How It Works
Your Path to Hungary
Every student’s journey looks a little different, but it generally follows six stages — from your first conversation with Mobedum to settling into student life in Hungary.
Discover
Explore Hungarian universities, programmes and what studying in Hungary is actually like.
Match
We help you identify programmes that fit your academic background, goals and budget.
Prepare
Gather and organise the academic and application documents your chosen programmes require.
Apply
Submit your applications and follow each university’s own admission procedure.
Admission & Visa Prep
Understand your acceptance conditions and prepare the residence permit documents international students typically need.
Arrive & Settle
Prepare for accommodation, registration and everyday student life in Hungary.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply?
Admission requirements are set individually by each Hungarian university, and vary by programme, degree level, prior qualifications, language proficiency and country of prior education. Mobedum reviews your academic background and points you toward programmes where you have a realistic chance of admission — we don’t apply one universal rule to every applicant.
Foundation / Preparatory
For students who need to complete secondary education, strengthen their academic profile, or build up Hungarian or English before starting a degree.
Bachelor’s Programmes
For students who have completed, or are completing, secondary school and are ready to begin undergraduate study.
Master’s Programmes
For students who hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree and want to specialise further in their field.
PhD / Doctoral Programmes
For students who hold an appropriate Master’s degree and are ready to pursue independent, supervised research.
Medicine & Health Sciences
Programmes with their own entrance requirements, often including a subject-specific entrance examination or interview.
Specialised Programmes
Architecture, arts and other fields that may involve a portfolio, interview or additional assessment.
What You’ll Typically Need
Degree Requirements at a Glance
These are typical starting points, not a checklist for every university. Mobedum confirms the exact requirements for your specific programme before you apply.
Bachelor’s
Completed or completing secondary/high school education.
- High school diploma
- Academic transcripts
- Passport
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Motivation letter, where required
- Entrance examination or interview for selected programmes
Master’s
Applicant holds a relevant Bachelor’s degree.
- Bachelor’s diploma
- University transcripts
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Programme-specific prerequisites
- Interview, where required
PhD
Applicant holds an appropriate Master’s degree.
- Master’s diploma
- Academic CV
- Research proposal
- Motivation letter
- Academic references
- Prior research or publications, where applicable
- Supervisor or doctoral school requirements
Programmes
Find Your Study Field
Browse by subject area to see the kind of programmes Hungarian universities offer — then let us match you to specific universities.
Business & Management
Economics & Finance
Engineering
Computer Science & IT
Medicine
Dentistry
Health Sciences
Architecture
Social Sciences
International Relations
Arts & Design
Natural Sciences
Agriculture
Humanities
PhD & Research
Prepare Your Application
Prepare Your Application
Your exact document list depends on your programme and university, but most applications begin with a similar core set of documents.
Passport
Valid for the full duration of your studies.
Academic Diploma
Your most recent completed qualification.
Academic Transcript
Official record of subjects and grades.
CV
Academic and, where relevant, work background.
Motivation Letter
Why this programme, why Hungary.
English Language Evidence
IELTS, TOEFL or an accepted alternative.
Passport Photo
Standard format, recent.
Recommendation Letters
From teachers, professors or employers.
Research Proposal
For PhD applications, where applicable.
Portfolio
For selected creative or design programmes.
Additional Programme Documents
Anything specific to your chosen programme.
Language
Do I Need IELTS?
Not necessarily. Hungarian universities accept different forms of English-language evidence depending on the programme and the applicant. Examples include:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Cambridge English qualifications
- Previous education conducted in English
- A university interview or internal language assessment
Assessments
Entrance Exams & Interviews
Some programmes require an additional assessment on top of your documents.
Medicine / Dentistry / Pharmacy
Possible biology or chemistry assessment, and/or an interview.
Engineering
Possible mathematics or physics assessment.
Architecture / Design
Possible portfolio review, drawing or technical assessment.
PhD
Research proposal evaluation and an academic interview.
Exact assessment methods depend on the university and programme.
Step By Step
From Application to Admission
Tell Us About Yourself
Complete an initial profile covering your nationality, education level, academic background, preferred programme, preferred city, budget and intended intake.
Profile Review
Our team reviews your academic profile and identifies study options that realistically match it.
University & Programme Selection
You receive a shortlist of suitable programmes and decide where you’d like to apply.
Document Preparation
We help you organise your application package and flag any documents still missing.
University Application
Your application is submitted according to each university’s own procedure and deadlines.
Assessment, Interview or Exam
Where a programme requires it, you complete the university’s entrance assessment or interview.
Admission Decision
The university issues its decision and, if positive, instructions on tuition payment and further formalities.
Visa / Residence Preparation
If you need permission to study in Hungary, you prepare the applicable residence permit documentation.
Arrival in Hungary
You prepare for travel, accommodation, university registration and settling into student life.
Before You Travel
Preparing to Study in Hungary
Students from outside the EU/EEA may need permission to enter and reside in Hungary for study purposes. Requirements depend on your nationality and individual circumstances. Typical documentation concerns:
- University admission
- Accommodation
- Financial resources
- Health insurance
- Travel documentation
- Tuition or payment documentation
- Any other documents requested by the Hungarian authorities
Budgeting
Cost of Studying in Hungary
Costs vary significantly by city, university and lifestyle. Budapest is generally more expensive than several regional university cities. The main categories to plan for:
Tuition Fees
Varies by university, programme and degree level.
Accommodation
Dormitory, shared flat or private rental.
Food & Daily Expenses
Groceries, meals and everyday costs.
Public Transportation
Often discounted for students.
Health Insurance
Typically required for the duration of your stay.
Study Materials
Books, equipment and programme-specific supplies.
Personal Expenses
Everything else — leisure, travel, extras.
Timing
When Should I Apply?
September Intake
The main academic intake, with the widest selection of programmes and universities.
February Intake
Available for a smaller number of universities and programmes.
Deadlines vary significantly by institution, programme and applicant nationality. We strongly recommend starting your preparation several months before your target university’s deadline — especially if a residence permit process is involved.
Why Hungary
Why Study in Hungary?
European Higher Education
Degrees recognised across the European Higher Education Area.
English-Taught Programmes
A wide range of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes taught fully in English.
International Student Community
A growing, genuinely international student population.
Budapest & Historic University Cities
From the capital to smaller cities with centuries-old academic traditions.
Central European Location
Easy access to travel across Europe during your studies.
Competitive Study Costs
Tuition and living costs that are often lower than in Western Europe.
Our Approach
More Than an Application. A Direction.
Choosing a university abroad isn’t only about receiving an acceptance letter. You need to understand the programme, the university, the city, the financial commitment and what comes after — before you commit. Mobedum is built around informed decision-making, not just applications.
Personalised Programme Matching
We recommend options based on your actual academic profile, not a generic list.
Hungary-Based Support
Our team and knowledge are centred on Hungary, its universities and its procedures.
Transparent Guidance
You understand requirements, costs and processes before you commit to anything.
Application Support
Structured support from programme selection through to submission.
Academic Perspective
Your choices should be based on academic and career goals, not just where a seat is available.
Beyond Admission
We help you understand what comes after acceptance, and prepare for studying and living in Hungary.
A Different Starting Point
The Mobedum Difference
| Traditional Approach | Mobedum |
|---|---|
| “Which university can we place you in?” | “Which programme actually makes sense for you?” |
| Acceptance-focused. | Student-path focused. |
| One-time application. | Application → preparation → transition. |
Where You Could Study
Study Destinations in Hungary
Budapest
The capital — the widest choice of universities and the largest international student community.
Debrecen
A major university city in eastern Hungary, known for medicine and sciences.
Pécs
A historic university town in southern Hungary.
Szeged
A leading research university city on the Hungarian Great Plain.
Győr
A growing city with strong engineering and technical programmes.
Miskolc
An affordable university city in northern Hungary.
Other University Cities
Hungary has several additional cities with established higher education institutions.
Universities
Find Your University in Hungary
Tell us your priorities — degree level, field of study, city, budget, intake and teaching language — and we’ll match you with universities and programmes that fit. Mobedum is an independent education consultancy; we are not an official representative of any specific university unless stated otherwise for a given programme.
Get Started
Where Could You Study?
Tell us about your academic background and study goals. We’ll help you understand your possible next steps.
In your message, please include: your nationality, current country, highest completed education level, preferred degree and field of study, preferred intake, approximate budget and English level. If you already have a CV or transcript ready, mention it and we’ll send you a secure way to share it.
No admission or visa outcome can be guaranteed. Recommendations are based on the information you provide.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study in Hungary in English?
Yes. Many Hungarian universities offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes taught fully in English, alongside Hungarian-taught options.
Do I need IELTS to apply?
Not always. Requirements depend on the university and programme — some accept alternatives such as TOEFL, Cambridge qualifications, prior education in English, or an internal assessment.
When should I start my application?
As early as possible — ideally several months before your target university’s deadline, especially if you will need a residence permit.
Can I apply before receiving my final diploma?
Many universities accept applications from students completing their final year, subject to providing the diploma once issued. This varies by institution.
How much does studying in Hungary cost?
Costs vary by city and university. Tuition, accommodation, food, transport, insurance and personal expenses all factor in — see our cost overview above for typical categories.
Can Mobedum guarantee university admission?
No. Admission decisions are made solely by each university based on its own criteria. We help you build the strongest possible application.
Can Mobedum guarantee a student visa or residence permit?
No. Visa and residence permit decisions are made exclusively by the competent Hungarian authorities. We help you prepare the required documentation.
Are entrance exams required?
For some programmes, yes — particularly medicine, dentistry, architecture and design, and PhD research proposals. Requirements vary by university.
Can I work while studying in Hungary?
International students are often permitted to work part-time during their studies, within limits set by Hungarian regulations and their residence permit conditions. Third-country nationals holding a residence permit for study purposes may currently work up to 30 hours per week during term-time, and no more than 90 days or 66 working days outside term-time. Different rules apply to EU/EEA students, and because these limits are set by the Hungarian authorities they can change, so check the current guidance published by Tempus Public Foundation at studyinhungary.hu.
Which Hungarian city should I choose?
It depends on your programme, budget and the kind of student life you’re looking for — from the scale of Budapest to smaller, more affordable university cities.
Ready to Move Beyond?
Your university journey should start with the right information, not guesswork. Tell us where you are now, and where you want to go.
MOBEDUM — MOVE BEYOND
Study. Discover. Move Beyond.
