APPLICATIONS AND ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURES

There is still an entrance exam at the Theological College of Pécs. Its purpose is not for applicants to compete for the places available (our training framework is wide enough to admit all applicants), but to allow college staff to discover the motivations of the applicants and to assess their suitability for higher studies and for the careers that will become available to them once they have earned their theological degree. Accordingly, the entrance examination is our chance as instructors to become personally acquainted with our future students.

An oral examination is necessary for candidates to be admitted either as full-time or as part-time students. In a ten-to-twenty-minute interview with you, a committee of three instructors will seek to understand your reasons for applying, your interest in the program, and your ideas and plans for the future. They will assess your suitability for higher theological studies and for possibly teaching others, working with people, and speaking out on theological issues in a credible and professional manner.

The admission (or rejection) of candidates is then decided jointly by the various entrance committees. Candidates are informed of the committees’ decision in writing within a few days of the admission interviews. This decision will be used as a basis for enrollment for the following semester. Please note that if you do not wish to enroll yet but plan to start your studies at a later date, you must repeat the application process.

How to apply

• for the teacher-school teacher + public studies specialization pair , you must apply through the state admission system; find our college here (>Universities, colleges >>PHF), for information about the specialization pairs.
• for purely theological courses, i.e. the single-subject courses in theology, the MA in theology, the BA in catechetics and pastoral care, the MA in pastoral counselling and organizational development, you must apply directly to the college:
• Fill in the application form and send it to the Department of Academic Affairs (located at 7625 Pécs, Hunyadi János u. 11.).

The following documents are necessary for application:

• motivational letter
• baptismal certificate for baptized candidates (the certificate should come from the baptizing parish and must have been issued no more than 90 days previously
• letter of recommendation from the applicants parish priest or previous workplace
• a copy of the applicant’s high school diploma (this document, if not already turned in, must arrive at our office before the date of the entrance examination)
• copies of the documents confirming the information given on the application form: high school diploma, language examination certificate, college diploma, proof of residence

Applicants are not required to (also) apply via the public application system (by 15 February)! It is sufficient to send in the college application form with the attachments. The regular application deadline is 10 June 2024.

Applicants who apply later must turn in the documents listed above  and will be interviewed at the make-up admission examination in late August or early September, provided that the examination is convened at that time.

Those wishing to be placed in our dormitories must also turn in a dormitory application form.

Applicants who are also applying to college need only attach a certificate from their family doctor in addition to the other attachments.

Visiting students, part-time courses

If you only wish to attend classes, but do not wish to take part in the examination or obtain a certificate, no paperwork is required. Simply inform the lecturer (or the college administration in the case of regular attendance). If circumstances allow, you are welcome to attend.

Those wishing to take examinations and obtain a certificate of the courses they have completed may pursue studies at the college in the following two categories. Participants in the forms of study indicated below do not receive student scholarships or a student card.

Visiting students may be students who have a student status at another higher education institution and wish to study at the college out of personal academic interest (or with the intention of participating in a degree program later). The status of visiting student is authorized by the Rector (for a fixed or indefinite period). If authorized by your own institution, you may obtain a certificate of your studies for the transcript of your home institution or in the form of a special transcript issued by the college. Students of PTE and of CEEPUS institutions may study as visiting students at the PPHF and earn up to 10 credits per semester for free. Beyond that, they must pay a tuition fee adjusted to the number of credits they seek to earn.

Students may study part-time provided that they already possess a college degree do not have student status at another higher education institution or their status has been put on hold. With the permission of the Rector, renewable every six months, part-time students may take courses at their discretion and obtain a document certifying their studies. Part-time students pay a tuition fee adjusted to the credits they earn (up to 10 credits per semester.) Beyond 10 credits, part-time students pay a flat-rate tuition fee each semester thereafter (please see the document on tuition fees). Those part-time students gaining admittance to the college later (or having their student status renewed), will receive credit for the courses they have taken.

Transfer to Theological College of Pécs

Those who have successfully completed at least one semester at another higher education institution and wish to continue their studies at the Episcopal Theological College of Pécs may submit a transfer application to the Rector at least 30 days before the beginning of the semester. The application must state the reason for the transfer and must be accompanied by applicant’s CV and documentation of his/her studies (usually a photocopy of the student’s transcript).

Students seek in transfer are kindly asked whether they wish to be placed in a dormitory.

If the college accepts a student’s transfer application, he/she will also be required to terminate student status at his/her previous institution and to provide proof of the termination. Prior to the first enrollment, the transfer student will have his/her previous studies converted into the college’s study requirements and will be informed in writing of his/her credit status in each program of study.

The student may request a reevaluation of his or her situation and may, at the time of first enrollment, apply for exemption and or for the conversion of courses completed elsewhere and not automatically accepted.