Facts & figures
Assyriologist
English
Program
The MA course offered by the Department of Assyriology and Hebrew Studies at the Faculty of Humanities is a two-year, full-time program lasting four semesters. Students who take this course of studies must have basic knowledge of the Akkadian and Sumerian language, and the cuneiform writing. They must also be familiar with the history and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia. At the end of the program studens complete an MA dissertation. The staff at the department are specialized in the history and archaeology of ancient Assyria, in the economy and society of the Old-Babylonian period, and in the study of the Sumerian language and literature.
This program is recommended to applicants who would like to deepen their knowledge of Assyriology and consider pursuing an academic career in the field.
This program enables students to carry out research in Assyriology and prepares them for a PhD degree.
Most of the staff of the program have international experience. They have studied and/or worked in research projects abroad. The department has a joint excavation in Kurdistan with the Institute of Archeology at ELTE. Experience shows that graduating from our program is a very good starting point for doctoral or (at a later stage) postdoctoral studies, a number of our former MA students have acquired their PhD at foreign universities.
The leader of the program, Prof Zólyomi was a member the renowned Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature project at the University of Oxford. He is an internationally acknowledged expert in Sumerian grammar. Prof Dezső is a leading expert in the military history of ancient Mesopotamia, he has published a number of monographs on the Assyrian army.
Structure
Career
Students of Assyriology pursue as a rule a career of academic researcher or university instructor. Academic researchers work at institutes affiliated with universities or at museums housing collections of cuneiform texts.
There exist several museums in Europe with substantial collections of cuneiform texts with a need of experts in Assyriology, e.g., Louvre (Paris), British Museum (London), Ashmolean Museum (Oxford).
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | 2,500 EUR | 2,500 EUR |
| Application fee |
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 - 30/11/2025 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026-31/05/2026
|
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 - 30/11/2025 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026-31/05/2026
|
| Entrance exam fee | 100 EUR | 100 EUR |
| Other cost |
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) in the fields listed below. Full credit acknowledgement is only given for a BA degree in Ancient Languages and Cultures, Specialized in Assyriology.
In the case of a BA degree from other study fields, each degree will be considered individually, and transcripts from your diploma as well as course descriptions will be requested. The applicant must have minimum of 50 credits from the field of Ancient Languages and Cultures, Specialized in Assyriology to enter the programme.
The educational and outcome requirements are defined by the Ministry of Human Capacities, Regulation No. 18/2016. (VIII. 5.). Details of the application and admission process are defined by the Organisational and Operational Regulations of ELTE.
Language requirements
The language of instruction is English. Non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a very good level of English-language skills.
- TOEFL PBT (Paper-based test): 516-554
- TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test): 66-82
- TOEFL IBT Home Edition: 66-82
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.0
- CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference): B2
- Duolingo: 85
| Document | Comment |
|---|---|
| Online application form | - |
| Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate) | Notarized copy only on request. |
| Bachelor-level degree | An official copy of your completed Bachelor degree |
| Transcript of records | |
| CV | In English, in MS Word format with one low resolution photo |
| Motivation letter | A maximum of 500 words. |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid) | Scanned, in colour all personal details and expiry date must be shown. Passport must be valid. |
| Copy of application fee payment receipt | |
| Copy of the Entrance exam payment receipt | |
| Language certificate | Official test result or certificate must be provided; see program specific proficiency requirements. |
| Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English |
Optional documents for admissions
- Research Proposal
Please consult with the coordinating department for more information - Letter of Reference
Also called "Letter of recommendation." From a former instructor and/or employer.
Application deadlines
The deadline for application means the deadline of submission of the full and complete application package in the online system.
Period 1 (with Early Bird discount): 01/10-30/11/2025 23:59 (CET)
Period 2 (with Early Bird discount): 01/02-31/03/2026 23:59 (CET)
Period 3: 01/04-31/05/2026 23:59 (CET)
The application procedure includes 3 periods in order to give the applicants the freedom to submit their application when it’s most suitable for them. The applicants of each period have the same chance to get admittance for the programme. However, please note, that the Faculty of Humanities ELTE reserves the right to cancel the entrance periods in case the number of the admitted applicants reaches the limit during the previous entrance periods.
Procedure of the application
The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Applications will only be processed if the application fee (non-refundable) has been paid on the University’s online payment platform.
Before making the payment please visit the Faculty’s website (go to section Application and Entrance Exam fees) for detailed guidance on how to use the payment platform.
Payment platform: https://epay.elte.hu/
Entrance examination and selection process
When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs an entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period. Please, check your messages in the application system, and the e-mail address that is linked to the account regularly. The applications are examined by the Admission Board no later than after each application period and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system after the decision is official. Admission letters are sent out in the online application system within a few days.
Procedure of the entrance examination
The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation of the applicant. Successful applicants must have a good command of English to pass the entrance exam. The format of the entrance exam is an online interview. Ranking is based on the overall evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.
Contacts
Prof. Gábor ZÓLYOMI
Head of Department of Assyriology and Hebrew
Admission
Department of International Affairs
International admission coordinator
E-mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4., Room 32
More information
Website
Find the detailed structure of the program on the site of the Faculty.