How to Apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship in 2026 (Requirements & Tips)

Hello, future scholar! Have you ever dreamed of having a big adventure in Europe? Imagine going to a famous university, making friends from all over the world, and learning amazing new things—all without your family having to pay for it!

That dream can come true with something called the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. It’s a special gift from the country of Hungary. They want smart and friendly students from all over the world to come study in their beautiful country. And they pay for almost everything!

This guide is like your treasure map. We will walk through every single step together, using simple words. By the end, you will know exactly how to find this treasure and win the scholarship for yourself. Let’s begin our adventure!

What Is This Amazing Scholarship?

Let’s start with the basics.

What is it? The Stipendium Hungaricum (say: sti-pen-dee-um hun-ga-ri-cum) is a super generous scholarship program. This means it’s a special award that pays for your studies. The government of Hungary is like a kind friend who says, “You are a great student. Come study in our country, and we will help you.”

Who pays for it? The Hungarian Government pays. They believe in sharing their great schools with the world.

Why is it so special? It is one of the most generous scholarships in all of Europe because it covers so much:

• Your school fees (tuition) are FREE.
• You get a monthly allowance (like pocket money) for food and fun.
• They give you a place to live or money for an apartment.
• They even pay for your health insurance to keep you safe and healthy!

How is it different from other scholarships? You might have heard of Erasmus, DAAD, or Chevening. Those are great too! But the Stipendium Hungaricum is different because it is offered by one country (Hungary) to students from many, many partner countries. It’s often more “fully funded,” meaning it covers more of your living costs.

Who is this guide for? This is for ANYONE who wants to apply!

• If you want a Bachelor’s degree (your first university degree).
• If you want a Master’s degree (an advanced degree after your Bachelor’s).
• If you want a PhD or Doctoral degree (to become a super expert and do research).

What will you learn here? You will learn the secrets! How to check if you can apply, what papers you need, how to write a letter that makes them say “WOW!”, and what to do if you win. We will answer all your questions.

Quick Answers to Big Questions:

• Is it fully funded? YES! It covers tuition, gives you money to live, a place to stay, and health insurance.
• Is it worth applying? ABSOLUTELY! It’s a life-changing chance.
• Is Hungary good for students? YES! It is safe, has great universities, is in the heart of Europe, and is fun to explore.

All the Awesome Benefits: What Do You Get?

Winning this scholarship is like getting a golden ticket. Let’s open it up and see all the goodies inside!

1 The Money Benefits (The Financial Stuff)

This is the part that makes everyone smile. Here’s what you get:

Remember: The exact amount of the monthly stipend changes a little bit each year, but it is enough to live comfortably as a student in Hungary.

2 The School & Job Benefits

• Great Universities: You can study at Hungary’s best schools, like the University of Debrecen or Budapest University of Technology. Your degree will be respected all over the world.
• Learn in English: Don’t worry about speaking Hungarian! Hundreds of programs are taught completely in English.
• Become a Researcher: If you want a PhD, this is a perfect chance. You can work with famous professors on exciting new discoveries.
• Your Career Door to Europe: Studying in Hungary is like having a key. After you graduate, you will have great skills and connections to find a cool job in Europe or back in your home country.

3 The Fun Life Benefits

• Living is Affordable: Hungary is much cheaper than countries like Germany, France, or the UK. Your stipend goes farther here!
• Safe and Fun Student Life: Hungarian cities are very safe and full of students. There are festivals, concerts, and beautiful old streets to explore.
• Travel All Over Europe! Hungary is in the Schengen Zone. This is a special area in Europe. With your student visa, you can easily take trains or cheap flights to visit places like Austria, Italy, France, or Spain on your holidays! It’s the best part.

Can You Apply? The Eligibility Rules

This is like checking if you have the right key for the door. Let’s see if you fit!

1 The Basic Rules for Everyone

1. Your Citizenship: You must be from a partner country. Hungary has agreements with over 70 countries! (Like Pakistan, Nigeria, Vietnam, Mexico, Iran, and many more). You need to check the official list to see if your country is there.
2. Your Health: You must be in good health.
3. Your Grades: You must have good grades from your previous school. They want students who work hard.
4. Your Age: For most Bachelor and Master programs, you should be under 25-30 years old. For PhD programs, you should be under 40. But these rules can change, so always check!

2 Rules for Different Degrees

What you need changes based on what level you want to study.

3 The Tricky Part: Country Partners

This is very, very important.

• You cannot apply directly to Hungary. You must apply through the sending partner in your home country.
• Your sending partner is usually your country’s Ministry of Education or your local Hungarian Embassy.
• Each country has a quota, or a limited number of spots. If 100 amazing students apply from your country, but the quota is only 10, only the top 10 will be chosen. This is why sometimes great students don’t get it.

Quick Answers:

• Can I apply if my country is not listed? No, unfortunately not. You must be from a partner country.
• Can I apply without IELTS? Often, YES! If your previous education was in English, you can get a letter from that school saying “Medium of Instruction was English.” This can replace IELTS.
• Can I apply while still studying? Yes! If you are in your final year of high school or university, you can apply. You just need to get your diploma before you go to Hungary.

Picking Your Course and University

Now for the fun part—choosing what to study and where!

1 What Can You Study?

You can study almost anything! Here are some of the most popular fields:

• Medicine & Health: To become a doctor, dentist, or pharmacist.
• Engineering & Technology: To build machines, design robots, or create software.
• Computer Science (IT): To become a programmer, game developer, or cybersecurity expert.
• Business & Economics: To learn about companies, money, and how to start your own business.
• Agriculture: To learn about smart farming, plants, and animals.

Tip: Some courses are very popular (like Medicine), so they are more competitive. Courses like Agriculture or Technical fields sometimes have a better chance of acceptance because fewer people apply.

2 The Universities

Hungary has great schools. Some top names are:

• Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) – great for arts and sciences.
• University of Szeged – a beautiful campus, great for research.
• Corvinus University of Budapest – the best for business.
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics – perfect for engineers.

How to choose? Don’t just pick the most famous one! Think about:

• The City: Do you want a big city (Budapest) or a quieter student town (Debrecen, Szeged)?
• The Course: Look at the exact subjects taught in the program description.
• The Strategy: Sometimes applying to a slightly less famous university for your preferred course can increase your chance of winning.

3 English or Hungarian Programs?

• English-Taught Programs: You apply directly. You need to prove you know English well (with IELTS, TOEFL, or that “Medium of Instruction” letter).
• Hungarian-Taught Programs: If you want to study in Hungarian, you get a free 1-year language preparation course first! You learn Hungarian for a year, then start your degree. This is a fantastic option if you want to truly live like a local.

The Paperwork: Getting Your Documents Ready

Time to gather your tools! Here is a checklist of the documents you will need.

1 Mandatory Documents (You MUST Have These)

1. Application Form: Filled online.
2. Motivation Letter: A 1-page letter saying why you are amazing and why they should choose you. (We’ll talk about this a LOT more in section 7!).
3. Proof of Previous Education:
   • For Bachelor’s: Your high school diploma and transcript (grade sheet).
   • For Master’s: Your Bachelor’s diploma and transcript.
   • For PhD: Your Bachelor’s AND Master’s diplomas and transcripts.
4. Copy of Your Passport. It must be valid!
5. Medical Certificate: A simple doctor’s note saying you are healthy.
6. Portfolio: Only if you are applying for Arts, Music, or Design. This is a collection of your best drawings, music, or projects.

2 Optional / Conditional Documents

• Language Certificate: (IELTS/TOEFL) or that “English Medium of Instruction” letter from your old school.
• Research Plan: Only for PhD applicants. A 5-page document about what you want to research.
• Letters of Recommendation: Usually 2 letters from your old teachers or professors who can say nice things about how smart and hard-working you are.

3 Common Document Mistakes (Don’t Do This!)

• Bad Scans: Uploading blurry, dark photos of your documents. Scan them clearly!
• Wrong Format: Not translating your documents into English if they are in your local language. You must provide both the original AND a certified English translation.
• Expired Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least another year.
• Generic Motivation Letter: Writing a letter that sounds like it was written for any scholarship. Make it special for Hungary!

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan: How to Apply

Let’s break down the big task into small, easy steps. Follow this map!

Step 1: Check Your Country & Deadline (The MOST Important Step!)
Go to the official Stipendium Hungaricum website. Find the list of “Sending Partners.” Find your country. Your sending partner (like your Ministry of Education) will have their own website and their own deadline. This deadline is often EARLIER than the final deadline on the Hungarian portal. Write this date on your calendar in big red letters!

Step 2: Choose Your Program(s)
You can apply for TWO different study programs. Choose wisely!

• Option A: Pick your #1 dream program.
• Option B: Pick a second program that you also like, but maybe is less competitive, as a backup plan.

Step 3: Create Your Online Application
Go to the online application portal. Take your time. Fill every box carefully. Double-check your name, birth date, and program codes. Upload all your beautiful, clear documents.

Step 4: Submit to Your Sending Partner
After you submit online, you MUST also submit a printed copy of everything to your sending partner (the Ministry or Embassy) in your home country by their deadline. If you miss this step, your application is thrown away.

Step 5: Wait for Evaluation & Interview
Now, three groups of people will look at your application:

1. Your Sending Partner: They check if you are a good candidate for your country.
2. The Hungarian University: They check if you are academically good enough for their program.
3. The Scholarship Board: They make the final decision.
   You might be called for a short, friendly interview. Just be yourself and be excited!

The Secret Weapon: Writing a WINNING Motivation Letter

This is your chance to talk directly to the scholarship committee. It’s not just a list of your grades. It’s your story.

1 What Do They Want to Hear?

They want to know:

• Who are you? What makes you special?
• What are your dreams? What do you want to study and why?
• Why Hungary? Why not Germany or the USA?
• What will you do after? How will you use your knowledge to help your home country or the world?

2 How to Structure Your Letter (The Simple Formula)

Paragraph 1: The Exciting Start
“Ever since I built my first small robot in high school, I have been fascinated by how technology can solve human problems. This passion is why I am applying for the Mechanical Engineering program at the Budapest University of Technology, through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship.”

Paragraph 2: Your Academic Story
Talk about your education. Mention a specific project or subject you loved. “In my physics class, I led a team to design a water purification model, which taught me…”

Paragraph 3: Why This Program in Hungary?
Do your research! “I chose this specific program because your university has a famous lab for renewable energy, led by Professor [Name]. Hungary’s focus on sustainable technology matches my goals perfectly.”

Paragraph 4: Your Big Future Plans
“After completing my degree, I plan to return to my hometown. I want to start a company that builds affordable solar-powered irrigation pumps for local farmers, using the skills I gain in Hungary.”

Paragraph 5: The Thank You
“Thank you for considering my application. I am confident that I have the passion and dedication to be an excellent student and a proud ambassador of the Stipendium Hungaricum program.”

3 Big Mistakes to Avoid

• Do NOT copy a template from the internet. They can tell!
• Do NOT be generic. Saying “Hungary has good education” is weak. Say why it’s good for YOU.
• Do NOT have spelling mistakes. Ask a teacher or friend to proofread it.

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The Selection Process: How They Choose the Winners

What happens after you click “submit”?

1. Your country’s sending partner gets all applications. They rank them and send the best ones forward to Hungary, based on the country quota.
2. The universities in Hungary get the applications. They say “Yes, this student is good enough for our program” or “No, they are not.”
3. The final board takes the students who passed both filters and makes the final list.

Timeline:

• January-February: Application deadline.
• March-May: Universities are checking applications. Interviews happen.
• June-July: RESULTS ARE ANNOUNCED! You get an email.
• August-September: Visa process and preparation.
• September-October: Welcome to Hungary!

Why do good students sometimes get rejected?

• Country Competition: Too many amazing applicants from your country for only a few spots.
• Wrong Program Choice: Applying for a super popular program with lower grades.
• Sloppy Application: Missing documents or a poor motivation letter.

IELTS and Language Requirements Made Simple

Is IELTS mandatory? NO, not always.

• You NEED IELTS/TOEFL if: Your previous education was NOT taught in English.
• You DO NOT NEED IELTS if: Your last degree (high school or Bachelor’s) was officially taught in English. You just get a letter from that school proving it.

What is the Language Prep Year?
If you choose a Hungarian-taught program, you get a FREE, one-year course to learn Hungarian from scratch. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture before your degree starts.

Why Applications Fail & How to Avoid It

Here’s a quick list of traps and how to jump over them:

Pro Tips to Boost Your Chances to 90%

1. Apply EARLY. Don’t wait for the last day. Things go wrong.
2. Be Realistic. For your second program choice, pick something less competitive.
3. Tailor Every Letter. Your motivation letter for Program A should be different from Program B.
4. Contact Supervisors (For PhD). Email professors at Hungarian universities whose work you like. Say, “I admire your research on X, I am applying for the scholarship and would like to work under your guidance.” This is a HUGE advantage.
5. Know Your Quota. If your country only has 5 slots, you know you must be absolutely perfect.

You Won! What Happens Next?

Hooray! You got the email saying “Congratulations!” Now what?

1. Accept the Offer: You will have a short time to officially say “YES, I ACCEPT” in the online portal. Do it immediately!
2. The Visa Process: The university will send you a “Letter of Acceptance” for the visa. You take this letter, your passport, and other documents to the Hungarian Embassy in your country to apply for a Student Visa (Type D).
3. Travel & Arrival: Book your flight! The university will tell you about airport pickup and your first dorm room. They have a “Welcome Week” to help you get your resident permit, bank account, and meet friends.

Life in Hungary: Your New Home

• Monthly Budget: Your stipend is enough. A meal at a student cafeteria is very cheap. A bus ticket is cheap. You can live well if you are smart.
• Student Jobs: You are allowed to work part-time (about 24 hours a week) with your student visa. This is great for extra pocket money.
• Culture: Hungarians are friendly but can be quiet at first. Say hello, try to learn a few words (like “Köszönöm” for Thank you), and be open-minded.
• Healthcare: Use your insurance card. Find the assigned medical center near your university for check-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I work while studying?
Yes, up to 24 hours per week during the semester.

Can I change my university after I get the scholarship?
No, you cannot. You must go to the university and program you were accepted for.

Can the scholarship be extended?
Yes, but only if you have excellent grades. You must apply for extension each year.

Can my family come with me?
For PhD students, sometimes yes. For Bachelor and Master students, it is very difficult. They would need to apply for their own visas.

What if I fail a course?
You must pass your exams. If you fail too many, the scholarship can be taken away. Study hard!

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Let’s be honest:

Pros:

• A fully-funded world-class education.
• A life-changing experience in the heart of Europe.
• A supportive community of international scholars.
• A degree that opens global career doors.

Cons:

• The application process is long and requires patience.
• You might get homesick.
• Learning a new culture has challenges.

Who should apply? ANY student who is brave, hard-working, and dreams big. If you are willing to put in the effort to make a perfect application, you should absolutely try.

This is your chance. Your adventure is waiting. The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is not just about studying; it’s about growing, exploring, and becoming the person you are meant to be.

Start today. Find your country’s sending partner. Dream about your future. And begin your journey.

Good luck, future scholar