Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary's flagship international scholarship programme, covering full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. It's one of the most generous offers in Central Europe — and one of the most misunderstood in terms of how to actually apply.
Who can apply?
The scholarship is open to students from over 80 partner countries. You apply through the sending partner in your home country — typically your national ministry of education or a designated government body — not directly to a Hungarian university. This is the step most applicants miss.
⚠️ You cannot apply directly to Stipendium Hungaricum online. Your application must go through your country's sending partner first.
Key deadlines
The application window typically opens in October and closes in January for the following academic year. Exact dates vary by sending partner, so check your country's ministry of education website early — some partners set earlier internal deadlines than the programme's official cut-off.
What you need to prepare
- Completed online application on the Stipendium Hungaricum portal (stipendiumhungaricum.hu)
- Motivation letter (typically 1–2 pages, in English)
- CV / résumé
- Certified copy of your highest diploma and transcripts
- Language certificate (English B2 minimum for most programmes)
- Medical certificate confirming you are fit to study
- Two reference letters from academic supervisors
- Passport copy (valid for the duration of study)
Choosing your universities
The portal lets you select up to two programmes at two different Hungarian universities. Research your options carefully — Budapest universities (ELTE, BME, Corvinus) are competitive, while universities in Debrecen, Pécs, and Miskolc often have more available spots in the same fields.
Common mistakes
- Submitting directly to the Stipendium portal without going through the sending partner first
- Uploading uncertified document copies
- Selecting programmes that don't match your undergraduate field (important for masters applications)
- Missing the sending partner's internal deadline, which may be weeks before the official one
After you apply
Shortlisted candidates are usually notified by March or April. If selected, the university will contact you directly with an admission offer. Once you accept, the scholarship administration handles your residence permit paperwork before you arrive.
📎 Official portal: stipendiumhungaricum.hu