Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026/2027 (Study in Hungary)

Applications are now open for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme 2026/2027, offering international students the opportunity to pursue higher education in Hungary. This prestigious scholarship programme is available for bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, non-degree preparatory courses, and postgraduate specialist training programmes across nearly 900 study programmes at 30 Hungarian universities. The application deadline is January 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM (CET).

The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is a funded scholarship that covers tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend of approximately EUR 110, and offers accommodation support. While the scholarship significantly reduces the financial burden of studying in Hungary, students should note that it provides a contribution to living expenses rather than full coverage, meaning additional personal funds will be necessary.

This scholarship is open to citizens of over 100 partner countries across five continents who are nominated by their country’s responsible education authority. Applicants must be at least 18 years old by August 31, 2026, and meet the language proficiency requirements set by their chosen host institution. Study programmes are primarily offered in English, with some programmes also available in Hungarian, German, and French.

There is no application fee for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. Applicants are strongly advised to apply directly through the official online application system and avoid any agencies that may charge fees for assistance. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Host Country: Hungary
• Number of Institutions: 30 Hungarian higher education institutions
• Number of Programmes: Approximately 900 study programmes
• Study Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, One-Tier Master’s, Non-Degree Preparatory, Postgraduate Specialist Training
• Application Deadline: January 15, 2026, 2:00 PM (Central European Time)
• Eligible Countries: Over 100 partner countries (citizens must apply through their home country)
• Age Requirement: Born on or before August 31, 2008 (minimum 18 years old)
• Application Fee: None (Free to apply)

Scholarship Coverage

• Tuition Fee: Fully covered (100% tuition waiver)
• Monthly Stipend: HUF 43,700 (approximately EUR 110) for 12 months per year
• Accommodation: Free dormitory place OR HUF 40,000/month (approximately EUR 100) contribution
• Medical Insurance: Health care services plus supplementary insurance up to HUF 65,000 (approximately EUR 165) per year

Important Financial Note:

The scholarship provides a contribution to living expenses in Hungary, not full coverage. Students must have additional financial resources to cover complete living costs. Accommodation contribution may not cover full rental costs in larger cities, especially Budapest.

Available Study Levels

The scholarship covers the following educational levels:

1. Bachelor’s Programmes

• Duration: 2-4 years (full-time) or 1-2 semesters (exchange)
• Qualification: BA or BSc degree

2. Master’s Programmes

• Duration: 1-2 years (full-time) or 1-2 semesters (exchange)
• Qualification: MA or MSc degree

3. One-Tier Master’s Programmes

• Duration: 5-6 years (full-time) or 1-2 semesters (exchange)
• Qualification: MA or MSc degree

4. Non-Degree Programmes

• Type: Hungarian language preparatory course
• Duration: 1 year (full-time only)
• Qualification: Certificate

Check also: Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 (Round 21) – Fully Funded

5. Postgraduate Specialist Training

• Duration: 1-2 years (full-time) or 1-2 semesters (exchange)
• Qualification: Certificate

Note: This application is for bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, non-degree, and postgraduate specialist training courses only. Doctoral programmes have a separate application process.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a citizen of one of the partner countries (see list below)
• Be nominated by your country’s responsible authority
• Be born on or before August 31, 2008 (at least 18 years old by August 31, 2026)
• Meet language proficiency requirements for your chosen programme
• Apply only for scholarship types available to your country

Best opportunity: CERN Administrative Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Eligible Countries

Full-Time Programmes Available From:

Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, China (PRC and ROC), Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq (including Kurdish Region), Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Republic of Srpska

Plus: Ibero-American General Secretariat member states and Pacific Alliance member states

Exchange/Partial Studies Also Available From:

Brazil and all countries listed above (except some exclusions – check the official list)

Check this: NL Scholarships for BS and MS 2026-2027: Study in the Netherlands

Who CANNOT Apply

You are NOT eligible if you:

• Are a Hungarian citizen or hold dual Hungarian citizenship
• Are a refugee, asylum-seeker, or have long-term residence status in Hungary
• Have citizenship different from your sending country
• Are under 18 years old on August 31, 2026 (except Dance programme applicants)
• Are currently applying for doctoral studies in the same application round
• Are a self-financed student at a Hungarian institution applying for a lower level programme
• Previously received Stipendium Hungaricum for full degree studies and are reapplying for the same or lower education level
• Were awarded the scholarship in 2023/24, 2024/25, or 2025/26 but didn’t start studies or notify the foundation
• Have postponed your scholarship but didn’t travel to Hungary or notify the foundation

Also Check: SFI Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) Program 2026

Available Study Programmes

Programme Options

• Number of institutions: 30 Hungarian universities
• Number of programmes: Approximately 900 programmes
• Languages available: Mainly English, plus Hungarian, German, and French

How to Find Programmes

Access the complete list of available programmes through the online application system: https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu/

Important: You can only apply for programmes available to your specific country. Check your country’s available study fields at: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/partners/

Selecting Your Programmes

• You can apply for up to TWO programmes in order of preference
• Both programmes can be at the same or different institutions
• Your first choice has priority during selection
• You cannot change your selected programmes or their order after the deadline

Tip: Apply for two programmes to increase your chances of success!

Check also: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026/27 (Fully Funded)

Language Requirements

You must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements set by your chosen institution. Each programme lists its specific language requirements in the online application system.

Language Options

• English (most common)
• Hungarian
• German
• French

Application Timeline

• January 15, 2026, 2:00 PM (CET) – Application deadline (submission to Tempus Public Foundation AND Sending Partner)
• February 28, 2026 – Recommendation letter deadline (for self-financed students only)
• March 15, 2026 – First selection: Technical check and nomination process
• March – May 2026 – Second selection: Institutional admission procedures
• Late June/Mid-July 2026 – Notification of selection results
• July – August 2026 – Visa application process
• July – August 2026 – Arrival to Hungary

Required Documents

All documents must be uploaded to the online application system by January 15, 2026, 2:00 PM. Maximum file size: 4 MB.

1. Online Application Form

• Complete all sections in English
• Upload recent photo (taken within 2 years)
• Exchange students: clearly state study length (in months) and start date

2. Motivation Letter

• Minimum 1 page
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
• Language: Written in the language of your chosen programme or Hungarian

3. Proof of Language Proficiency

• Scanned copy of language certificate
• Minimum level determined by host institution
• Translation if not in programme language or Hungarian
• Alternative: If you completed previous studies in the programme language, proof can be submitted until September 30, 2026

4. Academic Certificates and Transcripts

For Bachelor’s Programmes:

• Secondary school graduation certificate and translation
• Complete transcript of records and translation

For Master’s Programmes:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate and translation
• Complete transcript of records and translation

For One-Tier Master’s:

• Secondary school graduation certificate and translation
• Complete transcript of records and translation

Also check: ISTA PhD Program 2026 in Austria (Fully Funded)

For Non-Degree/Preparatory Programmes:

• Secondary school graduation certificate and translation
• Complete transcript of records and translation

For Exchange/Partial Studies:

• Student status certificate from current institution (if required)
• Must confirm student status will continue during exchange
• Translation if not in programme language or Hungarian

5. Copy of Identification Document

• Passport data page (preferred), OR
• National ID card showing photo and personal data

6. Statement for Application

• Must be accepted through the online system
• No scanned/signed copy needed
• Appears after registration in the system

7. Medical Certificate

• Only for scholarship recipients
• Must be issued between November 1, 2025 and your arrival
• Signed by a physician
• Do NOT upload – bring to Hungary for compulsory medical examination
• Nominated applicants should start this process after receiving nomination results

Check also: Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2026: PhD Sandwich Program

How to Apply

1. Register in the Online System: Visit: apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu

2. Complete Your Application

• Fill out all required information
• Upload all required documents
• Select your study programmes (up to 2)

3. Submit Your Application

• Important: Applications must be SUBMITTED, not just saved
• Deadline: January 15, 2026, 2:00 PM Central European Time

4. Apply Through Your Sending Partner

• Also submit your application to your country’s responsible authority
• Check your country’s specific requirements
• They may require hard copies

Important Notes

• No hard copies required for Tempus Public Foundation
• No application fees – beware of agencies charging fees
• Download the application guide from: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/
• Read the “Dos and Don’ts” document carefully

Selection Process

Round 1: Technical Check and Nomination (January – February 2026)

Step 1: Technical Check by Tempus Public Foundation

Your application is checked for:

• Basic eligibility criteria (age, citizenship, previous scholarships)
• Available scholarship types for your country
• Required documents uploaded
• Statement for Application accepted

Step 2: Nomination by Sending Partner

• Eligible applications forwarded to your country’s authority
• Sending Partner conducts selection and pre-selection
• Nomination list (including reserve list) sent to Tempus Public Foundation by February 28, 2026

Only nominated applicants proceed to Round 2

Round 2: Institutional Evaluation (March – May 2026)

Step 1: Formal Document Check

Host institutions verify:

• All documents meet requirements
• Minimum entry requirements are met

Step 2: Entrance Examinations

• Each applicant can take up to 2 entrance exams (for their selected programmes)
• Exact dates and methods vary by institution
• You’ll be contacted directly by institutions

Examination Timeline:

• First choice programmes: March 18 – April 30, 2026 (indicative)
• Second choice programmes: March 18 – May 20, 2026 (indicative)

Scoring:

• 100-point scale
• Minimum required: 56 points
• Below 56 points = no scholarship offer

Special Note for Medical Programmes:

Due to high competition and limited places, most medical schools fill all scholarships during first-choice evaluations. Second-choice applicants for medical programmes have very limited chances.

Also Check: Amgen Scholars Asia Program 2026 at NUS (Fully Funded)

Automatic Rejection Reasons

Your application will be automatically rejected if you:

• Don’t submit (only save) your application by the deadline
• Are a Hungarian citizen or hold dual Hungarian citizenship
• Have a different citizenship than your sending country
• Were born after August 31, 2008 (except Dance applicants)
• Submit multiple applications or use multiple accounts
• Apply through more than one sending partner
• Don’t accept the Statement for Application
• Fall under non-eligibility criteria (previous scholarship holders in certain cases)
• Were awarded scholarship for 2023/24, 2024/25, or 2025/26 but didn’t start or notify
• Provide false information

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply if I’m already studying in Hungary as a self-financed student?

A: It depends. You cannot apply for the same or lower level of education than your current studies.

Q: Do I need to pay any application fees?

A: No. The programme is free. Be cautious of agencies asking for fees.

Q: Can I change my selected programmes after submission?

A: No. You cannot modify programmes, study language, study mode, or order of preference after the deadline.

Q: What if I don’t have a passport yet?

A: You can upload your national ID card during application.

Q: Is the scholarship enough to cover all living expenses?

A: No. The scholarship is a contribution. You’ll need additional financial resources.

Good luck with your application!