Education system

In Hungary the school year is made up of 183 teaching days that usually starts from the beginning of September and lasts until the middle of June. There are three one-week school breaks in autumn, winter and spring, and a long 10-11-week summer break. Pupils go to school five days a week, have between 4-8 lessons a day and lessons usually last 45 minutes.

Kindergarten (Óvoda)
In Hungary most parents regard kindergartens as an essential part of education. In spite of the fact that attending óvoda is optional (except beyond the age of 5), more than 80 per cent of children between the age of 3 and 7 use this educational service. Public and private kindergartens both make an effort to meet the growing parental demand for extra courses, such as familiarization with computers, language learning or sporting activities.

Primary schools (Általános iskola)
All children start their primary education in an általános iskola. Traditionally the primary school has 8 grades. Nowadays primary school courses last 4 years or 6 years, after which pupils continue their education in another 8-year or 6-year secondary school of some type.

General secondary schools (Gimnázium)
Most pupils who plan to go on to higher education follow their secondary education in a gimnázium, which provides general education leading to what is known as the maturity examination. Gimnáziums offer four, six or eight-year courses and have diverse curricula.

Vocational secondary schools (Szakközépiskola)
This school type combines general academic with vocational education where pupils either get a technician's certificate, prepare for the service professions or take a maturity exam and obtain a vocational certificate at the same time.

Short vocational schools (Szakiskola)
This school type offers students three-year vocational-technical courses with no end-of-course maturity exams to take. Pupils usually choose this type of education to train for a specialisation in which to take a vocational examination.

More information: Hungarian Ministry of Education and Culture

Eurydice webpage: Hungarian education system and ongoing reforms (updated in November 2008)