Facts & figures
Expert in community and civil development studies
English
Program
The goal of this programme is to train community and civic development professionals who are able to work effectively in the life of the communities, knowing the values of the communities and the national, European and global role of civil society and non-profit organizations. They are committed to the development of civil society / non-profit organizations and local communities, to the improvement of the quality of life, and to help solving the problems in the community. As a result, students will be able to apply their community and civil development knowledge and skills in decisions of the social and economic life, international relations and communication, as well as in their professional career. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral training.
This programme is recommended to applicants who
want to learn community development knowledge, methods, modern civil management and strategic thinking,
believe in community solution, collective wisdom and teamwork,
like to learn from others, to share experiences, and open to working forms of social learning,
plan to explore civil society or conduct research about communal dilemmas, want to understand its significance.
This programme enables students to
be a coordinator, manager or leader of a non-profits organization,
plan and organize community development programmes,
make social project, fundraising programmes.
One of the main features of the programme is that we work together with Hungarian and international non-profit organizations (Red Cross, Ashoka, Amnesty International, UNESCO, United Nations etc.), local municipalities, community centres and cultural institutions. With our group methods the participants learn teamwork, independent work and project works. We have a great variety of courses to acquire leadership skills, project and sustainable thinking. Our graduates will have a broad knowledge in many aspects of community and civil studies as well as in non-profit management. Most of the teachers of the programme have international teaching experience and they regularly give classes also at foreign universities. Some of them are leaders of international non-profit organizations or experts of community development.
Professors of the programme: Dr. Habil. Maria Arapovics PhD Associate Professor, Dr. Habil. Gábor Juhász Associate Professor, Dr. Habil. Agnes Van-Til PhD Associate Professor, Dr. István Sziklai PhD Associate Professor, Dr. Zsombor Farkas PhD assistant professor, Dr. Dorottya Sík PhD Assistant Professor, Bulcsú Mihály Master teacher, Edit Kovács Master teacher, as well as guest lecturers, experts of community development and leaders of NGOs.
Structure
Career
Our former students have been working as academic researchers or professors in different universities: as civil experts or community developers at municipalities, at cultural community centres, at community houses or museums. Most of them became leaders of Hungarian or international non-governmental and voluntary organizations. Some of them have also found job possibilities in market research and multinational companies. Others work as social workers, social politicians or members of media.
- Community organisers, community developers
- Charities workers
- Non-profit managers
- Project managers, fundraisers
- SCR developers
- Volunteer-coordinators
- International aid/development workers
- Social researchers
- Civil referents
- Academic researchers, market researchers
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | 1550 EUR | 3500 EUR |
| Application fee |
EUR 50 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025-15/11/2025
EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 20/11/2025-15/01/2026
EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 20/01/2026-30/04/2026
EUR 200 (non-refundable) between 05/05/2026-31/05/2026
|
EUR 50 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025-15/11/2025
EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 20/11/2025-15/01/2026
EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 20/01/2026-30/04/2026
EUR 200 (non-refundable) between 05/05/2026-31/05/2026
|
| Entrance exam fee | ||
| Other cost |
Entry requirements: Applicants must have a BA/BBA degree in any of the following fields: Humanities, Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, Economics, Law, Public Governance, International Administration. In case of other bachelor's degrees: individual consideration.
If the BA degree does not meet all the necessary requirements, the applicant may be required to complete additional credits in the relevant fields during their first year of study to fulfil these requirements upon acceptance.
Language requirements:
Minimum level of language proficiency (oral) (A1-C2): B2 (CEFR)
Minimum level of language proficiency (written) (A1-C2): B2 (CEFR)
Further comments:
Accepted Certification of English knowledge (both written and oral):
B2 (CEFR)
IELTS Score: 5.5
TOEFL iBT Band: 46-59
Cambridge English Scale Score: 162.
If the applicant does not have any of the above certifications, their English proficiency will be assessed during the admission interview. Any letter of acceptance issued by the Faculty of Social Sciences is based on the verified fact that the applicant’s command of English has been assessed; therefore, they are considered eligible to pursue their studies at the institution.
If the applicant can prove that they completed their former education entirely in English by submitting a notarized attestation and a detailed academic transcript, no proof of language knowledge will be required throughout the admission process.
| Document | Comment |
| Online application form | |
| Bachelor-level degree | |
| Transcript of records | |
| Motivation letter | The general guidelines and expectations for the letter are: the applicants introducing themselves, their motivation, interests and goals with the programme. The length of the motivation letter is between 1500 and 4000 characters. |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport | needs to be valid |
| Copy of application fee transfer | |
| Language certificate | If the applicant has one. |
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.
Students who hold Hungarian citizenship and/or dual citizenship, must apply through felvi.hu Please note that if an application is submitted not according to the aforementioned, it will be rejected.
Procedure of the entrance examination
The application deadline refers to the final submission of the complete application package through the online application system.
For the September intake, there are four application periods:
- Super Early Bird Period: 2025 October 1- 2025 November 15 (23:59 CET)
- Early Bird Period: 2025 November 20 – 2026 January 15 (23:59 CET)
- Regular Period: 2026 January 20 – 2026 April 30 (23:59 CET)
- Last Call Period: 2026 May 5 –2026 May 31 (23:59 CET)
These distinct periods allow applicants the flexibility to submit their applications at their convenience. All applicants within each period have an equal chance of gaining admission to the programme.
After each application deadline, the Admission Board reviews the applications. After the admission interview, applicants are informed of the selection outcome through the online application system within approximately one month after the admission interview. If the offer is accepted, admission letters are sent out through the online application system as soon as possible, as specified in the offer decision.
Applicants with a full application package will be notified after the application deadline about the exact time and date of application interviews conducted via Ms Teams. Applicants are responsible for having technically suitable conditions for the interview from their side
Applicants are expected to be prepared taking questions regarding the compulsory admission materials (see: Recommended readings for the entrance exam) from the side of admission committee composed of a professor, a lecturer and a student representative.
Based on the results, certain students may be placed on a waiting list. Final results are expected by the first half of August.
Type of entrance exam: Oral
Entrance exam location: Online
Applicants with a full application package will be notified about the exact time and date of application interviews conducted via Skype or Ms Teams. Applicants are responsible for having technically suitable conditions for the interview from their side
Applicants are expected to be prepared taking questions regarding the compulsory admission materials (see: Required readings for the entrance exam) from the side of admission committee composed of a professor, a lecturer and a student representative.
The application interview via Skype or via Ms Teams will include a discussion.
Recommended Readings:
State of Civil Society Report 2018. Year in Review: Top Ten Trends. CIVICUS 2018.
https://www.civicus.org/documents/reports-and-publications/SOCS/2018/socs-2018-overview_top-ten-trends.pdf
Arapovics Mária – Vercseg Ilona (ed.): Community Development Methodological guide. Hungarian Open Air Museum Museum Education and Methodology Centre NMI Institute for Culture Nonprofit Ltd. National Széchényi Library 2019.
https://cselekvokozossegek.hu/wp-content/uploads/community_development_methodological_guide.pdf
Gyenes Zsuzsa (ed.): In the Service of Communities - in Small Local Communities. Collection of case studies. 2020
https://kofe.hu/wp-content/uploads/Dokumentumok/efop-2018-2020/eStudySeries_final.pdf
Further details of selection and evaluation
Applicants with a full application package will be asked to participate in an oral entrance exam. The institutional admission scores are based on a total evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam. The entrance exam seeks to assess the general and professional knowledge and interest of the applicant.
A successful oral entrance exam is the prerequisite of getting admitted. If the applicant fails the oral entrance exam, the application will be rejected.
Contacts
Ágnes GERTHEIS
Department Administrator
gertheis.agnes@tatk.elte.hu
Phone/ext.: 372-2500/6630
International Office, Faculty of Social Sciences
E-mail: international@tatk.elte.hu
Postal address:, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest, H-1117
More information
Faculty Website
Facebook page of the Faculty of Social Sciences
Dr Maria ARAPOVICS
Habil. Associate Professor
Students develop key skills including critical and strategic thinking, intercultural awareness, diplomacy, negotiation, and respectful debate. At the master’s level, students can specialize in Human Rights, Security Studies, or European Development and Foreign Policy, while doctoral students pursue independent research in their chosen fields.
Graduates go on to careers in government, NGOs, international organizations, and EU institutions, or continue their academic studies. Studying in Budapest, a vibrant and international city, students become part of a diverse, supportive academic community at one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading universities.
Besides training in methodology, students acquire a solid knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of economics, and are introduced to other social sciences and business studies, as well. The general character of the program is that it offers graduates high flexibility in their future career decisions. The program enables students to further their studies in several directions at the master’s level, including economics, business, sociology, and international relations, or to apply their broad-based knowledge in the areas of government, business, politics, or media.
Students develop key skills including critical and strategic thinking, intercultural awareness, diplomacy, negotiation, and respectful debate. At the master’s level, students can specialize in Human Rights, Security Studies, or European Development and Foreign Policy, while doctoral students pursue independent research in their chosen fields.
Graduates go on to careers in government, NGOs, international organizations, and EU institutions, or continue their academic studies. Studying in Budapest, a vibrant and international city, students become part of a diverse, supportive academic community at one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading universities.
Besides training in methodology, students acquire a solid knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of economics, and are introduced to other social sciences and business studies, as well. The general character of the program is that it offers graduates high flexibility in their future career decisions. The program enables students to further their studies in several directions at the master’s level, including economics, business, sociology, and international relations, or to apply their broad-based knowledge in the areas of government, business, politics, or media.
Find the structure of the programme on this link.