Hungarian medical schools are competitive to get in because they have entrance exams and limited seats for international students. The admission requirements for medicine in Hungary are:
There’s 1 intake every year taking part in September. To maximise your chances of entry, it’s recommended that you apply as soon as possible.
According to our data from 2021, the average acceptance rate for medicine and dentistry in Hungary is 82%.
Tuition fees for medicine in Hungarian medical schools are about £12,500 per year for 6 years. Compared to the UK, Hungary is more expensive for British students but it’s still a great option.
In terms of living costs however, living in Hungary as a medical student is as twice as affordable than in the UK. Living expenses for 1 person including rent in Hungary are between £500 - £600 per month.
| Tuition fee difference between the UK and Hungary (approx) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Medicine | Dentistry |
| UK | £9,250 | £9,000 |
| Hungary | £12,500 | £12,200 |
| Difference | +26% | +26% |
| Monthly living cost difference between the UK and Hungary (approx) | |
|---|---|
| Country | Budget |
| UK | £1,200 |
| Hungary | £600 |
| Difference | -50% |
Hungarian medical universities are listed in the World Directiry of Medical Schools, which is a directory of higher educational institutions that comply with the highest global teaching standards. All major medical councils in the world, including the General Medical Council in the UK, recognise MD degrees obtained from Hungary.
The courses are desighned for international students and therefore meet the requirements for licensing and registration with the GMC. The programmes cover much more than the minimum of 5,500 hours over a period of at least 3 years.
According to the GMC’s registered doctors by country of primary medical qualification statistics, there are currently more than 1800 graduates from Hungary working in the NHS.
Hungary is home to 32 medical universities, 27 of which are located in the capital Tbilisi. For a smaller country with less than 4 million inhabitants, the number of medical schools here is impressive. This is a clear indication of Hungary’s devotion to healthcare and sciences.
They offer excellent facilities with top-notch teaching technology to deliver a complete student experience. There’s an abundance of international students from every corner of the world, including the UK.
| University | Tuition Fees | English Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Semmelweis University | £12,800 | Medicine, Dentistry |
| 2. University of Debrecen | £13,000 - £13,500 | Medicine, Dentistry |
| 3. University of Pecs | £12,850 - £13,300 | Medicine, Dentistry |
| 4. University of Szeged | £13,000 | Medicine, Dentistry |
Each of Hungary's 4 medical schools offers a 6-year medical programme in English. It includes 3 pre-clinical years, 2 clinical years, and 1 internship/placement year. Lectures, dissections, seminars, tutorials, small group learning, and clinical skills sessions are all used as teaching methods, with a classical approach to medical education being preferred.
The first 3 years of study include a variety of subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology, Histology, Pathology, Biochemistry, and many other. The last 3 years, also known as the clinical years, are spent at university hospitals, where students participate in integrated modules in Cardiology, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Psychiatry. The internship is entirely devoted to hospital and clinic work and guarantees that all graduates will have the opportunity to live the life of a doctor and be familiar with their tasks within the medical team.
Graduate entry medicine is not available in Hungary at this time.
Pre-clinical studies
The first 3 years cover the essential subjects needed to advance into the next stage of your medical education, such as Anatomy and Pathology among other subjects.
Clinical years
The following 2 years emphasise heavily on hospital training with real patients.
Internship year
The last year is dedicated to hospital and clinic work under the supervision of doctors.
Graduation
After successfully passing the state licensing exam, graduates earn the title of Doctor and can practise anywhere in the world.
Despite the high tuition fees for international students, the living costs in Hungary are 2 times lower than in the UK. Renting a 1-bedroom apartment close to the university will cost you around £240 - £300 per month. Dormitories are more affordable, at around £160 per month, but securing a room is difficult as those fill up quickly.
Utilities, food, transportation, and leisure will all require an additional up to £300 monthly, depending on your spending habits.
Hungary is safe for students and tourists as long as they follow the general travel advice against petty crimes. Watch out for overpriced taxis and bars, check prices before ordering, watch your valuables when using public transportation, markets, and general areas where tourists are often found.
Apart from that, all universities and dormitories have security guards and use CCTV monitoring.
