Study Medicine in Hungary

Medical Studies in Hungary for International Students: Top Universities, Cost, Entry Requirements, and Scholarships

In light of recent times, medicine in Hungary has become increasingly popular among international students. This is because Hungary is quite inexpensive to study and live in. Hungarian universities provide high-quality medical education using cutting-edge technologies. According to Hungary Today, the number of overseas students in Hungarian universities and colleges increased to 38,422 in the 2019–2020 academic year, up from 11,783 in 2001. 

The EU also recognizes an MD degree earned at a university in Hungary, which implies students can practice medicine anywhere in Europe. Furthermore, the World Health Organization also acknowledges the degree. As a result, studying in Hungary prepares students for a great future worldwide.

Hungary is mainly a landlocked Central European nation. Hungary has a population of over 10 million people, most of whom are ethnic Hungarians with a sizable Romani minority. The national language, Hungarian, is the world’s most spoken Uralic language and one of Europe’s few non-Indo-European languages. Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary.

Study Medicine in Hungary: Overview

Why study Medicine in Hungary?

If you want to study medicine in a foreign country, Hungary should be one of your first options. Here are some reasons you should study in Hungary:

• Low tuition fees: Studying medicine in Hungary is cost-effective, making it one of the most popular options for medicine students.
• Scenic beauty and location: Hungary is a lovely country to live in, with ten national parks, 145 smaller nature reserves, and 35 landscape conservation zones to visit.
• Modern equipment and infrastructure: Hungary’s medical institutions feature world-class infrastructure and cutting-edge technology. This enables students to have an unrivaled learning experience.
• Simple admission procedure: Students interested in pursuing medicine in Hungary must meet a few simple conditions as per their desired university. External tests such as NEET, IELTS, and others are unnecessary, although you may be asked to take a university-specific entrance exam.
• Budget-friendly: Hungary is a country with low day-to-day costs. This cost is higher in popular cities and lower in smaller ones.

How to study Medicine in Hungary: Admission requirements

Hungary is one of the newest nations where you may study medicine. International students choose to study medicine in Hungary for a variety of reasons, including the relatively smooth entrance procedure and low tuition prices. Four of Hungary’s finest institutions offer medical programs in English. The general documentation necessary for admission to medical programs in Hungary is listed below:

• School leaving certificate
• Passport-size photo 
• Application fee payment bank receipt
• English language proficiency
• Medical certificate
• Copy of passport

Eligibility criteria:

To study medicine in Hungary, you must meet certain criteria.

• The candidate must be at least 17 years old and have completed 10+2 with a minimum grade point average of 50%.
• Students have to answer an entrance exam that consists of multiple-choice questions from medical chemistry, medical English, general English, and medical biology.

Where to apply: You can either apply through the university websites or you can apply via Gyanberry for timely admissions.

Top universities for Medicine in Hungary

Hungary is a popular destination for overseas students. They choose to study medicine in Hungary due to the extensive curriculum and hands-on experience. Four of Hungary’s finest institutions offer medical programs in English. These institutions are

University of Pecs, Hungary:

The University of Pecs is one of Hungary’s major institutions. Its ten academic faculties offer a diverse variety of higher education degrees in fields such as Science, Arts, and Humanities, as well as Fine Arts, Business, and Medicine. The university has established a worldwide reputation as a study-abroad destination. The university is also known for:

• Being the oldest university in the country.
• The University of Pecs was rated in the top 2% of the world’s finest institutions in the year 2019 according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking).
• The University of Pecs was placed 651-700 in the world by QS University Rankings.
• Candidates can get a general physician degree after completing a six-year program at the University of Medicine in Pecs, and then specialize in a variety of disciplines.
• The University of Medicine in Pecs, Hungary, offers a 6-year medical program at a tuition of 16,750 USD each year.
• The application season for medical programs begins in October and ends in June next year; the academic year begins in September 2022.
• Pecs University dormitories are available to all University of Pecs students. Reservations can be made directly with the Reservations department.

Admission requirements:

The following are the general prerequisites for overseas students applying for admission to the University of Pecs:

• Scanned copies of 10th and 12th-grade certificate
• An entrance exam or an interview
• A valid passport and an English birth certificate
• Certificate of migration
• Photos in passport size
• A completed application form

University of Szeged, Hungary:

Szeged University (SZTE) is one of Hungary’s most popular universities, with top positions in all worldwide rankings. Its academic research and teaching staff numbers 2,300 people, who teach and train up to 25,000 students. It has long been regarded as a green university.

• The University of Szeged offers a 6-year medical program with a tuition of USD 15,924 per year.
• The university is ranked 712th in the world, 293rd in Europe, and 3rd in Hungary according to the US News 2022 Best Global Universities Rankings.
• International students who hold a governmental scholarship, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum, are given priority for student housing. Each room has an internet connection and students share rooms with one or two other students. Sporting, cultural, and other social events are held in these dormitories.
• The Institution of Szeged is a big research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, and medicine with over 12 faculties.
• The medical program begins in September of each year.

Admission requirements:

The following are the general prerequisites for overseas students applying for admission to the University of Szeged:

• Document proof of your high school certificates.
• An entrance exam or an interview.
• A valid passport.
• A completed application form.

Semmelweis University

Semmelweis University is a renowned higher education institution in Hungary and the Central European region in the fields of medicine and health sciences. Semmelweis University is also an internationally renowned knowledge center.

As a specialist university, it occupies a unique position in Hungary, as evidenced by the fact that Semmelweis alumni account for around 42 percent of doctors, 70 percent of dentists, 50 percent of pharmacists, and 27 percent of health care workers. This university is also known for having:

• The annual tuition fee for an MD, a 6-year course at Semmelweis University is 18,200 USD.
• According to the US News 2022 Best Global Universities Rankings, Semmelweis University is ranked 633rd best global university, 266th best global university in Europe, and 2nd best global university in Hungary.
• The official housing department of Semmelweis University provides accommodation through its official website. 
• It is a major provider of healthcare services in Hungary. Practical training is provided in the university’s clinics and hospitals.
• At the moment, the institution has 300 research groups, including 31 international and 94 Hungarian research funds.
• The deadline for medical applications at Semmelweis University is May 31st.
• Semmelweis University employs approximately 8,500 people in higher education, vocational training, specialty postgraduate training, and higher education, vocational training.

Admission requirements:

Applicants must be

• At least 18 years old by the end of the calendar year in which they apply, and ideally under 30. 
• Applicants must either have completed high school/senior secondary school or be in their final year of high school/secondary school at the time of application
• Semmelweis University recruits students with a solid background and interest in natural sciences 
• A strong command of the English language
• A strong desire to study and practice medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or other health-care professions.

University of Debrecen

The University of Debrecen offers more than eighty-degree programs, including Foundation Programs, Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs, and Ph.D./Doctoral Programs which are fully taught in English. 

The University of Debrecen is one of Hungary’s largest higher education institutions, with over 28,000 students. Debrecen is the largest city outside of Budapest, with a population of over 200,000 people. Debrecen is a cultural, economic, and scientific center of the region, as well as a renowned university town, located 250 kilometers east of the city.

Here are some additional facts and information about this university:

• Undergraduate programs generally last 6 or 7 semesters, with an average tuition rate of 6,000 USD each year.  Graduate programs typically last four semesters, with an average tuition expense of USD 7,500 yearly.
• Application September intake deadline is 31st May for medical and health science courses. Ph.D. programs begin on May 15th. Non-medical courses begin on June 15th. 
• The World Health Organization (WHO), the State Education Department (NY, USA), the Medical Board of California, the Medical Councils of India  Israel, Ireland, Iran, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates accredits the university’s medical program.
• When studying at the University of Debrecen you can choose to rent dormitories or private flats. The University also offers on-campus hostels and guides you to housing agencies for private accommodation.
• According to the US News Best Global Universities Rankings for 2022, the University of Debrecen is ranked 748th in the world, 305th in Europe, and 4th in Hungary.

Admission requirements:

The requirements for admission into the University are:

• A short resume/CV (personal details, educational background, language skills, additional skills) 
• Medical certificate
• Bank receipt certifying the transfer of the application fee of 150 USD to the university bank account

Cost of studying Medicine in Hungary

Hungary is one of the newer countries in which to pursue medical studies. International students flock to Hungary to study medicine because of the low tuition prices and simple entrance process. They also opt to study medicine in Hungary because of the broad curriculum and hands-on experience.

In Hungary, tuition fees for medicine range from 15,200 to 17,500 USD. The monthly living costs range from 421 to 787 USD. However, the cost of living varies depending on where you live and your patterns of spending.

The annual cost of attendance at top universities in Hungary

Semmelweis University, Budapest

University of Szeged

University of Pecs

University of Debrecen

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

For more specialized information on the cost of living for medicine students in Hungary, you may refer to the cost of studying Medicine & Dentistry in Hungary by Gyanberry.

Specializations and career prospects after MD in Hungary

Students can pick from the following employment opportunities after completing medical education in Hungary, depending on their preferences:

• Become a doctor or nurse.
• Obtain a doctoral (Ph.D.) or postgraduate degree in healthcare, such as an MBA in healthcare, an MS in microbiology, or a diploma in health education.
• Become a specialist by completing a residency program.
• Become a professor of medicine.
• Medical-legal advisor
• Examiner of forensic medicine

Hungary’s medical schools are well-known for their openness to overseas students. Low entry requirements and a plethora of career opportunities after graduation are what attracts students to study medicine in Hungary. 

Medical post-graduation in Hungary

Following their MD, several students choose to pursue specialist post-graduate studies. These programs are focused on a specific subject. For example, if you decide to follow your interest in medical biotechnology after completing your MD, you can enroll in a course to become an expert in that sector.

Many postgraduate courses are offered in English, making it easier for overseas students to study in Hungary. These postgraduate courses are also known as specialization programs. Depending on the specialty, some courses last 24 to 48 months. These courses can be combined with continuous resident training for the student.

The student must take an entrance exam for postgraduation in medicine. The Office of Health and Administrative Procedures conducts this examination. It has both theoretical and practical components.

Following are some postgraduate degrees that students can follow in Hungary after completing their MD:

• Healthcare management 
• Medical Biotechnology
• Info-Bionics
• Biotechnology Molecular

Students have various options for specialization and great career prospects after Medicine in Hungary.

Scholarships offered to Medicine students in Hungary

Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program:

The Hungarian government established this program to choose top-tier international students. Students at all academic levels (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate) are eligible to apply. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program offers a monthly stipend of 389 USD* for 12 months a year, until the completion of studies. It mainly covers tuition costs, and living expenses, and pays for health insurance of up to 278 USD* a year/person.

Diaspora Scholarship:

As a Diaspora Scholarship recipient, you can acquire a globally recognized degree from a top-tier Hungarian higher education institution. It includes provisions for tuition-free education that entail not having to pay a tuition charge. A monthly stipend (upon request) and housing/dormitory placement or a 111 USD* monthly contribution to housing costs are also included within the scholarship.

SZTE Start Scholarship 2022: 

The University of Szeged offers an SZTE Start Scholarship to incoming students. Applicants admitted to the University of Szeged for the Academic year 2022/23 and who submitted their applications before April 30, 2022, are entitled to receive USD 527*. This is a one-time contribution to the start of your studies at the University of Szeged.

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.