Hungary Education and Training
Last published date:

Capital:  Budapest

Population:  9,771,827 million (2020)

GDP:  142 billion USD (2019 est., purchasing power parity)

Currency:  Hungarian Forint (HUF)

Language: Hungarian

 

UNESCO Student Mobility Number

Hungary has 14,983 students studying abroad according to UNESCO.

CIA World Factbook

25.14% of the Hungarian population is under 24 years of age.

OVERVIEW

Education in Hungary is predominantly public and supervised by the Ministry of Human Capacities. Secondary education includes three traditional types of schools focused on different academic levels: grammar schools, secondary vocational schools, and technical schools, which prepare students for vocational education and for work.  The system is flexible and bridges exist – graduates from a vocational school can have access to vocational higher education with a two-year supplementary program.  Students study two foreign languages at grammar schools.  Many of these grammar schools teach foreign languages intensively – 10-12 classes weekly – offering a language preparatory year called “0 grade.” 

Language teaching starts in elementary schools in grade 4.  Students have two language classes weekly, and English or German are the top two languages.  Grade 5-8 students have three/four language classes weekly.  In bilingual public schools biology, history, or math are taught in a foreign language (mostly English or German).  Foundation-schools function with tuition fees ranging between US$ 300-700 monthly. Here students get excellent education, especially in subjects such as foreign languages, IT, arts, and other skills public schools are unable to provide.

Most of the Hungarian universities are public institutions, traditionally without tuition fees.  The Hungarian public tertiary education system includes universities and other higher education institutes.   They provide both education curricula and related degrees up to PhD and also contribute to research activities.  International faculties of prestigious Hungarian universities accept foreign students for BA,  MA degrees and Erasmus/Erasmus+ studies in certain fields such as medical, science and technology, and business studies.  Hungary’s higher education and training was ranked 44 out of 148 countries in the Global Competitiveness Report 2018.

Today there are close to 80 higher education institutions in Hungary with 280,000 students, ranging from small colleges to top research universities.  87% of universities and colleges are supervised by the state, 8% by the church and 5% by foundations.  In accordance with the objectives of the Bologna process, the degree structure of tertiary education is based on three cycles.  Nearly all study fields lead first to a Bachelor’s degree (usually 3 years), and after another two years of study, to a Master’s degree.  However, there are some exceptions: medicine, pharmacy, dental and veterinary studies, architecture, law, teacher training, and certain arts-, crafts- and design-related study programs which retain a long single-cycle structure of 5 or 6 years of study.  A four-year doctoral program is a post-graduate course to follow any Master’s or equivalent qualification.

Hungary has a long tradition of higher education, including the University of Pécs,  Eötvös Loránd University, the Budapest and Debrecen Medical Universtity, and the Budapest University of Technology.   Hungary attracts foreign students from both EU and non-EU countries, mostly to the above-mentioned universities.  Three quarters of the students studying in Hungary arrive from ten countries, while one quarter of the students arrive from another 100 countries.  The majority of the foreign students in Hungary come from Germany, Iran, Norway, Israel, and Sweden, while the majority of guest students are citizens of the neighbouring countries mostly from Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.  In the 2018/2019 academic year, the total number of foreign students studying in Hungary was 18,256 compared to 14,491 in the 2014-2015 academic year.  The figure is increasing as a result of affordable tuition fees, low living costs (within the European Union and Schengen area), a high level of scientific education, and easier admission procedures.  Many education programs are offered in English and/or German. Study visas are easier to acquire than in other European Union and Schengen Member States.  Lastly, education in Hungary leads to employment opportunities in the European Union (during education years and upon graduation).

The two waves of COVID pandemic in Hungary have re-written plans in the education sector.  All schools had to switch to digital education starting mid-March 2020 through the end of the academic year (mid-June 2020).  The new school year started in a traditional way in September but the government announced remote education again as of November 11th.  This includes all secondary schools and universities.  The first half of the academic year will be completed in this form.

Government Education Initiatives

The GOH considers education as the primary means of sustainable economic and talent development,  social mobility, national cohesion, and social development.

Based on a government decree, Hungarian grammar school students are eligible for a free two-week language course, after completing grades 9 and 11, to take place during the summer vacation as outlined in the “Foreign Language Study Program” implemented in 2019.  Roughly 140,000 grammar school students learning English can participate in fully financed language programs starting from the 2019/2020 academy year in the U.K., Malta, and Ireland.  German language students can go to Germany and students studying French can go to France. The program will start with a delay due to the pandemic.

Challenges and Gaps

The number of Hungarian students studying abroad for college/university has increased by 8.7%.  Hungarian students studying in the U.S. increased by 7% from the 2017 to 2018 academic year.  In the 2018/2019 academic year 860 Hungarian students studied in the U.S., including bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees.

Hungarian Students Studying Abroad
Hungarian Students Studying Abroad
Hungarian Students Studying in the U.S.
Hungarian Students Studying in the U.S.

The following barriers prevent Hungarian students from studying in the United States: high tuition fees, relatively high living expenses, and securing a visa.  For a comparison, tuition for an Hungarian public university is approximately $1,000- $3,000 per academic year.

Top Areas of Study for Hungarian Students

Major Field of Specialization

2018/2019

Business and Management

29%

Engineering

10.5%

Fine and Applied Arts        

5%

Health Professions

2%

Humanities

2%

Intensive English

8%

Math/Computer Science

12.5%

Physical and Life Sciences

13%

Social Sciences

11%

Undeclared or Other Fields of Study

7%

OPPORTUNITIES

Most opportunities exist in recruitment for undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States. There is a high interest in U.S. education, particularly in fields of international business, engineering, physical, and life sciences.  Furthermore, many U.S. colleges and universities offer degrees in areas that are not available at local universities.

The best months of the year to recruit students at educational fairs are January through March and September through November.  

EVENTS

RESOURCES

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT

Csilla Viragos, Commercial Specialist

U.S. Commercial Service – Budapest, Hungary

Email: csilla.viragos@trade.gov

Phone: +36 1 475 4250