University Scholarships for International Students in Hungary 2026/2027

International students can access several valuable university scholarships for international students in Hungary, ranging from full tuition scholarships to partial tuition discounts, monthly merit awards and one-time financial grants.

Although Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s best-known scholarship, individual universities such as Corvinus University of Budapest, the University of Debrecen, the University of Szeged and ELTE also provide funding opportunities that can substantially reduce tuition fees and living costs.

Below are some of the most important university scholarship options available for the 2026/2027 academic year.

1. Corvinus Scholarship – Corvinus University of Budapest

The Corvinus Scholarship is one of Hungary’s strongest university-based funding opportunities.

It can allow successful students to study without paying tuition fees. Corvinus carries out scholarship reviews based on academic performance, and both existing scholarship holders and eligible self-funded students may compete for tuition-free places.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the university conducted its annual scholarship review in July 2026.

What Can the Corvinus Scholarship Cover?

Depending on the programme and scholarship decision, benefits may include:

• Full tuition fee coverage.
• Funding for multiple semesters.
• Opportunities for Bachelor’s and Master’s students.
• Continued funding when academic requirements are maintained.

Because tuition at international programmes can reach several thousand euros per year, a full tuition scholarship can provide significant savings.

Students interested in business, finance, economics and management should particularly consider Corvinus.

2. University of Debrecen International Scholarship

The UD International Scholarship is an important option for self-funded international applicants.

For the 2026 intake, applications opened on January 16, 2026. The programme was created to attract international students into degree programmes connected with natural sciences, medicine, health sciences, engineering, technology and mathematics.

Tuition Fee Discounts

Scholarship support varies by programme.

For Medicine and Dentistry, the scholarship can provide a tuition discount of up to:

30% of the annual tuition fee.

Other eligible programmes may receive substantially larger tuition reductions.

Because Medicine and Dentistry are among the most expensive university degrees in Hungary, even a partial tuition scholarship can reduce the total cost considerably.

3. University of Debrecen Academic Scholarships

Students who are already enrolled at the University of Debrecen may also qualify for academic tuition reductions.

For example, eligible Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy students in their second year or above can receive a tuition fee reduction of up to 20% when they satisfy the university’s academic requirements.

For certain medical programmes, students with a stipend index of 4.50 or higher may be considered under the university’s regulations.

This means students who fail to obtain a scholarship before enrollment may still be able to reduce tuition costs by maintaining excellent academic performance.

4. SZTE Start Scholarship – University of Szeged

The University of Szeged Start Scholarship is designed for newly admitted international students who need help with initial study costs.

For students starting their studies in September 2026, the scholarship provided:

€900 as a one-time contribution.

A total of 12 students were expected to receive the scholarship, ideally representing different faculties of the university.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants needed to:

• Submit a complete university application by April 30, 2026.
• Obtain admission and reserve their place.
• Complete enrollment at the university.
• Submit a one-page CV.
• Provide a one-page reference letter.

The scholarship is awarded primarily on academic excellence.

Although €900 does not cover full tuition, it can help with initial expenses such as accommodation deposits, travel or student living costs.

5. University of Szeged Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

PhD students may have access to significantly higher university funding.

For 2026/2027, the University of Szeged announced its University Doctoral Excellence Scholarships.

Eligible international students, including certain Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders, can apply for additional Excellence+ awards of:

• HUF 70,000 per month, or
• HUF 100,000 per month

depending on academic and scientific performance.

These scholarships are especially attractive to international PhD students because they can supplement existing doctoral funding.

6. National Higher Education Scholarship at ELTE

International students already enrolled at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) may also qualify for the National Higher Education Scholarship.

For 2026/2027, the scholarship provides:

HUF 40,000 per month for 10 months.

Eligible applicants generally need:

• Full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s enrollment.
• At least two active semesters.
• At least 55 completed credits.
• Excellent academic or professional achievements.

ELTE confirms that international students may be among the recipients.

This scholarship can also be held alongside certain other academic funding, including Stipendium Hungaricum under the applicable conditions.

7. National Higher Education Scholarship at the University of Szeged

The University of Szeged also participates in the National Higher Education Scholarship programme.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, eligible full-time students can receive:

HUF 40,000 per month for 10 months.

Applicants must generally have completed at least two semesters and earned at least 55 credits.

The scholarship rewards outstanding academic or professional achievement and can be available to students in Bachelor’s, Master’s and undivided programmes.

8. Stipendium Hungaricum at Hungarian Universities

International students should also remember that major Hungarian universities participate in Stipendium Hungaricum.

For 2026/2027, the programme offered more than 900 study programmes through around 30 Hungarian institutions.

Benefits include:

• Tuition-free education.
• Monthly stipend.
• Free dormitory place or accommodation contribution.
• Medical insurance.
• Funding for Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s and PhD studies.

At the University of Szeged, for example, scholarship holders at Bachelor’s and Master’s level receive HUF 43,700 per month plus either dormitory accommodation or HUF 40,000 monthly housing support.

Which University Scholarship Is Best in Hungary?

The answer depends on your situation.

A useful comparison is:

• Best full tuition option: Corvinus Scholarship.
• Best for Medicine and Dentistry: University of Debrecen International Scholarship.
• Best for new Szeged students: SZTE Start Scholarship.
• Best for high-performing enrolled students: National Higher Education Scholarship.
• Best for PhD students: University of Szeged Doctoral Excellence funding.
• Best comprehensive government-funded route: Stipendium Hungaricum.

How to Improve Your Chances

University scholarships in Hungary can be competitive. Applicants should:

1. Maintain strong academic grades.
2. Apply before university scholarship deadlines.
3. Prepare a programme-specific motivation letter.
4. Include academic awards and research achievements.
5. Obtain strong recommendation letters.
6. Check scholarships available after enrollment.
7. Compare tuition fees before choosing a university.

Students should also calculate accommodation costs, health insurance, tuition fees and monthly living expenses before deciding whether a partial scholarship provides enough financial support.

Final Thoughts

There are several valuable university scholarships for international students in Hungary in 2026/2027.

Corvinus offers opportunities to study tuition-free, the University of Debrecen provides substantial tuition discounts, and the University of Szeged offers both entry-level and doctoral scholarships. ELTE and other Hungarian institutions also allow successful students to compete for academic funding after enrollment.

Students should therefore continue searching for scholarships even after receiving admission, because some of Hungary’s best university financial aid becomes available only after demonstrating strong academic performance.

Official Sources

1. Corvinus University – Corvinus Scholarship
2. University of Debrecen – UD International Scholarship
3. University of Debrecen – Scholarships and Loans
4. University of Szeged – SZTE Start Scholarship
5. University of Szeged – Scholarships for International Students
6. ELTE – National Higher Educational Scholarship 2026/2027