Facts & figures
Expert in Logic and Philosophy of Science
English
Program
Established in 2010, the MA programme in Logic and Philosophy of Science is organised by the Institute of Philosophy, specifically the Department of Logic. Its students have come not only from Hungary, but also from countries across five continents, including the United States, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, France, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, China, Colombia, Lebanon, Peru, Turkey, and Tunisia.
Logic provides a common language and a shared set of tools for addressing highly abstract yet fascinating problems that form the foundations of numerous disciplines. Beyond philosophy, logic plays a significant role in mathematics, physics, linguistics, economics, and social science research. Within this Master’s programme, students can already become involved in the dynamic and evolving world of contemporary research by exploring the logical foundations of these disciplines according to their individual interests.
Few universities worldwide combine physics, mathematics, linguistics, logic, and philosophy in the integrated manner offered by the Hungarian- and English-language programmes of the Department of Logic at ELTE Faculty of Humanities. This approach is particularly innovative and distinctive within the Central and Eastern European region.
Programme Details
The programme focuses on the philosophical applications of logic and science, with particular emphasis on logical models used in the study of the foundations of mathematics, physics, linguistics, and the social sciences.
Graduates of the programme will acquire a strong foundation in logic and closely related areas of mathematics. They will be able to apply logical and analytical methods to the investigation of philosophical and methodological problems within specific academic disciplines. The programme also prepares students for continuing their studies at doctoral level.
The Department of Logic at ELTE has successful cooperation with the Algebraic Logic research division at Alfréd Rényi Institute of Mathematics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Department of Theoretical Linguistics of the Research institute for Linguistics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
The department organizes and hosts two weekly colloquia: the Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics seminar (LaPoM) and the Theoretical Philosophy Forum. Our MA and PhD students regularly and actively participate in these events.
What Makes This Programme Distinctive
A distinctive feature of this programme, which has been operating since 2010, is its strong interdisciplinary character. This enables students and lecturers from a wide range of academic backgrounds and with diverse research interests to engage with one another and collaborate.
Another special aspect of the programme is the particularly close relationship between students and lecturers, supported by personalised mentoring. Within the friendly, welcoming, and international environment of the Department of Logic, the departmental community works together in a close-knit and supportive atmosphere.
Throughout the academic year, English-language Friday lectures provide a forum where invited researchers, as well as students from the MA programme and the doctoral programme in Logic and Philosophy of Science, present and discuss their ongoing research projects.
Structure
Career
The program is designed for those who want to continue their studies on the postgraduate level. Our graduates have good prospects for applying to PhD programs in philosophy, mathematics, linguistics, informatics, physics, economics and sociology. Our graduates have become successful PhD students and academics at Eötvös Loránd University and at several universities all over Europe and overseas, including institutions like MIT.
- Education and research
- Teacher
- Researcher
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 01/10/2026 - 30/11/2026 and between 01/02/2027 - 31/03/2027;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2027-31/05/2027
|
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2026 - 30/11/2026 and between 01/02/2027 - 31/03/2027;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2027-31/05/2027
|
| Entrance exam fee | 100 EUR (non-refundable) | 100 EUR (non-refundable) |
| Other cost |
Entry requirements
There are two ways applicants can fulfil entry requirements, (i) or (ii):
(i) Full credit acknowledgment of degree. The applicant holds a university bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc or an equivalent college degree) in one of the following fields: Liberals Arts, Sociology, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Economics or Computer Science. Applicants holding such degrees are automatically eligible to enter the program.
(ii) Itemized credit fulfilment. Applicants holding a university bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc or an equivalent college degree) within the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, economics and law are eligible to enter the program if they can show at least 50 credits (or equivalent) of course work spanning the following areas:
philosophy (especially logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of science, metaphysics)
mathematics (especially mathematical logic, set theory, universal algebra)
physics (especially classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics)
theoretical linguistics (especially semantics, formal semantics, logical foundations of formal semantics, mathematics, logic)
economics (especially probability theory, economic sociology, mathematical optimization)
sociology (especially theories of communication, foundations of social theory, organizational sociology)
For the itemized-credit option (ii), a transcript from the applicant’s bachelor's degree as well as course descriptions for the 50 credits will be requested.
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 for the entire program is English. Non-native speakers of English must demonstrate a good level of English-language skills.
Admission to the Master’s programme requires applicants to hold a state-recognised intermediate-level (B2) comprehensive English language certificate, or an equivalent secondary school leaving certificate or higher education diploma.
Accepted language certificates at minimum B2 level (CEFR):
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 5.5 minimum
TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test): 72-94
| 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. |
| Essay | 5-15 pages total. This can be: an essay or parts thereof; alternatively, a thesis chapter or parts thereof. Please submit a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 pages (single spaced). |
| 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 fee 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): 01/10-30/11/2026 23:59 (CET)
Period 2 (with Early Bird discount): 01/02-31/03/2027 23:59 (CET)
Period 3: 01/04-31/05/2027 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.
Results and the official decision will be announced in the application system. Admission letters are sent out also in the online application system within a few days.
Written Assessment
Applicants are required to submit the following materials:
• A motivation letter (maximum 500 words) in which the applicant briefly explains their reasons for wishing to continue their studies in the MA programme, identifies the research areas and topics of interest within the profile of the programme, describes relevant previous studies, specialised training, and experience related to these interests, and outlines the research topic(s) they plan to pursue for their Master’s thesis.
• One or more academic written works, or selected excerpts from such works, with a total length of minimum 5 and maximum 15 pages. These may include a seminar paper written during undergraduate studies, a paper submitted for an academic competition, or a chapter or section of a Bachelor’s thesis.
The score awarded for the written assessment is based on the evaluation of the submitted written works and documents.
Oral Interview
The oral examination consists of a detailed discussion of the submitted written works and motivation letter, a conversation related to the topics and academic literature of these texts, and an assessment of the applicant’s previous preparation and qualifications relevant to their proposed research topics.
Contacts
Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4.
More information
Website
Dr. Zsófia ZVOLENSZKY
Department of Logic, Institute of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, Eötvös Loránd University
Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.
Main Areas of Specialisation
• Logic and related areas of mathematics (logical syntax, semantics, metalogic, model theory, algebra, set theory): 25-30 credits
• Philosophy of science and related areas of philosophy (philosophy of mind, metaphysics, philosophy of the social sciences, philosophy of language): 35-40 credits
• Investigations into the foundations and logical structures of specific scientific disciplines: 25-30 credits