As you may know, the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme was launched in 2013 by the Hungarian Government and aims to support international students to pursue studies in Hungarian higher education institutions. The scholarship offers a unique opportunity to develop academically and professionally, to build your network in Europe, and to experience Hungarian tradition and creativity. The programme is based on bilateral educational cooperation agreements detailing the eligible fields, levels and types of study.

How many Hungarian universities participate?

In the 2021/2022 academic year, altogether 28 Hungarian higher education institutions were offering academic programmes for scholarship holders including top universities such as the Semmelweis University or the Eötvös Loránd University.

What were the most popular fields of study?

During the 2021/2022 academic year, you could choose from more than 600 full degree programmes, covering all higher education fields at all degree levels, including part-time and doctoral programmes. The degree programmes are conducted primarily in English, but some of them are also available in other languages. Most students were interested in such fields as Computer Science and Information Technology, Economic Science, or Engineering Science while the top 5 most popular fields of study also contain Natural Science, or Medical and Health Science.

How many programme countries and territories did participate?

As mentioned before, the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme is based on bilateral educational agreements between Hungary and the governments of the sending partners. In 2021/2022, the scholarship was available on five continents in almost 80 sending countries and territories. Last year, 10 new partner countries have joined the programme: Chile, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands, Ruanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychell Islands, Taiwan, and Uganda, Oman and Sierra Leone.

How many applications were submitted

The Scholarship Programme is becoming more and more popular every year which is especially noticeable from the number of applications. In 2021, more than 49 000 applications were submitted, which is a nearly 39% increase compared to 2020/2021. From the record number of applicants, more than 96% applied for full degree programmes and as the chart shows, most students apply from Asia and Africa.

Today, about 11 000 scholarship holders are currently studying in Hungary on different programmes and degree levels around the country. After they finish their studies, they will return to their home countries with marketable skills while they can build civil, political and economic relationships with their networking knowledge. Although they return to their home countries, we are proud that more than 81 % of Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship holders would probably choose Hungary again, which is a true inspiration to further broaden the scope of the scholarship in the future.

Source: Times Higher Education: World University Rankings 2021