University of Debrecen Entrance Exam for Non-Medical Programs: Format, Topics & Sample Papers
Ahsan Naseem
13 min read
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If you're applying to an engineering, computer science, business, agriculture, or science program at the University of Debrecen, you'll take an entrance exam as part of your application. For many applicants, this is the part of the process they know least about.
This guide explains how the University of Debrecen entrance exam works for non-medical programs: who takes it, what's in the written test, what the committee asks in the interview, how Master's admission is different, what happens if you can't travel to an exam centre, and how to prepare using official sample papers.
If you're applying to Medicine, Dentistry or Pharmacy, read our separate guide to the medical entrance exam instead, because the format is different.
The Non-Medical Entrance Exam at a Glance
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Who takes it | Applicants to non-medical Bachelor's and foundation programs; interviews also apply to certain Master's programs |
| Format | A written test plus an oral interview |
| Subjects | English plus the subjects relevant to your chosen program |
| Language | English |
| Where | At exam venues arranged through the university's representatives, or online if you can't travel |
| Fee | Entrance procedure fee: USD 350 |
| Result | Your overall performance is assessed. Individual part-scores are for internal use and aren't shared with applicants. |
| After passing | The regional office aims to issue your Letter of Acceptance the next day |
Who Has to Take the Entrance Exam?
Bachelor's and foundation applicants (non-medical). You take the entrance exam for your chosen program: for example, engineering, computer science, business, agriculture, or the sciences.
Master's applicants. For most Master's programs, admission is based on an entrance interview rather than a written exam. An interview is compulsory for programs in the medical and health sciences fields (for example, Public Health MSc, Molecular Biology MSc and Social Work MSc) and for certain non-medical programs, such as engineering Master's degrees.
Transfer students. If you're transferring from another university, the interview includes subject questions so the committee can confirm the knowledge shown in your transcripts.
Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship applicants. Published exam dates don't apply to you. Scholarship applicants are contacted about their exam dates after country nomination and the formal check of their application.
What's in the Written Test?
For non-medical programs, the written exam covers English and the subjects relevant to your chosen program. In practice, this means a combination drawn from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, depending on what you've applied for.
Typical pairings look like this:
| Program area | Likely subjects |
|---|---|
| Engineering (mechanical, civil, mechatronics) | English, Mathematics, Physics |
| Computer science and IT | English, Mathematics |
| Business and economics | English, Mathematics |
| Biology, biotechnology, molecular sciences | English, Biology, Chemistry |
| Agriculture and food science | English, Biology, Chemistry |
Always confirm your own subject combination before you start revising. Ask our admissions team, so you don't spend weeks preparing the wrong material.
The exam is written in English, so part of what's being tested is your ability to understand and answer technical questions in English, which is how you'll study for the whole degree.
What Happens in the Oral Interview?
The oral part is not a test designed to catch you out. The committee is assessing three things:
- Subject knowledge. Questions from the same subject areas as the written exam.
- English communication skills. Can you follow the discussion and explain your thinking clearly?
- Motivation. Why this program, why the University of Debrecen, and what you plan to do afterwards.
For Bachelor's and Master's applicants, expect questions about your motivation, your plans, and your previous education. Master's applicants also get subject-related questions about their professional or academic background.
How to handle it: answer honestly, take a moment to think before responding, and say so if you don't know something rather than guessing wildly. The committee is more interested in how you reason than in perfect recall.
Three Things Most Applicants Don't Know
1. Exceptional grades can lead to direct admission
Applicants with outstanding results in their previous studies may, in some cases, be granted direct admission to the first year. So strong school results still count, even though the entrance exam is central to the process.
2. The committee can offer you a different program
If your performance suits another program better, the committee may offer you acceptance to that program instead. A result that isn't quite right for your first choice isn't necessarily a rejection: it can be a redirection.
3. Individual scores aren't published
Your overall performance is what counts. The scores for different parts of the exam are used internally and aren't communicated to applicants, so don't expect a detailed breakdown.
Can I Take the Entrance Exam Online?
Yes. If you can't travel to Hungary or to one of the exam venues abroad, an online exam is usually possible, normally arranged by video call.
A few practical points:
- Test your equipment beforehand: camera, microphone, internet connection, and a backup option such as mobile data.
- Choose a quiet, well-lit room where you won't be interrupted.
- Have your passport or ID ready for identity verification.
- Check the time zone of your exam slot carefully.
Note that the university reserves the right to cancel an exam session if too few applicants register for a venue, so confirm your session before booking travel.
Exam Dates, Venues and Fees
Entrance exams are held on scheduled dates at venues arranged with the university's representatives, including in our region.
- Entrance procedure fee: USD 350.
- For non-medical programs, the application fee (USD 150) is normally charged when you submit your application, with the entrance fee paid alongside tuition.
- Contact us for the exact venue, start time, and current fee arrangements for your session.
Since exam dates need to fit around application deadlines, book early. For the February 2027 intake, the application deadline is 1 November 2026. See all dates on our application deadlines page.
How to Prepare for the Entrance Exam
1. Start with the official exam topics and sample papers
The university publishes exam topics and sample tests, with separate versions for non-medical Bachelor's programs. These show you the style, level, and structure of the questions, which is far more useful than guessing. Download them from our sample papers page.
2. Confirm your subject combination
Before you revise, check exactly which subjects your program requires.
3. Revise the core school syllabus, not advanced material
The exam is based on secondary school-level knowledge in the relevant subjects. Focus on the fundamentals you'll need in your first year: for engineering, that's algebra, functions, mechanics, and units; for IT, it's mathematics and logical reasoning; for life sciences, it's cell biology and basic chemistry.
4. Practise in English
Revise technical terms in English, not only in your first language. Many applicants know the content but lose time translating in their heads.
5. Practise under timed conditions
Work through a sample paper with a timer to build exam pace.
6. Prepare your interview answers
Be ready to explain, in two or three clear sentences: why this program, why the University of Debrecen, and what you want to do after graduating. Bring an example from your studies or work that shows genuine interest in the field.
7. Ask us for a practice session
Our admissions team knows the format well and can tell you what to expect.
What to Bring on Exam Day
Whether you sit the exam in person or online, have these ready:
- Your passport or national ID, for identity verification.
- Your application reference number and any confirmation email from the university or regional office.
- Proof that you've paid the entrance procedure fee, if requested.
- Basic stationery for an in-person exam: pens, pencils, and a simple calculator if your subjects allow one.
- Water and a watch, so you can manage your time without relying on a phone.
Arrive early for an in-person session, or log in 15 minutes before an online one. Technical problems are far easier to solve before the exam starts than during it.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
- Revising the wrong subjects. Confirm your combination before you start.
- Preparing only in their first language. The exam is in English, including the technical terms.
- Leaving the exam until the last date before the deadline. Sessions fill up, and a cancelled session can leave you short of time.
- Treating the interview as a formality. Applicants who can't explain why they chose the program leave a weak impression, even with a good written result.
- Over-preparing advanced material. The exam tests secondary school-level fundamentals, not university content.
- Ignoring the foundation route. If the committee suggests a preparatory program, it's a genuine path into your degree, not a rejection.
What Happens After the Exam?
1. Your result is assessed based on your overall performance across the written and oral parts.
2. You receive your admission decision. Upon successfully qualifying in the entrance exam or interview, the regional office aims to issue your Letter of Acceptance the next day.
3. You pay your tuition and deposit to secure your place. For programs where tuition is under USD 10,000, students pay the yearly tuition plus a general deposit before receiving their visa supporting documents.
If you're not admitted this time, ask about your options. Depending on your result, the foundation program or a related program may be a good route, and our team can explain what would strengthen a future application.
Download Sample Papers and Book Your Entrance Exam
The best preparation is knowing exactly what the exam looks like.
Get the official sample papers and exam topics for your program, plus the next available exam dates in your region.
Our admissions team will send the correct sample papers for your subject combination and help you book your exam slot.
Questions first? Contact us today or visit the University of Debrecen South Asia Regional Office in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai.
Not applied yet? Check the entry requirements and apply before the 1 November 2026 deadline for the February 2027 intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University of Debrecen entrance exam?
It's the university's own admission test. For non-medical programs, it covers English and the subjects relevant to your chosen program, and it includes a written test and an oral interview conducted in English.
Is there an entrance exam for Master's programs?
Most Master's applicants take an entrance interview rather than a written exam. Interviews are compulsory for medical and health sciences programs and for certain non-medical programs, such as engineering Master's degrees.
Can I take the University of Debrecen entrance exam online?
Yes. If you can't travel to an exam venue, an online exam by video call is usually possible. Contact the regional office to arrange it.
What subjects are in the non-medical entrance exam?
English plus the subjects relevant to your program, drawn from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Confirm your combination with the admissions team before you revise.
How much does the entrance exam cost?
The entrance procedure fee is USD 350. The application fee of USD 150 is charged separately.
Will I be told my exam score?
No. Overall performance determines the outcome. Individual part-scores are for internal use and aren't shared with applicants.
What happens if I don't pass?
The committee may offer you a place on a different program that matches your results, or you may be advised to start with a foundation program. Ask our team about the best route for your situation.
How soon will I know the result?
Once you successfully qualify, the regional office aims to issue your Letter of Acceptance the next day.