HEC Announces Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2021

HEC Has Announced Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme 2021 – 2022 For Pakistani Nationals For Bachelor’s

HEC Announces Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2021
By Shazeya Daudpota

One-Tier Master’s, and PhD studies.

The applications are invited for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme 2021 which is launched by the Hungarian Government. Applications are applicable for Pakistani as well as AJ&K nationals. The last date announced for online applications by HEC is January 15, 2021.

Scholarship Types

Pakistani students fulfilling basic eligibility criteria can apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships. The students can apply after fulfilling the requirements of the Hungarian Universities in specified disciplines under the following programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree (after 12 years of education)
  • One-Tier Master’s Degree (after 12 years of education)
  • Master’s Degree (after 16 years of education)
  • D. Degree (after 17/18 years of education)

Available Programs and Host Universities

The students applying for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships are required to apply only against specific degree programs and in specified study fields/major subjects defined by HEC.

Note

Students applying for programs in the English language shall have appropriate knowledge of English at a certain level that is defined by the host Hungarian Institution. Only the above-specified disciplines/fields of studies will be considered for award of scholarship. Furthermore, the field of studies/disciplines once selected by any candidate will not be changed before or after the award of scholarship.

Financial Coverage and Benefits

  • Tuition-free education: exemption from the payment of tuition fee
  • Monthly stipend:
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s Scholarships: monthly HUF 43,700/- contribution to the living expenses, for 12 months a year, until the completion of studies. Note: In the first year of their studies, non-doctoral students are required to attend the course of “Hungarian as foreign language” offered by the host university, and to pass an exam at the end of the second semester (except scholarship holders studying in Hungarian language). Scholarship holders who do not attend the course will not be able to receive the monthly stipend. The monthly stipend for students who take the course but fail to pass the exam will be reduced to 30,000 HUF/month.
  • Doctoral level: according to the current Hungarian legislation, monthly HUF 140,000/- for the first phase of education (4 semesters) and HUF 180,000/- for the second phase (4 semesters) – for 12 months a year, until completion of studies.
  • Accommodation: Dormitory place or a contribution of HUF 40,000/month to accommodation costs for the whole duration of the scholarship period.
  • Medical insurance: Health care services according to the relevant Hungarian legislation (Act No. 80 of 1997, national health insurance card) and supplementary medical insurance.

Please bear in mind that these provisions are only a contribution to the living expenses of the Scholarship Holders. It means that it does not fully cover all the costs of living and the students need to add their own financial resources in order to cover all living expenses in Hungary.

Cost of Living Calculator

All applicants are highly advised to check the expected living expenses both in Hungary and in the city that they wish to live in before applying; please do check cost of living calculator below:

COST OF LIVING CALCULATOR

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicant must be a citizen of Pakistan/AJ&K.
  • Must be between the age of 18-22 years for Undergraduate programs, for which they are applying for admission and the age limit should not exceed from 35 years for postgraduate Master’s (18 years) and PhD programs on January 15, 2021. In case of PhD programs, for full time employees of public sector Universities, Colleges and R&D organizations the maximum age shall be extended up to 40 years (on last day of deadline) subject to provision of No Objection Certificate (NOC).
  • The applicant must have completed HSSC/Intermediate or equivalent for application in Bachelor’s (Undergraduate Program) and One-Tier Master’s degree.
  • The applicant must have completed 16 years Bachelors/or equivalent Degree for application in Master’s (Postgraduate Program).
  • The applicant must have completed 18 years Degree/or equivalent for application in PhD Program.
  • The applicant must fill all the fields of the Hungary application form and HEC application form and no column or field should be left unfilled.
  • Certificates/Transcript/Degrees to be attached must be attested by the attesting authorities such as IBCC and HEC. Equivalence of O & A level from IBCC is mandatory.
  • It is the sole responsibility of student(s) applying for any professional degree (Medical, Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, Law, Veterinary Medicine etc.) to first get confirmed its accreditation from the respective Councils i.e. Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC) etc.
  • IELTS/TOEFL scores as required, where applicable.
  • All applicants must submit medical certificate of satisfactory health condition (issued not earlier than 15 November 2020, a written certificate from a physician to prove that the applicant does not have the following illnesses: AIDS, Hepatitis A, B, C or any other epidemic conditions)
  • In case of final selection, applicants will have to submit a bond on legal paper to HEC that he/she will not change discipline after final award of scholarship, and immediately after completion of his/her degree, he/she will return back to Pakistan to serve the country for a period as prescribed by the HEC. In case of failure to do so, HEC reserves the right to recover from candidate or his/her guarantor, a penalty amount as prescribed/decided by the HEC.
  • Applicants must fulfill all other requirements set by host Hungarian university/Tempus Public Foundation/Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
  • In case of final selection, candidate has to submit a bond agreement.

NON-ELIGIBILITY (INELIGIBILITY)

Applications will not be considered in the following cases:

  • Hungarian citizens (including those with dual citizenships)
  • Applications misrepresenting any information, even if the misrepresentation is pointed out after the scholarship is awarded

How To Apply

  • Applicants are MANDATORILY required to submit only online applications at the Hungarian and HEC website. Incase applicant fails to submit online application forms on BOTH websites mentioned at Step (1) & Step (2),  their application will  not be considered for further processing.
  • Hard copies of applications and other documents are not required at the initial stage. However, applicants are required to keep record of all the submitted documents along with printed copies of BOTH application forms (submitted online at HEC & Tempus Public Foundation).
  • At a later stage of the selection process, applicants will be required to submit hard copies (including online application forms submitted at HEC portal with deposit slip & Tempus Public Foundation portal) along with attested photo copies of all the original documents. Original medical certificate and police clearance certificate also need to be submitted.

Step (1) Tempus Public Foundation Online Application:

All applications shall be submitted through the online application system of Tempus Public Foundation Hungary. After registration, the applicants are able to access the application surface and upload the required documents. Please note that no applications will be accepted without the online submission and after the deadline. After applying online, get its printed copies for record. To apply online please visit: https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu

Step (2) HEC Online Application:

Apply online at the HEC website: https://eportal.hec.gov.pk/arl After registering and filling in your profile, please select “Academic & Research Linkages” under the “Scholarship and Grant” menu in the left-hand side panel of the online portal. While submitting an application online at the HEC website, do attach a scanned copy of the deposit slip of Rs. 500/-(non-refundable) on account of HEC online Account No. 17427900133401 in HBL, Shalimar Recording Company Branch, Sector H-9, Islamabad. All payments are to be made to HEC through HBL online facility. This facility is available in all branches of Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), Pakistan.

All of the following documents are compulsory and need to be submitted online until January 15, 2021.

  • All students applying for PhD studies must have consent of acceptance by supervisor at the proposed host university. A statement of acceptance issued by the supervisor must be attached to the online application.
  • HEC may conduct test/interviews of initially shortlisted candidates.
  • Incomplete applications or applications received after due date will NOT be accepted. The recommendation of nominating agency i.e. HEC will be final and binding.
  • Only SUBMITTED mode applications will be entertained.
  • Result-awaiting candidates and previous HEC nominees of this scholarship may apply afresh subject to eligibility criteria, but result of former must reach before the closing date.
  • Candidates must note that once he/she is nominated by HEC or finally selected by Tempus Public Foundation Hungary, any request for change of subject/discipline/study programme made by him/her shall not be entertained in any case (HEC will not issue any NOC for change of discipline). If a candidate withdraws himself/herself from the scholarship after the final award, he/she shall be liable to disciplinary action including ban of a certain period from applying to any foreign funded/HEC/Government of Pakistan scholarship programmes.
  • All applicants should note that all nominations from Pakistan will be routed through HEC.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING THE COMPLETE APPLICATION: January 15, 2021 at 1500 hrs (Pakistan Standard Time)

IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE APPLYING:

It is the sole responsibility of the student(s) applying for any professional degree (Medical, Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, Law, Veterinary Medicine, etc.) to first get confirmed its accreditation from the respective Councils i.e. Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC), etc.

Frequently Asked Questions…!

How can I submit the application-processing fee?

Original deposit slip of Rs. 500/- (non-refundable), must be deposited/transferred to HEC online Account No. 17427900133401 (HBL, Shalimar Recording Company Branch, Sector H-9, Islamabad). All payments are to be made to HEC through HBL online facility. This facility is available in all branches of Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), Pakistan.

What is the eligibility criteria for Stipendium Hungaricum Programme?

  • Applicant must be a citizen of Pakistan/AJ&K.
  • Must be between the age of 18-22 years for Undergraduate programs, for which they are applying for admission and the age limit should not exceed 35 years for postgraduate Master’s (17/18 years) and Ph.D. programs on January 15, 2021. In the case of Ph.D. programs, for full-time employees of public sector Universities, Colleges, and R&D organizations the maximum age must be 40 years on January 15, 2021.
  • The applicant must have completed HSSC/Intermediate or equivalent for application in Bachelors (Undergraduate) Program.
  • The applicant must have completed 16 years of Bachelors’s Degree or equivalent for application in Masters’s (Postgraduate) Program.
  • The applicant must have completed 17/18 years Masters Degree or equivalent for application in Ph.D. Program.
  • The applicant must fill all fields of BOTH Hungarian Application Form and HEC application form and no column or field should be left unfilled.
  • Certificates/Transcript/Degrees to be attached must be attested by the attesting authorities such as IBCC and HEC. Equivalence of O & A levels from IBCC is mandatory.
  • It is the sole responsibility of the student(s) applying for any professional degree (Medical, Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, Law, Veterinary Medicine, etc.) to first get confirmed its accreditation from the respective Councils i.e. Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC), etc.
  • IELTS/TOEFL scores as required, where applicable.
  • All applicants must submit a medical certificate of satisfactory health condition (as per Hungarian deadline), a written certificate from a physician to prove that the applicant does not have the following illnesses: AIDS, Hepatitis A, B, C, or any other epidemic conditions)
  • In case of final selection, applicants will have to submit a bond on legal paper to HEC that he/she will not change discipline after final award of scholarship, and immediately after completion of his/her degree, he/she will return back to Pakistan to serve the country for a period as prescribed by HEC. In case of failure to do so, HEC reserves the right to recover from the candidate or his/her guarantor, a penalty amount as prescribed/decided by HEC.
  • Applicants must fulfill all other requirements set by the host Hungarian university/Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
  • In the case of final selection, the candidate has to submit a bond agreement with HEC.

I have applied on HEC portal. Do I need to apply on the Tempus Public Foundation (TPF) Hungary portal?

It is MANDATORY that a candidate applies on both portals;

What are the deadlines for both portals?

Deadlines for both portals is the same i.e. January 15, 2021

What is the criteria for final selection?

Candidates are selected by keeping in view the following factors;

  • Academic Background
  • Written test score-at least 50%
  • Approved federal quota
  • Interview by Hungarian Authorities

Are the universities and their programs accredited from Pakistani accredited bodies such as Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) etc.?

It is the sole responsibility of student(s) applying for any professional degree (Medical, Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, Law, Veterinary Medicine etc.) to first get confirmed its accreditation from the respective Councils i.e. Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners (PCATP), Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC) etc.

I do not have my final result yet. Can I apply?

The final result of applicants must be submitted online on the HEC portal before the closing date i.e. January 15, 2021.

What is age limit for Masters/PhD?

The maximum age limit for Ph.D. applicants is 40 years only for full-time employees of public sector Universities, Colleges, and R&D organizations. For the rest of the applicants of Masters/PhDs, the age limit is 35 years. Candidates applying for Undergraduate programs need to provide English Proficiency Certificate. Candidates applying for Masters/PhD need to check the requirement of Hungarian university that they are opting as to whether the university needs IELTS or not.

Every candidate may apply for two universities.

There isn’t any requirement from HEC. However, applicants are advised in their own interest to check/fulfill requirements of their preferred universities.

Which subjects I can apply for?

A candidate can apply for those subjects only which are offered by both HEC & Hungarian (Tempus Public Foundation) portals.

If my age is below 18, am I eligible for Hungarian Scholarship?

Applicants must be between the age of 18-22 years for Undergraduate programs and 35 years for Masters/PhD programs.

If I don’t have passport, medical & police certificates, am I still eligible?

Yes. Applicants must provide passport, medical & police certificates after provisional selection by HEC. Initially, they must upload CNICs instead of passports on Tempus Public Foundation (TPF) portal but provide required documents before TPF deadline for completion of “Missing Documents”.

Can an afghan national apply for this scholarship?

No, only Pakistani / AJ&K national can apply for this scholarship.

Do we need equivalence of O level and A level?

Yes. Equivalence for O and A level is required for this scholarship.

What education is required if the applicant wants to apply for 04 years Bachelor’s (Undergraduate) program?

The applicant must have completed HSSC/Intermediate or equivalent for application in Bachelor’s (Undergraduate) program.

What education is required if the applicant wants to apply for Master’s program (Postgraduate program)?

The applicant must have completed 16 years Bachelors Degree or equivalent for application in Master’s (Postgraduate Program).

What education is required if the applicant wants to apply for One-Tier Master’s program?

The applicant must have completed HSSC/Intermediate or equivalent for application in One-Tier Master’s program.

What education is required if the applicant wants to apply for Ph.D. program?

The applicant must have completed 17/18 years Degree/or equivalent for application in the Ph.D. program. All students applying for Ph.D. studies must have the consent of acceptance by a supervisor at the proposed host university. A statement of acceptance issued by the supervisor must be attached to the online application.

What are the documents required for Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship?

The documents required for Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Bachelors and Masters) are given below:

  • Online application form
  • Motivation Letter
  • Proof of language proficiency and translations in the language of the selected study program or in Hungarian
  • School certificates and their translations in the language of the selected study program or in Hungarian
  • Transcript of records and translation in the language of the selected study program or in Hungarian
  • Medical certificate
  • Copy of passport
  • Statement for Application

For applicants applying for PhD studies, in addition to the above required documents, they would also need to provide the following:

  • Research plan
  • Letters of Recommendation and Statement of the Supervisor

What is the mandatory requirement while applying for Ph.D. programs?

All students applying for Ph.D. studies must have the consent of acceptance by the supervisor at the proposed host university. A statement of acceptance issued by the supervisor must be attached to the online application.

Is the GAT-General test conducted by NTS applicable for these scholarships?

No. GAT-General Test conducted by NTS is not applicable for these scholarships.

Which test is applicable for the award of these scholarships?

The only HAT organized by Education Testing Council (ETC) is an acceptable test for the award of these scholarships. Education Testing Council (ETC) arranges HAT test for eligible applicants for different scholarship schemes of HEC. ETC may arrange the HAT test in January 2021.

Are there any MS/MPhil scholarships?

Yes, there are exclusive MS/MPhil scholarships offered.

Can I edit or modify my submitted application for the scholarship program?

Applicants are advised to check all details of this scholarship scheme before filing/submitting an online application form. Requests for amendment will not be entertained after submission of the online application.

Is the international GRE-General /Subject score acceptable?

No. International GRE-General/Subject is not acceptable for the award of this scholarship. However, the foreign host university may require the same for admission purposes.

Can public/private sector employees apply without informing their parent department?

Applicant has to apply through proper channel, however, advance copy of the application can be forwarded to HEC.

How can I fill out the online application form?

Applicants are required to submit online applications via HEC e-portal (eportal.hec.gov.pk) For users who have got their degree attested from HEC or already created a common profile at HEC e-portal, please use your existing User ID (CNIC Number) and password to apply. Applicants who have not created a common profile are required to create a common profile first through the online application process and then need to apply for scholarships after following the required procedure. Hard copies of the application form and pre-requisite documents are not required at the initial stage. Moreover, please make sure to keep the original bank deposit slip in your record.

Why Engineering disciplines are not available on the HEC portal for Bachelors/Undergraduate studies?

Due to the large intake of Engineering programs in the previous 05 batches, this year all other Bachelors’s/Undergraduate programs are available except for Engineering related disciplines. However, for Masters & PhD studies, applicants can apply in Engineering programs.

I am already availing of financial assistance/scholarship from university/institution. Am I eligible for this scholarship?

No, the students already availing of financial assistance/scholarships from universities/institutions are not eligible to apply.

This news was originally published at INC Pak