How the Hungarian Education System Really Works

Hungary, located in the heart of the European Union, offers a high-quality and affordable education system. The Hungarian education system is mostly public, modern, and open to international students. Thousands of foreigners choose to study there every year, thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and strong academic programs. Whether you are considering Hungary as a study destination or inquiring out of curiosity, this article breaks down the different levels, costs, and answers to common questions.

What are the levels of the Hungarian higher education system?

Education in Hungary is publicly funded and free for all citizens. This includes college, university, and even doctoral programs, as long as students meet certain academic requirements. The quality of education is high, yet the costs are low compared to many other countries. To give you a clear overview, we will guide you through each main stage of the Hungarian education system. We will also look at costs, admission requirements, goals, curriculum, and other important details.

Nursery

The first level of the Hungarian education system is nursery, available for children under the age of 3. At this stage, children are introduced to early literacy, math skills and have plenty of opportunities to socialize and play. Some nurseries even offer language courses, such as English, from an early age.

Kindergarten

The next stage of the Hungarian education system is kindergarten, for children between the ages of 3 and 6. Kindergartens provide professional day care, developmental games, playful physical activities, and basic education. Many kindergartens also offer music, art, and sports activities to help children discover their interests. Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 3 and 16 in Hungary.

Primary school

Children between the ages of 7 and 14 attend primary school, which includes 8 grades. Primary education is divided into two stages: grades 1–4 and grades 5–8.

Subjects in grades 1–4 (lower level):

• Hungarian language and literature
• Mathematics
• Ethics
• Environmental studies
• Foreign language (from grade 4)
• Music
• Visual culture
• Technology and design
• Digital culture (from grade 3)
• Physical education

Subjects in grades 5–8 (upper level):

• Hungarian language and literature
• Mathematics
• History
• Civic studies (grade 8)
• National and ethnic studies
• Ethics
• Natural sciences (grades 5–6)
• Chemistry (grades 7–8)
• Physics (grades 7–8)
• Biology (grades 7–8)
• Geography (grades 7–8)
• Foreign language (usually English or German)
• Music
• Visual culture
• Drama and theatre
• Technology and design
• Digital culture
• Physical education

At the end of grades 6 and 8, students take a national competency test that evaluates reading comprehension and basic math skills. Public primary schools are free for Hungarian students.

High school or vocational schools

After primary school, students can enroll in either a traditional high school or a vocational secondary school. Most students are between 14 and 18 years old, though some high schools offer an optional extra year focused on language preparation.

Common high school subjects (grades 9–12):

• Hungarian language and literature
• Mathematics
• History
• Civic studies (grade 12)
• Natural sciences (grade 11)
• Chemistry (grades 9–10)
• Physics (grades 9–10)
• Biology (grades 9–10)
• Geography (grades 9–10)
• First foreign language (typically English or German)
• Second foreign language (English, German)
• Music (grades 9–10)
• Visual culture (grades 9–10)
• Drama and theatre (grade 12)
• Film and media studies (grades 11–12)
• Digital culture (grades 9–11)
• Physical education
• Community education

Vocational high schools offer additional specialized training in various fields such as IT, design, music, and mathematics, helping students gain practical skills and prepare for specific careers. High school and vocational schools are free for Hungarian students.

College and university

After finishing high school, students in Hungary can choose to continue their studies at higher education institutions or enroll in adult education programs. Here, we will focus on colleges and universities.

Hungary is a member of the European Union and part of both the European Higher Education Area and the Bologna Process. This means that degrees earned at Hungarian colleges and universities are internationally recognized and accepted. Bachelor’s programs typically take 3 to 3.5 years to complete, while Master’s programs usually require an additional 2 years. Some professional programs, like medicine or law, are offered as one continuous course of study and take 5 to 6 years to finish.

Hungarian higher education institutions are known for offering high-quality education across a wide range of fields. Some of the most prestigious universities in Hungary include:

• Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME)
• University of Pécs
• Corvinus University of Budapest

If you are looking for specific institutions or programs, we recommend visiting the official website felvi.hu. Although it does not currently offer an English version, you can still navigate it using Google Translate or a similar tool.

Doctoral training, PhD

The final stage of the Hungarian education system is the doctoral program. While exact requirements vary by institution, you can find detailed information about available programs at doktori.hu. A PhD program typically lasts around four years and is divided into two phases.

• During the first two years, PhD students attend courses related to their field of study.
• In the second phase, they focus on research activities, teaching, and writing their dissertation.