Program Dates:
2010: |
September:3 month program:Start Date: September 1, 2010 End Date: November 30, 2010 5 month program: Start Date: September 1, 2010 End Date: January 31, 2011 10 month program: Start Date: September 1, 2010 End Date: June 30, 2011 |
2011: |
January:3 month program:Start Date: January 1, 2011 End Date: March 31, 2011 5 month program: Start Date: January 1, 2011 End Date: June 30, 2011 |
Application deadlines for the student exchange programs each year are:
September (5 or 10 month) – May 28, 2010
January – October 1, 2010
Education in Hungary consists of primary and secondary education. Beginning around the age of 6, most students take eight years to complete primary school. Core subjects include literature, grammar, mathematics, music, art, physical education, and environmental studies. As the years progress after grade five, students are then introduced to history of art, physics, history, chemistry and foreign languages, typically French, German, English and Russian.
Secondary education traditionally lasts four years, but can be extended. There are three different kinds of secondary schools: Gimn-zium, with an academic focus on higher education that includes at least two foreign languages; SzakkzEpiskola, a vocational school focus that prepares students for higher education; Szakiskola, a vocational school.
Upon completion of secondary education students must pass a final exam, the Matura to gain entry into university or college.
Hungary has a fascinating history and a geography that is worth exploring, with impressive architecture at every turn. The cultural vibe is modern mixed with tradition. History comes alive here, and there is much to learn from the good people of this proud country.
School System
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 May 31). 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 5th grade), biology (from 6th grade), geography (from 6th grade), history (from 5th grade), history of art, physics (from 6th 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 gimn•ziums 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 secondary schools:
- Gimn•zium (non-vocational; prepares students for higher education; teaches at least 2 foreign languages)
- SzakkˆzÈpiskola (vocational school but also prepares for higher education)
- Szakiskola (vocational school)
After finishing secondary school, students take a school-leaving exam (Matura or final exam, ÈrettsÈgi in Hungarian). This consists from 2005 of exams on five subjects: written exam in mathematics, oral and written exams in literature and grammar, a foreign language, history, and written and/or oral exam in a subject of the student's choice. These exams also serve as an entry exam to universities and colleges.
