Facts & figures
Educational Scientist
English
Program
The Master of Arts (MA) program in Educational Science at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) equips students with advanced knowledge and practical skills for diverse roles in education. The program covers educational theory, practice, and policy, focusing on critical thinking, research, and pedagogical competence. Students gain a multidisciplinary understanding of education, drawing on philosophy, psychology, sociology, economics, and law.
Graduates are prepared for roles in schools, universities, research institutions, government, private enterprises, public administration, NGOs, and international organizations, as well as for doctoral studies in education.
Specializations
• Educational Development and Management
Students in this specialization learn to lead educational innovations and manage institutions. The program covers strategic learning, quality management, and data-driven decision-making, preparing graduates to drive sustainable improvements in education. Coordinator: Dr. László Horváth (horvath.laszlo@ppk.elte.hu)
• Educational Technology
The Educational Technology specialization equips students to lead the integration of digital tools and innovative practices in diverse educational settings. Focusing on hands-on experience, the program trains students to design inclusive, tech-enhanced learning environments and implement solutions that improve learning outcomes. Coordinator: Dr. Helga Misley (misley.helga@ppk.elte.hu)
The Institute of Education at ELTE’s Faculty of Education and Psychology is a leading center for educational research in Hungary. Through strong partnerships with various institutions, the program offers students valuable internships, blending academic rigor with real-world experience. Graduates are well-prepared to succeed in dynamic educational environments and shape the future of the field.
Structure
Career
Graduates of the Educational Science MA program are well-equipped for a wide range of roles, including:
• Educational Consultant
• Instructional Designer
• Education Policy Analyst
• Educational Program Manager
• Educational Technology Integration Specialist
• Corporate or Organizational Trainer
• Curriculum Developer
• Researcher in Educational Sciences
• International Education Coordinator
The program also provides a strong foundation for pursuing a PhD in Education.
Graduates of the Educational Science MA program can pursue various career settings in the field of education and related sectors, such as:
- Educational Consultant
- Instructional Designer
- Education Policy Analyst
- Educational Technology Specialist
- Educational Researcher
- Education Entrepreneur
- Corporate Trainer
- International Education Coordinator
- Education Journalist
Graduates with a strong research interest can pursue a Ph.D. in Education, conducting advanced research and contributing to the field's knowledge base.
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | 3250 EUR Reservation fee: 10% of the tuition fee, will be deducted from a refund for those students who had to pay their tuition fee for the visa procedure, but then didn't start their studies in the semester they were accepted for. | 3250 EUR Reservation fee: 10% of the tuition fee, will be deducted from a refund for those students who had to pay their tuition fee for the visa procedure, but then didn't start their studies in the semester they were accepted for. |
| Application fee |
EUR 180 (non-refundable) between 25/11/2026-30/01/2027
EUR 240 (non-refundable) between 01/02/2027-31/05/2027
EUR 300 (non-refundable) between 01/06/2027-08/06/2027
|
EUR 180 (non-refundable) between 25/11/2026-30/01/2027
EUR 240 (non-refundable) between 01/02/2027-31/05/2027
EUR 300 (non-refundable) between 01/06/2027-08/06/2027
|
| Entrance exam fee | - | - |
| Other cost | - | - |
Entry requirements
Full acknowledgement is given for the following degrees:
BA degree of Andragogy
BA degree of Teacher education
BA degree of Primary School Teacher Training
BA degree of Pre-School Teacher Training
BA degree of Infant and Early Childhood Education
Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Education, Special Education, Social Pedagogy
Conditionally accepted bachelor’s degrees which will be considered in the first place:
any bachelor’s or master’s degree program in case the applicant possesses 50 credits in the following fields: pedagogical, psychological, philosophical and ethical studies; adult education studies; communicational science; health science; sociology, anthropology, political sciences; economic and legal studies.
Transcript of Grades
Applicants should provide a transcript of records from the last two years, including a sealed, signed, and dated diploma.
Motivation Letter
Applicants are required to submit a motivation letter within the range of 1500 to 2000 characters. This letter should articulate their reasons for wanting to study in Hungary, specifically in Budapest, at the university, faculty, and the chosen program. The motivation letter should detail the applicant's introduction to education science, demonstrate their suitability for the program, specify their desired specialization, outline their future plans, and highlight the program's relevance to those plans. Applicants are encouraged to be specific and connect their personal experiences to the benefits offered by the program.
Reference Work
In addition to the motivation letter and the transcript of grades, applicants are required to submit a reference work within the field of education science, written in English. This reference work can take various forms, such as an excerpt from a BA thesis, a research paper, a seminar paper, a research report, a published journal article, a book chapter, a case study, or a literature review, among others. Applicants have the flexibility to submit either a new paper or an improved version of a previous work for the current application. The preferred length for this reference work is between 5-15 pages, excluding references and appendices. There are no specific formatting requirements. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their familiarity with the academic genre and style of the discipline, including the use of academic language and style, research design and methods, and statistical analyses when applicable. Furthermore, it is important to support arguments with relevant academic literature. The admissions committee looks for evidence of reasonable, rational, and critical thinking in applicants' work.
Language requirements
Minimum level of language proficiency (oral) (A1-C2): C1
Minimum level of language proficiency (written) (A1-C2): C1
Further comments:
The language of instruction for the entire programme is English, so a very good command of English is required during the oral entrance exam and throughout the whole programme. The language knowledge is assessed and evaluated during the interview, the Faculty of Education and Psychology doesn't require an official language certificate.
| Document | Comment |
| Online application form | - |
| Bachelor-level degree | - |
| Transcript of records |
|
| CV | - |
| Motivation letter | The letter should contain approximately 2000 characters. You should explain your experiences and ideas, how you met the field pedagogy and why you thought it would be suitable for you, what your aim is with the MA degree, how you would imagine your career, which area you are interested in and what further studies you might plan. |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport | (needs to be valid) |
| Copy of application fee payment receipt | - |
| Reference work | It can be any paper written in English by the applicant within the field of pedagogy (BA thesis extract, a research paper, a seminar paper, a research report, a published journal article or a book chapter, a case study, a literature review, etc.) Either a new paper or an improved version of an earlier work can also be written for the current application. The ideal length should be between 5-15 pages excluding references and the appendices. There are no special requirements concerning the format. |
| An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English. It can be a translation from the university too. | - |
PLEASE NOTE:
If the applicant is taking their final examination during the current semester, and their degree certificate (diploma) is not issued before the last application deadline, a certification is required, which verifies that the applicant will presumably receive a degree. In case of being accepted as a student, however, the applicant must present the diploma upon enrolment at the latest.
This program is not available for Hungarian citizens.
Missing Document Deadlines
The deadline for missing documents depends on the date an application was submitted.
Applicants who submit their applications by the end of a month have until the 15th of the following month to submit any missing documents.
On the other hand, for applications submitted by the 15th of each month, the deadline for missing documents is the end of that month.
Applicants will receive a reminder email if documents are missing. Failure to submit all required documents by the applicable deadline will result in rejection.
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.
The application and the entrance exam fee should be paid using the new Epay system. More details soon.
The deadline for application means the deadline of submission of the full and complete application package in the online system.
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.
- Early bird application: until January 31st – discounted application fee: 180 EUR
- Regular application 1: February 1st – May 31st: 240 EUR
- Last Call - late application: June 1st – June 8th - increased application fee: 300 EUR
The Faculty of Education and Psychology 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.
When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Student Affairs and Registrar’s Office an entrance exam date option will be sent in the online application system after 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.
How to pay the application fee?
You are required to pay 180/240/300 EUR application fee (non-refundable) depending on the application period.
Application procedure
The applications are examined by the Admission Board 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 at the same time.
Entrance examination and selection process
The applications are examined by the Admission Board and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system. Admission letters are sent out in the online application system . In case of February intake, admission letters are sent out in the online application system.
Type of entrance examination: oral
The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation and program-related academic background and professional experience of the applicant. Successful applicants must have a good command of English and pass the entrance exam.
Place of entrance examination: The entrance exam can be taken in person or via via an MS Teams (The application does not need to be downloaded, the meeting is accessible through the browser.)
Further details of the entrance exam
Evaluation
- Entrance exam / Interview (max. 30 points): discussion about the theoretical background, critical analysis of the methods or problem selection, interpretation of statistical analysis or theoretical points, level of English language knowledge, placing the results or the problem set within the field
- The Committee’s opinion (overall impression), letter of motivation, and curriculum vitae (max. 20 points)
- Reference work (maximum 50 points
Further details of selection and evaluation
The ranking is based on a total evaluation of the academic excellence based on the submitted documents and the results of the entrance exam.
Contacts
Violetta FRANK
International Admission Coordinator
E-mail: admission@ppk.elte.hu
Tel.: +36 1 461 4500 / 3499
Address: 1075 Budapest, Kazinczy utca 23-27.
More information
Anikó FEHÉRVÁRI
Professor
Join our student guide, Peter Enim (PhD student at the Doctoral School of Psychology) for a tour at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary.
Join our student guide, Peter Enim (PhD student at the Doctoral School of Psychology) for a tour at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary.
The structure of the program is available on this link.