Preparatory Course of Hungarian language

Last modified: 25. March 2025

Hungarian Language Preparatory Course at MATE

The non-degree two-semester long Hungarian Language Preparatory Course at MATE (Szent István Campus, Gödöllő) is designed for international students who would like to apply for admission to a degree course taught in Hungarian.

Only those should apply for the Preparatory Course who really want to study in Hungarian language at a Hungarian university.

Those who pass the Hungarian language exam at the end of the course will start their studies in Hungarian in the following academic year at a Hungarian university. Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders can only start their university studies in Hungarian (not in English) in the chosen field.

We accept both scholarship holders and self-financed students.

1. Scholarship holders:

General information on Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/

After having successfully completed the course, a scholarship holder has to apply for a Hungarian-taught undergraduate (BSc / BA) or master's (MSc / MA) programme and start his/her university studies in Hungarian.

The scholarship is awarded by Tempus Public Foundation.

2. Self-financed students

The full tuition fee for self-financed students is 3500 EUR (1750 EUR per semester). To gain the Letter of Acceptance the full tuition fee payment is a must.

After registration at MATE DreamApply (https://apply.uni-mate.hu/), you should select your programme and complete the APPLICATION FORM.

Application fee is to be paid on DreamApply by SimplePay: 100 EUR (non-refundable)
The platform of evaluation of your application documents is MATE DreamApply. In case of admission, your Preliminary Letter of Acceptance (PLoA) will be issued. After that, two-semester tuition fee (3500 EUR) has to be paid. Finally, your Letter of Acceptance will be provided to apply for your student visa.

3. This 40-week course covers one academic year from the beginning of September to July (two semesters) and it contains 1100-1200 contact hours. Students can also learn about Hungary and Hungarian culture dedicated to cooperative language learning in which students prepare presentations to show in class.

4. From September to April, we learn the basics of the Hungarian language.  To be able to speak Hungarian with confidence from the first day, students are exposed to a balanced treatment of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and skills combined with communicative strategies. Tuition involves 30-34 language classes per week of the first, and 28-30 of the second semester.

5. From April Hungarian for Special Purposes course starts besides general language instructions. Students can choose one/two out of two different modules:

    Business, Economics, and Social Sciences,
    Agriculture, Environment, and Technical Studies

6. The main objective of the Preparatory Course is to develop students' speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills in Hungarian to attain intermediate (B2) level. We also focus on developing our students' soft skills and personal competences, raising their intercultural awareness, and giving them an opportunity to establish strong ties to Hungary and Hungarian culture. Examination: the conditions for starting the second semester and completion of the course are successful written and oral exams at the end of the semesters.

7. Entry requirements:            Secondary school leaving certificate, minimum level of English (A1)
8. Type of entrance exam:      online-interview
9. Entrance exam description: After the assessment of secondary school leaving/BSc certificate, there will be an online interview with the selected ones, during which the motivation, commitment and general language skills of the students will be examined.
10. The main campus is in Central-Hungary, in Gödöllő, which is approx. 25 km from the capital, Budapest. The campus can be reached easily and is situated in a pleasant, green environment.
11. The on-campus dormitories offer services of 3-star hotels; therefore, the students can be accommodated in comfortable and modern rooms.
12. The various associations and organizations of students contribute to an active student life on campus. The sport centre and the recently renovated football fields provide several sport facilities to the youth.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU, JOIN US!

Contact: Ms. Dr. habil. Ildikó RUDNÁK Ph.D., Head of Preparatory Course Program at MATE

Email: rudnak.ildiko@uni-mate.hu