Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
Hungary's government scholarship programme for international students. For Pakistani applicants, applications require both the HEC portal and the Stipendium Hungaricum system — dual portal, not HEC-only.
Applications closed
Both HEC and Hungarian portals closed 15 January 2026 (16:00 PST) for 2026–27. Next cycle typically opens around November — monitor hec.gov.pk and stipendiumhungaricum.hu; do not invent opens dates.
Dual portal required — HEC nomination AND Hungarian system
Pakistan has a bilateral agreement — HEC nominates Pakistani students. You must still complete apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu as well as scholarship.hec.gov.pk. Applying on only one portal is a common failure mode. Consultants who charge to “process” this application are charging for something the programme does not require.
What the scholarship covers
The scholarship does not include return flights (unlike CSC and Türkiye Burslari). Budget for travel separately — Islamabad to Budapest is typically EUR 400–800 return.
The application process
- 1
Dual portal — HEC and Hungary both required
Pakistani/AJ&K applicants must apply on both scholarship.hec.gov.pk (Hungarian Scholarship Program) and apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu. HEC is the nominating body for Pakistan — you cannot skip either portal.
- 2
HEC opens the nomination window
HEC announces the Stipendium Hungaricum call each year. Watch hec.gov.pk for the announcement. The window is often short.
- 3
Meet HEC nomination requirements
Submit academic documents and any HAT/USAT step HEC requires for that cycle. HEC nominates candidates; missing HEC requirements ends the application even if the Hungarian portal is complete.
- 4
Complete the Hungarian portal
Apply on stipendiumhungaricum.hu within the published deadline, selecting university and programme preferences. Both portals must be submitted for the application to be valid.
- 5
University admission
Hungarian universities review nominated applications and issue admission decisions. Some universities may require an online interview for certain programmes.
- 6
Scholarship and visa
If admitted, you receive the scholarship letter and use it to apply for a Hungarian student visa. The academic year starts in September.
English-medium programmes
Many Stipendium Hungaricum programmes are in Hungarian. However, there is a significant selection of English-medium programmes — particularly at master's level. If you do not plan to learn Hungarian, filter to English-medium programmes when choosing on the portal.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME)
Fields: Engineering, computer science, architecture
Strong engineering reputation, many English-medium master's programmes
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
Fields: Natural sciences, IT, humanities
Largest comprehensive university in Hungary
Corvinus University of Budapest
Fields: Business, economics, social sciences
Business-focused, strong international student community
Semmelweis University
Fields: Medicine (MBBS), dentistry, pharmacy
Medical school — also covered under the scholarship; PMDC recognition applies
University of Pécs, Debrecen, Szeged
Fields: Medicine, engineering, sciences
Regional universities with established English programmes
Degree recognition
Hungarian degrees are EU-recognised under the Professional Qualifications Directive. For most fields (engineering, business, sciences), this has no direct Pakistan-specific recognition implication — your degree is a European degree and is internationally accepted.
For MBBS/medicine specifically, PMDC recognition applies. The major Hungarian medical universities are on the PMDC-recognised list, but verify independently at pmdc.pk.
HEC Pakistan typically attests foreign degrees for use in Pakistan. A Hungarian degree from a recognised university is eligible for HEC attestation.