Hungary is launching a new ‘three-in-one’ education programme that links leading technical secondary schools with universities, allowing students in the IT field to progress more quickly through higher education. The announcement was made on Monday in Budapest by Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó.
Under the new scheme, the Szeged Vocational Training Centre, the Budapest Vocational Training Centre and the Vác Vocational Training Centre have signed a cooperation agreement with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). As part of the arrangement, BME will recognize 60 university credits earned through technical studies, enabling students to obtain a BProf degree in engineering IT in two years instead of the usual three after completing their secondary education and vocational qualification.
Hankó highlighted that Hungarian vocational training currently ranks third in the European Union, while BME is among the world’s top 2 per cent of universities and within the top 250 in Europe. The new programme brings together the strengths of these two systems, he said.
He also recalled that Hungarian students won gold medals last autumn at the European skills championships in software development, web development and systems administration. According to the minister, this demonstrates the high level of excellence in Hungarian vocational education, which should now be carried forward into higher education, with practice remaining at the core of both technical training and the renewed BME programmes.
One of the key advantages of the new pathway, Hankó noted, is that students can obtain a school-leaving certificate, a vocational qualification and a university degree in seven years instead of eight. This offers a faster route to a degree, more practical experience and a stronger starting position in the labour market.
Applications to the renewed higher education programmes are open until 15 February, while applications to vocational training can be submitted until 19 February.
BME Rector Charaf Hassan recalled that the engineering technician programme was first launched in 2018 in response to labour market demand. He said the new agreements with three vocational training centres will allow students to earn an engineering technician degree at the university within two years after completing a five-year technical programme. Beyond speeding up access to a degree, the cooperation also brings vocational institutions and universities closer together.
Hassan stressed that the initiative aims to challenge the widespread belief that students from technical schools do not go on to university. With this new programme, technical graduates will have a much stronger chance of entering higher education.
Margit Erdélyi, Director General of the Szeged Vocational Training Centre, said the centre has been involved in certified technician training since 2020. In the current pilot programme, three vocational training centres and eight technical institutions are taking part.
She emphasized that choosing vocational training is not a fallback option but a conscious life and career choice. Students can earn a school-leaving certificate and a certified technician qualification within five years and, with an additional two years of study, obtain a market-ready university degree.
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