The Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Hungary and the Balassi Institute invite applications for a grant for a 10-month comprehensive Hungarian language–Hungarian studies training for candidates who are:

• non-Hungarian citizens whose native language is other than Hungarian,
• below 35 years of age,
• graduate or undergraduate students of Hungarian studies.

Confirmation of current or former studies by the applicant in the field of Hungarian studies or related subjects, and a working plan for disseminating the Hungarian language and culture are also a prerequisite.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMME

The goal of Hungarian Language–Hungarian Studies training is to increase the language competence and "Hungarology" knowledge acquired at universities outside Hungary. The programme, which is a 10-months-long accredited training programme, offers 26-55 ECTS credit points. The Balassi Institute and the University of Pecs verifies the completion of the studies by issuing a certificate.

Improving the language skills is a major goal for the training that is why they will attend 12–28 language classes per week in small groups. At the end of the language course they will take an international ECL exam (intermediate or advanced level) which is authorized by the Hungarian state.

The courses in Hungarian Studies transfer complex and diverse knowledge of the present Hungary and its cultural heredity. Beside compulsory lectures and seminars students take part in optional seminars according to their individual field of interest. Compulsory lectures/seminars: History, Literature, Linguistics, Ethnography, History of Art and Music, Geography, Hungarian Society today, Economics, Cultural and Political system. Students can choose from the following subjects according to their interest: History, History of Literature, Contemporary Literature, Translation of Literary works, Translation of Technical works, Linguistics, History of Theatre.

The programme consists of two semesters including a study period of 13/15 weeks (with at least 28-32 lessons weekly), and an exam period of 4 weeks (with maximum 4 exams). There are three types of curriculum available according to the different language competence of the students.
You can find more details on www.balassi-intezet.hu.

MAX. NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 40

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants must fill in the questionnaire and the application form. They can be downloaded from the website of the Balassi Institute.

Please fill in the online placement test (www.balassi-intezet.hu) before the deadline of application.

Documents to be attached:

• a copy of the applicant’s diploma or lecture book
• a recommendation by an expert in Hungarian Studies or in the applicant’s field of interest
• a Study Plan of max. two pages describing the applicant’s field of interest/research.
• a copy of the passport

The application package should be sent to the following address:

Balassi Institute 
Budapest 1519 Pf. 385

(Please put "HUNGAROLÓGIA" on the envelope)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30 March, 2009.

Scholarship students will receive the following benefits for the duration of studies:

• 25 000 Ft/month stipend
• student card
• health insurance (except for EU and Croatian citizens). Health Insurance will not be provided for orthodontics, prosthesis, plastic surgery or operations planned in advance)
• free accommodation at the student hostel of the Institute.

Students must cover the following costs:

• administrative cost of the student card: 1960 HUF (approx. 8 EUR) to be paid on enrollment.
• language examination fee: 22 000 HUF (approx. 85 EUR);
• cost of board and travel (the grant covers approx. 30% of these costs)
• deposit for the entrance card: 1 500 HUF (approx. 6 EUR)
• deposit for the student hostel: 5 000 HUF (approx. 20 EUR)

The Balassi Institute will inform all applicants on the results until 15 May 2009 at the latest.

If an application is not accepted, the applicant will have the opportunity to participate in the programme in a fee-paying form:

Fees:

• Instruction, teaching materials: 990 000 HUF (approx. 4 000 EUR)
• Accommodation (student hostel): 270 000 HUF (approx. 1 100 EUR)

Fee-paying students will also be given a legal student status for the duration of their studies, so they will be entitled to the benefits of the student card: discount travel pass, train tickets, discount museum and cinema entrance tickets, discount books in certain bookstores, discount tickets in certain cinemas.

The scholarship can only be granted on one occasion.
We do not accept applications by e-mail or fax.

For further information contact the Study Office of the Balassi Institute (1016. Budapest, Somlói út 51., Room  243) or visit the website of the Institute.

Tel.:   (+36-1) 381 51 80
Tel./fax: (+36-1) 381 51 49
E-mail: erna.leichtman@bbi.hu
Web: www.balassi-intezet.hu

Documents:

• Invitation for grant applications (pdf)
• Application form
• Questionnaire