Last updated: 11 November 2026
Quick answer: Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian government’s fully funded scholarship. Pakistani students apply through HEC, which offered 400 seats in the last round: 200 bachelor’s, 70 one-tier master’s (including 20 Medicine and 10 Dentistry), 100 master’s and 30 PhD. You get free tuition, a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 (HUF 140,000 to 180,000 for PhD), a free dorm place or HUF 40,000 a month for housing, and medical insurance. You must apply on both the Stipendium Hungaricum portal and the HEC portal, and have a HAT or USAT score of at least 50%. The 2027-28 call is expected to open in November 2026 with a deadline around mid-January 2027; last year it closed on 15 January at 4:00 pm PKT.
Every January we hear from students who did everything right on the Hungarian portal and then found out they never submitted on the HEC portal, or the other way round. Both are compulsory. Miss either and you are out, no appeal. This guide explains the whole thing in the order you actually need to do it.
Stipendium Hungaricum 2027-28 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Government of Hungary (Tempus Public Foundation) |
| Nominated by | HEC Pakistan |
| Levels | Bachelor’s, one-tier master’s (MBBS, BDS, Pharmacy etc.), master’s, PhD |
| Seats last round (2026-27) | 400 (200 BS, 70 one-tier incl. 20 Medicine and 10 Dentistry, 100 MS, 30 PhD) |
| Age | At least 18 by 31 August of the start year; no upper limit |
| Test | HAT or USAT, minimum 50% |
| Apply on | stipendiumhungaricum.hu AND scholarship.hec.gov.pk |
| Expected deadline | Mid-January 2027 (last round: 15 January 2026, 4:00 pm PKT) |
| Study starts | September 2027 |
What the scholarship covers
| Benefit | BS / MS / one-tier master’s | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Free | Free |
| Monthly stipend | HUF 43,700 (about €110), 12 months a year | HUF 140,000 (about €355) in the first 4 semesters, HUF 180,000 (about €460) in the last 4 |
| Housing | Free dormitory place, or HUF 40,000 (about €100) a month | Same |
| Medical insurance | Supplementary cover up to HUF 65,000 a year | Same |
Be realistic about money. HEC itself says the stipend and housing are only a contribution to living costs. For bachelor’s and master’s students, HUF 43,700 does not cover food, transport and a phone for a month in Budapest. Most students budget for extra support from home, or find part-time work allowed under their residence permit. Flights to Hungary are generally your own cost.
Who can apply
- Nationality: citizens of Pakistan or AJK. Dual nationals are not eligible.
- Age: at least 18 by 31 August of the year studies start. There is no upper age limit.
- Bachelor’s and one-tier master’s (MBBS, BDS): Intermediate (HSSC) or equivalent completed before 1 August of the start year. Second-year students can apply while awaiting results.
- Master’s: a 16-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Final-semester students can apply.
- PhD: a master’s, MS or MPhil (or equivalent).
- HAT or USAT: at least 50% of total marks. In the last round, HAT scores from the previous two years and USAT scores from the previous year were accepted. If you don’t have a score, register for the next HEC test as soon as it is announced; HEC usually schedules one before the result deadline.
- English: many Hungarian universities accept an English proficiency certificate from your college or university. Some ask for IELTS or TOEFL; check each programme.
Medicine and engineering: read this first
If you want MBBS, BDS or engineering, check recognition in Pakistan before you choose a university. You are responsible for confirming accreditation with PMDC, PEC or the relevant council. In the last round, HEC said the engineering undergraduate programmes at the University of Debrecen and BME (Budapest University of Technology and Economics) were recognised by PEC, and medical and dental applicants had to follow PMDC’s latest public notices.
How to apply: step by step
Step 1: Update your HEC profile
Log in to the HEC portal and make sure your email and mobile number are current. Use the same email and phone number on both portals.
Step 2: Apply on the Stipendium Hungaricum portal
- Read the official application guide for the year.
- Apply at stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply.
- Choose your programmes. You can usually choose two: two programmes at one university, the same programme at two universities, or two different universities. Many programmes appear twice (full degree and partial study), so pick the full-degree version carefully. You can’t change it after the deadline.
- Upload your documents (list below) and accept the “Statement for Application” online.
Step 3: Apply on the HEC portal
- Go to scholarship.hec.gov.pk, log in and select Hungarian Scholarship Program.
- Fill in the form carefully. You can’t edit it after submission.
- Submit before the deadline and make sure the status shows SUBMITTED. Print and keep a signed copy.
The HEC portal slows down badly in the last two days. Aim to finish both portals at least a week early.
Documents you need
- Recent photo (taken within the last two years)
- Motivation letter, at least one page, Times New Roman 12 pt
- English proficiency proof (college/university certificate or IELTS/TOEFL, as the university requires)
- Certificates: Intermediate for BS and MBBS; bachelor’s degree for MS; master’s/MPhil for PhD
- Transcript of your highest completed level
- Passport data page (or CNIC if you don’t have a passport yet)
- PhD only: a research plan of at least two pages, a recommendation letter from an academic with a scientific degree, and a supervisor statement if the doctoral school asks for one
Attestation is not needed at the application stage. If you are nominated, you will need HEC attestation for degrees and, for O/A Level students, an IBCC equivalence certificate. A medical certificate is only needed if you are awarded; you bring it to the medical exam in Hungary.
Expected 2027-28 timeline
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Call opens | Expected November 2026 (last round opened 17 November 2025) |
| Application deadline (both portals) | Expected mid-January 2027 |
| HEC shortlisting and nomination | January to February 2027 (HEC may test or interview) |
| University entrance exams/interviews | February to May 2027, mostly online |
| Final results | Around June 2027 |
| Visa and residence permit | June to August 2027 |
| Arrival in Hungary | August to September 2027 |
| Final degree/transcript upload (if result was pending) | By 1 August 2027 |
How to write a motivation letter that actually works
The motivation letter is where most Pakistani applicants lose marks, because almost everyone writes the same thing about “world-class European education”. Hungarian professors read hundreds. What stands out:
- A specific reason for this programme and this university. Name a course module, a lab or a professor’s research area.
- One real story from your life: a project, a problem you solved, a job, a family responsibility.
- What you’ll do in Pakistan afterwards. HEC requires you to return and serve, so a clear plan helps both HEC and the university.
- Clean English. Short sentences. No copied templates; plagiarism checks are run, especially on PhD research plans.
Our guide on writing a winning scholarship essay goes deeper.
Rules after you’re selected
- You sign a bond not to change your discipline. HEC will not issue an NOC for a programme change.
- You must return to Pakistan after your degree and serve for the period HEC sets.
- Withdrawing after the final award can get you banned from other HEC and government-funded scholarships for a period.
- HEC nomination is not the final award. Tempus Public Foundation and the Hungarian university make the final decision.
Is Stipendium Hungaricum worth it?
For most Pakistani students, yes. It is one of the few fully funded scholarships that takes bachelor’s students straight after FSc, offers medicine and dentistry, and has hundreds of seats instead of a handful. The trade-offs are a small stipend, the HEC service bond and, for professional degrees, checking recognition yourself. Go in with a family budget for the first year and you’ll be fine.
Also applying to Turkey? Its window usually opens right before the Hungary deadline: see Türkiye Bursları 2027. Comparing options? See our full list of scholarships for Pakistani students in 2027 with a deadline calendar, and the cheapest European countries for international students.
Sources: HEC Stipendium Hungaricum pages (eligibility, how to apply, additional instructions) and stipendiumhungaricum.hu. Figures for 2027-28 will be confirmed when the call opens; we’ll update this page the same day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date for Stipendium Hungaricum 2027-28?
Not announced yet. The 2026-27 deadline was 15 January 2026 at 4:00 pm Pakistan time on both portals, so expect a similar mid-January 2027 deadline.
How many Stipendium Hungaricum seats are there for Pakistan?
HEC offered 400 seats in 2026-27: 200 bachelor’s, 70 one-tier master’s (including 20 Medicine and 10 Dentistry), 100 master’s and 30 PhD.
What is the Stipendium Hungaricum stipend?
HUF 43,700 a month for bachelor’s and master’s students and HUF 140,000 to 180,000 a month for PhD students, plus free tuition, a free dorm place or HUF 40,000 a month for housing, and medical insurance.
Is HAT required for Stipendium Hungaricum?
Yes. HEC requires a HAT or USAT score of at least 50% of total marks. Applications without a qualifying score are not considered.
Can I study MBBS in Hungary on Stipendium Hungaricum?
Yes. In 2026-27, HEC reserved 20 seats for Medicine and 10 for Dentistry. Check PMDC’s latest notices on recognition before choosing a university.
Is IELTS required for Stipendium Hungaricum?
Not always. Most Hungarian universities accept an English proficiency certificate from your institution, but some programmes require IELTS or TOEFL.
Can dual nationals apply?
No. HEC only accepts Pakistani or AJK citizens without dual nationality.