Language and Academic Year

Every country has some specific languages which are chosen as medium of instruction in schools, colleges and universities. In Hungary, the languages used as medium of instruction in most schools, colleges or universities are either Hungarian or English. Though the official language of instruction in Hungary is Hungarian but officially known ethnic and national minorities such as German, Slovenian, Serb, Romanian, Croatian, and Greek have public minority educational institutions where their own native language is used as first or second language of instruction.

Hungarian as the medium of instruction

In Hungary, international students must clear an exam in Hungarian language as a major requirement to get the diplomas, as per Hungarian legislation. The students enrolling for any undergraduate studies must have a command in Hungarian equivalent to minimum C1 in the Europass Language Passport. For graduation or equivalent courses, institutes decide for students as to which language exams they will have to take before they can be awarded the diploma. In case, the graduate courses don’t require Hungarian as language of instruction then students are exempted from the Hungarian language examination criteria.

English as the medium of instruction

In case the language of instruction is English then students are required to prove their proficiency level in the language. Students are requested to present the results of globally recognized examinations, such as the TOEFL test, or they are required to clear an exam at the Hungarian institution where they will be studying. In case of EU students, institutions can assess the English studies of the students from upper secondary school to ensure they meet the language criteria. Students from English countries who have done their upper secondary education in English are even excused from clearing any English language examination.

Academic year in Hungary

In Hungary, the academic year is from September to June with long vacations in July and August. Hungary is prominent for studies in fields such as medicine, dentistry from Semmelweis University situated in Budapest, Debecen and Szeged, also veterinary from the szent Istvan University. The academic year in Hungary is split into an autumn and a spring semester consisting of 14 weeks of teaching and a six-week of exam period.

In short, the academic year and official language of instruction in Hungary are:

Academic year:

• Classes commence from: Sep to: Jun
• Long vacation: Jul to: Aug
• Official languages of instruction: Hungarian
• Other languages used: English, German, Slovenian, Serb, Romanian, Croatian, and Greek

Length and age required at various levels of Education in Hungary with the certificates awarded:

Basic First Stage

• Type of school providing this education:  Elementary School or Altalanos iskola
• Length of program: 4 years
• Age required: 6 to: 10

Basic Second Stage

• Type of school providing this education: Altalanos iskola
• Length of program: 4 years
• Age required: 10 to: 14

Academic Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Four-Year (Regular) Academic Secondary School or Gimnazium Programme 1:

• Length of program: 4 years
• Age required: 14 to 18
• Certificate/diploma awarded: Erettsegi Bizonyitvany/Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Academic Secondary

• Type of school providing this education: Gimnazium Programme 2 (bilingual education)
• Length of program: 5 years
• Age required: 14 to: 19
• Certificate/diploma awarded: Erettsegi Bizonyitvany/Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Academic Secondary

• Type of school providing this education: Gimnazium 3
• Length of program: 8 years
• Age required: 10 to 18
• Certificate/diploma awarded: Erettsegi Bizonyitvany/Secondary School Leaving Certificate

Academic Secondary

• Type of school offering this education: Gimnazium 4
• Length of program:  6 years
• Age required: 12 to 18
• Certificate/diploma awared: Secondary School Leaving Certificate/ Erettsegi Bizonyitvany

Vocational Secondary

• Type of school offering this education: Szakkozepiskola or Vocational Secondary School
• Length of program: 4 years
• Age required: 14 to: 18
• Certificate/diploma awared: Erettsegi Bizonyitvany

Vocational

• Type of school offering this education: Szakiskola (Vocational School)
• Length of program: 4 years
• Age required: 14 to 18