. These fees are considerably lower than those at many universities in Western Europe, the United States, and several other popular study destinations for Indian students.
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive funding opportunities available to international students, including those from India. Established by the Hungarian Government in 2013, the program provides comprehensive financial support, including full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, accommodation assistance, and health insurance. In 2025, the program received more than 80,000 applications and awarded approximately 4,500 scholarships. Indian students can apply through the nomination process coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and other designated agencies.
Benefits of the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
- Full tuition fee waiver for the entire duration of bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral studies.
- Monthly stipend of approximately €110 for bachelor’s and master’s students, and €355–€460 for doctoral candidates, paid for 12 months each year.
- Accommodation support through either a monthly contribution of €100 or free university dormitory accommodation, subject to availability.
- Health insurance, including access to basic healthcare services and supplementary medical insurance of up to €165 per year.
In addition to the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, many Hungarian universities offer merit-based scholarships, tuition discounts, and financial aid through their institutions or partner organisations. These opportunities can help reduce tuition fees or provide support toward living expenses, making studying in Hungary even more affordable for international students.
Total Funds Required
-
Bachelor’s Degree (3–4 Years)
- Tuition Fees: €2,000–€5,000 per year (approximately €6,000–€20,000 for the full program, depending on the duration and university).
- Living Expenses: €400–€700 per month.
- Estimated Total Cost (Tuition + Living Expenses):
- 3-year programme: Approximately €20,400–€45,200
- 4-year programme: Approximately €25,200–€53,600
-
Master’s Degree (1–2 Years)
- Tuition Fees: €2,000–€9,000 per year (approximately €2,000–€18,000 for the full programme).
- Living Expenses: €400–€700 per month.
- Estimated Total Cost (Tuition + Living Expenses):
- 1-year programme: Approximately €6,800–€17,400
- 2-year programme: Approximately €11,600–€34,800
-
Medicine and Dentistry Programmes
Medical and dentistry degrees are among the most expensive programmes in Hungary.- Medicine (6 Years): Tuition ranges from approximately €10,000–€16,000 per year, resulting in a total tuition cost of €60,000–€96,000.
- Dentistry (5 Years): Tuition typically ranges from €10,000–€16,000 per year, with total tuition costs of €50,000–€80,000.
- Estimated Monthly Living Expenses
Expense Category Estimated Cost (EUR/Month) Accommodation €80–€300 (university dormitory) or €250–€500 (private accommodation) Food & Groceries €100–€200 Public Transportation €20–€40 Utilities & Internet €40–€60 Personal Expenses, Entertainment & Health Insurance €80–€150 - Total Estimated Monthly Budget
- Budapest: €450–€700
- Smaller Cities (Szeged, Pécs, Debrecen, etc.): €400–€550
Stay-Back Options
Hungary offers international students excellent opportunities to gain work experience both during their studies and after graduation, making it an attractive destination for higher education and career development.
Part-Time Work During Studies
International students holding a D-category residence permit for study purposes are generally allowed to work in Hungary without obtaining a separate work permit, provided they comply with the applicable immigration and employment regulations.
Students can:
- Work up to 24 hours per week during the academic semester while ensuring that their studies remain their primary focus.
- Work full-time during official university breaks, including summer holidays and other scheduled academic vacations, subject to applicable regulations.
- Find part-time opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, retail, IT support, tutoring, customer service, delivery services, and warehousing.
- Earn approximately €4–€12 per hour, depending on the employer, location, and job role. This typically translates to €400–€800 per month for many part-time positions.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
After completing their studies, international graduates may apply for a residence permit for job seeking or entrepreneurship, allowing them to remain in Hungary for up to nine months to search for employment or start a business.
This transitional period enables graduates to:
- Seek full-time employment related to their qualifications.
- Explore entrepreneurial opportunities by establishing a business in Hungary.
- Convert to an appropriate employment-based residence permit after securing a qualifying job offer, subject to Hungarian immigration requirements.
Graduate Salary Expectations
Starting salaries vary depending on the industry, qualifications, experience, and employer. Typical annual salary ranges include:
- Information Technology (IT): €30,000–€50,000
- Engineering: €25,000–€40,000
- Healthcare: €20,000–€35,000
These figures are indicative and may vary based on the employer, city, and individual experience.
Bachelor’s in Hungary
International students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Hungary must meet the academic and English language requirements set by their chosen university. Most universities accept applications through their online admission portals, with deadlines generally falling between June and September for the September (Fall) intake, although some institutions offer rolling admissions.
Entry Requirements
To apply for a bachelor’s program in Hungary, international students generally need:
- A high school diploma or equivalent senior secondary qualification with a minimum of 55–60% marks (or the equivalent GPA), depending on the university and program.
- Official academic transcripts, translated into English or Hungarian if the original documents are in another language.
- Proof of English language proficiency through one of the following (for English-taught programs):
- IELTS: Overall score of 6.0 or above
- TOEFL iBT: 80 or higher
- Other accepted English proficiency certificates, such as Cambridge English Qualifications, as specified by the university.
- For competitive programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and some Health Sciences courses, applicants may also be required to pass an entrance examination in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- A valid passport with sufficient validity for the intended period of study.
- Proof of financial support demonstrating the ability to cover tuition fees and living expenses during the study period.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending on the university and the chosen field of study:
- Most bachelor’s programs: Approximately €3,500–€5,000 per year
- Medicine, Dentistry, and other specialised programs: Approximately €12,000–€16,000 per year
Program Duration
Bachelor’s degree programs in Hungary generally follow the Bologna Process and require:
- 3–4 years of full-time study
- 180–240 ECTS credits, depending on the program
Application Timeline
Tuition fees vary depending on the university and the chosen field of study:
- Most bachelor’s programs: Approximately €3,500–€5,000 per year
- Medicine, Dentistry, and other specialised programs: Approximately €12,000–€16,000 per year
Top-Ranked Universities in Hungary & Global Recognition
Hungary is home to several internationally recognized universities that offer high-quality education aligned with European Higher Education Area (EHEA) standards. Hungarian degrees are widely recognized across Europe and in many countries worldwide, providing graduates with strong academic and career opportunities.
Many universities in Hungary are featured in globally respected rankings such as the QS World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, reflecting their academic excellence, research output, and international reputation.
University | QS World University Rankings 2026 | THE World University Rankings 2026 |
Semmelweis University | Not Ranked | 251–300 |
University of Debrecen | 563 | 801–1000 |
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) | 584 | 801–1000 |
University of Szeged | 597 | 1001–1200 |
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) | 711–720 | 1201–1500 |
University of Pécs | 741–750 | 1001–1200 |
Our Partner Universities
Students can also choose from our trusted partner institutions in Hungary:
- Wekerle Business University (formerly Wekerle International Business School)
- Budapest Metropolitan University
- Budapest Business University (formerly Budapest Business School)
Corvinus University of Budapest