Academic system

The Bologna Process, introduced in Hungary in 2006, is a series of structural reforms and governmental tools to ensure comparability in the standards and quality of higher-education qualifications in the EU. The process created the harmonised operation of higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area on the basis of common key values. International students have the chance to study in a flexible European framework with numerous opportunities such as credit transfer between two countries or the uniformity of diplomas.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System

ECTS is a tool of the European Higher Education Area for making studies and courses transparent and comparable. It helps students to move between countries and to have their academic qualifications and study periods abroad recognised. ECTS credits represent learning based on defined learning outcomes and their associated workload.

The traditional college and university level training programmes were gradually phasing out and were replaced by a three-tier degree system from 2006: 

• First cycle programmes result in a Bachelor’s degree, lasting for 6-8 semesters and the required credit number is about 180 – 240 credits. 
• Second cycle programmes result in a Master’s degree, lasting for 2-4 semesters and the required credit number is about 60 – 120 credits. 
• Third cycle (Doctoral) programmes result in the degrees of “Doctor of Philosophy” (PhD) or “Doctor of Liberal Arts” (DLA). These programmes last for 48 months and require the completion of at least 180 credits, plus publication and teaching credits. 

+ one more cycle (the traditional university level degree): 

• One-tier, undivided, long-term Master’s degree programs (5 to 6 years) are offered in some fields of science, e.g. in human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, architecture, law, in a few programmes of art education, teacher training and religious studies. 

Upon graduation, and in addition to the higher education diploma, students are provided with a special document, the Diploma Supplement (DS), which gives information about the holder of the qualification, the qualification type and its originating institution, the qualification level, the content of the course and results (credits and grades) gained, and the function of the qualification. The DS is an important tool to ensure that their degrees are recognised by higher education institutions, public authorities and employers in their home countries and abroad.