Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students in Hungary 2026/2027
Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students in Hungary 2026/2027
Hungary offers several strong undergraduate scholarships for international students, including fully funded government scholarships, tuition fee reductions and university grants for newly admitted Bachelor’s students.
The leading option is Stipendium Hungaricum, which covers tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend, accommodation support and medical insurance. Other opportunities include the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship, the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People and university awards such as the University of Szeged Start Scholarship.
Below are some of the most important Bachelor’s scholarships available in Hungary for international students.
1. Stipendium Hungaricum Bachelor’s Scholarship
Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s flagship government scholarship and one of the best choices for international undergraduate students.
The programme supports full-degree Bachelor’s programmes at Hungarian universities across fields such as:
- Engineering.
- Computer science.
- Business and economics.
- Agriculture.
- Natural sciences.
- Social sciences.
- Humanities.
- Arts.
- Health-related fields.
The 2026/2027 call included Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s and non-degree programmes.
What Does Stipendium Hungaricum Cover?
At Bachelor’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.
- Healthcare under Hungarian legislation.
- Supplementary medical insurance of up to HUF 65,000 per year.
The stipend is paid for 12 months per year until completion of the scholarship period.
Students should note that the housing contribution may not fully cover private rent, particularly in Budapest.
Who Can Apply for Stipendium Hungaricum?
Eligibility depends mainly on the applicant’s nationality and the agreement between Hungary and the relevant Sending Partner.
Applicants generally need:
- A recognized secondary-school diploma.
- Academic transcripts.
- Proof of language proficiency.
- Motivation letter.
- Required programme-specific documents.
- Successful completion of any university entrance examination or interview.
Not every academic programme is available to every nationality, so students must check the official programme database before applying.
2026/2027 Deadline
Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year closed on:
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM CET.
Students preparing for 2027/2028 should monitor the official Stipendium Hungaricum website for the next call.
2. University of Debrecen International Scholarship
The University of Debrecen International Scholarship is another useful option for students who do not receive Stipendium Hungaricum.
The 2026 scholarship programme provides tuition fee discounts for eligible international students in selected science, health, engineering, technology and related fields.
For Medicine and Dentistry, the maximum tuition discount is 30% of the annual tuition fee. Other eligible programmes may receive different levels of tuition reduction.
Applicants are generally assessed based on factors such as:
- Previous academic results.
- Entrance examination performance.
- Eligibility for the chosen programme.
The 2026 application cycle operated until available scholarship funding or programme capacity was exhausted, with the University’s general international application deadline of June 15, 2026.
3. University of Szeged Start Scholarship
New international students admitted to the University of Szeged can also compete for the SZTE Start Scholarship.
For 2026/2027, the scholarship provides:
€900 as a one-time contribution toward starting university studies.
The university planned to award the scholarship to 12 students, ideally representing different faculties.
Requirements
Applicants needed to:
- Submit a complete university application by April 30, 2026.
- Have their status changed to “Place reserved” by June 30.
- Complete enrollment by September 5, 2026.
- Submit a one-page CV.
- Provide a one-page reference letter.
The scholarship is based on academic excellence.
It does not cover full tuition, but it can help with early costs such as travel, rent deposits or study materials.
4. Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship
Students of Hungarian descent living in diaspora communities may qualify for the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship.
The programme offers hundreds of Bachelor’s programmes, including many courses taught in English. The official programme database for 2026/2027 listed hundreds of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science options.
Scholarship Benefits
Bachelor’s scholarship holders may receive:
- Tuition-free university education.
- HUF 43,700 monthly stipend where awarded.
- Free dormitory place or HUF 40,000 monthly accommodation contribution.
- Medical insurance.
- Eligible travel support.
Applicants living at least 8,000 km from Budapest may also qualify for a one-time travel allowance of HUF 330,000 under the programme’s rules.
The 2026/2027 application deadline was February 2, 2026.
5. Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People
The Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP) is funded by the Hungarian Government for eligible Christian students from crisis-affected regions.
Bachelor’s programmes are available to applicants meeting the programme’s nationality, academic and church recommendation requirements.
The programme currently includes students from countries such as:
- Syria.
- Iraq.
- Lebanon.
- Egypt.
- Palestine.
- Pakistan.
- Ethiopia.
- Nigeria.
- Kenya.
- Armenia.
- Ghana.
- Nicaragua.
The programme covers full tuition fees and provides support toward accommodation and travel expenses. It offers programmes in areas including:
- Medicine and health sciences.
- Engineering.
- Architecture.
- Economics.
- Agriculture.
- Information technology.
- Humanities.
- Social sciences.
Applicants must normally provide an official recommendation from an eligible Christian church organization.
The 2026/2027 application round is currently closed.
6. Academic Scholarships After Enrollment
International students can also obtain funding after starting their Bachelor’s degree.
Hungarian universities may offer:
- Merit scholarships.
- Tuition reductions.
- Faculty awards.
- Research grants.
- Academic excellence scholarships.
For example, eligible University of Debrecen Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy students in their second year or later may receive a tuition fee reduction of up to 20%, subject to academic performance and university regulations.
This means students who do not receive a scholarship before enrollment should continue searching once their studies begin.
Are Bachelor’s Scholarships in Hungary Fully Funded?
Some programmes provide comprehensive support, while others cover only part of the cost.
Stipendium Hungaricum is one of the most comprehensive undergraduate options because it combines:
- Tuition exemption.
- Monthly stipend.
- Accommodation support.
- Medical insurance.
However, the monthly allowance may not cover every personal living expense.
The University of Szeged Start Scholarship, by contrast, is a one-time €900 award, while the University of Debrecen International Scholarship primarily reduces tuition fees.
Can You Apply Without IELTS?
IELTS is not universally required by every Hungarian university.
Depending on the programme, students may be able to use:
- TOEFL.
- Cambridge English.
- Other recognized certificates.
- Medium of Instruction certificate.
- Previous education completed in English.
- University entrance interview.
Applicants should check the exact language requirements of their selected programme before applying.
How to Improve Your Chances
Undergraduate scholarship applicants should:
- Maintain strong secondary-school grades.
- Choose programmes that match their previous subjects.
- Prepare a specific motivation letter.
- Practice for university entrance tests.
- Obtain a strong recommendation letter.
- Highlight competitions, volunteering and extracurricular activities.
- Apply before both scholarship and university deadlines.
Applying early also leaves more time to correct missing documents.
Final Thoughts
There are several excellent undergraduate scholarships for international students in Hungary, ranging from fully funded government programmes to university tuition discounts.
Stipendium Hungaricum remains the strongest general option because it covers tuition fees and provides monthly living, accommodation and medical support.
The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship and SCYP provide comprehensive funding for more specific groups of applicants, while the University of Debrecen and University of Szeged offer additional university-based financial assistance.
Students targeting 2027/2028 should begin preparing academic documents and language evidence before the next scholarship calls open.
Official Sources
- Stipendium Hungaricum – Official Application Page
- Stipendium Hungaricum – Scholarship Benefits
- University of Debrecen – International Scholarship
- University of Szeged – SZTE Start Scholarship
- Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship – Official Website
- Hungary Helps – Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People
