If you go to a vocational education, then you have the opportunity to get an internship in Hungary, and with a Danish high school diploma, you can apply for a higher education. Many universities have courses and educations in English.

Hungary is located in Central Europe with borders to Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia and Austria. The capital Budapest is the country’s cultural and economic center and has about 1.8 million residents.

After World War II, Hungary came under communist rule. In October 1956, an attempt was made – through the Hungarian uprising – to democratize the country, which led to Soviet military intervention in November 1956.

In 1990, the first free elections were held. On 1 May 2004, Hungary was admitted as a full member of the EU.

From World War II to 1990, all education in Hungary was heavily Soviet-influenced. Subsequently, a number of reforms were implemented, with decentralization and freedom of choice as key words, and the education system is now fully on a par with the level known in the other EU countries.

Worth knowing

Vocational training in Hungary

In Hungary, you can take a vocational education at the vocational 2- or 3-year Szakiskola or at the 4-year Szakközépiskola, which offers combined general and vocational education. The education from a Szaki school is largely based on internship. In the combined general and vocational education, one alternates between theory and practice. It is only in the last two years of the education that you get an internship. In addition to the professionally oriented subjects and the internship, examinations are taken in a number of general subjects at upper secondary level, so that the education can provide both vocational competence and access to higher education.

• Szakmuntas (vocational training from Szakiskola), lasts 2-3 years and aims to work as a craftsman.
• Erettsegi Bizonyítvány (high school education) from a Szakközépiskola lasts 4 years and provides both professional competence as a craftsman / office assistant and access to higher education in Hungary.

Internship

If you are thinking of taking all or part of your own internship abroad, read the section on internships abroad for vocational education under the section Primary school and upper secondary education.

Higher education in Hungary

The higher education programs are, as in Denmark, divided into non-university higher education programs and university programs. There are also short higher educations, which are offered at colleges or as postgraduate educations at vocational high schools. These educations are aimed at specific professions and include internships. They can be compared with Danish business academy educations.

• Technikusi Oklevel: 2-year vocational higher education
• Foiskola Oklevel: 3-4 year bachelor programs from colleges, corresponds in Denmark to professional bachelor degrees
• Egyetemi Oklevel: 4-5 year university degrees according to the old model, or 1- to 2-year master’s degrees according to the new model
• Doctor: 3-year PhD degree

Application for higher education

The last approx. 10 years has been a sharp increase in the number of applicants for higher education. Therefore, only just over half of the applicants today are admitted. You must apply directly to the educational institution, and the application deadline is 15 February.

Admission requirements

A Danish upper secondary education gives access to apply for admission to a higher education in Hungary. Each university has specific requirements with regard to, among other things, language skills and entrance exams. The specific requirements will be announced 2 years in advance.

Worth knowing

At the universities of Debrecen and Budapest you can take summer courses at the academic level. The summer courses offer subjects such as Hungarian music, language, film and culture.

Recognition of foreign educations

If you have completed a publicly recognized education abroad, you can have it assessed by the Danish Agency for Research and Education. See the application procedure.

Work in Hungary

Unemployment in Hungary in December 2013 was 8.7%. However, there are large regional differences in unemployment.

Job search

You can receive unemployment benefits for 3 months while you apply for a job in Hungary. See more about this in the article Job search abroad in the folder Paid work. You can get information about work in Hungary from the EURES Advisers ‘ job centers in the country.

You can also try searching the online job database on careerjet.

Work-and residence permit

As an EU citizen, you are free to stay in Hungary for 3 three months. If the stay extends over 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit.

If you are going to study or work in Hungary, you must contact the Hungarian Embassy in Denmark before departure to obtain a valid visa. It is a good idea to apply well in advance.

See also the article Visa, work and residence permit.

Facts about Hungary

Population: DKK 10.1 million

Language: Hungarian.

Employment: Unemployment in December 2013 was 8.7% (Eurostat).

Residence permit: Applied for after 3 months.