Study in Hungary

Europe's most affordable English-taught medical schools, plus CEU, Corvinus, BME, the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, EU/Schengen membership, and €500-800/month living costs. The honest case for Hungary.

• English-taught medicine at Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged for ~€8,000-18,000/year — a fraction of UK or US fees.
• CEU leads social sciences and public policy; Corvinus leads business; BME leads engineering — all with strong English tracks.
• Stipendium Hungaricum fully funds tuition, accommodation, insurance, and a HUF 130,000/month stipend for partner-country students.
• EU and Schengen member, with Budapest living costs of just €500-800/month — among Europe's cheapest.

A clear roadmap for international students — from choosing your program to enrolment in Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, or Pécs. Every step, in order, with realistic timelines, the Type D visa, OIN residence permit, and arrival logistics.

• Start about 9-12 months before the September intake; February intake is smaller but available at many programs.
• Check that your program is accredited by MAB (the Hungarian Accreditation Committee) and your institution by the Ministry of Education.
• Non-EU students apply for a Type D long-stay visa at a Hungarian consulate, then convert to an OIN residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
• Budget for the visa and OIN fees (~€100-180), plus tuition and €500-800/month living costs in Budapest.

Compare Hungary's four English-language medical schools — Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged — plus CEU for social sciences and public policy, Corvinus for business, and BME for engineering.

• Four public universities — Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged — run full English MD, dental and pharmacy programs.
• Semmelweis sits at the top of Hungarian medical schools; Debrecen has the largest international cohort.
• CEU leads social sciences and public policy; Corvinus leads business; BME leads engineering — all English-tracked.
• All programs follow the Bologna system and are recognised across the EU.

How to apply to study in Hungary — direct applications to universities, the Stipendium Hungaricum portal, September and February intakes, the medical entrance exam, English requirements, and the residence permit process.

• Most international applicants apply directly to each university; Stipendium Hungaricum applicants go through Tempus.
• Main intake is September; many medical programs offer a February intake too.
• Medical schools require a written entrance exam in biology, chemistry, and often physics and English.
• English requirement is typically IELTS 5.5-6.5 / TOEFL 72-90; B2 level required.

Budget your studies in Hungary — English-taught medicine at €8,000-18,000/year, other public-university programs at €2,000-8,000, living costs of €500-800/month in Budapest, and the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.

• Tuition: non-medical English programs €2,000-8,000/year; English-taught medicine €8,000-18,000/year.
• Living costs: about €500-800/month in Budapest, cheaper in Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged.
• Stipendium Hungaricum fully funds tuition, accommodation, insurance, and a HUF 130,000/month stipend.
• Proof of funds for the residence permit: roughly €500-700/month, plus one year of tuition.

Studying in Hungary as a non-EU student — the Type D long-stay visa, the OIN residence permit for study, proof of means around HUF 200,000/month, health insurance, and your first weeks in Budapest.

• EU/EEA students enter freely and only need to register their stay; non-EU students need a Type D visa plus an OIN residence permit.
• Apply for the Type D long-stay visa at a Hungarian consulate before travel, then convert it to a residence permit on arrival.
• Proof of means around HUF 200,000 per month (~€500), plus full health insurance and a clean criminal record.
• OIN (Országos Idegenrendészeti Főigazgatóság) issues the residence permit for the purpose of study — valid up to four years, renewable.

Daily life as a student in Hungary — finding housing, banking, the BKK and MÁV networks, ruin bars and thermal baths, gulyás and lángos, and settling into Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, or Pécs.

• Living costs run roughly €500-800/month in Budapest, €400-600 in Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs.
• Rent is the biggest line item — €350-550/month for a room in a shared flat in Budapest.
• Budapest's BKK runs metro, trams, trolleys, and buses — a student pass is about HUF 3,450/month.
• Thermal baths, ruin bars, and a café culture make Hungary punch well above its size socially.

Working as a student in Hungary — up to 24 hours per week during term, full-time in holidays, the tax number you need first, and the genuinely accessible EU Blue Card and Hungary Card routes after graduation.

• Both EU and non-EU students can work up to 24 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays.
• You need a Hungarian tax number (adóazonosító jel) from NAV before any employer can pay you.
• Wages are modest in EUR terms — minimum wage is around HUF 290,800 gross/month (~€730).
• Post-study: the EU Blue Card and Hungary Card make staying on for skilled work genuinely accessible.