Study System
The Bologna system was introduced at the University of Debrecen in 2006. Since then the former single-cycle 5-year training structure has been gradually replaced by the 3+2 years (bachelor+master) system. The changes did not affect medical, dental, pharmaceutical and legal trainings, which take 6 and 5 years to complete, respectively.
Applicants to institutions of higher education in Hungary must have a secondary school certificate. Training is based on a seminar and lecture system. Seminars are in general smaller discussion groups, with active student participation. Lectures follow the classical model: a bigger audience, where students have little chance to make comments.
Students are usually required to complete 180 ECTS credits during a 3-year programme, and 120 ECTS credits during a 2-year training. Certain programmes (e.g. teacher training) require an additional semester of practical training or internship.
Grades are usually awarded on the basis of in-class performance, mid-term and end-term papers, take-home essays, oral presentations or (in case of lectures) oral or written exams. Class attendance is mandatory for seminars.
The academic year consists of two semesters: autumn (September– January) and spring (February–June). Both semesters include a 15-week long study period, usually with one week of schoolbreak in the middle of the term, and a 6-week long exam session.
Grading System
Grading system generally used by Hungarian higher education institutions is as follows:
Five-point scale
| | Hungarian | English | ECTS equivalent grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | jeles | Excellent - Very good Outstanding with minor errors | A |
| 4 | jó | Good - Generally sound work with a number of notable errors | B |
| 3 | közepes | Satisfactory - Acceptable Fair but with significant shortcomings | C |
| 2 | elégséges | Pass - Performance meets the minimum criteria | D-E |
| 1 | elégtelen | Fail - Further work is required | F |
Three-point scale
| Hungarian | English |
|---|---|
| kiválóan megfelelt | Meets requirements with distinction |
| megfelelt | Meets requirements |
| a követelményeknek nem felelt meg | Does not meet requirements |