Facts & figures
Indologist
English
Program
About the Programme
The MA in Indology at ELTE is designed for students who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of the major research areas within the field of Indology, including Sanskrit and Hindi languages and literatures, Indian history, and Indian culture. The programme also introduces students to the key areas of contemporary research that shape the priorities of the discipline today. It is particularly suited to applicants who recognise the significance of these fields within the history of ideas and the broader processes of global civilisation, from antiquity to the present day.
What Makes This Programme Distinctive
The predecessor of the Department of Indology (formerly known as the Department of Indo-European Linguistics) was established in 1873. The teachers of the program have significant international experience. They have studied and/or worked in research projects abroad. The Department of Indian Studies has academic co-operation and exchange programs with various European universities and research centres. Students have the opportunity to attend courses delivered by visiting professors from abroad within the framework of the programme. In addition, students may spend an academic year in India through scholarship opportunities, allowing them to further develop their Hindi language skills and gain a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse world of Indian culture.
Specializations:
Sanskrit, Hindi
Programme Details
Graduates of the programme will possess comprehensive knowledge and a thorough understanding of the subject-specific and methodological approaches required for the study of both classical and modern Indian culture. They will achieve an advanced level of proficiency in the language corresponding to their chosen specialisation (Sanskrit or Hindi), enabling them to conduct in-depth analyses of outstanding literary works written in the respective language and to engage with relevant historical and cultural sources.
Graduates will be able to apply their acquired knowledge in a wide range of professional fields, including economic and cultural sectors, public administration, and tourism. The programme also provides a strong foundation for continuing their studies at doctoral level. A number of our former MA students have studied for their PhD at renowned foreign universities such as the University of Oxford and the University of Chicago.
The teachers of the program have significant international experience. They have studied and/or worked in research projects abroad. The Department of Indian Studies has academic co-operation and exchange programs with various European universities and research centres. It has Erasmus+ partnership with the University of Vienna, University of Naples, University of Torino, University of Warsaw, University of Hamburg and Ghent University.
The students of the program acquire deep and thorough knowledge of the chosen language (Hindi or Sanskrit) and with the help of this, they study a wide range of subjects (history, literature, religious studies, philosophy, art history, etc.) through the reading and analysis of primary sources. In their studies and research, students are assisted by the department’s excellent library which owns books and periodicals mainly in the fields of Sanskrit studies, Indo-European linguistics, Hindi language and literature.
Examples show that graduating from our program is a very good starting point for doctoral or (at a later stage) postdoctoral studies. A number of our former MA students have studied for their PhD at renowned foreign universities such as the University of Oxford and the University of Chicago.
Structure
Career
Students of Indology generally pursue a career of academic researcher or university teacher. An academic researcher specialized in Indology may work at institutes affiliated with universities or at museums housing collections of South Asian material. Graduates of the program may also work as experts of Indian and South Asian culture at such places of employment as publishing houses, cultural centres, international companies, civil service or non-governmental organizations.
- university professor
- academic researcher
- librarian
- interpreter
- translator
- journalist
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
Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) in the fields listed below:
Full credit acknowledgement is only given for a BA degree in Oriental Languages and Cultures, specialized in Indological Studies (or a BA degree with a different name, but equivalent content).
In the case of a BA degree from any other study fields, each degree will be considered individually, and transcripts from your diploma as well as course descriptions will be requested. The applicant must have 62 credits (at least 50 to enter the program) from the fields of linguistics, literature and culture studies of Oriental Languages and Cultures, specialized in Indological Studies.
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 very good level of English-language skills: minimum B2 level CEFR
Following minimum results are preferred:
TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test): 72-94
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.0
Duolingo: 100
| 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 | |
| Motivation letter | A maximum of 500 words. |
| Essay | A maximum of 4000 words; in English; on a topic related to the field of Indology (e.g., history, culture, arts, philosophy, religions, literature, philology, linguistics, etc.) |
| 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.
The format of the entrance exam is an online interview
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 a motivation letter written in English, as well as a copy of the dissertation accepted as part of the admission requirements, or another written academic work related to the field of Indology.
The score awarded for the written assessment is based on the evaluation of the motivation letter and the submitted written work.
In addition, applicants must indicate on the application information form which specialisation they wish to pursue (Sanskrit or Hindi).
Oral Interview
The oral examination includes questions on cultural history and literary history related to the broader topic of the submitted Bachelor’s dissertation or other written academic work. It also includes an assessment of language proficiency in accordance with the chosen specialisation, consisting of grammar-related questions and a translation task.
Contacts
Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-Mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4.
Dr. habil. Máté ITTZÉS, Assoc. Prof.
Head of the Department of Indian Studies
Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.