Studying in Hungary as an Irish student
Hungary teaches medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine in English at Semmelweis University (Budapest), the Universities of Debrecen, Pecs and Szeged, and the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. Our database lists 27 health programmes and 75 other courses. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy all have an entrance exam and an oral part. Published medicine fees are in euro or US dollars. The 2027 medicine deadlines fall between 15 May and 30 June 2027.
How an Irish student gets in
Leaving Cert grades. The health faculties do not publish a Leaving Cert grade rule that we found. Entry is by entrance exam and interview. Check the university's own page, for example the University of Pecs Medical School admissions page. Two things the data does state:
- Pecs names the Irish Leaving Certificate on its list of accepted international secondary qualifications.
- Corvinus University (business) exempts applicants with H2 or better in Leaving Cert Maths from its maths entrance exam.
Exemptions do not cover the Leaving Cert. Szeged lists exemption routes (GCE A2, IB Diploma, a first class honours science degree). It states that the Irish Leaving Certificate is not listed. Pecs says an IB diploma gives no exemption.
Medicine and dentistry, university by university.
- Semmelweis (Budapest). Four online tests taken at home, each 20 questions in 20 minutes: Medical Biology, Medical Chemistry, General English and Biomedical English. You are watched on Zoom and use Safe Exam Browser. Then an interview with an oral exam on the tested subjects, in person or on Zoom. Sessions run from early spring to the end of June. You get a maximum of two attempts per calendar year. The USD 400 admission fee covers the application and up to two exam opportunities. No language certificate is required.
- Debrecen. Written tests in Biology (compulsory) and Chemistry or Physics, 45 minutes each, then an oral exam in the same subjects, all in English. There are three outcomes: admitted, admitted to the Basic Medicine Course (a preparatory programme), or rejected. Fees: application USD 150 and entrance procedure USD 350, both non-refundable.
- Pecs. A 100-minute online multiple-choice test: Biology 20 questions, Chemistry 20, General English 40, Medical English 20. Then a 20 to 30 minute interview with a professor on Zoom or Teams, on medicine and motivation. Two retakes are allowed after a failed exam. Fees: application USD 200, entrance exam USD 250.
- Szeged. A 60-minute online test (Biology, Chemistry, English, 20 questions each), then a Zoom interview of about 20 minutes with a professor: general conversation, then two biology and two chemistry questions in English. A maximum of two attempts per application period. The EUR 300 fee covers up to three health programmes. Applicants who failed Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or English in their final school year are not entitled to apply to medicine.
- University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. A written exam in Biology, Chemistry and English counts for 50% and an oral exam for 50%. You need at least 50% on the written exam to sit the oral. Fees: application EUR 200, exam EUR 250.
Proof of English.
- Semmelweis and Szeged test English in the exam and state no certificate requirement for medicine.
- Debrecen asks for a standardised B2 certificate from a proctored exam. It exempts secondary or higher education completed in English, with a medium-of-instruction certificate. The page does not name the Leaving Cert.
- Pecs says applicants who obtained secondary education in English in Ireland may be exempt from the language requirement. The medical school still assesses English by test or interview.
Documents.
- Semmelweis: uploaded to its SEMAPHOR system as originals or certified copies, in English or with a certified English translation. Final-year applicants can upload their school-leaving certificate by 21 August. A medical certificate is needed from successful applicants.
- Pecs: official copies of the school certificate and transcript, in English or officially translated. After admission you also need a medical certificate, a chest X-ray, Hepatitis B immunisation or serology, and an HIV test not older than three months.
- Szeged: verified copies are posted only after acceptance. A separate motivation letter is needed for each programme.
What it costs
Fees are as published. Semmelweis and Szeged publish per semester; we do not double them.
| University | Medicine | Dentistry | Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semmelweis | EUR 9,340 per semester plus one-time fees | EUR 9,340 per semester plus one-time fees | EUR 5,820 per semester plus one-time fees |
| Debrecen | USD 16,900 per year (2026/27) | USD 17,500 per year (2026/27, includes materials) | USD 8,000 per year (2026/27) |
| Pecs | USD 16,750 per year (USD 9,000 first semester, USD 7,750 second) | USD 17,350 per year, includes dental materials | EUR 8,400 per year |
| Szeged (2026/27) | EUR 7,900 per semester from the 2nd (1st: EUR 7,100 plus EUR 800 deposit) | EUR 7,600 per semester from the 2nd (1st: EUR 8,000) | EUR 5,000 per semester from the 2nd (1st: EUR 5,420) |
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest: EUR 12,480 per year for new admissions in 2026/27 (EUR 7,700 first term, EUR 4,780 second). Szeged says its fees are subject to change each September.
Other health fees: Pecs nursing and physiotherapy EUR 2,900 per semester (application fee EUR 200, registration fee EUR 100); Szeged nursing and physiotherapy EUR 3,500 per semester (2026/27); Semmelweis nursing EUR 4,050 per semester; Debrecen nursing USD 7,500 per year.
For other fields, published EU or EEA rates include ELTE International Relations EUR 2,400 per year and ELTE Psychology EUR 9,400 per year, Pecs English and American Studies EUR 3,600 per year, BME Mechanical Engineering EUR 2,200 per year (2026/27) and Corvinus Business and Management HUF 1,980,000 per year.
Accommodation.
- Pecs halls (university price, year not stated): HUF 79,900 to HUF 103,600 a month by hall. An article dated June 2024 gives EUR 150 to EUR 195. A rented two-room apartment is EUR 320 to EUR 550 a month, utilities extra, according to the Pecs medical admissions page.
- Szeged halls (university brochure dated 2025-03-13 by filename): EUR 100 a month. Rented room to one-bedroom flat: EUR 200 to EUR 400 a month, bills not included.
- Debrecen halls (university price, year not stated): HUF 44,150 a month in a 2x3-bed room for international students at one dormitory.
- Semmelweis: private rent from about EUR 300 for a room and about EUR 500 for a studio, a month. These are "from" prices, so actual rents may be higher.
- Corvinus (business): university dormitory EUR 100 to EUR 200 a month.
- Budapest University of Economics and Business says it has no on-campus housing. It publishes private rent of EUR 250 to EUR 400 (shared) and EUR 350 to EUR 600 (city centre) a month. These are not university prices.
Deadlines
| University | Cycle | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Debrecen (all programmes) | September 2027 | 15 May 2027 |
| Semmelweis: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy | 2027 | 31 May 2027 |
| Szeged: medicine | 2027/28, fall | 1 June 2027; applications open 1 December 2026 |
| Pecs: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy | 2027 | Application form open 1 November 2026 to 30 June 2027 |
| Pecs: nursing, physiotherapy | 2027/28 | 30 June 2027, 23:59 CET; applications open 1 November 2026; studies start 1 September 2027 |
| Semmelweis: nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, other BSc | 2027 | 31 July 2027 |
| University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest | Each year | Rolling; the application period starts in January. End date not published. |
Health courses
Verified rows first, then rows checked against the official source (first pass). We left out rows whose deadline is not in our data (Szeged dentistry, pharmacy and nursing).
| University | Programme | Language | Fee | Deadline | Entrance exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pecs (Health Sciences) | BSc Nursing | English | EUR 2,900 per semester (2027/28) | 30 Jun 2027 | English test and/or interview |
| Pecs (Health Sciences) | BSc Physiotherapy | English | EUR 2,900 per semester (2027/28) | 30 Jun 2027 | English test and/or interview |
| Semmelweis | General Medicine (MD) | English | EUR 9,340 per semester plus one-time fees | 31 May 2027 | Four online tests, then interview and oral exam |
| Semmelweis | Dentistry | English | EUR 9,340 per semester plus one-time fees | 31 May 2027 | Four online tests, then interview and oral exam |
| Semmelweis | Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc) | English | EUR 5,820 per semester plus one-time fees | 31 May 2027 | Four online tests, then interview and oral exam |
| Debrecen | Medicine (MD) | English | USD 16,900 per year (2026/27) | 15 May 2027 | Written biology plus chemistry or physics; oral exam |
| Debrecen | Dentistry (DMD) | English | USD 17,500 per year (2026/27) | 15 May 2027 | Written biology plus chemistry or physics; oral exam |
| Debrecen | Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) | English | USD 8,000 per year (2026/27) | 15 May 2027 | Written biology plus chemistry or physics; oral exam |
| Pecs (Medical School) | General Medicine (MD) | English | USD 16,750 per year | 30 Jun 2027 | 100-minute online test, then 20 to 30 minute interview |
| Pecs (Medical School) | Dentistry (DMD) | English | USD 17,350 per year | 30 Jun 2027 | 100-minute online test, then 20 to 30 minute interview |
| Pecs (Pharmacy) | Pharmacy (PharmD) | English | EUR 8,400 per year | 30 Jun 2027 | Online oral interview only |
| Szeged | General Medicine (MD) | English | EUR 7,900 per semester from the 2nd (2026/27) | 1 Jun 2027 | 60-minute online test, then Zoom interview |
| Veterinary Medicine Budapest | Veterinary Medicine | English | EUR 12,480 per year (2026/27) | Rolling, from January | Written (50%) and oral (50%) exam |
Other courses
Rows marked "partly verified" have gaps: check dates and fees on the university page.
| University | Programme | Language | Fee | Deadline | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELTE | Psychology BA | English | EUR 9,400 per year (EU/EEA; year not stated) | 8 Jun 2027 | Oral entrance exam; IELTS 6.5 or equivalent |
| ELTE | English and American Studies BA | English | EUR 4,600 per year (EU/EEA; year not stated) | 31 May 2027 | Online interview |
| ELTE | Computer Science BSc | English | EUR 6,400 per year (EU/EEA; year not stated) | 30 Apr 2027 | Online test (50% to proceed) and English interview |
| ELTE | Chemistry BSc | English | EUR 3,150 per year (EU/EEA; year not stated) | 31 May 2027 | B2 English certificate |
| ELTE | International Relations BA | English | EUR 2,400 per year (EU/EEA; year not stated) | 31 May 2027 | Online oral exam |
| Corvinus | BA International Relations | English | HUF 1,700,000 per year (EEA; year not stated) | Rolling; platform opens Oct 2026 | Online interview; B2 English |
| Corvinus | BSc Business and Management | English | HUF 1,980,000 per year (EEA; year not stated) | Rolling; platform opens Oct 2026 | Maths exam, or H2 in Leaving Cert Maths |
| Corvinus | BSc International Business | English | HUF 1,980,000 per year (EEA; year not stated) | Rolling; platform opens Oct 2026 | Online maths exam unless exempt |
| Budapest Metropolitan University | Communication and Media Studies BA | English | EUR 6,400 per year (EU rate, 2026/27) | 5 Jan 2027 (spring intake) | Online interview |
| Pecs | Psychology BA | English | EUR 5,800 per year (EU) | 30 Jun 2027 | Entrance exam and motivational video; English waived for Irish secondary education |
| Pecs | English and American Studies BA | English | EUR 3,600 per year (EU) | 30 Jun 2027 | Entrance exam and motivational video; English waived for Irish secondary education |
| Pecs (partly verified) | Civil Engineering BSc | English | USD 6,800 per year; no EU rate | 30 Jun 2027 | Last two years of school results; online interview |
| BME (partly verified) | Computer Science Engineer BSc | English | EUR 4,500 per year (EU, 2026/27) | September 2027 dates not published | Maths and physics test, oral exam |
| BME (partly verified) | Mechanical Engineering BSc | English | EUR 2,200 per year (EU, 2026/27) | September 2027 dates not published | e-admission test |
| Budapest University of Economics and Business (partly verified) | Business Administration and Management BSc | English | HUF 1,380,000 per year (EU, 2026/27) | 15 Jun 2027 | Online interview; B2 English assessed there |
| Debrecen (partly verified) | Psychology BA | English | USD 6,000 per year (2026/27) | 15 May 2027 | Online oral interview |
| Debrecen (partly verified) | Business Administration and Management BSc | English | USD 7,000 per year (2026/27) | 15 May 2027 | Maths entrance exam |
| Miskolc (partly verified) | Mechanical Engineering BSc | English | EUR 6,000 per year | 2027 dates not published | Online oral interview |
| Szeged (partly verified) | Computer Science BSc | English | EUR 6,400 per year | 2027 dates not published | Online interview, EUR 100 exam fee |
Things that catch Irish students out
- Deadlines are not the same. They run from 15 May (Debrecen) to 30 June (Pecs). Semmelweis medicine closes on 31 May, a month before Pecs.
- The Leaving Cert is not an exemption at Szeged. The exemption list there covers A2, IB and certain degrees.
- English proof differs. Debrecen wants a B2 certificate unless your schooling was in English with a medium-of-instruction certificate. Pecs lists Irish schooling in English as possibly exempt. Semmelweis wants no certificate.
- Fees are in different currencies and periods. Semmelweis and Szeged are per semester in euro. Debrecen and Pecs are per year in US dollars for medicine. Add one-time fees to Semmelweis.
- Dental fees include materials. Pecs and Debrecen say so. Compare like with like.
- Exam attempts are capped. Semmelweis and Szeged allow two attempts. Pecs allows two retakes after a failed exam.
- Debrecen can offer a preparatory year. A weaker result can lead to the Basic Medicine Course instead of a place in year one.
- Medical paperwork. Pecs asks for a chest X-ray and an HIV test not older than three months.
- Debrecen dates conflict on one programme. Its general page says 15 May 2027; the Business BSc page says 15 June with no year.
FAQ
Is there an entrance exam for medicine in Hungary? Yes. Semmelweis, Debrecen, Pecs and Szeged all set written tests in biology and chemistry (Debrecen allows chemistry or physics) and an oral part or interview. The veterinary university also sets a written and an oral exam.
Do I need an English certificate? It depends. Semmelweis states no certificate is required. Debrecen asks for B2 from a proctored exam unless you studied in English. Pecs says secondary education in English in Ireland may be exempt, but still assesses English.
How much does medicine cost? Published figures include EUR 9,340 per semester at Semmelweis, USD 16,900 per year at Debrecen, USD 16,750 per year at Pecs, and EUR 7,900 per semester from the second semester at Szeged (2026/27).
What are the 2027 deadlines for medicine? Debrecen: 15 May 2027. Semmelweis: 31 May 2027. Szeged: 1 June 2027, with applications opening 1 December 2026. Pecs: applications open 1 November 2026 and close 30 June 2027.
Does Hungary accept the Leaving Cert? Pecs names it on its list of accepted international secondary qualifications. The other health pages do not publish a Leaving Cert rule that we found. Check the university's page and ask the admissions office to confirm.
Sources
Semmelweis University
- https://semmelweis.hu/english/programs-to-study-at-semmelweis-university/general-medicine/
- https://semmelweis.hu/english/programs-to-study-at-semmelweis-university/dentistry/
- https://semmelweis.hu/english/programs-to-study-at-semmelweis-university/pharmaceutical-sciences/
- https://semmelweis.hu/admission/process/entrance-exam-medicine-dentistry-and-pharmaceutical-sciences/
- https://semmelweis.hu/registrar/admission-rules
- https://semmelweis.hu/english/students/housing/
University of Debrecen
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/medicine-full-time-graduate-program
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/dentistry-full-time-graduate-program
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/pharmacy-full-time-graduate-program
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/tuition-fee-application-entrance-fee
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/application-and-admission
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/entrance-examinationinterview
- https://kollegiumok.unideb.hu/LKD3
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/psychology-ba
- https://www.edu.unideb.hu/p/business-administration-and-management-bsc
University of Pecs
- https://admissions.medschool.pte.hu/static-files/208512/beiskolazasi_kiadvany_EN_2027.pdf
- https://international.pte.hu/study-programs/bsc-nursing
- https://international.pte.hu/admission/prepare-your-stay/housing
- https://admissions.medschool.pte.hu/news/article/16752/accommodation-in-pecs-a-guide-for-prospective-students
- https://admissions.medschool.pte.hu/news/article/16638/everything-about-accommodations
- https://international.pte.hu/study-programs/ba-psychology
- https://international.pte.hu/study-programs/ba-english-and-american-studies
- https://international.pte.hu/study-programs/bsc-civil-engineering
University of Szeged
- https://apply.u-szeged.hu/en_GB/courses/course/218-md-general-medicine
- https://apply.u-szeged.hu/en_GB/courses/course/263-dmd-dental-medicine
- https://u-szeged.hu/english/prospective-students/entrance-evaluation
- https://u-szeged.hu/prospective-students/printed-publications/250313-szte-student-life
- https://apply.u-szeged.hu/en_GB/courses/course/474-bsc-computer-science
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest
ELTE
- https://www.elte.hu/en/psychology-ba
- https://www.elte.hu/en/english-and-american-studies-ba
- https://www.elte.hu/en/computer-science-bsc
- https://www.elte.hu/en/chemistry-bsc
- https://www.elte.hu/en/international-relations-ba
Corvinus University of Budapest
- https://www.uni-corvinus.hu/post/landing-page/bachelors/bsc-in-business-and-management/?lang=en
- https://www.uni-corvinus.hu/post/landing-page/bachelors/ba-in-international-relations/?lang=en
- https://www.uni-corvinus.hu/post/landing-page/bachelors/bsc-in-international-business/?lang=en
- https://www.uni-corvinus.hu/post/landing-page/application/fees-and-costs/?lang=en
Budapest Metropolitan University
- https://www.metropolitan.hu/en/communication-and-media-studies-ba
- https://metropolitan.hu/en/tuition-fees
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- https://xplore.bme.hu/programme/computer-science-engineer-bsc/
- https://xplore.bme.hu/programme/bsc-in-mechanical-engineering/
- https://xplore.bme.hu/tuition-fees/
Budapest University of Economics and Business
- https://uni-bge.hu/en/business-administration-and-management-bsc
- https://uni-bge.hu/en/tuition-fee
- https://uni-bge.hu/en/accomodation
University of Miskolc
Details can change. Check the official page before you apply.
Courses in our database (0)
No courses match those filters.