Travelling to a new country to study is exciting but can be a little daunting too.
This is the first in a series of blog posts aimed at all of you international students who will be starting at Corvinus in September 2021.
In this post, we discuss the differences between two separate procedures – diploma recognition and credit acceptance. Both take place before enrolment.
1. Know the terminology
You may be a Stipendium Hungaricum nominee holding a conditional offer. Maybe you are a self-funded applicant awaiting an interview or admissions test. Or, you might just be curious about studying at Corvinus in the future.
Whatever your current status, understanding these processes and terminology should make life much easier for you!
2. Diploma recognition process
Who needs to do it?
Every international applicant (undergraduate, postgraduate and executive).
What is it about?
All programmes have entry requirements. At the most basic level, you need to have graduated from high school to start an undergraduate degree. You need to have completed an undergraduate degree to start a postgraduate degree and a postgraduate degree to start a PhD.
In this process, your qualifications need to be legally recognised to prove you meet the standards for the programme you want to study.
What do you have to do?
Ensure your qualifications are officially translated into Hungarian or English (if not already).
Fill in the diploma recognition form using MS Word. Tip: download the form, do not view it online!
Print the form.
Sign it by hand.
Scan it.
Upload the form with copies of your qualifications (legalised and translated).
Additional tips:
You do not need to post or email the form to us, simply upload it following the guidance given in “uploading documents” below.
Make sure you have provided us with your passport or official photo ID so that we can recognise you.
Legalising your qualifications
What you have to do depends on which country have studied in. There are three possible scenarios.
Scenario 1
If you have studied in a country that has signed and ratified the Lisbon Treaty and/or an EU member state – you only need to ensure your qualifications are officially translated (if not in English or Hungarian). Your qualifications should be officially attested by the awarding institution (with a seal and clause).
Scenario 2
If you have studied in a country that has not signed and ratified the Lisbon Treaty but is a member of the Apostille Convention, request an “Apostilled certificate” and official translations (from an authorised translator).
Scenario 3
If you have studied in a country that has not signed and ratified the Lisbon Treaty and is not a member of the Apostille Convention, your qualifications need to be diplomatically legalised and translated (by an authorised translator).
When do you have to do it by?
You cannot start this process until you have graduated and have had your qualifications legally recognised/translated.
However, the sooner you do this, the better.
If you already have your qualifications, try to complete this by 15 June.
For everyone else, you have until 12 July.
In exceptional circumstances, extensions may be granted up until 1 August. Please email international.study@uni-corvinus.hu if you need to request an extension and state the reasons why.
More information
The process is explained comprehensively on our website for both self-funded and Stipendium Hungaricum applicants (please download the PDF relevant to you).
3. Credit acceptance process
Who needs to do it?
Only postgraduate and executive (MBA) applicants.
If you are an undergraduate applicant, there is nothing you need to do – skip this section and go straight to “uploading documents” (below).
What is it about?
In Hungary, you need to have a minimum number of credits in related subject areas to be admitted.
There are two things to keep in mind:
The minimum number of credits required for entry.
The total number of credits required by the time you complete your programme.
If you meet the first (minimum) requirement, you will generally meet the second (total) requirement! However, if you have been admitted to the programme, you should discuss with your Programme Coordinator to ensure you are studying courses and selecting appropriate specialisations to meet the second (total) requirement.
You only need to show that you meet the minimum requirements for entry!
Typically, the minimum requirements for entry range from 20-40 ECTS. The total credit requirements range from 60-70 ECTS. Requirements differ from programme to programme.
Tip: credits need to be calculated in ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Outside of Europe, countries use different credit systems and your credits will need to be converted into ECTS. Here is a useful article that explains how to convert your credits into ECTS.
Here are some common credit comparisons.
*For undergraduate level
What do you have to do?
Download the relevant credit acceptance form for your programme.
Using your transcripts, calculate your credits in ECTS.
Show that you meet the entry requirements for the programme you have applied for. Add the relevant course name(s) and the number of credits you have achieved for each.
Add up your total credits and make sure they meet the minimum requirements.
Upload the completed form.
Tip: you do not need to have credits across all of the areas listed, you just need to meet the minimum requirements.
When do you have to do it by?
Again, we recommend that you complete this process as soon as possible. You can do it before your qualifications are legalised if you know that you have obtained all the credits you are claiming to be recognised.
Again, please upload the form by 12 July, latest.
4. Uploading documents
Self-funded applicants
If you are an undergraduate (BA/BSc) applicant, please upload your completed diploma recognition form using this second form upload option.
If you a postgraduate or executive (MA/MSc/MBA) applicant, please upload your completed diploma recognition form and credit acceptance form using this second form upload option.
Additional tips:
Make sure your file names are short, but appropriately named, instead of spaces, use underscores, for example, “Diploma_recognition”.
Do not upload files that are not requested.
Do not upload the wrong files in the wrong places. For example, don’t upload your English proficiency certificate where the credit acceptance form should be.
You can only upload one file to each area.
You can only complete the second form once – doing so again will overwrite your existing uploads. Make sure you have all your documents ready to upload.
Stipendium Hungaricum applicants
If you are an undergraduate (BA/BSc) applicant, please upload your completed diploma recognition form to DreamApply.
If you are a postgraduate or executive (MA/MSc/MBA) applicant, please upload your completed diploma recognition form and credit acceptance form to DreamApply.
This article has been prepared by Matt Jansen,
Director of International Student Recruitment Corvinus University of Budapest
