Stipendium Hungaricum 2027/28 from Pakistan: HEC Steps, Benefits and Dates
Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian government scholarship, and for Pakistani students every application goes through the Higher Education Commission (HEC). In the 2026/27 round HEC offered 400 seats, and applicants had to apply on both the HEC portal and the Stipendium Hungaricum portal by 15 January 2026. The 2027/28 call was not yet published when we checked on 30 October 2026, so use last round's facts to prepare now and confirm the new dates when the call opens.
Who this is for: Pakistani and AJ&K students planning a bachelor's, master's, one-tier master's (such as Medicine or Dentistry) or PhD in Hungary from September 2027.
Has the 2027/28 call opened yet?
Not yet. On 30 October 2026 the official Stipendium Hungaricum Apply page still showed the 2026/27 call, and the official news page had no announcement for 2027/28.
For reference, the 2026/27 application system opened on 14 November 2025 and closed on 15 January 2026 at 2 pm Central European Time. The 2027/28 dates may be different, so treat these as a guide only.
Sources: Stipendium Hungaricum, Apply and Stipendium Hungaricum, The application opens soon.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against stipendiumhungaricum.hu.
What did the last round's timeline look like?
The official 2026/27 timeline ran from November to June. Use it to plan your own months.
| 2026/27 round | Step |
|---|---|
| November to December 2025 | Choose your programme in the Study Finder |
| December 2025 | Contact your sending partner (HEC for Pakistan); register and upload documents |
| 15 January 2026, 2 pm CET | Stipendium Hungaricum application deadline |
| 15 January 2026, 4 pm Pakistan time | HEC portal and document deadline |
| February 2026 | Sending partners nominate applicants |
| March to May 2026 | Entrance exams at Hungarian universities |
| End of June or early July 2026 | Results from Tempus Public Foundation |
Sources: Stipendium Hungaricum, Apply and HEC, How to Apply.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against stipendiumhungaricum.hu and hec.gov.pk.
How many seats did HEC offer for Pakistan?
HEC listed 400 seats for 2026/27. The split for the next round may change.
| Level | Seats in 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 200 (all available disciplines) |
| One-tier master's | 70 (20 Medicine, 10 Dentistry, 40 other disciplines) |
| Master's | 100 (all available disciplines) |
| PhD | 30 (all available disciplines) |
If you are thinking about medicine abroad, compare this route with others in our guide to medical schools abroad for international students. HEC also says applicants for medical and dental fields must follow PMDC's updated instructions.
Sources: HEC, Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme and HEC, Eligibility Criteria.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against hec.gov.pk.
What does the scholarship cover?
It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, housing support and medical insurance. These are the 2026/27 amounts for bachelor's, master's and one-tier master's students:
| Benefit | 2026/27 amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Free (exemption from tuition fee) |
| Monthly stipend | HUF 43,700 a month (about EUR 110), paid 12 months a year |
| Accommodation | A free dormitory place, if available, or HUF 40,000 a month (about EUR 100) |
| Medical insurance | Healthcare under Hungarian law plus supplementary insurance up to HUF 65,000 (about EUR 165) a year |
The stipend is small, so plan for some of your own living costs. The call also says the stipend drops to HUF 30,000 a month if you take the Hungarian as a foreign language course and fail its exam.
Source: Stipendium Hungaricum, Call for Applications 2026/27 (bachelor's, master's, one-tier master's).
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against the official 2026/27 Call for Applications.
Am I eligible as a Pakistani student?
You must be a citizen of Pakistan or AJ&K, without dual citizenship, and pass the HEC test requirement. HEC's 2026/27 criteria were:
- Age: at least 18 by 31 August 2026. There was no upper age limit.
- Bachelor's and one-tier master's: HSSC/Intermediate or equivalent completed before 1 August 2026. Final-year students could apply.
- Master's: a 16-year bachelor's or equivalent completed before 1 August 2026. Final-semester students could apply.
- PhD: a master's, MS or MPhil completed before 1 August 2026.
- HAT or USAT: at least 50% of total marks. HAT is valid for 2 years and USAT for 1 year.
The Hungarian side adds two rules: you may choose up to two programmes in order of preference, and you must meet the language level your chosen university asks for.
Sources: HEC, Eligibility Criteria and Stipendium Hungaricum, Call for Applications 2026/27.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against hec.gov.pk and the official 2026/27 Call for Applications.
How do I apply through HEC?
You apply twice: once to Hungary and once to HEC. HEC says an application on only one portal will not be considered.
- Pick up to two programmes on the Stipendium Hungaricum Study Finder. Choose the right study mode, because most programmes appear twice (full degree and partial study) and you cannot change the mode after the deadline.
- Apply on the Stipendium Hungaricum portal and upload all documents.
- Register on the HEC scholarship portal, complete your profile and select "Hungarian Scholarship Program". Use the same email and phone number on both portals.
- Check your HEC form before submitting. It cannot be edited after submission, and only forms in "SUBMITTED" status count.
- Print and sign your HEC form and keep copies of everything. Hard copies are not needed at the first stage.
- If shortlisted, HEC may call you for a test or interview. HEC's nomination decision is final.
- If nominated, sit the Hungarian university's entrance exam. You need at least 56 out of 100 points to receive an offer.
Sources: HEC, How to Apply, HEC, Additional Instructions and Stipendium Hungaricum, Apply.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against hec.gov.pk and stipendiumhungaricum.hu.
Which documents do I need?
The 2026/27 call asked every applicant to upload these, each file at most 4 MB:
- Online application form in English, with a recent photo
- Motivation letter, at least one page, Times New Roman 12 point
- Proof of language proficiency, with a translation if needed
- School certificates (your bachelor's certificate for a master's), with translations if needed
- Transcript of records for your highest completed level
- Passport data page, or national ID card if you have no passport yet
- Acceptance of the Statement for Application in the online system
PhD applicants also need a research plan of at least two pages and a signed recommendation letter. A medical certificate is needed only if you win, and you bring it to Hungary rather than uploading it.
The official site advises a motivation letter that is honest and specific about your academic goals. Our letter of motivation examples for master's programmes can help you plan yours. The official site also warns that missing files and incomplete submissions are the most common reasons for disqualification.
Sources: Stipendium Hungaricum, Call for Applications 2026/27, HEC, How to Apply and Stipendium Hungaricum, The application opens soon.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against stipendiumhungaricum.hu and hec.gov.pk.
What should I avoid?
- Applying on one portal only. HEC will not consider it.
- Using different contact details. HEC and Tempus Public Foundation contact you through the email and phone you register.
- Planning to switch subjects later. HEC does not allow a change of subject or programme after nomination and will not issue an NOC for it.
- Withdrawing after a final award. HEC says this can lead to a ban from applying to foreign-funded, HEC or Government of Pakistan scholarships for a period.
Sources: HEC, How to Apply and HEC, Additional Instructions.
Last verified 30 Oct 2026 against hec.gov.pk.
Checklist: prepare before the 2027/28 call opens
- Check that your HAT or USAT score is at least 50% and will still be valid; if not, watch for HEC's next test registration
- Shortlist two programmes on the Study Finder and note each one's language requirement
- Book an English test if your university asks for one
- Scan your certificates, transcripts and passport data page, each under 4 MB
- Draft your motivation letter (one page minimum, Times New Roman 12)
- Update your HEC portal profile with the email and phone you will use on both portals
- Check stipendiumhungaricum.hu and the HEC scholarship page for the 2027/28 dates
- Submit on both portals well before the deadline
What to do next
See which study routes fit your profile with the free AbroadDreaming eligibility quiz. No sign-up needed.
Related: how to write a scholarship essay, with examples, the Türkiye Bursları government scholarship and the cheapest countries to study abroad in 2026.
By the AbroadDreaming Editorial Team. Facts checked against official sources on 30 October 2026. Updated 30 October 2026. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team before publishing. Scholarship rules and dates change each year, so always confirm on stipendiumhungaricum.hu and the HEC website before you apply.