Facts & figures
Philologist in Serbian Language and Literature
Serbian
Program
ELTE’s MA in Serbian Language and Literature offers an opportunity for students who wish to explore the theoretical and practical aspects of the Serbian language and literature, as well as cultural and historical phenomena and events related to Serbia.
Programme details
Graduates of the programme acquire appropriate specialist and practical knowledge in the study and application of the Serbian language. They are able to undertake independent research and applied professional tasks in Serbian language teaching and research, contribute to the operation of professional systems, and carry out activities in the fields of research and development. They are also prepared to present and communicate Hungarian achievements in Serbian language and literature, and more broadly in Slavic Studies, at both national and international academic forums. The programme prepares graduates to continue their studies at doctoral level.
Students graduating from our university with an MA degree in Serbian Studies have general knowledge of philology with a specialization in Serbian 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 Slavistics, numerous books and other national and international publications.)
Interesting facts about the programme
The programme is characterised by a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Practical classes take place in authentic surroundings, in the well-known “Serbian room”, where the walls display colourful posters and student-created displays showcasing various aspects of Serbian culture. The teaching staff has a youthful approach and strives to maintain a close, personal relationship with students, while still upholding high standards of quality education and the level of achievement expected from students.
Structure
Career
Students graduating from our university with an MA degree in Serbian Studies have an opportunity to work for Serbian 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 Serbia and Hungary in a broader sense. Our graduates can also engage in an academic career and after completing their doctoral training and the successful defense of the doctoral dissertation obtain a PhD degree.
Scholar in Serbian Studies
Organizer in various fields of Serbian culture
Expert on Serbian 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 01/02/2027 - 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 (Entrance exam fee) | 100 EUR (Entrance exam fee) |
| 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 Serbian Studies.
In the case of any other degree, each diploma will be considered individually. The applicant must have 30 credits in the field of Serbian 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
Serbian
Minimum B2 level (CEFR)
Admission to the master’s programme requires a state-recognised B2 (upper-intermediate) comprehensive language certificate in Serbian, or an equivalent secondary school leaving certificate or higher education qualification.
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.
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 Serbian 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.
Oral examination
The entrance examination is based on the specified bibliography and list of examination topics.
List of examination topics
I. Linguistics
1. The phonetics and phonology of the Serbian language.
2. The system of parts of speech and grammatical categories in Serbian.
3. Fundamentals of Serbian word formation.
4. The syntactic system of Serbian (types and structures of sentences).
5. The varieties of the Serbian language and the fundamental rules of Serbian orthography.
II. Literature
1. The language reform and the collection of folk poetry as the foundations of Serbian Romanticism.
2. The themes, stylistic characteristics and main representatives of Serbian Romantic lyric poetry.
3. Realist narrative and the novel in Serbian literature.
4. The emergence, trends and main representatives of modern poetry.
5. Literary movements and their representatives in the twentieth century.
Recommended reading
• Stefanović, Mihajlo: Srpskohrvatski jezik I-II. Beograd, 1964-1969.
• Nyomárkay, I.: Gramatika srpskohrvatskog (hrvatskosrpskog) jezika. Budapest, 1989.
• Pešikan, M. – Jerković, J. – Pižurica, M.: Pravopis srpskog jezika. Beograd, 1993.
• Ivić, Milka: Lingvistički ogledi. Beograd, 1982.
• Ivić, Pavle: Srpski narod i njegov jezik. Beograd, 1986.
• Skerlić, Jovan: Istorija nove srpske književnosti. Beograd, 1912.
• Deretić, Jovan: Istorija srpske književnosti. Beograd, 1983.
• Pavić, Milorad: Istorija srpske književnosti klasicizma i predromantizma. Beograd, 1979.
• Popović, Miodrag: Romantizam. Beograd, 1972.
• Vučenov, Dimitrije: Tragom epohe realizma. Beograd, 1981.
• Palavestra, Predrag: Doba modernizma u srpskoj književnosti. Beograd, 1980.
• Palavestra, Predrag: Posleratna srpska književnost. Beograd, 1972.
• Póth István: Stazama prijateljstva. Budapest, 1987.
• Póth István: Srpsko-mađarski kulturni odnosi. Beograd, 1993.
• Stepanović, Predrag: Govori Srba u Mađarskoj. Budapest, 2000.
For more information about the application procedures, please visit the Faculty’s website
Contacts
Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4.
More information
Website
Dr. Aleksander URKOM PhD
Associate professor
Head of Serbian Studies
Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.