The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is one of the most prominent scholarship programs offered by the Hungarian government to attract academically outstanding international students to study bachelor’s, master’s, and phd in the heart of Europe. The scholarship combines high-quality education, a wide range of available programs, and comprehensive financial support, making it one of the most important international opportunities available each year.
What does the scholarship offer?
The scholarship provides students with the opportunity to study and live in a country distinguished by its rich history, advanced economy, and vibrant cultural life that blends innovation with tradition.
Hungarian universities also offer an increasing number of study programs in English across all disciplines and academic levels, with an opportunity to gain a unique international experience in the heart of Europe.
The scholarship also provides a fully integrated academic and international environment, as well as financial support that covers full tuition fees, along with housing support and a monthly stipend.
The application portal for the 2026/2027 scholarship is now open, and students can begin their studies in 2026.
Overview of the Stipendium Hungaricum Program
This scholarship is the flagship program of the Hungarian government in the field of higher education. It was established in 2013 and is supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and managed by the Tempus Public Foundation.
The scholarship is based on bilateral cooperation agreements between Hungary and participating countries. It includes full-degree and partial (exchange) programs and is available in more than 100 countries across five continents.
Through this program, nearly 900 study programs are offered at all levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Non-degree programs, and Partial studies).
More than 91% of students who received the scholarship state that they would choose to study in Hungary again, reflecting the quality of the program.
Mission of the Scholarship Program
The program was created with the aim of:
- Attracting outstanding students from various countries worldwide.
- Creating professional and personal ties between students and Hungary.
- Enhancing academic, political, and economic cooperation between Hungary and participating countries.
- Graduating students who possess skills and knowledge that are competitive in the global job market.
Funding Provided
Benefits vary depending on the type of study program.
ForBachelor’s, Master’s, One-tier Master’s, and Non-degree Programs:
Benefits:
- Tuition-fee exemption
Full free education. - Monthly stipend
43,700 HUF (approximately 110 EUR) per month for 12 months throughout the entire study period. - Accommodation support
- Free dormitory placement (subject to availability),
or - Financial support of 40,000 HUF/month (approximately 100 EUR) as a contribution to housing costs.
- Free dormitory placement (subject to availability),
- Health insurance
- Health insurance according to Hungarian law
- Additional health insurance up to 65,000 HUF per year (approximately 165 EUR).
- Health insurance according to Hungarian law
ForDoctoral Programs:
Benefits:
- Tuition-fee exemption
Full free education. - Monthly stipend (divided into two phases)
According to Hungarian law:- Phase 1 (first 4 semesters):
140,000 HUF/month (approx. 355 EUR) - Phase 2 (second 4 semesters):
180,000 HUF/month (approx. 460 EUR)
- Phase 1 (first 4 semesters):
- Accommodation support
- Free dormitory placement
or - 40,000 HUF/month financial support (approx. 100 EUR)
- Free dormitory placement
- Health insurance
Health services according to Hungarian law,
plus additional health insurance up to 65,000 HUF per year (approx. 165 EUR)
Important Note:
All these benefits arecontributionsto living costs, not full coverage.
Students will need additional financial resources to cover the actual cost of living in Hungary.
Duration of Available Study Programs
- Bachelor’s:
2–4 years
Partial programs: 1 or 2 semesters - Master’s:
1–2 years
Partial programs: 1 or 2 semesters - One-tier Master’s:
5–6 years
Partial programs: 1 or 2 semesters - Non-degree programs:
One year (Hungarian preparatory course) - Doctoral programs:
Full duration: 8 semesters
Divided into:- 4 semesters of training and research + comprehensive exam
- 4 semesters of research and dissertation writing
- 4 semesters of training and research + comprehensive exam
Required Documents (for All Programs)
All documents must be uploaded to the online system before15 January 2026 – 2:00 PM:
- Online application form
- All fields must be filled out in English
- Recent photo (not older than 2 years)
- For partial programs: specify the intended duration and study period
- All fields must be filled out in English
- Motivation letter
- Minimum one page
- Times New Roman, size 12
- Written in the language of the study program or in Hungarian
- Minimum one page
- Proof of language proficiency
- Required language certificate for the host university + translation
- OR proof that previous studies were completed in the same language
- Required language certificate for the host university + translation
- Academic certificates
- Bachelor’s/secondary/Master’s (depending on program) + translation
- For partial programs: Certificate of current university enrollment
- Bachelor’s/secondary/Master’s (depending on program) + translation
- Academic transcript
- For all previous years of study + translation
- For all previous years of study + translation
- Research plan (for doctoral applicants)
- Minimum 2 pages
- Times New Roman 12
- Written in the language of the program
- Checked by the university for plagiarism
- Minimum 2 pages
- One recommendation letter
- From an academic supervisor with an academic degree
- From an academic supervisor with an academic degree
- Supervisor’s statement (for doctoral programs if required)
- Uploaded before 15 March 2026
- If not available before 15 January, the applicant uploads a declaration stating it will be submitted later
- Uploaded before 15 March 2026
- Copy of passport or national ID
- Acceptance of the application statement in the online system
- Medical certificate
- Required only for students who receive final acceptance
- Must be issued after 1 November 2025
- Submitted during the medical check in Hungary, not via the system
Application Timeline
| Stage | Date |
| Application submission | Until 15 January 2026 – 2:00 PM |
| Technical check and country nomination | Until 28 February 2026 |
| Submission of recommendation letter (self-funded applicants) | 15 March 2026 |
| University evaluation and admission | Mid-March – End of May 2026 |
| Final results announcement | End of June – Mid-July 2026 |
| Visa application | July – August 2026 |
| Arrival in Hungary | Until 30 September 2026 |
How to Apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
First: November – December 2025 (Choosing the study program)
- Available programs vary from one partner country to another.
- You can check the study fields available for your country on the official scholarship website.
- You may also create an application through the DreamApply system and select your study program.
- You can check the list of sending partners and available study fields through the link mentioned in the call for applications.
Second: December 2025 (Contacting the sending partner)
- The application must also be submitted to the responsible authority in your country (the sending partner).
- Deadlines and requirements vary by sending partner, which may include:
- The Hungarian Embassy
- The relevant ministry
- A council or educational authority
- The Hungarian Embassy
- You must contact the sending partner to learn their exact procedures and requirements.
Third: December 2025 (Registration and document upload)
- Applications are submitted through the online system:apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu
- You can browse 30 universities and colleges offering more than 900 programs, but only two choices are allowed.
- Ensure that the selected programs match your previous field of study.
- Doctoral applicants may need to find a supervisor depending on the chosen Doctoral School’s requirements.
- Required documents vary by level of study and nationality.
- All requirements can be found in the “Application Documents” section (Point 3.2) of the call.
Fourth: 15 January 2026 – 2:00 PM (CET) (Application deadline)
- You must submit your application before the deadline.
- Ensure all required documents are uploaded and all fields are filled correctly before submission.
- You must read the Call for Applications 2026/2027 for complete details.
Fifth: February 2026 (Nomination list from the sending partner)
- Sending partners nominate the best applicants by the end of February.
- Nominated applications are then forwarded to the Hungarian higher education institutions.
Sixth: Until 15 March 2026 (Supervisor’s statement for doctoral programs)
Doctoral applicants must submit a statement from their supervisor if required by the chosen Doctoral School.
Seventh: March – April – May 2026 (Entrance exams at Hungarian universities)
- Universities contact nominated applicants directly to schedule entrance exams.
- Exams are held from mid-March until the end of May.
- You must score at least 56 out of 100 points to be considered for the final scholarship list.
Eighth: June 2026 (Announcement of results)
After evaluating applications and exam results, the Tempus Public Foundation—the coordinating body of the scholarship—will inform applicants of the official results at the end of June or early July.
