The Hungary Government Bilateral State Scholarships are fully funded scholarships for international students from specific countries. They cover tuition fees and provide a monthly stipend for studying Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhDs, or short courses in Hungary. You usually apply through your home country’s scholarship office by February every year.
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Details of Hungary Government Bilateral State Scholarships
Dreaming of studying in the heart of Europe? Hungary offers amazing universities, rich history, and beautiful cities like Budapest. But studying abroad can cost a lot of money. Don’t worry! Hungary has fantastic scholarship programs to help international students like you. The best part? Some cover everything – your tuition, living costs, and more! This article explains the top 5 scholarships in Hungary in super simple English, focusing especially on the Hungary Government Bilateral State Scholarships.
We’ll compare them so you can see which one might be perfect for you. Let’s dive in!
What Are the Hungary Government Bilateral State Scholarships?
Imagine two countries shaking hands and saying, “Let’s help each other’s students learn!” That’s the idea behind Bilateral State Scholarships. Hungary has special agreements with many other countries around the world. Because of these friendly agreements, Hungary offers scholarships to students from those partner countries.
These scholarships are managed in Hungary by an organization called Tempus Public Foundation. They work for the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation. Think of them as the helpful people who make these scholarships happen.
How Can You Apply? Two Easy Ways
Applying for these scholarships isn’t too tricky. There are two main paths:
1. Nomination by Your Home Country (The Usual Way):
- Step 1: You apply to the scholarship office *in your own country. (This office is often part of your country’s Ministry of Education).
- Step 2: Your home country’s office looks at all the applications. They pick the best students based on rules (like your grades or study plans). They make a list of their chosen nominees.
- Step 3: YOU must ALSO apply online using the Tempus Public Foundation’s website (`scholarship.hu`).
- Step 4: Your home country sends its nominee list to Tempus in Hungary.
- Step 5: Tempus checks if you meet all the formal rules (like having the right documents). Then, experts look at how good your study plan or research idea is.
- Step 6: You (and your home country office) get an email saying if you got the scholarship or not.
2. Individual Application (If Your Country Doesn’t Nominate You):
- Step 1: You apply directly online using the Tempus Public Foundation’s website (`scholarship.hu`), even if your home country didn’t pick you.
- Step 2: Tempus checks your application formally and then experts review it professionally.
- Step 3: You get an email with the decision (yes or no).
Important: Even if your country nominates you, you must still apply on the Tempus website. Tempus makes the final decision.
What Can You Study With This Scholarship?
This scholarship is super flexible! You can use it for different types of study in Hungary:
Short Study Visits (3 days – 6 months): Great for research, special projects, or learning a specific skill.
Summer Courses (2-4 weeks): Perfect for short, fun learning experiences during the summer break.
Partial Studies (3-10 months): Spend part of your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program in Hungary (like one semester or a year).
Full Degree Studies:
Full Bachelor’s Degree (Up to 36 months / 3 years)
Full Master’s Degree (Up to 24 months / 2 years)
Full PhD / Doctoral Degree (Up to 36 months / 3 years)
What Does the Scholarship Pay For?
This is the best news! The Hungary Government Bilateral State Scholarship is Fully Funded. This means:
- No Tuition Fees: You won’t pay anything for your classes or studies at the Hungarian university.
- Monthly Stipend: You get money each month to help with your living costs (like food, transport, books).
- Possible Extra Help: Depending on the exact scholarship type you get, you might also get extra money to help pay for your place to live (accommodation contribution).
Important: Who gives you the money (the university, Tempus, or your home country) depends on the agreement. Always check the official “Call for Application” for the exact amounts of the stipend. Tempus will also send helpful information about living in Hungary if you get the scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
This scholarship is mainly for students from countries that have one of those special agreements with Hungary. The list of eligible countries changes a bit each year. You MUST check the official Tempus website (`scholarship.hu`) to see if your country is on the list for the 2025-2026 scholarships (for studies starting in 2026). Generally, you need to:
- Be a citizen of an eligible partner country.
- Meet the requirements for the level of study you want (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, etc.).
- Have a good academic record.
- Apply by the deadline!
Deadline for Hungary Government Bilateral State Scholarships
The application deadline for studies starting in February each year, at 11:00 PM Central European Time (CET).
Yes, you read that right! You need to apply almost a year before you want to start studying. This gives time for your home country to nominate you (if needed) and for Tempus to review all the applications. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Where to Find All the Official Details
Everything you need to know is in the official “Call for Application” documents on the Tempus Public Foundation website (`scholarship.hu`). Look for these documents for the 2025-2026 academic year. They explain:
- Exactly which countries can apply.
- All the rules and conditions.
- What documents you need to prepare (like transcripts, study plans, recommendation letters).
- How the application system works online.
- The exact amounts of the stipend.
There are different “Calls” depending on if you want a short visit, summer course, partial studies, or a full degree. Make sure you read the right one!
Also Read: 300 Gates Foundation Scholarship In USA 2026 (Fully Funded)
Turkish Government Scholarship 2026 – Study in Turkey for Free (Fully Funded!)
Top 5 Scholarships in Hungary for International Students
Here are five other scholarships in Hungary for international students, compared with the Hungary Government Bilateral Scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Funding | Eligibility | Duration | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary Government Bilateral Scholarships | Fully Funded | Bachelor, Master, PhD | 3-36 months | Tuition-free, stipend, accommodation |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Fully Funded | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Up to 4 years | Full tuition, monthly allowance, housing |
| Erasmus+ Scholarships | Partially/Fully Funded | Bachelor, Master, PhD | 3-12 months | Travel & living support |
| CEU Budapest Scholarships | Fully Funded | Master, PhD | 1-4 years | Tuition waiver, stipend |
| University of Debrecen Scholarships | Partial/Full | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Varies | Tuition waiver, stipend |
