Hungarian Studies for foreigners at the Balassi Institute

Special Courses in the Balassi Institute

The most important programs offered by the Balassi Institute are those in Hungarian Studies and Hungarology, the university preparatory courses and the literary translation program. The Institute also runs its own separate language school.

The university preparatory program mainly offers courses for Hungarians living beyond the borders in the Carpathian Basin. The programs in Hungarology, Hungarian Studies and Literary Translation are all offered provided with scholarship options as well as at students' own costs. The Hungarology program is an accredited partial university program linked to the University of Pécs, while the completion of the programs in Hungarian Studies and Literary Translation is certified by the Institution. There is undoubtable interest in the courses, as the number of applicants for scholarships is usually two or three times the number of available places. The Hungarology program was originally launched for students of Hungarian at foreign universities. In addition to intensive Hungarian language courses, a wide range of other subjects is offered in this curriculum. This is a very important factor, as it is a well known fact that studies at Hungarian programs of foreign universities are often limited to Hungarian language, and there are no opportunities for the introduction of numerous other fields - as Ádám Masát, the deputy head of the Hungarology Department has told us.

Winter and Summer

The summer university typically offers Hungarian language courses at three levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced). More than eighty students participated at last year's summer university - Orsolya Maróti, Head of the Hungarian Language Division has told us.
Miłosz Cybula, a Polish participant, was very satisfied with the courses. He has told us that a number of opportunities were offered for practising the Hungarian language, as well as acquanting more closely with Hungarian culture at various programs and outings.

The Institute also organises ERASMUS preparatory language courses for foreign exchange students arriving to Hungary. This program is usually organised in the summer with approximately twenty participants. In addition, the Institute launches a winter course, which is rare in Hungary.