Frequently asked questions (Stipendium Hungaricum)
We know that arriving in a new country can be an exciting but challenging experience at first. Click on the questions below to have everything you need to know as a Stipendium Hungaricum student, answered.
Note: this is page contains information for new and current Stipendium Hungaricum students (I.e. nominees who have been made offers). If you have questions about how the scholarship programme works, or how to apply, you may want to visit our admissions frequently asked questions page.
When should I arrive?
- The exact dates of the registration/orientation week can be found in the schedule of the actual academic year – available here.
- We recommend that you arrive in Budapest in time for the registration week.
- Late registrations may not be permitted.
What are the transfer options from the airport?
Please note that the scholarship programme doesn’t cover your flight ticket and airport transfer.
There are three options when you arrive at Budapest airport to travel to the city centre.
1. Public transport
Bus 200E stops at the airport every 7-10 minutes. It takes you to Kőbánya-Kispest Metro station. From here you can travel to the city centre by Metro replacement bus (Metro Line 3 is under renovation).
At the airport, you can buy a transfer ticket at one of the vending machines for about 2.50 EUR. You will get two tickets. Validate the ticket with “1” written on it on the bus and then validate the ticket with “2” at the entrance of the Metro. You can use your debit/credit card when you buy the tickets.
2. Taxi
You can take a taxi from the airport. The official taxi company of the airport is Főtaxi. They have a booth in front of the arrival terminal. It is a good and reliable company and the ride to the city centre is about 30 EUR.
3. Airport shuttle
One ride to the city centre is about 16 EUR/person.
Note: some debit/credit cards and foreign currencies are not acceptable on the bus and Metro.
You can exchange currency at the airport, but rates are not the most competitive!
What is the university’s mentorship programme? How can I find out more?
- You have the opportunity to be assigned a mentor at the start of your studies at Corvinus.
- Your mentor is there to help you settle into everyday life in Hungary.
- We will email you about the mentorship programme before you start your studies!
What do I need to do after I arrive?
You will need to do the following shortly after arriving in Hungary:
- Register with your Study Coordinator (in the Student Service Area)
- Register with Corvinus’ Stipendium Hungaricum Office
- Apply for a residence permit
- Open a Hungarian bank account
- Request a tax number
- Get your student ID.
How do I register with my Study Coordinator?
- You only need to register with your Study Coordinator at the beginning of your first semester, first year.
- You will receive e-mail(s) in August.
- The email(s) will provide further details and instructions.
How do I register with Corvinus’ Stipendium Hungaricum Office?
- You need to register with our Stipendium Hungaricum Office at the beginning of each semester (throughout the duration of your studies).
- You will receive an email from the Office before each registration period: at the end of August (for Semester 1); by the middle of January (for Semester 2).
- You will need to sign a scholarship agreement on your first visit to the Office (at the start of your studies).
- Please note: transferring scholarship students require any previously signed scholarship agreement(s).
How do I apply for a residence permit?
As a Non-EU/EEA passport holder, there are two ways to enter Hungary:
- With a D-visa
- As a Schengen Area tourist.
Very important for those who have more than one nationalities: It is highly recommended that you enter Hungary and apply for a residence permit based on your nationality with which you applied for the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, otherwise it may cause data conflict and administrative burdens later on.
How do I open a Hungarian bank account?
You will need a Hungarian HUF bank account to receive and make payments (e.g. for your scholarship).
Here are some of the best-known banks in Hungary, with branches within 10-15 minutes of the university:
- CIB Bank: 1094 Budapest, Ferenc körút 15.
- Erste Bank: 1082 Budapest, Baross utca 1-3.
- K&H Bank: 1053 Budapest, Kálvin tér 3.
- OTP Bank: 1085 Budapest, Kálvin tér 12-13.
- Magnet Bank: 1088 Budapest, Rákóczi út 1-3.
Once you have a bank account number, make sure you register it in the Neptun system (Finance > Settings > Add bank account). This is essential so that you can receive scholarship payments!
NEPTUN is the student record management system used by universities in Hungary. You will have a unique academic record in NEPTUN, which will be maintained during your time studying at Corvinus.
How can I apply for a tax ID?
- You will need a tax ID number to receive scholarship payments!
- Address: 1097 Budapest, Vaskapu u. 33-35.
- You will receive your tax ID card in the post several months later. However, you will receive a tax ID number immediately after your appointment.
- Once you have a tax ID number, make sure you send it to your Study Coordinator to get it registered in the Neptun system.
How can I apply for the permanent student ID?
- You should visit the Document Registering Office (“Okmányiroda”).
- Please bring your passport.
- You will have your photo taken and sign an application.
- Address: 1051 Budapest, Erzsébet tér 2-3.
- You will receive a “NEK-code” that you must register in “NEPTUN”.
- NEPTUN is the student record management system used by universities in Hungary. You will have a unique academic record in NEPTUN, which will be maintained during your time studying at Corvinus.
Steps of registration your Student ID
1. Go to NEPTUN –> Administration –> Student Card Request –> Click on “Add New”
2. Register your NEK-code. This will be on the right side of the NEK document you receive. Enter the numbers and letters only.
3. Choose: First Application
4. Confirm your permanent address and save. You can request a temporary student card from your Study Coordinator whilst you wait for the permanent card (which takes around 2-4 months).
Note: the temporary student card is valid for a maximum of 60 days. You should request another if it expires before your permanent card is ready. When you receive your permanent card, get it validated by your Study Coordinator. It must be validated each semester.
What do I need to do to receive my monthy stipend?
- Activate your student status in NEPTUN (our student record management system) by the end date of the registration period the very latest. Registration period of the actual academic year can be found in the schedule of the academic year – available here.
- Sign the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship agreement with the SH Office (it has to be signed only once, at the start of your first semester.)
- Do the in-person registration with the SH Office at the start of each semester for the duration of your studies! Bring your passport (and residence permit if you have).
- Apply for a tax ID and make sure your tax ID number is registered by your Study Coordinator in the Neptun system. Do this by 30 September latest (to receive payments in October).
- Open a HUF account and make sure to register your HUF account in the Neptun system. (Finance > Settings > Add bank account). This is essential so that you can receive scholarship payments! Do this by 30 September the latest (to receive payments in October).
Make sure 1-5 are complete to receive scholarship(s) for living costs (and accommodation contribution, if applicable)!
Semester 1 payments will be made in October, the earliest. You will receive any backdated payments (e.g. for September) when you get your first payment.
Semester 2 payments will be made in March, the earliest. You will receive any backdated payments (e.g. for February) when you get your first payment. You must do your in-person registration with the SH Office in the registration period your SH coordinators give you (information is alwasy sent out via e-mail), otherwise your first scholarship payment for the current semester will be delayed. After the first payment – each payment is made by the 10th day of each month.
How can I secure university accommodation?
First year students (whether in a bachelor, master or doctoral degree program) will be able to apply for a dormitory place in one of the Corvinus dormitories. Precise information on the application process is made available via e-mail usually around the end of July / beginning of August.
As the number of places in the university dormitories is rather limited, many Corvinus students (regular degree and visiting students, as well) will have to arrange for accommodation on their own.
To assist international students, the management of the Corvinus dormitories has searched for possible alternative accommodations that offer similar services at varying, but not inaccessible prices.
If, you prefer to rent/co-rent an accommodation, however, you will find extremely useful information in our Housing Guide. Please do take the time to check out our recommendations.
We definitely recommend that you do not arrange for a long-term private accommodation before your arrival to Hungary. As many students have already experienced – internet advertising can be misleading. Make sure to check out the accommodation and the neighborhood before committing yourself. There are many options available in Budapest for short-term accommodation for your arrival.
Important: While Airbnb may be a suitable option for short-term accommodation, it will most definitely not be acceptable as a long-term one. In order to pick up your residence permit for the purpose of studies, you will have to provide not only an official rental contract signed by you and the owner(s) of the apartment, but you will also have to have the owner(s) signature on your address card. Airbnb owners (and at times private landlords) do not provide these!
How much will I receive and what are the living costs in Budapest?
Living costs are giving as guidance only and are subject to lifestyle, expenditure and exchange rates! The monthly scholarship amounts are shown below. Please note: only students who are not living in university accommodation will receive accommodation support.
| Type of student | Living costs per month | Accommodation per month |
| BA/BSc, MA/MSc | 43 700 HUF | 40 000 HUF |
| PhD year 1 and 2 | 140 000 HUF | 40 000 HUF |
| PhD year 3 and 4 | 180 000 HUF | 40 000 HUF |
The amounts above are not typically enough to cover your full living costs in Budapest.
A modest estimate of student living costs in Budapest is as follows:
- Rent 85 000 – 150 000 HUF
- Utility bills 25 000 – 30 000 HUF
- Additional 100 000 – 150 000 HUF
- In total, this is around 210 000 – 280 000 HUF (c. €580 – 780).