Hungary is gradually becoming a popular study destination for international students. Located in Central Europe, Hungary is home to the second largest lake in the world and world heritage sites. The country is also well-known for its high-quality medical degrees.
Its rich cultural heritage, beautiful sites, and social life make Hungary a good study place for international students. If you’re considering studying at a Hungarian university, you might want to get acquainted with the process and requirements. This article covers all you need to know about studying in Hungary from Nigeria.
Essential things to know before studying in Hungary
Below are few things to know about your place of study. This will enable you to adjust easily to the city.
Their currency is different from other European countries
While Hungary is a European country, you can’t purchase goods and services in Euros. Hungary’s official currency is Forint (Ft). Though you can pay for services with Euro in some cases, Forint is mostly preferred. The cost of living in Hungary is a lot cheaper than in other Eastern European countries.
Students enjoy discounts
Hungarian students enjoy discounts on many services like public transport and cinema tickets. With their student cards, they can pay for services at sports venues and get a discount of up to 50% off the transport fees.
You’ll need to obtain a health insurance
Hungarian universities prioritise their student’s health. Hence it’s imperative for students to get health insurance. This is vital in case of an emergency or illness.
Students need to secure accommodation
While you’re making plans to study abroad, you’ll need to search for accommodation. Some universities may provide accommodation for students. Others can help the student secure accommodation. Find out if your university has an Erasmus student network (ESN) section. Erasmus will help you with accommodation and any other issues you might have. Check here for hostel reservations.
Steps to study in Hungary
Choose a program and university
This is probably the first step in pursuing your study abroad. Degree programs in Hungary follow the Bologna process. The international standard conforms to the standard of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in other countries. Depending on your preferred course, university education often lasts 4 to 6 years. PhD programs take 3 years to complete. Also, explore the list of universities that offer the course. You may end up with a shortlist of 2 or more schools. Some top-ranked schools in Hungary include International Business School, University of Szeged, etc.
Meet the university’s requirements
When applying to a school in Hungary, you need to prepare your paperwork. Ensure you sort all the documents required. Here’s a list of documents needed for admission processing in Hungarian institutions.
- High-school or Bachelor’s diploma
- Academic transcripts (translated into English)
- Copies of diplomas (translated into English)
- Letter of motivation
- Copy of personal ID or passport
- academic reference letter(s) i.e recommendation letter, etc.
- Updated CV or resume
- An online interview (on Skype, Zoom)
Depending on the university and program, you may need to prove your language proficiency through tests like PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic. As a Nigerian student, you may ask for a reference letter from your lecturer, proving your English proficiency and stating that your undergraduate studies were English-taught. In addition, ensure you consult the admission office or university website for specific requirements.
Submit your application
You can apply to universities via their online portals. Furthermore, you may have to pay for application fee ranging from 100 to 150 EURO. Complete the application form online, attach all the necessary documents and submit. Based on the university’s requirements, you may need to mail the documents to them.
Anticipate your admission
Typically, universities upload or mail admission results or lists to prospective candidates. As a non-EU citizen, you might be asked to pay tuition fees for the first semester. The university will also send your acceptance level, admission confirmation for visa purposes, and other documents that will aid your studying in Hungary.
Process your student visa
After you’ve been granted admission, you can proceed with the visa application process. As a Non-EU citizen, you should start processing your visa early. The application process may take about 1 to 3 months. You can apply for a student visa at the embassy of Hungary in Abuja, Nigeria. You can send your application and required documents via mail to the Centre for Communications. Except you pay the registration fee of 100 EUR, your application won’t be considered.
Visa application requirements
Below are the application documents for your visa processing.
- Duly signed and completed the application form, which you can download here.
- Officially certified copy/copies of high school or university degree/degrees (in English);
- Officially certified copy of the Transcript of Records of previous studies (including the list of complete courses/subjects and the results) (in English);
- Certificate of English proficiency, which can be the following:
- A certified copy of TOEFL iBT certificate with a minimum score of 60;
- Officially certified copy of IELTS certificate with a minimum score of 5.5;
- Officially certified copy of intermediate level English language certificate issued by any language centres accredited by the Hungarian Educational Authority Accreditation Centre for Foreign Language Examinations.
- If the applicant completed their previous studies in an institution where instruction is English, they might present an original Attestation of Language Proficiency.
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Officially certified copy of the valid passport (with the place and date of expiration) OR in case of EU-citizenship officially certified copy of valid ID card or driving licence;
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CV in English;
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Motivation letter in English;
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4 passport-sized photographs taken on a white background
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Verification of the bank transfer of the registration fee for application, which is 100 EUR (non-refundable fee);
It’s advised you book your visa appointment in advance, preferably 6 months before your planned date of travel. You can book appointments via Konzinfo Booking System
Prepare to travel
Congratulations! You’ve been admitted to the university, and your visa is ready. Get prepared to fulfil your dream of studying abroad. Consider your accommodation, cost of living and transportation in Hungary. Upon arriving in Hungary, you will need to obtain your residence permit. It’s expected you apply for your permit within 15 days of arrival. An unforgettable experience awaits you in Hungary!
