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Corvinus Vice-Rector: “Those who graduate from a master’s programme will become the bosses of bachelor’s graduates”

One of Hungary’s leading business newspapers spoke with Corvinus Vice-Rector for Academic Programmes about the increasingly fair scholarship system, new degree programmes, the university’s new strategy, and why it is worth applying to Corvinus.
Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem

Among other topics, Lajos György Szabó was asked what additional forms of support are available for housing and living costs alongside the Corvinus Scholarship that covers tuition fees; what steps can help an undecided secondary school student narrow down their choice of degree programmes within a few weeks before applying to university; and what attracts international students most to Corvinus. 

Ten quotes from the interview: 

  1. “I always ask parents who would like to talk to me about their child’s career choice to make sure the child is present at the conversation. It is the student who needs to be motivated and willing to invest energy in their studies.” 

  1. “We design our bachelor’s programmes to include targeted career paths, such as Finance and Accounting or International Relations, as well as generalist entry routes like Business and Management or PPE.” 

  1. “A master’s programme prepares students for leadership roles. It is possible to start working and building a career straight after a bachelor’s degree, but after a few years, those with a master’s degree will become their managers. This is why we also offer one-year master’s programmes, as a master’s degree opens up better career opportunities.” 

  1. “Success is not only about professional achievement, but also about private life. That is why we pay close attention to student wellbeing, provide mental health and psychological support, and offer access to the internationally award-winning Navigator counselling system.” 

  1. “There is no need to be afraid of English-language bachelor’s programmes. Today, every fourth admitted student is international, the university environment is lively and genuinely international, and often more English is spoken than Hungarian. We also have partnerships with more than 170 universities, and through the Pannónia Scholarship students can study at these institutions.” 

  1. “A Corvinus degree represents a premium: over the course of their careers, graduates earn roughly 50 per cent more than the average of graduates from similar fields.” 

  1. “Around 80 per cent of students admitted through the domestic system Felvi receive a Corvinus Scholarship, meaning they study without paying tuition thanks to the maintainer foundation. Similar proportions are expected in the next academic year. Although Felvi technically shows a “state” quota for Corvinus, this should not be interpreted as a real figure.” 

  1. “We have made our master’s programmes even more flexible. Students coming from the same field can graduate in one year, while those with a different background complete two years: they acquire the business and social science foundations in the first year, then specialise in the second year, studying together with the one-year students.” 

  1. “Those who come to Corvinus, even if they pay tuition and living costs, obtain a valuable European Union degree with a relatively lower investment. This is seen as a competitive advantage by students from outside the EU, including Americans, and it enables them to build international careers, particularly in finance.” 

  1. “Those Hungarians who do not gain admission to higher education this year should apply to our Illyés Gyula Programme, which provides a full year of education and complete support, including accommodation in a hall of residence. It is not a requirement to aim specifically for Corvinus. We also welcome applications from Hungarian secondary school students until 20 December for the Szabó Kálmán Talent Programme, which supports their applications this year and then provides financial support worth several hundred thousand forints.” 

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