By Hum Scholars Editorial Team
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship is Hungary’s flagship fully funded programme for international students, and Pakistani students are among its eligible applicants every year. If you are planning to study abroad for the 2027/28 academic year without paying tuition, this is a scholarship to prepare for now. Applications have recently run from November to mid-January, so the best time to start gathering documents is October.
What Is the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship?
Stipendium Hungaricum is funded by the Hungarian government and managed by the Tempus Public Foundation. It covers Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s and PhD studies at Hungarian universities, with hundreds of programmes taught in English. Pakistani applicants apply through two channels: the Stipendium Hungaricum online application system and HEC, which acts as the sending partner for Pakistan. Missing either one leads to rejection, so treat them as two parts of one application.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
- Tuition: full tuition fee waiver.
- Monthly stipend: currently about HUF 43,700 for Bachelor’s and Master’s students, and HUF 140,000 to 180,000 for PhD students depending on the year of study.
- Accommodation: a dormitory place or a monthly housing contribution (about HUF 40,000).
- Health insurance: medical coverage during your studies.
Amounts can change, so confirm current figures on the official Stipendium Hungaricum website before you plan your budget.
Deadlines for 2027/28
As of October 2026, official dates for the 2027/28 call have not been published. For the previous cycle, the online system opened in mid-November 2025 and closed on 15 January 2026. Based on that pattern, expect the call to open around November 2026 and close in mid-January 2027. Your sending partner may set an earlier deadline, so check the HEC announcement as soon as it appears.
Who Can Apply?
Pakistani and AJK nationals can apply for Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s (such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy) and PhD degrees through HEC. For the 2026-27 call, HEC listed 200 Bachelor’s, 70 one-tier Master’s, 100 Master’s and 30 PhD seats, which shows how competitive Master’s and PhD places are. Exact eligibility rules, such as previous degree requirements and minimum grades, are published in each year’s call.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Choose your programme. Browse the English-taught programmes on the Stipendium Hungaricum website and pick up to the allowed number of choices that match your degree and career goals.
- Prepare your documents. Typical requirements include transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, a motivation letter, a language certificate where required, a passport copy and, for PhD applicants, a research plan.
- Submit on the Stipendium Hungaricum portal before the deadline.
- Submit on the HEC scholarship portal and keep printed copies of both applications.
- Wait for nomination and university review. HEC nominates candidates, then Hungarian universities review applications, and some hold online interviews or entrance exams. Results have typically been announced around June or July.
How to Write a Strong Motivation Letter
The motivation letter is where many applications are won or lost. Explain why you chose that specific programme and Hungarian university, link it to your academic background, and describe what you will do with the degree after graduation. Be specific: mention courses, labs or professors. Keep it honest, personal and free of copied templates, because committees read hundreds of near-identical letters.
Common Reasons Applications Fail
- Applying on only one of the two required portals.
- Uploading unclear scans or missing attested documents.
- Choosing programmes that do not match your previous degree.
- A generic motivation letter.
- Waiting until the last days, when portals slow down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stipendium Hungaricum fully funded for Pakistani students?
Yes. It includes a tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, accommodation support and health insurance.
Do I need IELTS for Stipendium Hungaricum?
Language requirements depend on the university and programme. Some accept other proof of English, so read the requirements for each programme you choose.
Is there an application fee?
No. Legitimate scholarship applications are free, so be careful with anyone who asks for payment to “guarantee” a place.
Can I apply for more than one degree level?
Generally you apply for one level in a call, so choose the one that fits your current qualification.
Next Steps
Use the weeks before the call opens to shortlist programmes, collect your transcripts and degree certificates, and start drafting your motivation letter. If you would like a second pair of eyes on your profile, Hum Scholars offers profile assessment, scholarship application support and visa guidance. Write to us at humscholars.info@gmail.com or visit humscholars.com.
Dates and amounts are based on recent cycles and may change. Always confirm on the official Stipendium Hungaricum and HEC websites.