MA / MSc programs application information
Application requirements
For international applicants applying to study in English language
If you are a Corvinus applicant or are planning to apply to us, please read this page carefully.
Please also read the pages of any programme(s) you have applied to and download the programme specification here.
You may also like to take a look at our frequently asked questions page.
If you have completed these steps and still have questions, we recommend making an enquiry. Please allow up to two working days for our staff to respond.
Please note: as of December 2021, Hungarian citizens (including dual nationals) who have completed high school overseas or at an international school in Hungary are eligble to apply to Corvinus as international students.


How to apply?
There are three application routes for international applicants – online applications can be made for each via the links provided:
- Stipendium Hungaricum (application deadline 16 January 2023)
- Diaspora scholarship (application deadline 31 January 2023)
- Self-funded – The application deadline is 30 April 2023
To apply for a postgraduate/Master (MA, MSc) degree or MBA, at Corvinus University of Budapest you will need to complete an online application and provide the following supporting documentation:
- Proof of completing an undergraduate (BA or BSc) degree (the final certificate, transcripts and translations of both [if not in English or Hungarian])*
- Minimum B2 knowledge in English, evidenced by a proficiency certificate (see below)
- A valid passport
- Letter of motivation – minimum one page**
*If you are still studying, you can provide your “in-progress” academic transcripts when you make your application (i.e. submit your transcripts up until your last fully completed academic year/term). Your final documents can be submitted later.
**Letter of motivation is required for Stipendium Hungaricum and Diaspora scholarship applicants only (not for self-funded applicants).
Notes
Postgraduate applicants must evidence meeting the minimum credit requirements for the programme(s) they have applied to (see below).
MBA applicants require a minimum of three years of work experience since graduating from an undergraduate degree (e.g. BA or BSc) For example, if you plan to apply for an MBA in September 2023, the latest possible graduation date is September 2020.
MBA applicants who already hold an MA or MSc require just two years of work experience since graduating (from the postgraduate degree). For example, if you plan to apply for an MBA in September 2023, the latest possible graduation date is September 2021.
Application fees
There are no application fees for Stipendium Hungaricum or Diaspora scholarship applicants.
There is an application fee of €75 for self-funded applicants – this is easy to pay when you make your online application. Any doubts, still? Check our guide on how to pay the application fee.
Administering your application
To proceed in the application process, you must:
- Provide all of the documents stated above in the “How to apply?” section (including “in progress” academic transcripts and evidencing proof of your English proficiency)
- Meet the relevant minimum credit requirements for your programme (having provided all required documentation)
- Pay the application fee (if you are a self-funded applicant).
- Meet all the requirements below, including passing any entrance exams.
Minimum credit requirements
Minimum credit requirements explained
In Hungary, there are legal pre-requisite credit requirements to study MA, MSc and MBA programmes.
Please make sure you meet the minimum requirements for your programme before applying. You will be rejected if you do not meet the minimum credit requirements.
You may be better suited to another programme if you don’t think you will meet the minimum requirements.
Generally, you will need to have completed some credits related to the programme you are applying to study.
Credit requirements are stated in ECTS (the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) – the system used in Hungary.
The Hungarian authorities recognise approximately 30 learning hours as 1 ECTS.
Therefore, if your credits are not given in ECTS (which will apply to most applicants who have studied outside of the EU!), you can calculate the correct value (in ETCS) by establishing your total learning hours and then dividing by 30.
Learning hours should include:
- Teaching hours
- Private study hours (need to be formally described in documentation from your university – you can’t just make this up!)
- Assessments.
Notes
Minimum requirements can range from 15-50 ECTS.
Do not just count teaching hours, as you will be disadvantaged.
Your current/previous university will be able to provide you with learning hours and credit value for modules or courses completed in your programme. If this is not stated in your academic transcript, request a “programme specification” or individual “module specification(s)”.
You should do this for each relevant module or course that you want to be recognised.
Minimum credit requirements – what to do
Once you have calculated your credits in ECTS, please complete the relevant form for the programme you are applying for.
Upload the completed form along with any relevant supporting documents (notably your transcripts, programme or module specifications) to DreamApply.
English language proficiency
Please note: requirements differ for the MSc Management and Leadership, please see the dedicated section below.
Corvinus accepts the following language certificates with the minimum scores stated below:
Test provider | Cambridge | IELTS | TOEFL | TOEFL iBT | TOEIC | Duolingo |
Min score (B2 equiv.) | FCE | 6.0 | 65 | 72 | 785 | 100 |
Note: the above certificates are only valid for two years after taking the test (with the exception of the Cambridge FCE, which has no expiry). If you are applying to study at Corvinus in September 2023, your test date must be later than September 2021, otherwise, you will need to renew the certificate (unless you meet the exemptions below).
English language exemptions
You are exempt from (i.e. do not require) the above:
- If you have completed a BA or BSc in English and have written, official proof from your university that the language of instruction was English for the full duration of your studies.
- If you are a native English speaker – defined as per the list of countries recognised by the UK government – https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english (if your country is not on this list, you will not be considered as a native English speaker).
- If you have an A-level (or International A-level) exam in English language with a minimum grade of B.
- If you have an International Baccalaureate in English language, Standard Level 5, Higher Level 4 or higher.
- If you have an advanced level Matura exam in English language obtained in Hungary with a minimum grade of 45%.
- If you have a GCSE (or IGCE) exam in English language with a minimum grade of 6 (or B).
- If you completed an internationally recognized preparatory programme (I.e.: INTO, Study Group, Kaplan, Navitas or the Preparatory Programme of Corvinus University) and the programme management certifies that your English language skill is at least a B2 level.
Please provide proof of English proficiency or exemption upon making your application – you will not be invited to participate in entrance exams without this.
Automatic admission
Please note: requirements differ for the MSc Management and Leadership, please see the dedicated section below.
You will be exempt from any entrance exams if you can provide proof of any of the following when you make your application. In which case, you will receive an automatic conditional offer (subject to all other requirements being met).
- BA or BSc from an AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS (EFPD) or EAPAA accredited faculty/university or accredited programme with a final (average) grade of “C” (or equivalent). Note: you have have already graduated to meet this requirement.
- GMAT with minimum 500 points (average across verbal and quantitative measures)
- GRE with minimum 151 points (average across verbal and quantitative measures).
Please note: all other applicants will be required to pass entrance exams.
Entrance exams
Please note: requirements differ for the MSc Management and Leadership, please see the dedicated section below.
Our admissions office will evaluate your application and supporting documents. If needed and you are eligible, you will then be contacted to participate in an entrance exam.
There are three types of exams (or steps), though step 2 is only required for selected programmes. MBA applicants (who meet work experience and other requirements) will also proceed straight to step 3.
Stipendium Hungaricum and Diaspora scholarship applicants will have their entrance exams in April 2023 (Priority 1) and May 2023 (Priority 2).
Self-funded applicants will have two exam periods, one in February 2023 and one in May 2023. You may take part in either of these by submitting your application before the given deadline. The deadline to submit all documents for the February exam period is 15 January and for the May exam period is 30 April. You only have to participate in the entrance examination once.
Competency test (step 1)
Applicants for all MA/MSc programmes will require a competency test.
The test will be conducted online.
The test will be held in April 2023 for Stipendium Hungaricum and Diaspora nominees. There will be tests in February and May 2023 for self-funded applicants (subject to application date).
You will receive an email inviting you to participate a minimum of five days before the exam. Please ensure you whitelist emails from international.admissions@uni-corvinus.hu and be sure to regularly check your inbox (including junk/spam folders). Note: this is a no reply email address.
Failure to participate may result in your application being rejected.
Written exam (step 2)
Applicants for the following MA/MSc programmes who have already passed the competency test will be invited to participate:
- MSc Business Informatics
- MSc Economic Analysis
- MSc Finance
- MA International Relations
- MSc Marketing
- MSc in Supply Chain Management
- MSc Marketing Strategy & Innovation
- MSc Advanced Supply Chain Management.
Applicants for all other programmes who have passed step 1 will proceed straight to step 3.
Please see the relevant programme pages of our website for more details about the content of your pre-interview test.
Failure to participate may result in your application being rejected.
You need to reach 50% on the written exam to be invited for the oral exam.
Oral exam (interview) (step 3)
Applicants who have passed step 1 and step 2 (if required) will be invited for an interview.
All MBA applicants (meeting other requirements, e.g. work experience) will be invited for an interview.
Our interviews are generally held online – via Teams or Zoom.
You should receive an email inviting you to schedule an interview a minimum of five days before the interview date. Please ensure you whitelist emails from international.admissions@uni-corvinus.hu and be sure to regularly check your inbox (including junk/spam folders). Note: this is a no reply email.
Failure to attend an interview may result in your application being rejected.
The following will be assessed at your interview:
- Knowledge relevant to your programme
- Skills relevant to your programme
- Motivation.
The pass mark is decided by the Dean and the programme management based on the overall performance of all applicants and the available places on the given programme.
See “Entrance exam preparation materials” section for more information.
Results
You will achieve a score out of 100 based on your performance in entrance exams. For each programme, the Dean will set a points threshold. Applicants scoring above the points threshold will be conditionally accepted – the points threshold can vary from year-to-year.
Stipendium Hungaricum and Diaspora applicants will be notified of their results via the DreamApply application platform by the end of April 2023 (first place applicants) or by the end of May (second place applicants).
Self-funded applicants will receive the results in the Corvinus University DreamApply system in the weeks following the entrance exam period (exact date coming soon).
There are typically three offer statuses you could receive by this point:
Offer status | Meaning |
HEI Conditionally Acceptable | Proceed in the admission process and make sure all further requirements are met (as requested by our Admissions office) |
HEI Rejected (Admission) | You have not achieved the points threshold in your entrance exams. |
HEI Rejected (Quotas) | You have achieved the points threshold, but due to a quota limit and other applicants scoring higher, your application has been unsuccessful. |
Your application could also have the status “Formally Rejected”, for example, if you do not provide statutory documentation or meet prelimiary requirements.
Uploading documents
When you submit your application
Please ensure that you upload all the following documents when you make your initial application.
If you are a Stipendium Hungaricum applicant, please upload to DreamApply before 16 January 2023.
If you are a Diaspora scholarship applicant, please upload to DreamApply before 31 January 2023.
Self-funded applicants should provide all documents and pay the application fee upon submitting their online application.
In addition please upload the following:
- In progress BA, BSc certificates and transcripts – please be sure to also state your GPA and maximum GPA possible in your online application form
- Proof of English language proficiency (see above)
- A valid passport
- Letter of motivation* – minimum one page
*For Stipendium Hungaricum and Diaspora scholarship applicants only.
You should also submit a completed “Credit Recognition Form” evidencing that you meet the minimum credit requirements for your programme as soon as possible (please see “minimum credit requirements” above). Our Admissions office will contact you after you submit your online application if you have not yet provided it.
15 April 2023 – Mandatory medical certificate
Deadline to upload your mandatory medical certificate if you are a Stipendium Hungaricum or Diaspora scholarship applicant.
1 August 2023 – completed undergraduate degree
Final deadline to upload your completed BA or BSc certificate and transcripts (the final, legalised certificate, transcripts and translations [if not in English]).
Getting in touch
We receive a high volume of enquiries. To provide an efficient service to you and other applicants, please only get in touch with our Admissions office if you have taken all of the following steps and still can’t find the answer:
1) You have read this page
2) You have studied all the information available on our website about the programme(s) you have applied to
3) You have our frequently asked questions page (for international applicants)
If you then need to get in touch with our Admissions office, please click here to make an enquiry. Please allow up to two days for our staff to respond.
Email advice
If you are a prospective student, you should not need to email Corvinus. In urgent circumstances, please follow the following protocols.
- Read all available resources first (including this page!).
- Make an enquiry and wait up to two full working days for a response. For example, if you make an enquiry after 16:00 on Monday, please wait until after 8:00 Thursday for a response before emailing.
Please keep in mind regular working hours and that Saturday and Sunday are not working days. - If you do send an email, always include the following in the email subject line:
– Your full name
– Your application type, e.g. “Stipendium Hungaricum”, “Diaspora scholarship” or “Self-funded”
– Your application ID: e.g. “123456”
In your email body, please describe issues clearly, but as briefly as possible. Attach relevant screenshots if they will help to demonstrate issues.
Please do not send multiple emails to multiple staff members. - Again, please wait up to two full working days for a response to your email – do not keep sending emails.
More information
Please see the Stipendium Hungaricum call for applications.
Please see the Diaspora scholarship call for applications.
Nominations and visa expeditions
Corvinus University of Budapest has no influence on sending partner nominations or allocating places to offer holders placed on reserve lists (for Stipendium Hungaricum and Diaspora scholarship programmes).
We are unable to write to Hungarian Embassies or the National Directorate responsible regarding visa applications.
MSc Management and Leadership
Our MSc Management and Leadership programme is available to self-funded international applicants only.
MSc Management and Leadership students will be simultaneously enrolled for the CEMS Master in Management. Therefore, slightly different entry requirements apply to meet the CEMS requirements.
English language requirements
Test provider | TOEFL iBT | TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition | IELTS | CPE* | CAE** | BEC† | Corvinus†† |
Min score (C1 equiv.) | 100 | 100 (& min 20 in each component) | 7.0 | C | B | B | C1 |
††“Economic English” (Közgazdasági szaknyelv)
You are exempt from the above if you have a BA/BSc taught entirely in English from an English speaking country (https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english) or in a CEMS or EQUIS/AACSB-accredited institution.
Entrance exams
Our admissions office will evaluate your application and supporting documents. If eligible, you will be invited to participate in some entrance exams.
As with other MA/MSc programmes, there are three entrance exam “steps” for admission to the MSc Management and Leadership programme.
Self-funded applicants will have two exam periods, one in February 2023 and one in May 2023. You may take part in either of these by submitting your application before the given deadline. The deadline to submit all documents for the February exam period is 15 January and for the May exam period is 30 April.
Exemptions
You will be exempt from the written entrance exam only (i.e. you still have to pass the competency test and interview) if you can provide proof of any of the following when you make your application.
- BA or BSc from an AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS (EFPD) or EAPAA accredited faculty/university or accredited programme with a final (average) grade of “B” (or equivalent) – already completed
- GMAT with minimum 600 points (average across verbal and quantitative measures)
- GRE with minimum 155 points (average across verbal and quantitative measures).
Competency test (step 1)
All applicants will require a competency test.
The test will be conducted online.
Failure to participate may result in your application being rejected.
Written exam (step 2)
The test will be conducted online. Failure to participate may result in your application being rejected.
Oral exam (interview) (step 3)
Applicants who have completed step 1 and have passed (or are exempt from) step 2 will be invited for an interview.
Our interviews are generally held online – via Skype, Teams or Zoom.
You should receive an email inviting you to schedule an interview a minimum of five days before the interview date. Please ensure you whitelist emails from international.admissions@uni-corvinus.hu and be sure to regularly check your inbox (including junk/spam folders). Note: this is a no reply email address.
Failure to attend an interview may result in your application being rejected.
The following will be assessed at your interview:
- Knowledge relevant to your programme
- Skills relevant to your programme
- Motivation.
Entrance exam preparation materials
Please click on the links for the preparation materials.