Click Here for Educational Opportunities for Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities
You can watch the following videos if you want to learn more about nurseries, kindergartens, primary schools, exams to secondary schools, secondary schools and school life in Hungary.
Kattintson ide magyar nyelvű információért
Joint messages by the Inclusion Working Group:
Information for Ukrainian refugee parents and other caregivers holding temporary protection status on enrollment in kindergarten and school for the academic year 2024/2025
Guidance for refugee parents – Summary
- Temporary protection status holders have the right to attend kindergarten (from the age of 3) and school (from the age of 6), like all Hungarian children.
- In Hungary, education is compulsory between the ages of 3 and 16.
- Compulsory education cannot be fulfilled through unregistered, community-led schools, or fully online schools in Hungary.
- Following the Ukrainian curriculum is possible in Hungary, and various distance learning forms are offered by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science.
- Before selecting any educational programs, please carefully evaluate the quality and official recognition of the educational institutions. This can help your child prevent the loss of school credentials and ensure continuous education.
Can I enroll my child in a Hungarian school or kindergarten, and under what conditions?
- Yes! Holders of temporary protection status have the right to attend kindergarten (from the age of 3) and school (from the age of 6), like Hungarian children.
- Every child, including those with temporary protection status, must attend accredited educational institutions in Hungary if they reside in the country for more than three months. This requirement is due to education being compulsory for children between the ages of 3 and 16 in Hungary.
- Kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary education are obliged to offer access to their institutions for all children within their educational districts.
- Kindergartens, primary, and secondary education are free of charge in Hungary at public institutions, which are mainly state or church-run. However, you have the option to choose private institutions, bearing in mind that they require fees.
- Primary education is provided by primary schools (Grades 1-8, for children aged 6-14), after which children can enter secondary schools (Grades 9-12, for those aged 15-18) [1], such as general secondary schools or vocational training institutions, including technical and vocational schools.
[1] Note that some secondary schools accept students after Grade 4 or 6.
Why should I enroll my child in a Hungarian school?
School enrollment and attendance are required under Hungarian law. It is also essential for the development of your child and ensures their fundamental child rights.
- It will help prepare children for all possible future developments, whether to return to Ukraine after a temporary period, or to develop long-term plans to stay in Hungary / the EU, if needed.
- Studying in a Hungarian school allows for a focus on ensuring quality education and makes it easier for children to interact with their peers, experience a sense of normalcy, and receive appropriate support services, regardless of the length of your intended stay in Hungary.
- Studying in a Hungarian school is sustainable. Experience has shown that enrollment in temporary or ‘pop-up’ schools using the Ukrainian curriculum may not have the resources to continue operating for a full academic year in Hungary, leading to further disruption of your children’s education.
- Children, especially adolescents, who are not included in the host country’s education system run a higher risk of leaving education and/or training early, seriously impeding their potential to progress in the labor market later.
- The Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science recommends refugee parents familiarize themselves with the requirements for compulsory education and enroll children according to local rules. The Ministry also highlights the social benefits of enrolling in a host country’s education system.
When does the enrollment period for the 2024/2025 school term start?
- The school term for 2024/2025 begins on September 1, 2024. Generally, enrollment for the school term opens on April 5, 2024, with a deadline of April 18-19, 2024. Kindergarten enrollment dates are determined by the municipality and must be open for 30 days.
- We recommend verifying the specific dates with the selected schools/kindergarten, as there may be variations, especially regarding kindergarten enrollment.
- Children who turn 3 years old by August 31, 2024, are required to enroll in kindergarten for at least 4 hours per day. Children who turn 6 years old by August 31, 2024, must join the first grade of primary school. All other TP status children between 3 and 16 years residing in Hungary for more than 3 months are expected to enroll in kindergarten and school based on their age and/or academic achievement level.
- Adherence to the enrollment deadline is advised to ensure that your child can begin kindergarten or school on the first day of the new term.
- If you are unable to meet the deadline, you can still enroll your child but are urged to initiate the registration process as soon as possible.
KINDERGARTEN:
How can I enroll my child in kindergarten?
- Kindergarten covers children aged between 3 and 6 years.
- You can find out which kindergarten is assigned to you based on your address by visiting this link: https://kir2korzet3h.kir.hu/Pub/index.
- However, parents have the freedom to choose a kindergarten for their child. You have the right to contact any kindergarten you wish, but they may not be able to accommodate your child.
- It is advisable to directly contact the kindergarten of your choice. However, you can also seek further information and support from the local municipality or the local Family Support and Child Welfare Services.
- If your district kindergarten/school operates at the maximum number of children it can accommodate and therefore cannot enroll your child, in these cases, the child should have access to a neighboring school.
- If you don’t speak Hungarian, please ensure that you have someone accompany you to provide translation support.
- You can request a translation service from IOM by filling out this FORM.
PRIMARY SCHOOL:
How can I enroll my child in a primary school?
- Primary School covers Grades 1 – 8.
- On this link https://kir2korzet3h.kir.hu/Pub/index you can find which school is assigned to you based on your address.
- However, there is a free choice of school for parents, so you have the right to contact any school you wish, but they might not be able to accept your child.
- It is advised to directly reach out to the school of your choice, but you can seek further information and assistance in finding a place for your child from the relevant educational district center.
- If your district kindergarten/school operates at the maximum number of children it can accommodate and therefore cannot enroll your child, in these cases, the child should have access to a neighboring school.
- In case you don’t speak Hungarian, please make sure to have someone accompany you and support you with translation.
- You can also request a translation service from IOM by filling this FORM.
SECONDARY SCHOOL:
How can I enroll my child in a secondary school?
- Secondary School covers Grades 9 – 12.
- You are advised to contact the secondary schools directly to discuss the enrollment procedures.
- There is free choice of school in the case of secondary schools as well, but schools are free to decide on entry criteria.
- In case there are challenges in finding a suitable school that is able to enroll your child, please reach out to the educational district center in your district for support.
- You can also request a translation service from IOM by filling this FORM.
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS:
Where should I enroll my child if they have special educational needs?
- It is the right of the child with developmental delays and disabilities to receive developmental pedagogical or special educational services according to their needs. These needs are established by the expert committee based on their assessment.
- In Hungary, your child can be educated in different forms depending on his/her needs. There are designated educational institutions which can host special needs children in an integrated school setting or in special classes, depending on the needs of the child. The form of education is defined by the Pedagogical Assistance Services; therefore, as a first step, we recommend getting in contact with the Pedagogical Assistant Service of your district.
- Further information about the available services and assessment process is available on the webpage of UNHCR: https://help.unhcr.org/hungary/education-with-disabilities/
ALL EDUCATION LEVELS:
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: What documents do I need to enroll my child in school?
Schools may request certain documents for enrollment, which may include the following:
- Filled-in application document, usually accessible from the selected educational institution
- Birth certificate of your child
- Document indicating the ID of your child (e.g., passport, ID card)
- Health insurance number of the child (Temporary Protection card number may be sufficient)
- Document indicating your ID (e.g., passport, ID card)
- Temporary Protection card or other residency card
- Vaccination documents
- Certificate of the last finished school year
- Document indicating your address
If you do not have these documents, please do not be discouraged and explain your situation to the school management. Commonly, forcibly displaced persons face challenges in providing full sets of documents.
Does my child need to be vaccinated in order to attend school?
- There are different mandatory vaccines for every child in Hungary, depending on their age.
- It is advised to contact a pediatrician to discuss the vaccination plan for your child.
- You might be requested to show proof of vaccination during the kindergarten or school enrollment process.
- If your child has been vaccinated in Ukraine but you don’t have proof, please ask the pediatrician for advice.
What grade will my child attend?
- The school director, together with the parents, will decide on the grade in which the child will be enrolled.
- This decision should be made in consultation with the parents, although the child may also be asked to take some tests.
I am still uncertain where in Hungary I will stay – what shall I do?
- We advise you to enroll your child at your current place of residence. If you later move to another part of Hungary, you should register your child there.
- It is essential that your child continues their education and does not miss school.
What happens if I decide to return to Ukraine or move to another country?
- If you decide to return to Ukraine, you can cancel the enrollment in Hungary.
- Please inform the school of your departure date and request confirmation of your child’s school attendance.
If we return to Ukraine, will the educational progress of my child within the Hungarian education system be accepted in the Ukrainian education system?
- Based on a bilateral agreement between Hungary and Ukraine, studies conducted in state-accredited educational institutions are recognized by both countries. It means that students can generally continue their studies in the next grade after returning to Ukraine from Hungary, if they meet the requirements set out in the Ukrainian legislation. Please follow this LINK to check the agreement (in Ukrainian).
- Certificates proving the completion of different stages of education are recognized as equivalent in each country.
- It is critical that parents keep records of the previous learning of their children in Ukraine and in Hungary (i.e. report cards, evaluations, grades, diplomas, certificates). These will in most cases be taken into account when a child is assessed and placed in school.
- Refugee children and youth who have studied in foreign countries other than Hungary can also have their learning validated within the Ukrainian education system upon their return. The Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science has issued methodological guidance for educational authorities, explaining how children returning from abroad can validate their educational history in secondary schools abroad within Ukrainian schools. The guidance is available here: LINK.
Can I keep my child enrolled in the Ukrainian education system online?
- Enrolment in Hungarian schools does not, per se, hinder or exclude refugee children from Ukraine from remaining enrolled in online education according to the curriculum of Ukraine. In fact, community feedback has shown this form of learning remains popular: In Hungary, 37% were also following the Ukrainian curriculum online while attending Hungarian schools, while 16% were exclusively following the Ukrainian curriculum online.
- Studies have revealed benefits from continuing to follow parts of the Ukrainian curriculum for subjects that are not taught in the host country, such as Ukrainian language, history, and culture, as they maintain linkages with the linguistic and cultural aspects of the country of origin.
- The Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science allows children to continue following online lessons as distance learning students, externships, home education, or in an individual educational trajectory. Exams and evaluations are normally organized online for certain grades. Further information can be found on their webpage: https://mon.gov.ua/en
- When it comes to online education, you need to consider that enrolling your child in Ukrainian distance learning should not mean that you do not enroll your child in a certified educational institution in Hungary. Compulsory education cannot be fulfilled through unregistered, community-led schools, or fully online schools.
- Also, you should consider the workload of children if they are in education in Hungary and studying the Ukrainian curriculum at the same time. Subjects that are taught in both the host country and the Ukrainian education system — such as mathematics and sciences — should be followed only in the host country school where the child is enrolled.
If my child is solely enrolled in Ukrainian distance schooling and/or afterschool programs, is it fulfilling his/her educational obligations in Hungary?
- No, informal educational programs[1] and online learning are not accepted and do not interchange with mandatory schooling in Hungary.
- Some organizations offer face-to-face education in line with the Ukrainian curriculum, taught by Ukrainian teachers. It is important to check if these educational programs are recognized by the Hungarian authorities as well as by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. Additionally, funding for some of these schools is limited in certain cases, or funding may be discontinued, forcing them to cease their activities sooner or later.
- You should evaluate the quality and continuity of these education options before considering them for your children. When complementary forms of education are considered in addition to education in the national school system, you should ensure that any learning that takes place is recognized and rewarded with official grades or certificates to protect against their children losing out on credentials and to avoid a lack of documentation on academic achievement and skills.
[1] Educational programs happening outside of the school-based learning system such as afterschool programs, catch-up classes or other educational programs offered by organizations, non-recognized as educational institutions.
What happens if I have temporary protection in Hungary, but decide not to enroll my child to the Hungarian education system?
In the event that a child between 3 and 16 years of age is not enrolled in a Hungarian kindergarten or school, the parent or legal guardian of the child may be subject to a fine (ranging from HUF 5,000 to 150,000) for committing a minor offense. [1]
If the child is enrolled in a Hungarian school but has more than 10 hours of uncertified absence, the school will notify the Family and Child Welfare Service. If the absence exceeds 50 hours, the Guardianship authority will be involved. In such cases, the authorities will inquire with the family about the reasons for the absence and the potential support the family could receive.
[1] Reference to Section 247 (1) of Act II of 2012 on Minor Offences.
What happens, if I decide to withdraw my temporary protection status to avoid the compulsory school enrolment of my child?
It is not advised to renounce your and/or your child’s temporary protection status in order to avoid mandatory school attendance. If you plan to stay in Hungary for a longer period, it is important that you and your child have a legal title to stay in Hungary. Temporary protection gives you the right to reside in Hungary, and access to important services such as medical treatment and financial support.
Where do I find more information?
- “Safe in Hungary” website: https://safeinhungary.gov.hu/en/stay/education
- UNHCR Hungary Help website: https://help.unhcr.org/hungary/help/education/
- Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science: https://mon.gov.ua/en
Who can help me with interpretation?
You can request a in person and telephone interpretation service of IOM by filling in this FORM. Th service can be booked for maximum 1 hour. Personal interpretation services should be ordered in justified cases. When booking, please indicate the reason for requesting a personal interpretation.
Tipp: Use your browser to auto-translate websites from Hungarian to Ukraine and google translation application or other voice translator phone applications to interpret your voice or text.
Where can I get further support or assistance with the enrolment process?
Please try first to enroll your child by yourself, or with the help of a trusted community member or friend. If you continue to face difficulties, are your questions were not answered, you may flag this to the Inclusion Working Group focal point, who will review your case and follow up. To start this process, please reach out to the UNHCR Helpline available in Hungarian, Ukrainian and English, toll free, from 8 – 17 hrs (Monday-Friday).
Refugee helpline number: +36 80 984 583
Email contact: [email protected]
In accordance with the Bologna system, study programmes are offered at three levels: basic training program (BA, BSc), master level program (MA, MSc), and doctoral level (PhD, DLA) program.
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is the only existing credit system in Hungary. Due to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which was introduced in September 2003, credits and degrees earned in Hungary are transferable to other European institutions and vice versa. In addition to the diploma, students are also provided with a special supplement that is recognized all over the European Union.
Find detailed information about the Hungarian higher education, universities and practical information about living in Hungary on the Study in Hungary website:
http://studyinhungary.hu/
1. Where can I search about the available higher educational studies in Hungary and how can I apply?
Please check the below link where you can search among the studies and universities in Hungary. https://www.felvi.hu/felveteli/szakok_kepzesek
The entire admission process is done electronically. You need to apply through the E-admission available at Felvi.hu, which require an online customer portal identification (ügyfélkapu). If you face trouble in registration for customer portal or e-admission due to the expiration date on your Temporary Protection card, please get in touch in person with the client service of National General-Directorate for Aliens Policy.
2. What are the minimum conditions of admission?
Only those who can be admitted reach the minimum point requirement/limit of the given specialization. This is defined by each university and usually depends on the number of applicants and the number of places (i.e. the capacity) of the institutions.
Undergraduate and undivided long programmes maximum score: 500 points
Final point of the applicant is calculated based on the academic achievements in secondary school and/or final examination points. There are different ways how your total points can be calculated, and the more favorable ones can be chosen by you. Extra bonus points can be collected too through different achievements.
Please read more about the ways of point calculation: https://www.felvi.hu/felveteli/jelentkezes/felveteli_tajekoztato/FFT_2024A/pontszamitas
3. Which are the required documents?
Reading to get familiar with the admission procedure in Hungary is available on felvi.hu website in English. https://www.felvi.hu/pub_bin/dload/FFT_23A/Felvi_kisokos_angol_2023_ENG.pdf
In general, the required documents are the following, more detailed information is available in the Admission Guide:
- All pages of the secondary school-leaving certificate;
- The annex with the original school-leaving certificate subjects and results (secondary school);
- For the calculation of study points, the pages of the original annual results containing all the end-of-year results, which provide credible evidence of the duration of study and successful completion of the study requirements for the baccalaureate;
- For foreign documents issued in another language than English, German or French, a copy of the certified translation into Hungarian must be submitted; ≥ any document proving the bonus points;
- Higher education qualification – you can check whether and under what conditions it is possible to score points for a degree in the “List of universities and colleges”;
- Any other documents necessary for a proper assessment of the application (e.g. a document proving a change of name, proof of payment of the admission fee);
- Any specific document required by the higher education institution for the selected course(s)– can be checked in the institution’s call (e.g. occupational health certificate’)
4. Which secondary school certificates are recognized in Hungary for admission to universities if I completed my studies in Ukraine or in other countries?
In case of Ukrainian refugees, the following secondary school certificates are accepted:
- Atestat pro povnu zahalnu seredniu osvìtu (’Atestat’ –until 2018),
- Svidotstvo pro zdobuttia povnoi zahalnoi serednoi osvity (’Svìdoctvo’ – after 2019),
- Dyplom molodoho spetsìalìsta (szakmai érettségi bizonyítvány).
More details about the required documents by country and how the academic achievements are recalculated according to the Hungarian system is available under the following link. https://www.felvi.hu/felveteli/jelentkezes/felveteli_tajekoztato/FFT_2024A/kulfoldi_vegzettsegek/orszagok_szerint/ukrajna
5. What are the deadlines?
Usually, the application deadline is in February of each year, specific deadlines of each academic year is always publish on felvi.hu website.
6. Are there available scholarships for refugees in Hungary?
- Tempus Public Foundation manages several scholarships available for foreign students. We list here some of the major programs, but for further information please contact the Foundation directly.
Contact
Address: 1. Kéthly Anna tér, Budapest, HU-1077
Postal address: PO. 508., Budapest 70., HU-1438
Telephone: (+36 1) 237-1300
Fax: (+36 1) 239-1329
Infoline: (+36 1) 237-1320
E-mail: [email protected]
Webpage: https://tka.hu/english
Stipendium Hungaricum: The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme was launched in 2013 by the Hungarian Government with the aim of providing opportunities for international students to pursue their higher education studies in Hungary. The programme’s core mission is to increase the number of international students in Hungary and encourage Hungarian higher education institutions to attract international students.
The Students at Risk Subprogramme is an addition to the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme and is supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and managed by the Tempus Public Foundation. Its goal is to provide assistance to Ukranian students and doctoral candidates whose studies or research are interrupted because of war, catastrophe, prosecution etc. For students fleeing the war in Ukraine, the subprogramme provides scholarships for studies in Hungarian higher education institutions. The present application is open for Ukrainian citizens who wish to pursue higher education studies in a Hungarian higher education institution. The opportunity is also open for those who already pursued higher education studies before and those who only have a secondary school graduation certificate.
The scholarship includes exemption from the payment of tuition fee, monthly stipend (cca EUR 110) contribution to the living expenses in Hungary, accommodation contribution and medical insurance. Please note that financial contribution of the scholarship would not cover your full living costs in Hungary.
Call and details of the application procedure, required documents and eligibility is available on the website of the program: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/studentsatrisk/
Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship: The core mission of the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship is to strengthen the ties between Hungarian diaspora communities and Hungary by giving access for young people living in Hungarian diasporas to study programmes in Hungary. The application for the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship was announced for the first time in November 2020, in order to apply for the admission process of the 2021/2022 academic year. Its main goal is to support those who wish to rediscover and reconnect to their Hungarian heritage and want to become professionals on a field that can contribute to the prosperity of their diaspora community as well. The geographical scope of the programme is: every country in the world, except of the countries of the European Union, the Republic of Serbia and the Zakarpatska Oblast part of Ukraine.
Provisions of the scholarship: tuition-free education, monthly stipend (upon request), accommodation contribution, medical insurance, travel contribution (upon request, one-occasion travel allowance if the distance between Budapest and the applicant’s place of residence is 8,000 km or more).
Call for application and other useful documents are available on the website of the programme: https://diasporascholarship.hu/en/apply/.
The Makovecz Programme managed by Tempus Foundation too allows Hungarian students, teachers, and higher education professionals from Transcarpathia to participate in higher education in Hungary and across the whole Carpathian Basin. The programme provides grants to cover the participants’ scholarship and support for their close relatives. https://kmf.uz.ua/hu/makovecz-osztondijprogram/
The Hunyadi János Scholarship offers an opportunity to students living in the Hungarian diaspora to participate in higher education programmes in Hungary, which are “shortage courses” not taught in Hungarian outside the country. Applications for the scholarship are open to students admitted to full-time undergraduate or single-cycle programmes. The call for proposal contains the tender conditions and other details, which is uploaded in each tender period to the website of the Tempus Public Foundation coordinating the tender: https://tka.hu/palyazatok/17551/hunyadi-janos-osztondij
Also recommended to check with the admission office of the selected university if there are available scholarship opportunities for refugees, many universities offer.
7. What study programs are available in Hungary for refugees?
Olive, Open Learning Initiative offers a weekend adult educational program for refugees. It aims to creating a safe and inclusive learning space within a university-like setting for people who have experienced displacement, including asylum seekers and those with refugee status. It has run programs for displaced learners in Budapest and Vienna since 2016, for further information please check their website: https://openeducation.group/
Invisible University for Ukraine Initiative launched by Central European University it’s a certificate program (offering ECTS credits) for junior and senior undergraduate (BA) and graduate (MA and PhD) students from Ukraine, whose studies have been affected by the war, whether still residing in Ukraine or out of their home country The program is not meant to replace or duplicate the existing education opportunities in Ukrainian universities, but to support them by filling the lacunae that temporarily emerged due to the Russian invasion. The program is designed in a hybrid format (online teaching with a possibility of shorter on-site visit to Budapest in the form of a winter and summer schools). https://democracyinstitute.ceu.edu/teaching-training/invisible-university-ukraine-iufu
Opportunities are available through Erasmus+ program too. Tempus Public Foundation providing support for hosting Ukrainian and third-country higher education students, lecturers and staff arriving in Hungary in the framework of the Erasmus+program. Incoming mobility support for Ukrainian participants is a new element of the programme. According to the information provided by the European Commission, students who have been forced to flee from Ukraine due to the war can receive Erasmus support for a maximum of 12 months per training cycle in accordance with the program’s general rules.
CEEPUS Freemover grant provides opportunity for study abroad periods, research activities and short-term student mobilities in Central Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans for Ukrainian university students and academics. Further information is available at Tempus Public Foundation. https://www.tka.hu/new/17735/ceepus-scholarship-programmes-support-refugees-from-ukraine-to-participate-in-hungarian-higher-education
8. Where can I get assistance with my application?
University Admission process: At any stage of the admission process, the customer service provides assistance for applicants and for prospective applicants on technical aspects of the application and the rules of the admission procedure.
Phone: (+36 1) 477 31 31
E-mail: [email protected]
Customer service (in person): XII. Budapest, Maros str. 19–21. (Entrance from the street);
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8:00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00, Fri: 8:00-13.30
Information about general issues concerning the admission procedure can also be obtained by calling the Government Hotline: 1818 (Menu: 1 for language, then 7 for information on admission to higher education).
Recognition of school certificates. Regarding the recognition of foreign certificates and diplomas you can contact the Office of Education Hungarian Equivalence and Information Center.
Address: 1122 Budapest, Maros u. 19-21.
Phone: (06 1) 374-2212
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.oktatas.hu