Studying in the heart of Europe is a life-changing experience. Hungary has rapidly become a top destination for international students, offering high-quality education, vibrant student life, and affordable living. To make this accessible to outstanding students worldwide, the Hungarian Government established the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme.
Launched in 2013 by the Hungarian Government, this fully-funded excellence program currently hosts thousands of international students across prestigious Hungarian universities. Let’s explore everything you need to know to secure the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026, from understanding the financial package to navigating the DreamApply portal.
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What is the Stipendium Hungaricum?
The Stipendium Hungaricum (SH) is a bilateral scholarship program governed by educational cooperation agreements between the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the responsible ministries of more than 90 sending partner countries.
The core mission is to promote the internationalization of Hungarian higher education and to build deep academic, economic, and cultural relations between Hungary and the scholars' home nations. It is a highly competitive, merit-based scholarship, combining both an academic evaluation by Hungarian Universities and an initial nomination process by your home country's designated authority.
Financial Benefits & Allowances
The SH scholarship provides a generous support package intended to ease the financial burden of living and studying abroad, allowing you to focus completely on your university degree.
The Scholarship Package
As an SH scholar, you are entitled to the following benefits for the entire duration of your degree:
- Tuition-Free Education: Exemption from the payment of all university tuition fees.
- Monthly Stipend: HUF 43,700/month (approx. €110) for Bachelor's, Master's, and One-Tier Master's students. For PhD students, the stipend is significantly higher: HUF 140,000/month for the first two years, and HUF 180,000/month for the final two years.
- Accommodation Contribution: Free dormitory placement at the university OR a monthly contribution of HUF 40,000 towards private accommodation costs for the whole duration of the scholarship period.
- Medical Insurance: Health care services according to the relevant Hungarian legislation (TAJ card) and supplementary medical insurance for up to HUF 65,000 a year/person.
Note on Living Costs: While the HUF 43,700 stipend plus the HUF 40,000 housing allowance greatly helps, it is highly recommended to have some personal savings. Cities like Budapest have seen rising living costs, and students often supplement their income with part-time jobs (which are legally permitted up to 24 hours a week during term time).
Sending Partners & Eligibility
The most critical aspect of the SH scholarship is that you cannot apply independently; you must apply through your country's Sending Partner (usually a Ministry of Education or a specific national scholarship board).
1. Bilateral Agreements
You can only apply if your citizenship matches one of the 90+ eligible sending partners (e.g., Pakistan (HEC), India (UGC), Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Brazil, etc.). Furthermore, each sending partner agrees on specific study fields with Hungary. You can only apply for a degree program that is approved for your specific country.
2. Academic & Language Qualifications
You must meet the entry requirements of the specific Hungarian University you are applying to. This includes:
- For Bachelor's: High school diploma.
- For Master's: A relevant Bachelor’s degree.
- Language Proficiency: Most courses are taught in English. You must provide a valid certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, etc.) meeting the university's minimum requirement (usually B2 level). Note: Some universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, but check specifically on the DreamApply portal.
3. Age Limits
Applicants for degree programs must be born before 31 August 2008 (i.e., you must be at least 18 years old by the time you start your studies).
Eligible Degree Programs
The SH program covers almost all academic levels across 29 Hungarian higher education institutions:
- Bachelor’s Degrees (BA/BSc): Typically 3 to 4 years.
- Master’s Degrees (MA/MSc): Typically 1.5 to 2 years.
- One-Tier Master's Degrees (OTM): 5 to 6 years (Usually for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, and Law).
- Doctoral Programs (PhD/DLA): 4 years (2+2 structure).
- Non-degree Programs: Preparatory courses in Hungarian language or specialized postgraduate courses (usually 1 year).
Step-by-Step Application Guide
The application portal typically opens in mid-November and the deadline strictly falls on January 15th. The timeline spans several months:
- Step 1: Application to the DreamApply Portal (Nov - Jan 15) Create an account on the official SH DreamApply system. You can choose a maximum of two study programs. Upload your Passport, CV, Motivation Letter, Transcripts, and Language Certificates. Do not forget to submit before the January 15 deadline!
- Step 2: Submit to your Sending Partner Many Sending Partners (like HEC in Pakistan) require a separate, simultaneous application on their own national portal. If you fail to apply to your Sending Partner, your DreamApply application will be immediately rejected.
- Step 3: Nomination Process (Feb - March) The Sending Partner evaluates all applicants and sends a list of "Nominated" candidates to the Tempus Public Foundation (TPF) in Hungary.
- Step 4: University Entrance Exams (March - May) If nominated, the Hungarian Universities you selected will contact you. You will have to undergo entrance exams (written tests, portfolio reviews, or Skype/Zoom interviews) to prove your academic readiness.
- Step 5: Final Results (Late June - July) The universities send their accepted candidates to TPF. TPF makes the final scholarship allocation and issues the official Letter of Award.
Tips for a Winning Application
The SH is fiercely competitive. Your Motivation Letter and your performance in the University Entrance Exam are the ultimate deciding factors.
"Do not underestimate the university interview. Even if your home country nominates you, the Hungarian university has the final say. Study the curriculum of your chosen program thoroughly before the interview."
- Format your CV correctly: European universities strongly prefer the Europass format. Use a proper CV Builder to ensure it meets European standards.
- Craft a strong Motivation Letter: Clearly explain why Hungary, why that specific university, and how the degree aligns with the bilateral goals of your country and Hungary. Use our SOP Outliner Tool to structure it perfectly.
- Check Mandatory Documents: Ensure you have the required medical certificate template downloaded directly from the official SH website, signed and stamped by an authorized physician.
Post-Selection: Visas & Arrival
Once you receive your Letter of Award and the Admission Letter from your host university, you must immediately book an appointment at the Hungarian Embassy in your home country.
You will apply for a Type D (Study) Visa. As an SH scholar, you are usually exempt from visa fees and the rigorous financial proofs normally required of self-financing students. Your Letter of Award serves as your financial guarantee.
Upon arriving in Hungary (usually in September), your university mentors (often through the Stipendium Hungaricum Mentor Network) will help you apply for your Residence Permit at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF), open a Hungarian bank account, and apply for your TAJ card (national health insurance).
Ready to Catch This Scholarship?
Applications are submitted exclusively through the DreamApply system. Prepare your documents and check your sending partner's guidelines today!
Official Application Portal
