Master’s Scholarships for International Students in Hungary 2026/2027

International students looking for Master’s scholarships for international students in Hungary can choose from government-funded programmes, full tuition scholarships, university tuition discounts and regional mobility grants.

The best-known option is Stipendium Hungaricum, which can cover full tuition fees while also providing a monthly stipend, accommodation support and medical insurance. Other strong opportunities include the Corvinus Scholarship, the University of Debrecen International Scholarship, the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship and the Visegrad Scholarship Program.

1. Stipendium Hungaricum Master’s Scholarship

Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s flagship government scholarship and one of the strongest Master’s funding opportunities for international students.

At Master’s level, scholarship holders currently receive:

• Full tuition fee exemption.
• HUF 43,700 per month toward living expenses.
• Free university dormitory accommodation or HUF 40,000 per month toward housing.
• Hungarian healthcare coverage.
• Supplementary medical insurance of up to HUF 65,000 per year.

The stipend is paid for 12 months per year during the scholarship period. However, the official programme warns that the monthly stipend and housing contribution may not cover all living costs, especially private rent in Budapest.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on the agreement between Hungary and the applicant’s Sending Partner.

Applicants generally need:

• A recognized Bachelor’s degree.
• Academic transcripts.
• Proof of the required language proficiency.
• Motivation letter.
• Documents required by the selected Master’s programme.

The specific fields available differ by nationality.

The 2026/2027 application cycle has already closed. The University of Debrecen currently states that the next Stipendium Hungaricum application period is expected to begin in November 2026 for the following intake.

2. Corvinus Scholarship for Master’s Students

International students interested in business, finance and management should consider Corvinus University of Budapest.

For students starting in September 2026, Corvinus offered fully funded tuition scholarships for three English-taught Master’s programmes:

• MSc in Finance.
• MSc in Management and Leadership – CEMS.
• International MBA.

The scholarship can cover the full tuition fee and may continue for up to four semesters depending on academic performance. Up to 60 scholarship places were announced under the 2026 institutional call, with a maximum of 20 students per programme.

How Much Can You Save?

For international students, Master’s tuition at Corvinus can reach several thousand euros annually.

For example, the Finance MSc lists annual tuition of roughly €5,500 for EEA students, while other programmes can cost more. A full tuition scholarship can therefore save thousands of euros over the degree.

The International MBA is more specialized and requires at least three years of professional work experience, so students applying directly after their Bachelor’s degree should focus on other eligible Master’s programmes.

3. University of Debrecen International Scholarship

The University of Debrecen International Scholarship is particularly useful for international students who are not eligible for Stipendium Hungaricum or who want an alternative university-funded option.

For 2026, the scholarship provides tuition discounts of:

• Up to 30% for Medicine and Dentistry.
• Up to 90% for other eligible programmes.
• Medical insurance as part of the scholarship support.

The actual tuition reduction depends on the applicant’s academic background and entrance examination performance.

Eligible Master’s Fields

The 2026 programme includes numerous Master’s degrees, such as:

• Chemical Engineering.
• Electrical Engineering.
• Engineering Management.
• Mechanical Engineering.
• Environmental Engineering.
• Computer Science.
• Data Science.
• Business Informatics.
• Molecular Biology.
• Applied Mathematics.
• Chemistry.
• Physics.
• Food Safety and Quality Engineering.
• Plant Protection.

Applications were accepted until programme capacity or scholarship funding was exhausted, subject to the university’s main application deadline of June 15, 2026.

4. Stipendium Hungaricum at the University of Debrecen

The University of Debrecen is also one of the main host universities for Stipendium Hungaricum.

The university currently offers more than 60 scholarship-supported programmes across Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral levels in areas including engineering, computing, business, agriculture, health sciences and natural sciences.

For scholarship applicants, the application and admission process is free of charge. Students do not need to submit a separate self-financed university application if they are applying only through Stipendium Hungaricum.

5. Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship

The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship is another comprehensive funding option, although it is restricted to applicants who meet the programme’s Hungarian heritage and diaspora eligibility conditions.

At Master’s level, benefits can include:

• Tuition-free education.
• HUF 43,700 monthly stipend when awarded.
• Free dormitory place or HUF 40,000 monthly accommodation contribution.
• Medical insurance.
• Travel support under certain conditions.

The programme can also provide a one-off travel allowance of HUF 330,000 when the applicant’s place of residence is at least 8,000 km from Budapest.

The programme currently lists hundreds of English-taught Master’s opportunities across Hungarian universities.

6. Visegrad Scholarship Program

International students interested in studying for one or two semesters in Hungary should also consider the Visegrad Scholarship Program.

The programme supports Master’s and post-Master’s students studying at eligible institutions across Central and Eastern Europe.

For the next round:

• Applications open January 1, 2027.
• Deadline: April 15, 2027.
• Student scholarship: €3,500 per semester.
• Host institution contribution: €2,000 per semester.
• Funding duration: one or two semesters.

The scholarship does not directly cover every expense, and the International Visegrad Fund does not separately arrange accommodation, travel or insurance.

Are Master’s Scholarships in Hungary Fully Funded?

Some are comprehensive, but not every Master’s scholarship should be described as fully funded.

Stipendium Hungaricum provides tuition exemption plus a monthly stipend, accommodation assistance and insurance, making it one of the most complete options.

The Corvinus Scholarship can cover full tuition, but living expenses remain the student’s responsibility.

The University of Debrecen International Scholarship provides a tuition discount rather than a full living-cost package.

The Visegrad Scholarship gives a fixed semester allowance but does not separately pay all student expenses.

Can You Study in Hungary Without IELTS?

Possibly.

There is no single IELTS rule covering every Hungarian Master’s programme. Universities may accept alternatives such as:

• TOEFL.
• Cambridge English.
• Other approved language certificates.
• Proof that previous university education was taught in English.
• An internal language assessment or interview in selected programmes.

For example, the University of Debrecen confirms that IELTS itself is not universally mandatory for Stipendium Hungaricum applicants, provided the student supplies another acceptable form of English-language evidence.

How to Improve Your Chances of Winning a Master’s Scholarship

Scholarship selection can be highly competitive, so applicants should focus on academic fit rather than applying randomly.

A strong application should demonstrate:

1. Good Bachelor’s-level academic performance.
2. A clear connection between previous study and the selected Master’s programme.
3. A specific and convincing motivation letter.
4. Relevant internships, research or work experience.
5. Strong language proficiency.
6. Good entrance examination or interview performance.
7. Academic projects, certificates or extracurricular achievements.

Applying to programmes that genuinely match your undergraduate background usually gives you a stronger chance than selecting a course only because it offers a scholarship.

Final Thoughts

There are several strong Master’s scholarships for international students in Hungary, with options suitable for different academic and financial situations.

Stipendium Hungaricum remains the leading comprehensive scholarship because it combines tuition-free education with monthly financial support, accommodation assistance and health coverage. Corvinus offers attractive full tuition scholarships in business and finance, while the University of Debrecen can provide tuition reductions of up to 90% for many eligible Master’s programmes.

Applicants preparing for the next academic year should start collecting documents in autumn 2026, particularly because the next Stipendium Hungaricum application period is expected to begin in November 2026.

Official Sources

• Stipendium Hungaricum – Official Scholarship Benefits
• Stipendium Hungaricum – Apply
• Corvinus University – Scholarships and Discounts
• University of Debrecen – International Scholarship
• University of Debrecen – Stipendium Hungaricum
• Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship – Official Website
• International Visegrad Fund – Visegrad Scholarship Program