Széchenyi ODA Grant (SODA)

We aim to support the world’s brightest students to our international programmes, independently of their economic background. Therefore, outstanding students with a citizenship of ODA Recipients (Official Development Assistance) countries (according to the OECD relating list (oe.cd/dac-list-oda-recipients) can apply for the Széchenyi ODA Grant. A limited number of grants are available each year. In the 2024/2025 academic year, 10 grants (5 – 5 for BSc/MSc programme applicants) are available. 

Summary of the Grant

• Level of Study: Bachelors, Masters
• Institution: Széchenyi István University
• Study in: Győr/Hungary
• Programme Period: Depending on the programme selected
• Deadline: February – June (Annually)
• You cannot receive any other full coverage scholarship or grant for the same period of study as the SODA.
• You are able to comply with Hungarian visa regulations as indicated by the Hungarian Immigration Service (http://www.oif.gov.hu/index.php?lang=en).

Programmes Offered

Széchenyi István University’s English-taught Bachelors and Masters Degree programmes, excluding Double Degree programmes:
  https://admissions.sze.hu/-study 

What does the SODA grant cover?

Széchenyi ODA Grant provides the recipient with the following benefits:

• 90% refund of the first two semesters’ tuition fee in two parts after the successful completion of each semester.
• 90% refund of the tuition fee during the official period of the studies.
• 30% refund of the tuition fee after the official period of the studies. 
• Free accommodation in Széchenyi István University’s Halls of Residence during the official period of the studies
• Free access to basic health care services at the University Medical Campus

Payment of the grant

Please note that the grant works on a reimbursement basis for the determined period of the official length of the studies. You will therefore have to arrange the payment yourself of your tuition fee for the determined deadlines. The grant will be paid out as a refund of the semester’s tuition fee after successful completion. 

Grants are renewable each semester pending acceptable academic performance, according to the following two conditions:

• The grant holder is - unless otherwise defined by the institutional regulation -, required to fulfil the study, and examination obligations according to the relevant curriculum by earning at least 18 credits in the semester in which the student is not suspended.
• The SODA scholarship may be extended with justified reason for a maximum of 2 semesters after the official period of the studies. In this case, the refund is 30% of the tuition fee and for a maximum of 2 semesters.

The Széchenyi ODA Grant may be terminated if any of the above conditions are not completed.

Eligibility Criteria for the Széchenyi ODA Grant

To qualify for SODA, the candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Required Language: English
• Eligible Countries: All applicants from ODA countries*. Hungarian and non-ODA countries’ citizens are not eligible to apply.

*ODA Countries: oe.cd/dac-list-oda-recipients

• Eligible Programmes: Students who have applied for an international degree programme at Széchenyi István University may apply for the Széchenyi ODA Grant. Specific eligibility criteria for the related academic programme have to be completed. Students already enrolled at Széchenyi University cannot apply for the same level of education at which they have already started their education.

Selection criteria

The best candidates are selected for the grant based on their academic excellence and promise in the field. This means applications will be compared with other applications for the available grants. You need to provide:

• an excellent matching admission result by the programme supervisor
• an excellent GPA (for example 90-100% / A-A+) from your previous studies
• motivation letter (not more than 300 words) to say why you deserve this grant
• evidence of participation in extracurricular activities, for example, humanitarian work, voluntary social activities, arts or sports competitions, contests
• proof of English proficiency (if applicable)*: 
• TOEFL 513 / IELTS 5.5 /oral examination 
• TOEFL IBT test score of 66 or 
• any standardised international English language examination corresponding to the Hungarian system of B2 at the Bachelors level and C1 at Masters level.

*If there is no standardised English exam, the University relies on an online interview. Applicants not complying with language requirements must enrol in a preparatory language programme. After having completed the language course and passed the requisite final examination, if there are no professional reservations on the part of the Faculty, admission to the selected programme is automatic.

How to apply for the Széchenyi ODA Grant?

1. Applications should be submitted through Széchenyi István University’s admissions platform (https://admissions.sze.hu/application-form) and declared as a SODA application, uploading the required additional documents.
2. Deadlines for SODA are identical to the application deadlines for self-funded applicants.
3. You can find the specific eligibility requirements, selection criteria and application instructions on the https://admissions.sze.hu/information website.

Decision-making process

The SODA committee, comprising individuals with expertise in relevant fields, such as academic matters, administration, or student affairs, is responsible for grant selection. The committee includes the following members:

1. Programme supervisor of the relevant academic programme and the Dean of the Faculty, to assess academic achievements and the potential for success in the chosen field of study.
2. Head of the Centre of International Programmes and Alumni and the Head of the Recruitment and International Communications Unit to prepare the evaluation of the applications.
3. Head of the Academic Affairs Department to follow the regulations of the SODA programme
4. Director of Finance to evaluate and follow the financial processes of the SODA programme
5. President of the University Students’ Union 

The SODA committee will make a proposal for the grant allocation, which will be approved by the University Management (Board of Governors).