Stipendium Hungaricum

All scholars study without tuition fees. Non-degree, bachelor's, master's and one-tier master's scholars receive a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 (about 110 euros). They also get either a free dormitory place or a housing contribution of HUF 40,000 a month, and medical insurance worth up to HUF 65,000 a year.

Doctoral scholars receive HUF 140,000 a month (about 355 euros) in the first four semesters and HUF 180,000 (about 460 euros) in the second four, with the same housing and insurance support. Hungarian language classes are provided free by the host university.

Every application goes through the online system run by Tempus Public Foundation, with up to two programme choices in order of preference. Tempus first runs a technical check of eligibility and documents.

Every application must also go to the sending partner, the authority in your own country named on the programme website. Each sets its own rules and deadlines, may ask for paper copies, and draws up a nomination list with a reserve list. Only nominated applicants go further, and a sending partner can only nominate its own citizens.

Nominated applicants are then assessed by the Hungarian universities, which check the documents against their entry requirements and hold entrance examinations, scored out of 100. No one is offered a scholarship with fewer than 56 points.

Passing the entrance examination is not an award. Tempus allocates places using the bilateral agreement with your country, the minimum and maximum places on each programme, the order of your two choices, your examination score and your position on your country's nomination list. Applicants in STEM+ fields, which include natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, agricultural and health sciences, are given priority, and the number of scholars from one country can be capped on programmes with few places, such as medicine. The total number of scholarships depends each year on the budget.

Medicine is the most competitive field. Universities usually fill their medical places from applicants who chose them first, so a medical programme placed as a second choice is unlikely to be considered.

Doctoral applicants should look up research topics and possible supervisors on doktori.hu, the Hungarian doctoral database, and contact the host institution before applying. Some doctoral schools require a statement of acceptance from the supervisor; if yours does, a declaration is uploaded by the January deadline and the statement itself by 15 March.

The research plan must be at least two pages, in the language of the programme, and must name the sources used: universities check it for plagiarism. A letter of recommendation from a former or current academic supervisor holding a scientific degree is also required. Doctoral study is split into two four-semester phases, and scholars must pass a complex examination at the end of the first to continue, and to move to the higher stipend.

Scholars must live in Hungary, tell their university before any absence of more than ten working days, and lose their living and housing allowances for absences over 30 days. They must earn an average of at least 18 credits a semester over two consecutive semesters. Full-time bachelor's and master's scholars study Hungarian for two semesters and lose their stipend if they do not complete it. Third-country nationals may work up to 30 hours a week in term time and up to 90 days full-time a year outside it.

Scholars may change institution, programme or study language once per level within their first year, before 1 December for a spring change or 15 May for an autumn one. Full-time bachelor's and master's scholars can extend their studies by up to two semesters.

The Stipendium Hungaricum Mentor Network, run by the National Union of Students in Hungary (HÖOK), pairs new scholars with student mentors at their university. After graduation, Alumni Network Hungary keeps former scholars in touch, with quarterly newsletters, internship opportunities and news of further scholarships.