Education in Hungary
Post-secondary diploma | 14 |
---|
The
Most
Today there are 67
Hungary has a long tradition of higher education reflecting the existence of established
The social environment of education
The decline of Hungary's population that started in 1981 has also continued in recent years. According to the 2001 census, the population of Hungary was 10,198,000, about half a million less than the figure of twenty years earlier. By 2005 the population dropped to 10,077,000. The age pyramid of the Hungarian population is among the most irregular ones in Europe. On 1 January 2005, due to the extremely low number of live births in the preceding years the size of the 0-4-year-old population was smaller than the next age groups of five-year increments up to the age group 60–64. There are major differences in the size of the various generations.
The official language of instruction is Hungarian, but a number of ethnic and national
School system in Hungary
A special feature of the Hungarian education system is that
Hungarian education and training programmes (ISCED-97)
Institutional setting of programme | Programme destination and orientation | Notes |
---|---|---|
Pre-school | 0 | School-based programme for children aged 3–7. Includes basic skills development, pre-reading, drawing, singing, and school preparation. |
General school | 1AG | General school primary level, Grades 1–4. |
2AG | General school lower secondary level, Grades 5–8. | |
Vocational training school (Apprenticeship training) | 2BG | Remedial programme for drop-outs and low achievers that provides a second chance for further education |
2CV | Vocational training school programmes preparing qualifications for trades identified in the National Register of Vocational Qualifications that do not require the completion of 10 years of general education for entry | |
3CG | Vocational training school, Grades 9–10. General subject courses with vocational guidance preparing students for entering into programmes that require 10 years of general education | |
3CV | 3-year apprenticeship training programmes according to the Education Act of 1985 starting after grade 8 of the general school. 1997/98 was the last year of new enrollments, because the new law does not allow dualsystem vocational education before age 16. | |
4CV | Post-secondary vocational programmes where the entry requirement is the completion of secondary education | |
Special vocational training school | 2CP | Basic skills and labour market oriented development programme for students with special educational needs |
General secondary school | 2AG | Grades 5–8, and 7–8 of the eight-grade and six-grade general secondary school |
3AG | General secondary education, grades 9–12 preparing students for secondary school final examination | |
Vocational secondary school | 3AP | Vocational secondary school programmes preparing students for secondary school final examination with pre-vocational elements, Grades 9–12 (13). |
3BP | Vocational secondary part-time programmes, Grades 9–12 (13) preparing for secondary school final examination with pre-vocational programme elements | |
4AG | General secondary programme preparing for secondary school final examination for vocational training school graduates (3CV) | |
4CV | Post-secondary vocational programmes where the entry requirement is a secondary school-leaving certificate | |
5B | Non-university higher vocational training programmes leading to non-graduate vocational qualifications with credit courses acknowledged in higher education | |
College, university | 5A | College graduate education and post-graduate specialisation programmes, University graduate education, University supplementary (Master) programme for college graduates, Supplementary teacher training programme for engineers graduated incollege education, University post-graduate specialisation programme for university graduates |
University | 6 | PhD courses, research work and dissertation DLA, doctoral degree in liberal arts |
Notes: Destination for which the programmes have been designed to prepare students: A=access to further general education, B=access to further vocational education, C=access to the labour market. Orientation category is based on the degree to which content of programme has been specifically designed: G=general, P=pre-vocational, V=vocational.
Organization of the educational system
Pre-primary education
This educational level is considered as a crucially important integrated part of the school system. It caters for children from 3 to 7 years of age. Since 2015, participation in pre-primary education at this level (kindergarten) is compulsory from age 3 (before 2015 only the final year – beyond age 5 – was compulsory), although exceptions are made for developmental reasons [6][7]
Public-sector institutions may only charge for services additional to their basic tasks, including for example extracurricular activities, meals, excursions, etc. Currently, the attendance rate with regard to the age groups 3–5, is just above 86%. The average duration of participation of children aged 3–7 in pre-primary education is just over 3 years (3.3), which is the highest average value in Europe.[8]
In Hungary a kindergarten is called an óvoda ('place for caring'). Children attend kindergarten between the ages of 3–6/7 (they go to school in the year in which they have their 7th birthday). Attendance in kindergarten is compulsory from the age of 3 years, though exceptions are made for developmental reasons.[7] Though kindergartens may include programs in subjects such as foreign languages and music, children spend most of their time playing. In their last year children begin to be prepared to attend elementary school.
Most kindergartens are state-funded. Kindergarten teachers are required to have a diploma.
Primary education
Children start primary school when they reach school-maturity, usually in the year in which they have their 6th birthday (7th if they were born after August 31).[9]
Primary education can last for 4, 6 or 8 years. 8-year education is the most widespread; the other two options were introduced in the early 1990s.
Subjects include literature, grammar, mathematics, music, art, Physical education, environmental studies (from 1st to 6th grade), biology (from 7th grade), geography (from 7th grade), history (from 5th grade), history of art, physics (from 7th grade), chemistry (from 7th grade), one or two foreign languages (usually English, German or French). Before 1990, Russian was compulsory.
Secondary education
Secondary education usually lasts for 4 years. In gimnáziums it can also last for 5, 6 or 8 years depending on how many years the student spent in primary school. Since 1997 the numbering of years in secondary school are following that of primary school (i. e. after the 8th grade of primary school the student goes to 9th grade, which is actually the 1st year of secondary school.)
There are three kinds of high schools:
- Gimnázium (grammar school; prepares students for higher education; teaches at least 2 foreign languages)
- Szakgimnázium (secondary vocational school. It also provides a "secondary school leaving examination" opening higher education curriculum. )
- Szakközépiskola (vocational school. It also offers "bridge" programs to help low achieving students in primary school to catch up and join the usual vocational school curriculum)[10]
After finishing high school, students take a school-leaving exam (Matura or final exam, érettségi in Hungarian). From 2005 this consists of exams on five subjects: written exam in mathematics, verbal and written exams in Hungarian literature and grammar, a foreign language, history, and written and/or verbal exam in a subject of the student's choice. These exams also serve as an entry exam to universities and colleges.
New secondary form until the school year of 2004/2005
Many of the gimnáziums have begun to teach a foreign language intensively (usually 12–14 lessons a week) and IT (usually 3–4 lessons a week) in the first year. This is called nyelvi előkészítő évfolyam, literally "Language training class", or simply nulladik évfolyam (literally "0th grade"). After 2005, students will have fewer foreign language lessons and IT.
At schools where there is no nulladik évfolyam (beginners classes), they may be required to introduce them because the majority of Hungarians do not speak more than one language, or only speak their parents' language or dialect. Most students will finish High School at the age of 18 or 19, or when they complete Year 13.
Those who had at least an intermediate level language exam weren't required to pass a language exam at Matura, but has become compulsory since 2006. In language training classes, a student must pass an intermediate level language exam in the second year, and the same level Matura in the third year.
Higher education
Higher education in Hungary dates back to 1367 when Louis the Great founded the first Hungarian university in the city of Pécs.[11][12]
Higher education is divided between
Before students get their degree, they must pass an intermediate level language exam in the foreign language of their choice. English and German are the most popular. The number of Spanish-learners has been growing in the last few years.[13] Recently[when?] a high number[quantify] of students chose Esperanto and Romani languages.[14] Both are said to have a relatively small vocabulary and easy grammar.
Vocational schools
This school type (in Hungarian: szakiskola) typically provides general and pre-vocational education in grades 9 and 10, normally followed by three or two years of VET. At the end of their studies, students will acquire a qualification (ISCED 2C or mostly 3C).[15]
Foreign students in Hungary
Hungary attracts foreign students from both EU and non-EU countries. Three quarters of the students arriving in Hungary arrive from just ten countries, while one quarter of the students arrives from another 100 countries. Among the countries sending the most students are Germany, Iran, Norway, Israel and Sweden, while the majority of guest students are citizens of the neighbouring countries. In the 2008/2009 academic year, the total number of foreign students studying in Hungary was 16 916, while this number was only 14 491 in 2005/2006.[16] The figures are increasing owing to the following advantages:
- Hungary offers affordable tuition fees and living costs within the European Union and Schengen area;
- A number of Nobel Prize Winners and scientific inventors were educated there;
- There are easier admission procedures and fewer documents are needed for obtaining admission;
- Hungary offers different types of scholarships for foreigners;
- The cost of student accommodation in Hungary is lower than in most Western European Countries and Scandinavia.[17]
- Many education programmes are offered in English and/or German;
- Hungarian embassies issue education visas more easily than other European Union and Schengen Member States;
- Residence permits issued in Hungary for foreign students allow them to travel to other Schengen countries without any further visa;
- A number of low cost flights connect Hungarian cities to other countries and popular travel destinations;
- There are employment opportunities in the European Union during education years and after graduation, etc.[18]
Preparatory courses
Students interested in continuing their studies in Hungary will find preparatory courses in numerous universities from Debrecen to Budapest, from Budapest to Szeged, from Szeged to Pécs.[19]
See also
- List of schools in Hungary
- Category:Schools in Hungary
- Gymnasium
- Matura
- OKTV
- Open access in Hungary to scholarly communication
- School social work in Hungary
References
- ^ Eurydice. "Compulsory Education in Europe 2013/2014" (PDF). European commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ UNESCO-UNEVOC (October 2013). "Vocational Education in Hungary". Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ "Global Competitiveness Record 2013/2014". Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ Medgyesi, M. (2007). The socio-economic environment of education. Archived 2008-05-02 at the Wayback Machine In Loboda, Z., Lannert, J. and Halász, G. (ed.) Education in Hungary 2006. Archived 2007-11-18 at the Wayback Machine Budapest: Hungarian Institute for Educational Research and Development.
- ^ Imre, A. and Györgyi, Z. (2007). The educational system and the progression of students. Archived 2008-05-02 at the Wayback Machine In Loboda, Z., Lannert, J. and Halász, G. (ed.) Education in Hungary 2006. Archived 2007-11-18 at the Wayback Machine Budapest: Hungarian Institute for Educational Research and Development
- ^ "Review" (PDF). unesdoc.unesco.org. 2015.
- ^ a b Hungary lowers mandatory school age to three Archived January 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ National summary sheets on education systems in Europe and ongoing reforms[permanent dead link]. (2006) Brussels: Eurydice.
- ^ "Oktatási Hivatal".
- ^ a b UNESCO-UNEVOC (27 October 2013). "Vocational Education in Hungary". Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ "Magyarország első egyeteme. PTE". Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
- ^ "University of Pécs". Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
- ^ admin (30 November 2023). "Study in Hungary: A Guide for International Students 2023-24". AK Consultants. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ admin (30 November 2023). "Study in Hungary: A Guide for International Students 2023-24". AK Consultants. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Tempus: Studying in Hungary – Education system". Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ "Felvi.hu: An increasing number of foreign students each year". Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ^ ""Student accommodation costs in Budapest"". Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ "Study-hungary.com: Why study in Hungary?". Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- ^ Felvi.hu: University preparatory courses
Further reading
- Campos, Nauro F., and Dean Jolliffe. "After, before and during: returns to education in Hungary (1986–1998)." Economic Systems 27.4 (2003): 377–390. online[dead link]
- Földvári, Péter, and Bas van Leeuwen. "Average Years of Education in Hungary: Annual Estimates, 1920–2006." Eastern European Economics 47.2 (2009): 5–20 online.
- Gosztonyi, Katalin. "Mathematical culture and mathematics education in Hungary in the XXth century." in Mathematical cultures (Birkhäuser, Cham, 2016) pp. 71–89. online
- Kornis, Gyula. Education in Hungary (Teachers College, Columbia University, 1932) scholarly history online.
- Passow, A. Harry et al. The National Case Study: An Empirical Comparative Study of Twenty-One Educational Systems. (1976) online
- Pusztai, Gabriella, and Péter Cs Szabó. "The Bologna Process as a Trojan Horse: restructuring higher education in Hungary." European Education 40.2 (2008): 85–103 online.
Sources
- Number of enrolled students
- About educational attainment Archived 31 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine (data from 2000)
- About the educational budget (Hungarian only)
External links
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. (August 2015) |
- Ministry of Education (in Hungarian and English)
- Hungary's profile at EuroEducation.net
- Hungarian Institute for Educational Research and Development (in Hungarian and English)
- Education in Hungary 2006
- Hungarian Education Archived 21 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine (OSEAS)
- The social and political history of Hungarian education
- Hungary.hu – Education, culture
- Information on education in Hungary, OECD – Contains indicators and information about Hungary and how it compares to other OECD and non-OECD countries
- Diagram of Hungarian education system, OECD – Using 1997 ISCED classification of programmes and typical ages. Also in Hungarian
- Vocational Education in Hungary, country profile – UNESCO-UNEVOC(2013)