Stipendium Hungaricum: funding, eligibility and deadlines

What the funding covers

Tuition-free study at a Hungarian university.
A monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 (about €110) for bachelor's, master's and one-tier master's students, paid 12 months a year.
Doctoral students receive HUF 140,000 a month (about €355) in the first four semesters and HUF 180,000 (about €460) in the last four.
A free dormitory place, or HUF 40,000 a month towards rent.
Medical insurance under Hungarian rules plus supplementary cover of up to HUF 65,000 a year.

Citizens of countries with an educational cooperation agreement with Hungary. Your country's 'sending partner' (usually a ministry) must nominate you.
Each sending partner sets its own rules — such as age limits, eligible levels and fields — so read your country's page on the Stipendium Hungaricum site.
Applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the programmes they choose; many are taught in English.

Between November and December, choose up to two programmes and read your sending partner's requirements.
Submit the online application by the deadline — for 2026/27 it was 15 January 2026 at 2 pm CET — and apply through your sending partner if it runs its own process.
In February, sending partners nominate candidates; between March and May, universities hold entrance exams or interviews.
Results are announced in June for a September start.

The stipend is deliberately described as only a contribution to living expenses. At about €110 a month, you will need savings or support to live comfortably.
Some sending partners have their own earlier deadlines or extra forms. Missing their step disqualifies you even if the main form is submitted.
Nomination by your sending partner does not guarantee a place; the university's entrance exam decides.

Counting back from the next typical deadline (Jan 15, 2027). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.

Oct 23, 2026Research the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document

Nov 6, 2026Ask your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)

Nov 20, 2026Write the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose

Dec 4, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test

Dec 18, 2026Second draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically

Jan 1, 2027Finalise every document and complete the online form

Jan 8, 2027Submit — never on the last day

Jan 15, 2027Typical deadline

Page reviewed Sep 24, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.