In 2026, Hungary is a top choice for “Beginners,” or students who may not know much about the Hungarian language or who are just starting their studies abroad. The main Stipendium Hungaricum program is designed for beginners. The program includes a mandatory “preparatory year” to help you acclimate before starting your degree.
1. Stipendium Hungaricum, or “The Gold Standard”
This is the most prestigious “Full-Ride” scholarship for students from other countries. It’s excellent for beginners because you can choose between degrees taught in English or a year of language study.
- The Prize: 100% Paid for.
- Benefits include a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend (about HUF 43,700 for BA/MA and up to HUF 180,000 for PhD), free housing or a contribution to housing costs (HUF 40,000 per month), and health insurance.
- The “Beginner” Pathway: If you want to study in Hungarian but don’t know the language, you can sign up for a one-year Hungarian Language Preparatory Course.
- 2026/2027 Status: The last day to apply for the September 2026 intake was January 15, 2026.
- 2027/2028 Intake: The next cycle’s portal will open in November 2026.
2. Scholarship for Hungarians living abroad
Specifically for students from the Hungarian diaspora who want to learn more about their culture.
- The Award: Like the Stipendium Hungaricum, it includes tuition, a stipend, and housing.
- You must show that you are of Hungarian descent. You can start as a beginner, but you have to promise to learn Hungarian while you’re there and pass a B2 exam by the end.
- The deadline for applications for the 2026/2027 school year was February 2, 2026.
3. Scholarships from Central European University (CEU)
CEU is a world-class school for the social sciences and humanities with campuses in Budapest and Vienna. CEU offers all classes in English, making it ideal for beginners who are not yet prepared to study in Hungarian.
- The Award: Full or partial tuition waivers and monthly payments.
- Master’s Excellence: About €1,000 a month.
- Doctoral Scholarship: About €1,350 a month.
- 2026 Status: The main deadline for applications for 2026/2027 was February 4, 2026.
- Status: Keep an eye out for “Late Application” windows or the start of the 2027 cycle in October 2026.
4. How to Avoid the “Hungarian Prep Year” in 2026
If you want to start your degree right away without learning Hungarian:
- Select from over 900 programmes that offer instruction in English. Universities such as the University of Debrecen, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), and Corvinus offer these programs.
- Medium of Instruction (MOI): If you got your last degree in English (like in Nigeria, Ghana, or India), you can often skip the IELTS/TOEFL requirement by getting an official MOI letter.
- If you are a beginner in Hungarian but speak English well, a B2 certificate (IELTS 6.0+) is usually all you need to get in right away.
5. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- The last day to apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum 2026 is January 15, 2026.
- February 4, 2026: The last day to apply for CEU scholarships.
- May – June 2026: Entrance exams and interviews for people who want to apply in 2026.
- The last day to arrive and enrol in Hungary for the 2026/2027 school year is September 30, 2026.
- The Stipendium Hungaricum 2027/2028 portal opens in November 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Stipendium Hungaricum Language Preparatory Course is the best way for beginners to fully experience European culture while getting a “Full-Ride.” The English-track programmes at ELTE or Corvinus are the quickest ways to obtain a head start on your studies. Your Motivation Letter should be the main focus of your application, since Hungarian committees like students who are genuinely interested in Hungary’s unique cultural and historical position in Central Europe.
