The Hungarian Government’s Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme stands as one of the most prominent and generous international scholarship initiatives in Europe. For the 2026 academic year, it is anticipated to continue its mission of promoting international education and strengthening bilateral partnerships between Hungary and participating nations. This programme is meticulously designed to offer a complete and immersive academic experience for outstanding students, researchers, and professionals from across the globe.
The core objective of the scholarship is to facilitate cultural and academic exchange on a massive scale, thereby contributing to the internationalization of Hungary’s higher education system and supporting the development of a global community of skilled individuals. The programme is exceptional not only for its financial comprehensiveness but also for the vast academic opportunities it presents.
Academic Programs and Levels of Study
A defining feature of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme is the breadth of academic disciplines and levels of study it supports. Prospective applicants can typically find opportunities across the entire spectrum of higher education:
- Bachelor’s Degree Programs: Full-time undergraduate studies for those seeking their first university degree.
- Master’s Degree Programs: Postgraduate coursework and training for individuals aiming to specialize further in their field.
- Doctoral (PhD) Programs: High-level research-focused degrees for scholars pursuing academic and research careers.
- One-Tier Master’s Programs: These are longer, combined programmes for fields like medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science, architecture, and law, which integrate undergraduate and master’s level study into a single, continuous course.
The available fields of study are remarkably diverse, spanning from Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Agricultural Science, and Natural Sciences to the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Business Administration. Courses are offered in numerous languages, with a significant number of programmes available in English, making them accessible to a wide international audience.
The Comprehensive Financial Coverage
The term “fully funded” is applied with full justification to this scholarship, as it alleviates nearly all financial burdens associated with studying abroad. The support package generally includes:
- Complete Tuition Fee Waiver: The Hungarian government directly covers the full cost of tuition and enrolment fees for the standard duration of the study program.
- Monthly Stipend for Living Expenses: Students receive a regular monetary allowance to cover costs such as food, transportation, and personal expenses. The amount is tiered based on the level of study (e.g., a higher stipend for PhD candidates).
- Accommodation Contribution: Scholars are either provided with a place in a university dormitory free of charge or receive a financial subsidy to assist with securing private rental accommodation.
- Comprehensive Health Insurance: All scholarship holders are covered by a extensive health insurance plan for the entire period of their residency in Hungary, ensuring access to medical services.
- Round-Trip Travel Costs: The programme typically includes economy class airfare for travel from the student’s home country to Hungary at the beginning of the studies and back upon completion.
Eligibility and the Application Process
Eligibility is primarily determined by the bilateral educational agreements between Hungary and the governments of the sending countries. Therefore, the list of eligible partner nations is updated annually. General eligibility criteria often include:
- Holding citizenship of a participating partner country.
- Meeting the specific academic and language requirements of the chosen study programme and university.
- Presenting a strong academic record from previous studies.
The application process is a multi-stage endeavor. It is crucial to understand that applicants cannot apply directly to Hungarian universities for this scholarship. The process typically involves:
- Home Country Nomination: Candidates must first be nominated by the relevant national authority in their home country (often the Ministry of Education or a similar body).
- Online Application: Nominated candidates then complete a detailed online application through the official Hungarian application portal, selecting their preferred universities and study programmes.
- University Admission: The chosen Hungarian universities conduct a formal academic evaluation of the applications and make their admission decisions.
- Final Selection: The final awarding of the scholarship is a combined decision based on the university’s admission offer and the candidate’s ranking.
Prospective applicants for the 2026 intake should begin their preparations well in advance. This includes researching available programmes on the official Tempus Public Foundation website, contacting their home country’s nominating authority for specific procedures, and gathering necessary documents such as academic transcripts, language proficiency certificates, a motivation letter, and letters of recommendation.
For the most accurate and current information regarding the official call for applications, the list of participating countries, and the detailed application guide for the 2026 academic year, please refer to the following informational resource.
Apply Now: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/
