Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2027/28: Complete Guide

Quick Answer

The Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian government’s fully funded scholarship for international students from 80+ partner countries. It covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation support, and medical insurance for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD study at Hungarian universities.

Approximately 5,000 scholarships are awarded each year from over 113,800 applications — a record for the 2026/27 cycle. The 2027/28 cycle is expected to open in November 2026, with an expected deadline of 15 January 2027 and studies beginning in September 2027. Applications must go through your home country’s Sending Partner — you cannot apply directly to Hungarian universities.

👉 Start with the Key Facts table below before diving into the full guide.

• All study levels covered. Unlike many scholarships that only fund master’s or PhD study, SH funds bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, PhD, non-degree, and postgraduate specialist training.
• Massive scale. Approximately 5,000 scholarships are awarded each year — far more than Rhodes, Knight-Hennessy, or Clarendon combined.
• Free to apply. There is no application fee at any stage, including the university application.
• A two-step process. You must apply through the online portal AND be nominated by your Sending Partner — both steps are mandatory.
• Partial studies option. You can apply for short exchange programmes (1–2 semesters) in addition to full degree study.
• No age limit. There is no upper age restriction for the central programme, though you must be at least 18 by 31 August of the enrolment year.

1. No Application Fee

Unlike almost every other fully funded scholarship, the Stipendium Hungaricum is completely free to apply. There is no application fee for the university, no fee for the scholarship portal, and no cost for the nomination process. This removes a major barrier for applicants from lower-income backgrounds.

2. All Study Levels Accepted

Most fully funded scholarships are limited to master’s or PhD study. Stipendium Hungaricum funds bachelor’s too — making it one of the few fully funded scholarships in Europe available to high school graduates.

3. Widest Country Eligibility

With 80+ eligible countries, SH is far more accessible than Rhodes (constituency-based) or SI (34 countries). If your country has a bilateral agreement with Hungary, you are eligible to apply.

4. Affordable European Education

Hungary offers European Union-recognised degrees at a fraction of the cost of Western European universities. The tuition is covered by the scholarship, and living costs in Hungary are significantly lower than in the UK, Sweden, or Switzerland.

5. Large Volume of Scholarships

Approximately 5,000 scholarships are awarded each year. Compare that to Rhodes (~100), Knight-Hennessy (~84), or SI (~189) — and it is clear why SH has far more successful applicants each year.

✅ Core Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of one of the 80+ eligible partner countries. Proof is your passport.
• Age: Must be at least 18 years old by 31 August 2027 (no upper age limit).
• Academic (Bachelor’s): Completed secondary school (high school diploma or equivalent).
• Academic (Master’s): Recognised Bachelor’s degree (at least 180 ECTS) in a relevant field.
• Academic (PhD): Recognised Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Language: Programme-specific English requirements (typically IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 72–90 for English-taught programmes, though some programmes accept a certificate of English-medium instruction).
• Nomination: Must be nominated by your home country’s Sending Partner.
• No pending applications: You cannot have a pending application for other Hungarian scholarships at the same time.
• No previous SH scholarship: Applicants who have already received a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship at the same level are not eligible.

⚠️ Sending Partner Requirements

This is where most applicants get disqualified. Sending Partners (usually the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Foreign Affairs) set additional criteria that can include:

• Age limits (some partners cap at 25 or 30).
• Minimum GPA requirements (often 3.0/4.0 or equivalent).
• Specific field-of-study priorities (e.g., STEM, health, agriculture).
• Work experience requirements for master’s applicants.
• Language test requirements (some partners require IELTS 6.5+).
• Interviews (some partners conduct their own selection interviews before nominating).

⚠️ Critical: You cannot apply for Stipendium Hungaricum if your country does not have a bilateral agreement with Hungary. Check the official partner country list before preparing your application.

What It Does NOT Cover: Visa and residence permit fees, personal expenses beyond the stipend, family/dependant costs, and any additional programme-specific costs (e.g., lab materials, field trips).

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: The monthly stipend (HUF 43,700 for most levels) is a contribution, not full coverage. Rent alone in Budapest can cost HUF 60,000–120,000/month for a private room. If you do not receive a dormitory place, expect to supplement the stipend from savings or family support. Many scholars also take on part-time work or tutoring.

The three stages: (1) Online application via the Stipendium Hungaricum portal (DreamApply), (2) Nomination by your country’s Sending Partner, and (3) Institutional admission at your chosen Hungarian university (often with an entrance exam or interview). Completing only one of these steps disqualifies you.

Step 1 — Prepare Your Documents

Before you start the online application, gather:

• Passport (valid for at least 18 months)
• Academic transcripts and certificates (translated to English or Hungarian)
• Language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, where required)
• Motivation letter (1–2 pages)
• Statement of Application (structured statement combining motivation and programme choice)
• Europass CV
• Medical certificate
• Two recommendation letters (some programmes)
• Portfolio (for arts programmes)

Step 2 — Submit the Online Application

Register on the Stipendium Hungaricum application portal (apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu) and complete the online form. You can apply for up to two study programmes in your application, ranked by priority. Upload all required documents and submit by the deadline (expected 15 January 2027 at 2:00 PM CET). There is no application fee.

Step 3 — Secure Sending Partner Nomination

After submitting your online application, your file is forwarded to your country’s Sending Partner. The Sending Partner reviews all applications and nominates a shortlist to the Hungarian government. This step is mandatory — without nomination, your application is not considered. Some Sending Partners have their own additional deadlines and requirements, so contact them early.

Step 4 — Institutional Admission Process

If you are nominated by your Sending Partner, your application is forwarded to the Hungarian universities you selected. Each university reviews your file and may invite you to an entrance exam or interview (online). This stage typically runs from mid-March to end of May. Some universities use written tests, others use video interviews, and some rely purely on your documents.

Step 5 — Final Decision

The Tempus Public Foundation makes final decisions based on the university’s admission recommendation and the Sending Partner’s nomination. Final results are announced between end of June and mid-July 2027. Successful applicants receive an official decision letter through the online portal.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: Contact your Sending Partner in October or November — before the online portal opens. Ask them for their specific criteria, deadlines, and any internal pre-selection processes. Some partners require an additional application or interview that is separate from the SH portal.

⚠️ Critical: The expected 15 January 2027 deadline is strict. The portal closes automatically at 2:00 PM CET — no extensions, no late submissions. Missing it means waiting another full year for the next cycle.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: Acceptance rates vary dramatically by country. Applicants from countries with fewer applicants and more allocated slots face much better odds. Some Sending Partners nominate fewer candidates than their allocated quota — meaning everyone nominated gets funded. Check your country’s historical nomination rate before applying.

1. Choose the Right Programmes

You can apply for up to two study programmes. Choose strategically — pick at least one where your academic background is a strong match. Avoid applying to two programmes at the same university, as this limits your options. Consider programmes at different universities to spread your risk. A common strategic mix is one programme at a Budapest university and one at a regional university where competition is lower.

2. Write a Strong Motivation Letter

Your motivation letter is the most important document in your application. It should explain: why this specific programme, why Hungary, why now, and how the degree fits into your career or development plans. Be specific — generic statements about “international experience” and “quality education” will not survive the first review. Name specific professors, courses, or research areas you want to engage with.

3. Prepare for the Entrance Exam

Many Hungarian universities conduct entrance exams or interviews online. These can range from subject-specific tests to general knowledge assessments. Prepare by reviewing your academic subject, practising English interview skills, and researching the university’s research focus. Some universities (especially medical schools) have competitive, high-stakes exams — plan accordingly.

4. Engage Early with Your Sending Partner

Contact your Sending Partner (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or designated agency) in October or November — before the portal opens. Ask for their specific criteria, internal deadlines, and any pre-selection processes. Some partners require a separate application or interview before they will nominate you.

5. Ensure Your Documents Are Complete

The technical check is the first filter. Incomplete applications are rejected before anyone reads them. Double-check: passport validity, translations of transcripts, language test scores, medical certificate, and any programme-specific documents (portfolios, research proposals, etc.).

6. Submit Early

The portal closes at 2:00 PM CET on the deadline date. In the final 48 hours before the deadline, the portal slows dramatically. Submit at least 5–7 days early to avoid technical failures or upload issues.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: Reach out to current or former Stipendium Hungaricum scholars from your country. They can tell you exactly what their Sending Partner looked for and how they prepared for the university entrance exam. Facebook groups, university alumni networks, and LinkedIn are good places to find them.

1. Assuming the Online Application Alone Is Enough

The online application is only the first step. You must also be nominated by your Sending Partner and admitted by a Hungarian university. Many applicants submit the online form and then wait — only to discover they also needed to contact their Sending Partner directly.

2. Missing the Sending Partner’s Additional Deadline

Some Sending Partners require their own separate application or interview before the SH portal deadline. If you do not complete this step, your file is never nominated — even if you submitted the SH application on time.

3. Submitting a Generic Motivation Letter

The motivation letter is read by both your Sending Partner and the Hungarian university. A generic letter — the same one you used for another scholarship — will not survive the review. Customise it for each programme and for Hungary specifically.

4. Applying to Two Ineligible Programmes

You can apply for up to two programmes. Choose carefully — both should be genuine matches for your academic background. Applying to two programmes you are not qualified for wastes both slots.

5. Ignoring the Entrance Exam

Some applicants assume that being nominated by their Sending Partner guarantees admission. It does not. The university’s entrance exam is a separate filter. Prepare for it seriously.

6. Submitting Incomplete Documents

The technical check eliminates applications with missing documents. Make sure your passport is valid, your transcripts are translated, your language test scores are uploaded, and your medical certificate is current.

7. Waiting Until the Deadline

The portal slows dramatically in the final 48 hours. Submit at least 5–7 days early to avoid technical failures or upload issues.

8. Assuming the Stipend Covers Everything

The monthly stipend (HUF 43,700 for most levels) is a contribution, not full living coverage. Plan for supplemental funding if you do not receive a dormitory place.

Key takeaways: Stipendium Hungaricum awards ~50x more scholarships than Knight-Hennessy or Rhodes, making it statistically the most accessible of the major fully funded scholarships. It is also the only one on this list that funds bachelor’s degrees and has no application fee. However, the monthly stipend is much lower than Clarendon, KHS, or Rhodes — making it a “tuition + contribution” model rather than full cost-of-living coverage.

💡 LearnViaHub Tip: You can apply for Stipendium Hungaricum and other scholarships in the same cycle. There is no rule against applying to multiple fully funded scholarships. If you are also applying to Oxford, consider the Clarendon Fund. If you are also applying to Sweden, consider the SI Scholarship. For a full list of options, see our fully funded scholarships guide.

Your Stipendium Hungaricum Action Plan

1. Confirm your country’s eligibility. Check the partner country list on stipendiumhungaricum.hu.
2. Contact your Sending Partner early. Reach out in September or October 2026 to ask for their criteria, deadlines, and internal processes.
3. Identify 2 programmes that match your background. Review Hungarian university offerings and choose strategically.
4. Prepare your documents in advance. Passport, transcripts, language test scores, medical certificate, and motivation letter.
5. Draft a strong motivation letter. Specific, personal, and focused on why Hungary and why this programme.
6. Prepare for the entrance exam. Many universities require an online exam or interview — start preparing in January 2027.
7. Submit the online application by mid-January 2027. Do not wait until the final day.
8. Apply for parallel scholarships. Consider Clarendon, SI Scholarship, Rhodes, and Knight-Hennessy. For a full list of options, see our fully funded scholarships guide.

📋 Sources & Methodology

This guide was compiled from official Stipendium Hungaricum programme guidelines (stipendiumhungaricum.hu), Tempus Public Foundation publications, Sending Partner handbooks, Hungarian university admission pages, and published application statistics for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 cycles.

Eligibility rules, deadlines, and funding amounts are set by the Hungarian government and reviewed annually. Dates and figures marked as “expected” for the 2027/28 cycle are based on the confirmed annual pattern from previous cycles and have not yet been confirmed by the Tempus Public Foundation. Application statistics vary by source — figures marked as ranges or “~” reflect published estimates.

Rhodes Scholarship’s ~0.7% acceptance rate cited in the comparison table is a commonly-cited estimate based on ~100 scholars selected from an estimated ~14,000 global applicants; the Rhodes Trust does not publish official applicant totals. Rates for all comparison scholarships are approximate and not perfectly apples-to-apples across programmes. Always confirm current details on the official Stipendium Hungaricum portal before applying.