Best Scholarships for International Students in Hungary
Best Scholarships for International Students in Hungary
Hungary is one of the strongest European destinations for students seeking affordable higher education. The best scholarships for international students 2026 in Hungary include fully funded government programmes, full tuition scholarships, university tuition discounts and research grants.
The leading option is Stipendium Hungaricum, while universities such as Corvinus University of Budapest, the University of Debrecen and the University of Szeged also provide valuable funding.
Most scholarship rounds for students starting in September 2026 have now closed. However, students targeting the 2027 intake should begin preparing because the next Stipendium Hungaricum application period is expected to open in November 2026.
Best Hungary Scholarships at a Glance
Some of the strongest options are:
- Stipendium Hungaricum – best overall government scholarship.
- Corvinus Scholarship – excellent full tuition option for selected Master’s programmes.
- University of Debrecen International Scholarship – strong tuition discounts.
- SZTE Start Scholarship – useful for new University of Szeged students.
- National Higher Education Scholarship – monthly funding for high-performing enrolled students.
- Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship – comprehensive funding for eligible students with Hungarian roots.
- Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People – government funding for eligible applicants from selected countries.
Best Scholarships for International Students in Hungary
1. Stipendium Hungaricum – Best Overall Scholarship
Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s flagship scholarship for international students and remains the strongest general option.
It is available across Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s and PhD programmes at participating Hungarian universities.
Scholarship benefits typically include:
- Full tuition fee exemption.
- Monthly living allowance.
- University accommodation or housing contribution.
- Medical insurance.
- Funding throughout the approved study period.
The programme is available through agreements with Sending Partners, meaning the courses an applicant can choose depend on nationality.
For students applying through the University of Debrecen, the next application period is expected to start in November 2026 for the following academic intake.
Why Is It the Best?
Unlike many university scholarships that only reduce tuition, Stipendium Hungaricum combines tuition coverage with financial support for living and accommodation costs.
That makes it particularly attractive for students searching for fully funded scholarships in Hungary.
2. Corvinus Scholarship
Students interested in business, economics, finance and management should consider the Corvinus Scholarship at Corvinus University of Budapest.
For the September 2026 intake, fully funded tuition scholarships were offered for:
- MSc in Finance.
- MSc in Management and Leadership – CEMS.
- International MBA.
The scholarship could cover 100% of tuition fees and potentially remain valid throughout the entire programme, depending on academic performance.
The International MBA is designed for experienced professionals, while Finance and Management programmes may be more suitable for applicants moving directly from undergraduate education.
Best For
Corvinus is particularly suitable for students targeting careers in:
- Banking.
- Finance.
- Consulting.
- Management.
- International business.
- Corporate leadership.
3. University of Debrecen International Scholarship
The UD International Scholarship is one of Hungary’s most useful alternatives for international students who do not receive Stipendium Hungaricum.
Applications for the 2026 programme began on January 16, 2026, with scholarships covering selected programmes in science, technology, engineering, medicine, health sciences and related disciplines.
Funding includes tuition fee reductions.
For Medicine and Dentistry, students can receive a discount of up to:
30% of annual tuition fees.
Eligible programmes also include Master’s degrees in:
- Data Science.
- Computer Science.
- Engineering Management.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Electrical Engineering.
- Molecular Biology.
- Applied Mathematics.
- Environmental Sciences.
- Food Safety and Quality Engineering.
The 2026 scholarship round is now listed as closed by the university.
4. SZTE Start Scholarship – University of Szeged
The SZTE Start Scholarship is designed for talented international students beginning their studies at the University of Szeged.
For 2026/2027, selected students receive:
€900 as a one-time financial contribution.
A total of 12 students were expected to receive the award. Applicants needed to submit their university application by April 30, 2026 and complete additional scholarship requirements.
This scholarship does not cover full tuition, but it can help with early costs such as:
- Accommodation deposit.
- Travel.
- Study materials.
- Initial living expenses.
5. National Higher Education Scholarship
Students who are already studying in Hungary can compete for the National Higher Education Scholarship.
At the University of Szeged for 2026/2027, eligible students receive:
HUF 40,000 per month for 10 months.
Applicants generally need to be full-time students who have completed at least two semesters and earned at least 55 credits. Strong academic or professional performance is required.
This scholarship is particularly useful because international students who arrive without major funding may later qualify based on their performance in Hungary.
6. EKÖP University Research Scholarship
Students interested in research should also consider Hungary’s University Research Scholarship Programme (EKÖP).
At the University of Szeged, the 2026 programme provides:
- HUF 125,000 for Bachelor’s-level recipients.
- HUF 125,000 for Master’s or undivided-programme recipients.
- HUF 200,000 for doctoral students.
- HUF 200,000 for doctoral candidates.
The 2026 application period ran from May 15 to June 15, 2026.
The programme focuses on students carrying out outstanding research or creative academic work.
7. Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship
The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship is another major government programme available to eligible applicants with Hungarian roots living abroad.
It can provide:
- Tuition-free education.
- Living-cost allowance.
- University accommodation or housing support.
- Medical insurance.
- Travel support under programme conditions.
Corvinus University lists the Diaspora Scholarship among its principal international scholarship routes and confirms benefits including tuition, living allowance, housing support and medical insurance.
This scholarship has narrower eligibility than Stipendium Hungaricum because applicants must satisfy the programme’s Hungarian heritage requirements.
Which Scholarship Is Best for You?
The answer depends on your degree and circumstances:
- Best overall: Stipendium Hungaricum.
- Best for Bachelor’s students: Stipendium Hungaricum.
- Best for Master’s business students: Corvinus Scholarship.
- Best for STEM students: University of Debrecen International Scholarship.
- Best for newly admitted Szeged students: SZTE Start Scholarship.
- Best after enrollment: National Higher Education Scholarship.
- Best for research students: EKÖP.
- Best for eligible Hungarian diaspora applicants: Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship.
How to Improve Your Scholarship Chances
Competition can be strong, so applicants should:
- Apply only to programmes that closely match their academic background.
- Prepare a specific motivation letter rather than a generic template.
- Highlight academic projects, research and awards.
- Prepare carefully for entrance examinations and interviews.
- Provide strong language-proficiency evidence.
- Check university-specific scholarships in addition to government funding.
- Start preparing several months before applications open.
Final Thoughts
The best scholarships for international students 2026 in Hungary range from comprehensive government funding to university tuition discounts and research scholarships.
Stipendium Hungaricum remains the strongest overall opportunity, while the Corvinus Scholarship can provide full tuition funding for selected Master’s programmes. The University of Debrecen offers valuable tuition discounts, and the University of Szeged provides both entry-level and research-based scholarships.
Students targeting September 2027 should begin preparing now, particularly because the next Stipendium Hungaricum application period is expected to open in November 2026.
Official Sources
- Stipendium Hungaricum – Official Application Information
- Corvinus University – Scholarships and Discounts
- University of Debrecen – International Scholarship
- University of Szeged – SZTE Start Scholarship
- University of Szeged – National Higher Education Scholarship
- University of Szeged – EKÖP Research Scholarship
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