The education system of Hungary

The education system of Hungary Since September 1998 the duration of compulsory education has been 12 years, from the age of 6 to 18. Attending kindegarten is compulsory only from the age of 5: during the last year at kindegarten, children are prepared for school. Basic education in Hungary is provided by the general (primary) school, during cycles of 4 years. Children attend genaral (primary) school up to the age of 14, after which they have to choose another school.

Children can choose among secondary schools as follows: Technical schools Special technical schools Secondary vocational schools General secondary schools (gymnasiums) Students who are not planning to obtain a secondary school leaving certificate and wish to begin work right after the compulsory period of education, have the opportunity to attend a technical school.

The general secondary schools (gymnasiums) aim at prepration for universities and colleges, high level foreign language teaching. After the last year of the gymnasium, the students take a final examination. Besides general education, secondary vocational schools offer the opportunity to learn a profession. In the 9 – 12 grades of secondary school, students are taught general subjects. From the 11th grade on, theoretical and practical basic knowledge is taught in worksgroup. The vocational training ends with a vocational qualification.

The secondary schools are mostly state schools; a smaller number are controlled by various churches and there are private schools. Some foreign education intstitutions too exist in Hungary. The schools which belong to the church are subsidised partly by the state. The amount of the money depends on the educational policy of the current government.

Higher education The term higher education includes training at universities and colleges. These are mostly state universities and colleges; a smaller number are controlled by various churches and there are private colleges. Some foreign education intstitutions too exist in Hungary. There are altogether 72 universities and colleges with 176 faculties in the country. State-funded students can obtain their first degree free of charges at state universities and colleges. The degrees available at univerities and colleges are as follows: - Bachelor degree, particularly at colleges: 3-5 years, - Master degree: 4-5 years; medical universities: 6 years, - Doctoral degree, Ph.D., Doct of Liberal Arts (DLA): 3 years Universities genarally provide students with a master degree, and colleges with a bachelor degree.

Teachers Teachers have to teach 22 lessons/ week. The salary depends on the type of degree at first, but on time in the education too. There are 8 grade from A to H. Average salary is about 110 000 HUF/ 450 EUR (net salary).