Hungary
Recent developments:
- Creation of the position of chancellor in 2014 with large responsibilities including staffing and finances. Position directly appointed by the Prime Minister
- Since 2015 possibility for universities to undergo programme accreditation with any ENQA-member organisation (Bachelor and Master levels)
- Restricted capacity for universities to set the level of fees applying to national and EU students enrolled on a fee-paying basis
Organisational autonomy: medium low
The selection and dismissal of the executive head is confirmed by the President of the Republic. The law also prescribes selection criteria and the maximum term of office. External members forming the board-type of governing body are appointed externally. Hungarian universities are constrained in their capacity to organise themselves by the newly established position of chancellor, appointed by the Prime Minister, with extensive decision-making powers.
Financial autonomy: low
Universities cannot freely allocate public funding internally. They may not borrow funds and require the approval of external authorities to sell buildings. Universities may set the level of fees under a fixed ceiling, for those students who are not allocated a state-funded study place. Financial matters at the university are now fully overseen by the chancellor and the consistory.
Academic autonomy: medium low
In academic terms, Hungarian universities have more autonomy than in 2010 thanks to the opening-up of programme accreditation to EQAR-registered foreign bodies. Admissions remain controlled externally at Bachelor level and programme accreditation is mandatory. Universities can design the content of their academic programmes and choose the language of instruction.
Staffing autonomy: medium low
There has been little change since 2010 and the constraints associated with the civil servant status of the university staff remain. Salary levels are regulated via set minimum and maximum salaries. Final decision-making powers with regard to recruitment, salaries and promotions now rest with the chancellor appointed by the Prime Minister.
Organisational weighted 56% unweighted 60%
0% Selection procedure for the executive head
The selection of the executive head is validated by an external authority
This applies to 11 other countries: Brandenburg, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
50% Selection criteria for the executive head
The law states that the executive head must hold an academic position
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Flanders, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden
Other restrictions
This applies to 4 other countries: Brandenburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Serbia
80% Dismissal of the executive head
The dismissal is confirmed by an external authority but the procedure is decided by the university
60% Term of office of the executive head
The maximum or range of length is stated in the law
29% External members in university governing bodies
Universities cannot decide as they must include external members
This applies to 23 other countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
The appointment is completely controlled by an external authority
This applies to 5 other countries: Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland
100% Capacity to decide on academic structures
Universities can decide on their academic structures without constraints
This applies to 19 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, Wallonia, Hesse, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Capacity to create legal entities
Universities can create legal entities without constraints
This applies to 18 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom
Financial weighted 39% unweighted 44%
60% Length of public funding cycle
One year
0% Type of public funding
Block grant is split into broad categories and there are no or limited possibilities to move funds between these
This applies to 7 other countries: France, Wallonia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden
Block grant with other restrictions
0% Ability to borrow money
Universities cannot borrow money
This applies to 5 other countries: Hesse, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland
0% Ability to keep surplus
Surplus can be kept with other types of restrictions
This applies to one other country: Flanders
20% Ability to own buildings
Universities are not allowed to own their buildings
This applies to 6 other countries: Brandenburg, Hesse, Lithuania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Serbia, Sweden
40% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Bachelor level
Universities can set the level of tuition fees under a ceiling set by an external authority
This applies to 4 other countries: Iceland, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom
40% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Master's level
Universities can set the level of tuition fees under a ceiling set by an external authority
40% Tuition fees for national/EU students at doctoral level
Universities can set the level of tuition fees under a ceiling set by an external authority
100% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Bachelor level
Universities are free to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Estonia, Flanders, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom
100% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Master's level
Universities are free to set the level of tuition fees
This applies to 13 other countries: Croatia, Estonia, Flanders, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom
80% Tuition fees for non-EU students at doctoral level
Universities and an external authority cooperate in setting the level of tuition fees
This applies to 3 other countries: Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland
Staffing weighted 50% unweighted 49%
67% Recruitment procedures for senior academic staff
Appointments need to be confirmed by an external authority for some staff
Other restrictions
83% Recruitment procedures for senior administrative staff
Recruitments are carried out freely by universities
This applies to 20 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, Wallonia, Hesse, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Other restrictions
50% Salaries for senior academic staff
Salary bands are prescribed by an external authority for all staff
Other restrictions
50% Salaries for senior administrative staff
Salary bands are prescribed by an external authority for all staff
Other restrictions
0% Dismissal of senior academic staff
Dismissals are strictly regulated due to civil servant status for all staff
0% Dismissal of senior administrative staff
Dismissals are strictly regulated due to civil servant status for all staff
71% Promotion procedures for senior academic staff
Other restrictions
71% Promotion procedures for senior administrative staff
Academic weighted 58% unweighted 52%
60% Overall student numbers
Universities decide on the number of fee-paying students while an external authority sets the number of state-funded study places
0% Admissions procedures at Bachelor level
Admissions are entirely regulated by an external authority
60% Admissions procedures at Master's level
Admission criteria are co-regulated by an external authority and universities
0% Introduction of programmes at Bachelor level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced
0% Introduction of programmes at Master's level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced
0% Introduction of programmes at doctoral level
All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced
100% Termination of degree programmes
Universities can terminate degree programmes independently
This applies to 25 other countries: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Language of instruction at Bachelor level
Universities can choose the language of instruction for all programmes
This applies to 19 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
100% Language of instruction at Master's level
Universities can choose the language of instruction for all programmes
This applies to 20 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
0% Selection of quality assurance mechanisms
Universities cannot select quality assurance mechanisms
100% Selection of quality assurance providers
Universities can choose the quality assurance agency freely according to their needs (including agencies from other countries)
This applies to 7 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Estonia, Finland, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Switzerland
100% Capacity to design content of degree programmes
Universities can freely design the content of degree programmes and courses (other than for the regulated professions)
This applies to 25 other countries: Austria, Brandenburg, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, France, Wallonia, Hesse, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom