Higher Education in HungaryHungary has a well-respected higher education system of public and private
universities and colleges which offer a broad array of subjects. Over the last
two decades, higher education reform has resulted in improved quality and
accessibility throughout the system. The Ministry of Education and Culture
oversees higher education in the country and the Hungarian Accreditation
Committee evaluates the quality of the institutions. All public and private
institutions that award degrees must be accredited. Hungarian students apply to higher education institutions through a
centralized Hungarian university application system. Admission decisions and are
based on a point system where students are awarded points for secondary school
grades, secondary school final exam scores and in some cases, practical exam
scores. Bonus points are awarded for achievements in academic, artistic and
sports competitions. Some schools also require entrance examinations to be taken
for some programs. Each year, Hungary determines the number of students who can study as
"state-funded" students which means they only pay minimal fees. Students are
chosen based on academic achievement. Scholarships are available to some
students based on need and/or academic abilities and student loans are also
available. Tuition paying students at state-funded universities and colleges pay
reasonable tuition and fees when compared with the US. Types of Schools and DegreesHigher education is provided by universities which typically offer a broad
array of subjects, and by colleges that specialize in a limited number of
subject areas. Universities can award doctoral degrees, whereas colleges can
only award bachelor's and master's degrees. As of 2010, there were 19 state
universities, 6 private universities, 10 state colleges and 33 private colleges.
Many of the private institutions are religious institutions which receive some
public funding. Hungary implemented the Bologna Agreement in 2006. This agreement
standardized higher education degree programs across Europe. Bachelor's degrees
can be earned in three to four years, master's degrees in one to two additional
years, and unified master's degree in fields such as medicine, dentistry and law
can be earned in five to six years. Doctor of Liberal Arts degrees and PhD
degrees can be earned in an additional three years. International StudentsThe number of foreign students studying in Hungary has been increasing by
five percent annually in recent years, reaching over 16, 000 students in the
2008-2009 school year. About 88 percent of these students were in full-time
programs, with large numbers enrolled in unified master's programs in medicine
as well as in technology and engineering programs. Students may also study in
Hungary through a significant number of exchange programs available in various
countries. Many programs are available in English, German and French. Students can apply through the Hungary university application system or
directly to the university. Students coming from outside the European Union will
need to obtain a D-5 visa which can take several months to obtain. Tuition fees
for international students are reasonable compared with the US and are only
somewhat more expensive for non-European Union students than for those coming
from within the EU. About HungaryHungary is a country of about 10 million people located in Central Europe.
The official language is Hungarian but various parts of the population speak
German, Romanian, Slovene, Serb and Croatian and many also speak English as a
second language. Although a member of the European Union, Hungary has not yet
met the financial requirements which would allow it to use the Euro currency. It
became a democracy in 1989 after decades of Communist rule. Hungary's economy is continually growing and receives a substantial amount of
foreign investment. Luxury vehicle production, renewable energy systems, tourism
and information technology are all important components of its economy. Hungary
is well-known for its spa culture which has its basis in 1500 thermal springs
and 450 public baths which are fed by them. ResourcesMinistry
of National Resources: Education
Study in Hungary government website Hungarian
Accreditation Committee
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