The opinion of Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship students on Hungarian higher education

In 2017, yet another questionnaire study examined the opinion of Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship students about their studies in Hungary. The online questionnaire asked students about how they assessed the quality of education at their respective institutions, as well as the services provided to students, and how satisfied they were with the opportunities provided to them under the scholarship.

The online questionnaire was completed by 2,825 students from 47 partner countries, who attend nearly 145 training programmes at 26 higher education institutions. 40% of the students participated in MA training programmes and 38% in bachelor studies. The ratio of Ph.D. students was 16% among the respondents.

In response to what had motivated them to choose Hungary for their studies, most mentioned the high standards and quality of education, learning about another culture and the affordable prices; these factors were also among the key decision factors in last year's survey.

In general, students were satisfied with their university lives and the training programmes. Among the positive highlights were the use of the internet and various online tools in the classroom, the assistance and support received from teachers, as well as teachers’ availability and the forms of keeping contact. At the same time, students were less satisfied with the access to various special tools and facilities (e.g. laboratories), the lecturers' and teachers' English language skills and the teaching methods used at the courses.

The research also allows the identification of areas whose quality and standards the students were less satisfied with. One such area was, for example, the availability of proper accommodation, which is among the most important issues for foreign students who come to study in Hungary. In their relevant responses, most respondents rated the accommodation opportunities in the given towns and the university's assistance in finding accommodation as average.

An important sign of student satisfaction is whether they would choose Hungary and the same institution for their studies again: 56% of the respondents would definitely and 29% would probably come to Hungary again. 42% of the respondents would definitely choose the given higher education institution again and 27% would probably make the same decision. The ratio of those who would definitely not choose to come to Hungary again was 2.4%.

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