Program Overview

Program Overview

The Social Policy MA program at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) is an interdisciplinary degree that aims to train social policy practitioners. The program combines knowledge from sociology, economics, law, and social work to analyze social responses to social needs.

Program Details

• Title: Social Policy MA
• Degree: Social policy expert
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Master
• Accreditation number: MSZKSOP
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Institute: Institute of Social Studies
• Department: Department of Social Policy
• Language: English
• Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
• ECTS credits: 120
• Minimum number of students: 10
• Maximum number of students: 25

Program Description

The program's primary aim is to analyze social responses to social needs. It is a problem-oriented discipline and activity that combines knowledge from various fields. The program has a special focus on the European Union and the European social model, embedding it in a global context.

Tracks/Specializations

There are no specializations; however, students can tailor their learning path to their interests by choosing from eleven elective courses:

• Health Policy
• Pension Policy
• Employment Policy
• Family Policy
• Social Assistance
• Welfare Services and Administrative Systems
• Education Policy
• Child Protection and Child Well-being
• Social Gerontology
• Disability Policy
• Housing Policy

Strength of Program

The program has been running successfully in the Hungarian language for over thirty years and has always been among the most popular at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Its founder was Zsuzsa Ferge, Professor Emerita and a full Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can find employment in central and local government agencies, research institutions, international organizations, service providers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as in human resource management. Job examples include:

• Research fellow in public and private social research institutes
• Manager/head of department in regional/municipal office for social welfare
• Head of various social care institutions
• Project manager in social development agencies
• Policy advisor for MPs, MEPs

Tuition Fee

• EU/EEA students: 1550 EUR per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: 3500 EUR per semester

Application Fee

• EU/EEA students: 50 EUR (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025-11/2025, 100 EUR (non-refundable) between 20/11/2025-01/2026, 150 EUR (non-refundable) between 20/01/2026-04/2026, 200 EUR (non-refundable) between 05/05/2026-05/2026
• Non-EU/EEA students: 50 EUR (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025-11/2025, 100 EUR (non-refundable) between 20/11/2025-01/2026, 150 EUR (non-refundable) between 20/01/2026-04/2026, 200 EUR (non-refundable) between 05/05/2026-05/2026

Admission Requirements

• Entry requirements: BA or higher in Social Work and Social Pedagogy, or individual consideration for other bachelor's degrees
• Language requirements: Certification of English knowledge (both written and oral): B2
  • IELTS Score: 5.5
  • TOEFL iBT Band: 46-59
  • Cambridge English Scale Score: 162

Documents to Submit with Application

• Document | Comment
  • Online application form
  • Bachelor-level degree
  • Transcript of records
  • Motivation letter (1500-4000 characters)
  • Copy of the main pages of the passport (must be valid)
  • Copy of application fee transfer
  • Language certificate (if applicable)

Application Procedure

The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents, and follow the instructions during the application process.

Entrance Examination and Selection Process

• Type of entrance examination: Oral
• Place of entrance examination: Online
• Further details of the entrance exam: Applicants will have a discussion on one of the topics listed below, based on Bent Greve (ed.): Routledge Handbook of the Welfare State. Second Edition, Taylor & Francis 2019, p. 5-80
  • Public welfare
  • Welfare State
  • Fiscal welfare and occupational welfare
  • Poverty
  • Benefits in kind and in cash

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program leader: Gábor JUHÁSZ, Habil. Associate Professor
• Program coordinator: Ms Ágnes GERTHEIS, Departmental Coordinator

International Office

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• Postal address: (removed for formatting purposes)