Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is the Hungarian government’s flagship scholarship for international students, covering full tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, and health insurance at more than 30 Hungarian universities. It’s one of the largest and most accessible government-funded scholarship programs in Europe, open to citizens of more than 70 partner countries. Here’s what it actually covers, who qualifies, and the two-portal application requirement that catches out applicants who don’t know about it.
Quick Facts
- Managed By: Tempus Public Foundation, on behalf of the Hungarian government
- Established: 2013
- Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, One-Tier Master’s, Doctoral, and Non-Degree (preparatory/exchange) programs
- Partner Universities: More than 30 Hungarian higher education institutions
- Programs Available: Around 900 study programs taught in foreign languages, mostly English, with some in German and French
- Partner Countries: More than 70, including 15 specifically in the Middle East and North Africa (Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar)
- Scholarships Awarded Annually: Several thousand, though the exact number and each country’s quota shift year to year based on bilateral agreements
- Most Recent Deadline: January 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m. CET (2026/2027 cycle, now closed)
- Next Cycle Opens: Expected November 2026, for the 2027/2028 academic year
What the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition fee waiver
- A monthly stipend, tiered by degree level:
- HUF 43,700/month (approximately €110) — Bachelor’s and Master’s students
- HUF 140,000/month (approximately €360) — Doctoral students
- Free dormitory accommodation, or a housing contribution of HUF 40,000/month if dormitory space isn’t available
- Health insurance for the full duration of your studies
Exact forint amounts are set by the Hungarian government and can shift between cycles — treat these as the most recently confirmed figures rather than a permanent guarantee, and confirm the current rate on the official portal before you apply.
The Two-Portal Requirement: Don’t Miss This
This is the single most common reason otherwise-qualified applications get rejected. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship requires two separate, mandatory application submissions:
- The official Stipendium Hungaricum online application system, where you select your universities and programs
- Your home country’s “Sending Partner” institution — the organization your government has designated to nominate candidates. For Pakistan, this is the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Every eligible country has its own designated Sending Partner, and it isn’t always the same type of institution.
A complete application on the Stipendium Hungaricum portal alone is not enough. If your Sending Partner submission is missing, your application is automatically disqualified, even if your university-side application is perfect. Find out who your country’s Sending Partner is early, since some have their own internal deadlines that fall before the main Stipendium Hungaricum deadline.
Stipendium Hungaricum Eligibility
- Be a citizen of a country with a current educational cooperation agreement with Hungary — the eligible country list and each country’s available study fields are set annually through bilateral agreements, so check the current list for your country rather than assuming last year’s terms still apply
- Meet the academic requirements for your chosen program: a secondary school certificate for Bachelor’s applicants, a completed Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applicants, and a completed Master’s degree for Doctoral applicants
- Meet the language requirement for your chosen program — most English-taught programs require IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent, though some accept a certificate confirming your prior education was conducted in English: What is an English Proficiency Language Certificate
- Not already hold a degree at the same level you’re applying for, in most cases — check your specific program’s rules
Required Documents
- Completed online application through both required portals
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- A motivation letter or personal statement, tailored to your specific program and university choice: Personal Statement for Scholarship / SOP Examples
- Language proficiency proof, where required by your program: What is an English Proficiency Language Certificate
- Reference letters — requirements vary by your home country’s Sending Partner, so confirm what’s expected before you request them: Recommendation Letter for Scholarship
- A valid passport
- A medical certificate, in some cases
How to Apply
Step by step guide to apply for stipendium hungaricum scholarship 2027/2028.
- Confirm your country has a current Stipendium Hungaricum cooperation agreement, and check which study fields and degree levels are available to your country this cycle.
- Identify your country’s Sending Partner institution — this is not optional, and some Sending Partners have their own earlier internal deadline.
- Choose up to two Hungarian universities and programs through the official Stipendium Hungaricum online application system.
- Complete your Sending Partner’s own application process in parallel — do not treat this as a formality to handle after the main application.
- Prepare your documents, including transcripts, a tailored motivation letter, and language proficiency proof.
- Submit both applications well before the deadline — for the most recent cycle this was January 15, 2:00 p.m. CET, with no extensions for late submissions.
- Expect the selection process, including Sending Partner nominations and any university entrance requirements, to run through around June, with final results in late June or early July and classes starting in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many partner countries does Stipendium Hungaricum have? More than 70, including 15 specifically in the Middle East and North Africa. This is significantly more than the “31 countries” figure that circulates on some other sites — that number is outdated.
Do I really need to apply through two different portals? Yes. The Stipendium Hungaricum online system and your home country’s Sending Partner institution are both mandatory. Missing either one results in automatic disqualification, regardless of how strong your application otherwise is.
When does the next Stipendium Hungaricum cycle open? The 2027/2028 cycle is expected to open in November 2026, with a deadline typically falling in mid-January.
Can I apply without IELTS? It depends on your specific program. Some Hungarian universities accept a certificate confirming your prior education was conducted in English instead of a formal IELTS or TOEFL score — check your chosen program’s exact requirements.
How much is the stipendium hungaricum monthly stipend amount 2026? Approximately HUF 43,700/month (around €110) for Bachelor’s and Master’s students, and HUF 140,000/month (around €360) for Doctoral students, plus free dormitory accommodation or a housing contribution.
How many scholarships are awarded each year? Several thousand across all partner countries combined, though the exact number and each country’s specific quota are renegotiated annually through bilateral agreements — check with your country’s Sending Partner for your specific quota.
Can I apply to more than one Hungarian university? Yes, applicants can typically select up to two university/program combinations within a single application cycle.
What happens if my Sending Partner has its own deadline? Follow it exactly. Some Sending Partner institutions set internal deadlines earlier than the main stipendium hungaricum ทุน cutoff to allow time for their own nomination process — missing your Sending Partner’s deadline can disqualify you even if you meet the main portal’s deadline.
Official Resources
- Official stipendium hungaricum ทุน site: stipendiumhungaricum.hu
- Application portal: apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu
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