Education in Hungary

Kindergartens

As in many countries of the world, kindergartens (voda) are very popular in Hungary, which accept children from the age of three. At the same time, they can even take a child a little younger than this age, but subject to the availability of free places. Foreigners with a residence permit in this country have the right to send their child to a public kindergarten, paying about 60 euros per month for his stay and 30 euros for meals. In the case when the family budget is limited, parents can provide a certificate of low income and write a statement, according to which they will be exempted from the monthly food payment.

Also, in some districts of Budapest, the local administration assumes all costs, so in the Hungarian capital there are options for a completely free child in the garden. Usually, most Hungarian children's institutions have their own website on the Internet, where you can find out about the details on this issue and the exact deadlines for submitting documents. And the list of kindergartens that are attached to the registration address is also available from the patronage nurse at the local polyclinic. If a foreign family moved to Hungary in the summer or, for some reason, did not have time to enroll the child before the start of the school year, then one of the parents must come to the main kindergarten of the district, where the child's data will be included in the list and within 1-2 weeks will be distributed to that a group where there are free places. For the initial registration, you will need a residence permit, passports and registration of parents and a child, as well as medical insurance.

Despite the fact that the Hungarian language is considered difficult, small children, once in the local language environment, after a couple of months begin to master basic words and phrases and quickly master poems and songs. Hungary also has a large selection of private kindergartens, where you can find not only institutions where they work according to various educational methods (for example, Montessori), but also those where children speak other languages - Russian, English, German, etc. All such gardens are paid and their pricing depends entirely on the local administration.

Secondary education

Foreign holders of a residence permit or permanent residence in Hungary are entitled to free secondary education. Children usually go to first grade at the age of 6-8. Incomplete schooling in the country is compulsory up to grade 8, while full education lasts 12 years. Primary, middle and senior levels last 4 years.

After grade 8, children choose one of three options for continuing their education:

1. Profile gymnasium,
2. College (complete secondary education)
3. Professional institute.

In case of successful graduation from one of the three institutions, the student can be enrolled in the university on a budgetary basis. Graduates of gymnasiums and colleges take oral and written tests in the following disciplines: foreign language, mathematics, history, Hungarian language and literature.

Private international schools are also widely developed in Budapest, where children are taught most often in English, but in addition they will also learn Hungarian. Graduates of such international schools receive certificates that enable them to enter a university abroad - both in Europe and America. The annual cost of studying in Hungary in commercial institutions is high and can go up to 20,000 euros per year. Private schools, where training takes place in German or French, are more affordable - the cost of training in them is 3000-6000 euros per year.

Higher education

The most popular higher education institutions in Hungary usually have a medical direction, but in recent years they have also successfully trained specialists in the field of advertising, banking, technology and marketing. The system of higher education in Hungary corresponds to that of Bologna, while the category of universities in the country includes not only universities, but also colleges - their total number reaches 70 educational institutions. Foreigners have the right to study at public universities in Hungary on an equal basis with the citizens of the country on a free basis, but it is not easy to enter a non-profit university on this basis, since you need to know the Hungarian language at a high level.

Usually, foreigners in Hungary make a choice in favor of private universities, where studies take place in English, French, German and even Russian, while at the same time there is a gradual development of Hungarian. Such private universities often cooperate with foreign universities, so graduates receive a double diploma: Hungarian and European or American. By the end of the training, students can already communicate in 3-4 foreign languages at a fairly high level.

Hungarian universities of the republic recognize Russian certificates and diplomas, but upon admission it is imperative to provide documentary evidence of good knowledge of the Hungarian or English language (depending on the specific university). Our students usually easily adapt to Hungarian universities, since the curriculum and the knowledge assessment system are similar to those in Russia. However, students enrolled in the first year of a local university already independently choose the main (major) subjects and auxiliary (minor).

Russians can study in Hungary for free at state universities in the country and receive a scholarship, the amount of which can cover the costs of the educational process and accommodation, but in this case, the applicant must study at the bachelor's degree and be under 25 years old. Students of private universities in the country can participate in the government program to attract foreign specialists and payments are assigned to all categories of university students - bachelors, masters and doctors over 18 years old. Typically, the 4000 students with the highest GPA are selected among the applicants who have applied.

But even if a foreigner cannot enroll in a university on a free basis, the costs of tuition fees in higher educational institutions in Hungary will be quite affordable - from 1000 to 7000 euros per year, depending on the popularity of the university. Among them there are even those that fall into the ratings of the world's best universities - University of Pannonia, University of Szeged, University of Debrecen, International Business School, Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music Budapest, etc.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material:

Ilona Chik, manager of Perfect Invest Hungary Ltd.

Irina Andryushkevich, manager of Westinvest