The general requirements needed for the degrees are approved by the Hungarian Government, the detailed rules are established by the competent universities and colleges. This solution has made it possible for the various diplomas to be equivalent in Hungary, independent of the fact whether they were issued by a state or a non-state higher education institution. Degrees have a double character in Hungary. They contain both the academic and the professional qualification.

The new form of higher learning introduced by the 1993 Higher Education Law integrated into the higher education system is the higher vocational education. This type of higher education generally lasts for two years and at its completion a certificate is granted testifying higher vocational qualification. This qualification may also be used to enter university or college graduate education for the continuation of studies, or it may be a satisfactory qualification to fulfil certain positions.

Hungarian universities and colleges grant degrees following a binary pattern. The Hungarian name of the college graduate degree is “főiskolai oklevél”, and that of the university graduate degree is “egyetemi oklevél”. In order to facilitate international comparison, the Higher Education Act makes it possible for graduated students of Hungarian higher education institutions to use the “Bachelor” English-language name if they have completed a college graduate education, and the “Master” English-language name if they have completed university graduate education, with an indication of the area of study. Graduates of the higher vocational education receive higher vocational qualification.

At certain universities, besides university graduate courses, college graduate courses are also offered at the completion of which a college degree is awarded. This degree entitles its holder to either continue education at the university level or start the relevant profession. It is also possible to obtain university level qualification in some colleges at certain fields of study. These all have to be approved and accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee.

The new Hungarian doctoral (PhD) degree and the Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA) degree corresponds in every respect to what is known and recognised internationally as a PhD degree. The new doctoral degree was introduced by the 1993 Act on Higher Education (Also see 11.1). The post-college and post-university specialised degrees are relatively new degrees, they are similar to the degrees that may be obtained in many other countries. The condition for applying for post-graduate education is a university or college degree or diploma obtained in a higher education institution as specified by the admitting higher education institution. In the case of doctoral studies, the condition for admission is a university degree or equivalent. The higher education institution may also link admission to additional criteria (e.g. employment, specific job, and professional experience of a specified period). These must be announced at least two years before their introduction and have to be approved and accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee.

In university graduate education the courses are generally concentrated on one broader major areas of studies (in accordance with the relevant specialisation).

In order to obtain the final qualification at universities first students must successfully complete the required courses and examinations. During their last year students must prepare final dissertation connected to their specialisation. Finally, at the end of the last year students must successfully complete the final examination which is a comprehensive oral examination taken before a committee covering the last four years of studies. Following the completion of all three requirements students receive their degrees (oklevél).

The name of the final qualification received at universities of sciences and liberal arts is okleveles ..... (plus field of studies and reference to the university level of studies). Examples:

At teacher training, another prerequisite of obtaining the final qualification is that students in their last year of studies must complete a training period during which they audit lessons and then teach lessons according to their specialisation in a designated secondary school under the supervision of the appointed school teacher.

In the case of medical universities (including the university of veterinary science) and university faculties of law the conditions for obtaining the final qualification are similar to that of the universities of sciences and liberal arts. The name of the final qualification received:

At several universities another condition for receiving the final qualification is the possession of one or two foreign language examination certificates. In the case of many universities students may only receive their degrees after having obtained the language exam certificate, even if all other requirements were fulfilled.

Following the completion of university graduate studies students may pursue doctoral studies. In the last fifty years the doctoral title and degree have undergone a number of changes. There were three levels of advanced (scientific) degrees in Hungary before 1993:

To receive any of these degrees it was necessary to present and defend a dissertation. The dissertation requirements for each of the advanced degrees were different. the degree of university doctor was awarded by universities, and the other two degrees were awarded by the Committee of Scientific Qualifications.

The 1993 Act on Higher Education created a more unified system. Nevertheless, all of those who earned a scientific degree of previous types may continue to use their titles. The Act confirmed the rights of universities to issue postgraduate degrees and conduct doctoral training. At the same time it introduced the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree (abbreviation: Dr.) as a university postgraduate degree which is at present the only so called scientific degree in Hungary. The artistic faculties and universities may award the mester fokozat, called the Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA) degree in English, which is an advanced, postgraduate, doctoral level degree in artistic programmes. The mester fokozat (DLA) and the new Ph.D. degree are of the same value and are of equally high standards.

The new Law on Hungarian Academy of Sciences introduced the title of Doctor of Hungarian Academy of Sciences that can be conferred as a recognition of outstanding scientific achievements. Awarding this title is the exclusive right of the Hungarian Academy of sciences.

Final Qualifications in College Education

In college graduate education the final qualification may be obtained after 3-4 years of studies. The courses are concentrated on major fields of studies. The degrees awarded are profession oriented and are issued by universities and colleges.

In colleges conditions for obtaining final qualifications are similar to those in the case of universities. First, students must successfully complete the prescribed courses and examinations. Second, students have to prepare a dissertation in the relevant field of specialisation. Finally, students are to sit for the final examination in college studies. Following the fulfilment of the requirement students receive their degrees (oklevél).

The name of the final qualification received after the completion of college graduate education varies in accordance with the relevant specialisation which is also indicated. Examples:

közgazdász gazdálkodási szakon (economist-management)

közgazdász kereskedelmi szakon (economist-trade)

tanító (primary school teacher)

építészmérnök (architect)

diplomás ápoló (nurse with college degree)

óvodapedagógus (kindergarten instructor)

Similarly to universities more and more colleges require their students to obtain foreign language exam certificates in order to receive their final qualifications.

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY

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