Facts & figures
Philologist in Croatian Language and Literature
Croatian
Program
The ELTE Master’s Program in Croatian Language and Literature is suitable for students who already have a comprehensive understanding of the key issues in Croatian linguistics and literary history, both in their diachronic and synchronic dimensions. Students are expected to possess a scientifically grounded knowledge of the Croatian language and literature, including its relevance within the cultural and intellectual constructions of Hungarian and European identity. In addition, students should be familiar with the methods used in the analysis of literary, linguistic, linguistic-theoretical, and cultural texts and phenomena, as well as with the possible approaches to their interpretation.
Interesting Facts About the Program
— Did you know that the Croatian Studies program was founded more than 125 years ago, in 1894, and that the teaching of Croatian language and literature has been continuous at our university ever since?
— Did you know that as a student of Croatian Studies you have the opportunity to participate in various international programs (such as CEEPUS, Erasmus, and Tempus Public Foundation), allowing you to spend part of your studies abroad in places like Zagreb, Osijek, or Split, or to attend summer universities in Dubrovnik or Zagreb?
Program Details
The aim of the MA in Croatian Language and Literature is to train professionals who, while taking into account the diverse practical and theoretical challenges of our changing times, possess appropriate academic and applied knowledge in the study and use of the Croatian language. Graduates of the program are able to independently carry out research and applied professional tasks in Croatian language teaching and research. They are also capable of contributing to systemic organizational tasks, performing research and development work, and presenting Hungarian achievements in Croatian language and literature-and more broadly in Slavic studies-at both national and international professional forums.
Students graduating from our university with an MA degree in Croatian Studies have broad knowledge of philology with a specialization in Croatian literature and linguistics. The structure of our MA program is flexible and meets the needs of students with various interests. The strength of the course is also indicated by the scholarly achievements of the department staff (eg. regular participation in national and international conferences, regularly organized international conferences on Slavonic Studies, numerous books and other national and international publications.)
Structure
Career
Students graduating from our university with an MA degree in Croatian Studies have an opportunity to work for Croatian or/and Hungarian joint companies, in the field of culture or the educational sector, in the tourist industry, or to find employment related to the cooperation between Croatia and Hungary in a broader context. Our graduates can also engage in an academic career and after completing the doctoral training and the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation obtain a PhD degree.
- Scholar in Croatian Studies
- Organizer in various fields of Croatian culture
- Expert on Croatian culture
- Journalist
- Literary translator
- Specialist in diplomacy
- etc.
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 01/02/2026 - 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 01/02/2026 - 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 bachelor’s degree in Slavonic Studies, Specialized in Croatian Studies.
In the case of any other degree, each diploma will be considered individually. The applicant must have 30 credits in the field of Croatian language, linguistics, literature or culture studies which might be acquired during the MA studies according to the Academic Regulations of the university.
Transcripts from your bachelor's degree as well as course descriptions 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
Admission to the Master’s program requires a medium-level (B2) language examination in Croatian, or an equivalent secondary school leaving certificate or university degree.
English is the language of administration for all international courses at ELTE Faculty of Humanities. All communication in administrative matters will be conducted in English. It is therefore recommended that all applicants speak a minimum of A2 level of English, even if it is not the language of tuition of their chosen programme.
| Document | Comment |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
Optional documents for admissions
Curriculum Vitae in English
In MS Word format with one low resolution photoResearch Proposal
Please consult the coordinating department for more informationLetter 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
After the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs, applicants will be invited to an oral entrance exam. 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. 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.
For more information about the application procedures, please visit the Faculty’s website
Procedure of the entrance examination
Oral Examination Stage
Entrance exam based on the specified reading list and list of topics
I. Linguistics
1. Phonetics and phonology (articulation, description and classification of Croatian sounds, phonemes and their allophones, phoneme distribution)
2. The verb (syntactic and semantic description, classification of verbs, characteristics of verb conjugation, use of verbs)
3. The noun (syntactic and semantic description, classification of nouns, characteristics of noun declension, use of nouns)
4. Pronouns and adjectives (syntactic and semantic description, classification, characteristics of inflection, adjective comparison, usage)
5. Adverbs (syntactic and semantic description, classification, usage)
6. The sentence: types of sentence constituents and their definitions; types of sentences
7. Compound sentences: coordination and subordination, and their types
II. Literature
1. The Illyrian movement and the emergence of Romanticism and its trends
2. Themes, stylistic features, and main representatives of Croatian Romantic poetry
3. The emergence of the Croatian novel
4. Croatian realist short story and novel
5. The emergence of modern Croatian poetry, its main trends and representatives
6. Literary movements and key figures of the interwar period
7. Literary trends and developments in the second half of the 20th century
Recommended reading:
• Babić et. ali.: Hrvatska gramatika. Zagreb, Školska knjiga. 1997.
• Babić – Brozović – Moguš – Pavešić – Težak: Povijesni pregled, glasovi i oblici hrvatskoga književnog jezika. Zagreb, HAZU. 1991.
• Babić, Stjepan: Hrvatska jezikoslovna čitanka. Zagreb, Globus. 1990.
• Babić, Stjepan: Tvorba riječi u hrvatskom književnom jeziku. Zagreb, HAZU. 1991.
• Frangeš, Ivo: Povijest hrvatske književnosti, Zagreb, 1987.
• Jelčić, D.: Povijest hrvatske književnosti. Zagreb, Školska knjiga. 2004.
• Katičić, Radoslav: Novi jezikoslovni ogledi. Zagreb, Školska knjiga. 1986.
• Katičić, Radoslav: Sintaksa hrvatskoga književnog jezika. Zagreb, HAZU. 1991.
• Silić, J. – Pranjković, I.: Gramatika hrvatskoga jezika. Zagreb, Školska knjiga. 2007.
• Težak S. – Babić S.: Gramatika hrvatskoga jezika. Zagreb, Školska knjiga. 1992.
Contacts
Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-Mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: Múzeum krt. 4, Room 32
1088 Budapest
Prof. Dr. István LUKÁCS
Professor
Head of Croatian Studies
Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.
Foundational studies (8 credits):
Introductory subjects supporting the program, including modern Croatian literature, language, and culture (basic text reading and interpretation skills), as well as Old Church Slavonic foundations of Croatian language and literature.
Core professional curriculum (60 credits):
Discipline-specific courses in linguistics and literary studies related to the field.
Differentiated professional content (22 credits):
General and specialized language practice courses, as well as literature and linguistics seminars.