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About our diplomas

About our diplomas

THE DIPLOMA

The degree/diploma is an authentic/legal document with the crest of Hungary which contains the name and the identification number of the issuing higher educational institute, the number of the diploma, the name, maiden name, in addition to the place and date of birth of the diploma’s owner, the level of education, the given grade and faculty, the name of the qualification, the grade of the degree, the place, month and day of the issue, the classification of the professional qualification according to the Hungarian Qualification Framework, European Qualification Framework, in addition to the period of the training regarding the requirements of training and graduation.

Additionally, It has to contain the original signature of the head of the institution – the head of the institution is determined in accordance with the Organizational and Operational Regulation – and the imprint of the seal of the higher education institute.

The prerequisite of issuing the diploma, which certifies the end of the higher educational studies is a successful closing exam in accordance with the requirements of training and graduation. The diploma must be issued and handed out within 30 days after the successful closing exam was taken. The diploma must be issued in Hungarian and the language of the training if the training is not in Hungarian.

The diploma supplement must be issued, as defined by the European Commission and the European Council, in Hungarian and in English. The diploma supplement is a legal document. Issuing the supplements and master sheet is the responsibility of the Registrar’s Department.

A diploma issued in bachelor, master, undivided and vocational training entitles the owner to hold a job or pursue an activity as defined by law. Persons who completed their studies at the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences are entitled to use the title of doctor. Their abbreviations: dr. med., dr. med. dent., dr. pharm.

The evaluation of the diploma at the undivided master trainings:

4.51 – 5.00: summa cum laude,

3.51 – 4.50: cum laude,

2.00 – 3.50: rite.

In Hungary, a 5-point grade system is used where 5 means “excellent” and 1 means “insufficient”.

The subjects taken into consideration while evaluating the diploma, but which do not end with a final exam are determined by the curriculum. The evaluation of the diploma is calculated by the Registrar’s Department.

At the student’s request, after payment of expenses, the university shall issue an ornate diploma, which shall be signed by the Rector of the university, the Dean of the relevant faculty and the chair of the Closing Examination Board. In case of a successful closing exam, the diploma is handed out during a solemn graduation ceremony. The time of the graduation ceremony is determined by the Dean.

Additional remarks

The Directorate of International Studies issues a certificate of student relationship before completion of the closing examination upon request, and the certificate includes the date of the retake closing examination as the anticipated date of accomplishing the graduation process. This certificate should be suitable for the extension of the residence permit until needed.

The Directorate of International Studies issues a certificate of accomplished studies and passed parts of the closing examinations upon request, and this certificate also indicates the date of the Graduation Ceremony. Such certificate is worldwide accepted as a “pre-diploma”. The Directorate can also provide a specimen certificate.

Relevant sections from the Study and Examination Regulations:
  • Article 48 [General Regulations Regarding the Diploma]
  • Article 49 [Special Regulations Regarding the Diploma and the Grading of the Degree at the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences]
  • Article 50 [Special Regulations Regarding the Diploma and the Degree grading at the Faculty of Health Sciences]
  • Article 51 [Special Regulations Regarding the Diploma and the Grading of the Degree at the Faculty of Health and Public Administration]
  • Article 52 [Special Regulations Regarding the Diploma and the Degree grading at the András Pető Faculty]

International recognition

RECOGNITION OF THE DEGREES

As a state university Semmelweis University functions under the auspices of the Ministry of Human Capacities. The University is listed in the WHO’s directory of Medical Schools. The faculties of the University are accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Board. The decision of the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation of the USA declares: The standards and processes used by the Hungarian Accreditation Council to accredit medical schools in Hungary are comparable to those used to accredit medical schools in the United States.

International Recognition of the Degrees:

European Union: In those professions where the conditions of education in Hungary are identical with those in other EU member states, and these have already been recognized (medical and dental doctors, pharmaceutical scientists etc.), the member states of the European Union are obliged to accept the diplomas issued in Hungary, independent of the language of tuition.

USA: Semmelweis medical graduates (as foreign graduates) have the right to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE), after which they are eligible for residency. Semmelweis dental graduates are required to fulfill US licensure requirements. For details, please visit the following websites:

Canada: Semmelweis graduates are eligible to pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluation Examination (MCCEE) and the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) before applying for residencies.

Israel: Semmelweis graduates have to complete a one-year practice and pass a test before they are eligible for obtaining the permit to practice medicine.

India: Doctor of Dentistry degree of Semmelweis University is equivalent to B.D.S. degree in India.

ACCREDITATION OF SEMMELWEIS DIPLOMA ABROAD (pdf)