Basic Information about Hungary

Hungary is a landlocked country located at the heart of Europe. Situated in Central Europe, Hungary has always been a meeting-point of European cultures. Its capital, Budapest, is a metropolitan with 2 million inhabitants and is seen by many as one of the most beautiful European cities. The country’s climate is continental and is protected from excessive climatic changes and natural catastrophes.

With a population of around 10 million, Hungarian culture is unmistakable, as it combines West-European style with East-European spice. Hungarian is the country’s official language, although English and German are taught in schools as secondary languages.

The country boasts a rich heritage that attracts people from all over the world. Hungary presents geological sites and palaeontology remains, ancient Roman ruins, relics of Turkish culture, and well-preserved buildings, providing an overview on the different styles of the history of European architecture. Eight of these sites have been declared by UNESCO to be part of the World Heritage.

Based on its rich cultural and folklore tradition, Hungary has also become a centre of not only of classical and contemporary European art, music and literature, but also a site for avant-garde and experimental cultural movements.

The Higher Education System

The higher education system in Hungary has three levels. The Bachelor (undergraduate – 3 years), Master (graduate – 2 years) and PhD (doctoral – 3 years) degrees awarded by Hungarian higher education institutions are recognised in all European Union countries.

At present, Hungary’s higher education system comprises of 18 state-financed universities, two public university, 12 state-financed colleges, 26 religious educational institutions, and 9 colleges operated by public foundations. More details about Hungary’s higher education system and major universities are available at the Education Ministry’s website at www.om.hu.

Scholarships

Hungarian Scholarship Board HSB is responsible for submitting proposals for the Ministry of Education regarding international mobility and the national policy of scholarships and grants; participating in the preparation of action plans based on bilateral agreements; defining competition criteria and nominating candidates for scholarships and grants by evaluating and ranking over 2,000 applications per year. These scholarships and grants (largely financed by the Hungarian Ministry of Education) are based on a pool system and bilateral educational, scientific and cultural exchange programmes with 45 countries. These international agreements enable students, postgraduates, professors, researchers and artists to widen their professional experience in Hungary.

Study Programmes by HSB Hungarian language courses: They offer language courses of 60-300 lessons at all levels and with various timings (from 2*3 to 5*4 hours/week).

The students of their Summer University, organised in co-operation with the Kodolányi János University College, participate in 20 language lessons per week. This is rounded up by 3-4 lectures (offered also in English) on a wide range of subjects, and through cultural programmes and study visits. Students receive up to 14 ECTS credits for their work.

Their Preparatory Courses for University Studies are designed for young people from abroad who plan to continue their studies at a Hungarian higher education institution. The one-year course with an overall of 900 lessons starts with an intensive language course, which is later supplemented with studies in a chosen field and its terminology (specializations offered: economics, medicine, engineering, law and humanities). Preliminary knowledge of Hungarian is not necessarily required.

Their university level curriculum in Hungarian Studies, prepared in co-operation with the University of Pécs, offers a 10-month university exchange programme for people studying Hungarian at foreign universities. 25-40 ECTS credit points are available for attending the course.

Their one-year Translators’ Course is open to people with a good command of Hungarian who plan to start a literary translator’s career. Their courses are open both for self-financed students and on scholarship basis.

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