Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary's flagship international scholarship programme and one of the most accessible routes to fully funded study in Europe. Funded by the Hungarian government, it supports students at bachelor, master, one-tier master and doctoral level across a wide range of Hungarian universities. If you want to study in the European Union with tuition covered and a monthly stipend, Stipendium Hungaricum deserves a close look.

The programme is built on bilateral agreements between Hungary and partner countries, which means availability and available fields depend partly on your nationality. This guide explains what the programme covers, who can apply, what documents you need, and how to move through the application step by step.

Key takeaways

What is Stipendium Hungaricum?

Stipendium Hungaricum is a scholarship programme run by the Hungarian state through Tempus Public Foundation. It was established to increase the number of international students in Hungary and to strengthen cultural and academic ties between Hungary and partner countries around the world.

Because it operates on bilateral agreements, the specific countries, quotas and available study fields are set by cooperation between Hungary and each partner government. This is why two applicants from different countries may see different options, and why checking your own country's arrangement is an essential first step.

What does Stipendium Hungaricum cover?

The scholarship is a comprehensive package designed to make study genuinely affordable. It typically includes:

It is worth being realistic: the stipend is a contribution rather than a lavish salary, and living costs vary between Hungarian cities. Many students supplement it modestly, but the overall package removes the largest barriers to studying abroad.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility rests on a few core conditions:

Because participation is country-specific, the very first thing to check is whether your country is a sending partner and what fields are open to you. If your country participates, you then compete on academic merit and fit.

Available study levels and programmes

The programme spans the full range of higher education:

Programmes are offered in English and in Hungarian, with a broad spread of disciplines. To compare universities, cities and fields as you decide where to apply, our scholarship results explorer is a helpful starting point.

Required documents

Applications are submitted online, and you will need clear scans of several documents. Requirements vary slightly by level and programme, but you should prepare:

The motivation letter carries real weight, so give it time. A focused, specific letter that connects your background to your chosen programme is far more persuasive than a generic one. Our statement of purpose builder can help you structure it clearly.

How the application works: step by step

The programme involves a distinctive two-step process, so understanding the flow prevents confusion.

Step 1: Check your country's sending partner

Every partner country has a designated sending partner, usually a government ministry or agency, that manages nominations. Find yours and note its specific requirements and deadlines, which can differ from the general Hungarian timeline.

Step 2: Complete the online application

Register on the official Stipendium Hungaricum online application platform and complete your profile. You select your study level, then choose your programme preferences from those available to your country. You can usually list more than one programme choice, so use your options wisely.

Step 3: Choose your programmes carefully

Research each programme, its university and its city. Pick options that genuinely match your background and goals rather than choosing on prestige alone. Aligning your choices with your motivation letter makes your whole application coherent.

Step 4: Submit to both the platform and your sending partner

You typically submit your application online and also complete any separate application required by your home country's sending partner. Missing the sending-partner step is a common error, so confirm exactly what your national agency expects.

Step 5: Nomination and university decision

Your sending partner nominates eligible candidates, and Hungarian universities then assess nominated applicants academically. Some programmes include an entrance examination or interview. Final decisions rest with the universities and the programme coordinators.

Remember the two gatekeepers: your home country nominates you, and the Hungarian university admits you. A strong application needs to satisfy both.

Entrance exams and interviews

Depending on the programme, you may face an online entrance test, a written assignment or an interview. These assess your academic readiness and, for research degrees, the strength of your proposed project. Prepare by revisiting the fundamentals of your field and by being ready to discuss your motivation clearly. Our AI advisor can help you rehearse interview questions and refine how you present your goals.

Tips for a competitive application

Living and studying in Hungary

Beyond the funding, Hungary offers an appealing student experience: a central European location with easy travel, historic university cities, and a relatively affordable cost of living compared with much of Western Europe. Studying in the European Union also broadens your academic and professional horizons. For many students, Stipendium Hungaricum is not only a scholarship but a gateway to the wider continent.

Choosing your city and university

Hungary has universities in the capital and in a number of vibrant regional cities, each with its own character. When you rank your programme preferences, look beyond the name of the institution to the specific department, the language of instruction, and the city itself.

Capital versus regional cities

The capital offers the largest range of programmes and the biggest international community, but regional university cities can provide a lower cost of living, a close-knit student environment and strong departments in particular fields. Since accommodation support is part of the package, weigh the overall lifestyle rather than location alone.

Matching the programme to your goals

Read the curriculum, check the language of instruction, and confirm that the programme aligns with your academic background and career plans. A coherent connection between your past studies, your chosen programme and your stated goals strengthens your whole application.

Writing a standout motivation letter

The motivation letter is one of the few places where you can distinguish yourself from other qualified applicants, so it deserves real effort. A strong letter answers three questions clearly: why this field, why Hungary and this university, and why you.

Be specific. Reference elements of the programme that genuinely appeal to you, connect them to your previous studies and experience, and explain what you intend to do with the qualification afterwards. Avoid generic phrases that could apply to any scholarship or any country. A focused, sincere letter that shows you have researched the programme is far more convincing than a polished but generic one. Our statement of purpose builder can help you shape a compelling, well-structured letter.

Maintaining and renewing your scholarship

Stipendium Hungaricum is awarded for the standard duration of your programme, but continued funding depends on your remaining a student in good standing. That means enrolling on time, meeting your programme's academic progress requirements, and completing each stage of your studies as expected. Understanding these conditions from the outset helps you keep your scholarship secure throughout your degree.

After you are selected: enrolment and arrival

Once you are nominated and admitted, there are practical steps to complete before you begin. You will need to accept your place, arrange your residence permit or visa, organise your travel, and prepare for enrolment and, where relevant, orientation. Start your residence permit process early, keep copies of all your documents, and watch for communications from your host university.

Planning these final steps carefully means you arrive in Hungary ready to focus on your studies. Many students also use the period before term to research their city, connect with other incoming scholars, and prepare for life in a new country.

Budgeting realistically as a scholar

The scholarship removes the largest costs, but it is wise to budget realistically for daily life. The monthly stipend is designed as a contribution toward living costs rather than a full salary, and how far it stretches depends heavily on your city and your lifestyle. Students in dormitories and smaller cities generally find it more comfortable than those renting privately in the capital.

Plan for essentials such as food, transport, study materials and occasional travel, and keep a modest buffer for unexpected costs, especially in your first weeks before payments settle into a routine. Many students supplement the stipend modestly, but sensible budgeting means the package comfortably supports a focused student life.

Making the most of an EU location

Studying in Hungary places you at the heart of central Europe, with straightforward travel to neighbouring countries and a rich cultural landscape on your doorstep. Beyond the academic qualification, you gain exposure to European student life, opportunities to build an international network, and a base from which to explore the wider region during breaks.

Take advantage of the university's international office, student societies and events, which help you settle in and connect with peers from around the world. For many graduates, the connections and experiences gained during their studies prove as valuable as the degree itself.

A final word of encouragement

Applying for a fully funded place abroad can feel daunting, but the process rewards preparation far more than luck. Confirm that your country participates, choose programmes that genuinely fit your profile, invest real effort in your motivation letter, respect every deadline, and prepare for any assessment. Approach each step methodically and you give yourself a strong, realistic chance of studying in Hungary with your costs covered.

Frequently asked questions

Here are the questions applicants most often ask about Stipendium Hungaricum.