Studying in Hungary: medicine, dentistry and pharmacy in English

Hungary is one of the most renowned European destinations for health studies in English. For decades, its major faculties have welcomed students from all over the world in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, with a European degree. Here is how to study in Hungary: admission, costs and scholarships.

The major health universities

Four universities account for most of the English-taught health programmes:

• Semmelweis (Budapest), the best known;

• Debrecen;

• Szeged;

• Pécs.

Some also offer programmes in German. Other universities offer English-taught health programmes (nursing, physiotherapy, veterinary medicine in Budapest…).

The programmes

• General medicine: 6 years (Doctor of Medicine degree).

• Dentistry: 5 years.

• Pharmacy: 5 years.

• Foundation year (basic medicine course or foundation): offered by several universities to applicants who need to strengthen their biology, chemistry, physics or English.

Admission

Requirements

• Bac with good grades in biology and chemistry (often physics too).

• A good level of English: a certificate may be requested, but the interview is also used to assess it.

The entrance exam

Most universities hold an entrance exam:

• written in biology and chemistry (sometimes physics);

• oral or interview in English, with scientific and motivation questions.

Exams take place several times a year, in Hungary, online or in various countries. It is therefore possible to apply from spring to summer for a September intake.

How much does Hungary cost?

• Tuition fees for medicine in English: roughly €15,000 to €20,000 per year depending on the university and programme.

• Application and entrance exam fees.

• Daily life: generally €500 to €800 per month, more in Budapest.

The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship

Tunisia is a partner country of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, which can fully fund tuition fees, with a stipend and housing, including for some health programmes. Selection is competitive. See our guide Stipendium Hungaricum: the Hungarian scholarship open to Tunisians.

The visa and residence permit

With the admission letter, you apply for a residence permit for study purposes with the Hungarian authorities (via the competent consular mission). Usual documents:

• admission letter;

• proof of funds and of payment of fees;

• health insurance;

• proof of accommodation;

• passport.

Living in Hungary

• Budapest: the capital, rich cultural life, more expensive.

• Debrecen, Szeged, Pécs: quieter, more affordable university cities, with a very strong presence of international students.

Hungarian is a difficult language, but universities teach it to health students, as it is needed for clinical placements.

Recognition of the degree

The Hungarian degree is a European degree. To practise in Tunisia, an equivalence is required according to Tunisian rules. See Equivalence of the Tunisian diploma abroad.

Comparing with other destinations

• Poland: slightly lower fees, many universities.

• Romania: more affordable, programmes sometimes in French.

• Italy (IMAT): public, income-based fees, selective exam.

Typical timeline for a September intake

1. Autumn – winter: choice of universities and programmes, preparation in biology and chemistry, English test if needed.

2. Winter: application to Stipendium Hungaricum if you are aiming for the scholarship (the call generally closes in mid-winter).

3. Winter – spring: direct applications to fee-paying programmes, in parallel.

4. Spring – summer: entrance exams and interviews (several sessions possible).

5. Summer: admission, payment of fees, residence permit for study purposes, housing.

Applying early lets you sit the exam in an early session and, if you fail, retake it in a later session the same year.

How to prepare for the entrance exam

The entrance exam of Hungarian faculties is within reach of a good science bac holder, provided you prepare for it:

• Biology: cell biology, genetics, human physiology, metabolism. Questions often go beyond the Tunisian bac syllabus.

• Chemistry: general, organic and inorganic chemistry, calculations (moles, concentrations, pH).

• Interview in English: motivation, knowledge of the profession, simple scientific questions. Practise explaining a biological mechanism in English.

Our advice: revise in English from the start to master the vocabulary, work on past papers, and do at least one mock interview.

The foundation year: who is it for?

The foundation year (basic medicine course) is useful if:

• your grades in biology or chemistry are borderline;

• your scientific English is still weak;

• you did not pass the entrance exam on a first attempt.

It often allows you to enter the first year without retaking the full exam, depending on your results. It comes at a cost, but it greatly reduces the risk of failing the first year.

Practical life

• Housing: university residences or flat-shares, to be booked as soon as you are admitted.

• Transport: tram and bus networks, student passes.

• Community: many students from the Maghreb and the Middle East in the four major university cities.

• Halal food: available in Budapest and the large cities, more limited elsewhere.

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• transcripts and bac diploma, translated into English;

• valid passport;

• medical certificate in the required format;

• English certificate if you have one;

• financial documents and health insurance for the residence permit.

Key takeaway: Hungary is a benchmark for health studies in English. Prepare biology and chemistry seriously, aim for an early exam session and apply to Stipendium Hungaricum in parallel.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose the university, prepare for the entrance exam and interview, apply to Stipendium Hungaricum in parallel and prepare your visa.

👉 Fees and exam sessions change every year: talk to an advisor to prepare your application to Hungary.