FAQ

You can generally start the MD-PhD program during your 5th year of medical school. At this stage, you will have gained a solid foundation in medical knowledge, which will help you transition smoothly into the research-focused part of the program. As for the term "Excellency," it encompasses a range of qualities that strengthen your application. While a high GPA and notable academic achievements, such as awards, certainly help, we also consider other factors, such as: Research experience and publications. Demonstrated interest in research (e.g., internships, projects, conferences). Strong letters of recommendation. A well-developed research proposal and clear research interests. Excellence, in this context, reflects your overall potential to succeed both in clinical training and in the research aspects of the MD-PhD track.

To apply for the MD/PhD program, having published papers or co-authorship is not a requirement. During the selection process, candidates are evaluated based on specific criteria and a scoring system used in the interviews. While having first or co-authored publications can strengthen your application and may provide additional points, it is not mandatory. Regarding funding: we offer state-funded training for EU citizens, but the number of funded spots is limited. There is also a tuition-based (self-funded) track available. We encourage you to apply regardless of your current publication record.

Thank you for your question! Many of our students are full-time medical residents from various hospitals, including those from Semmelweis University departments. Your ability to join the PhD program will depend on your commitment and the support of your workplace. If you are working as a resident, we encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your employer to ensure they support your participation in the program. The specific training path available to you will also depend on your nationality. If you are a non-EU citizen and have a Blue Card, you may be eligible for a state-funded scholarship. We recommend reaching out to us directly with more details about your current residency and nationality so we can provide more personalized guidance.

Please reach out to us with your exact training.

Of course, we’ll be happy to help you find a supervisor. We recommend that you submit a preliminary application on our website, and we will get in touch with you to assist you in selecting a suitable supervisor.

Currently, the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship does not cover the MD/PhD training. If you are interested in pursuing the MD/PhD program, you would need to explore alternative funding options, such as university-specific scholarships, external grants, or self-funding. We recommend contacting the admissions office for detailed information on available financial support and application procedures.

Yes, you can apply for the MSc program even without clinical training. Your background with a BSc in Microbiology and an MBBS degree qualifies you for the MSc program. Having a published paper is a great advantage and can strengthen your application. After completing the MSc, you would be eligible to apply for the PhD program, provided you meet the specific criteria outlined for PhD candidates.

If you're planning to start your residency outside of Hungary after completing your 6th year, the MD/PhD program might be the better choice. The 1st year should be done in-person and while most of the 2nd year can be done online, you will have to attend the Progress Reports in-person which are held every 3 months starting from the first year. During the 2nd year, you will have 2 progress reports and and also the complex exam which is held at the end of your 2nd year. So you need to plan accordingly. If you want to start your residency after you graduate, then I would recommend the MD-PhD.

You can apply to our Bilateral Program, where you will receive co-tutelle mentorship from both universities, additionally you can check our Bilateral Program on our website:
https://tm-centre.org/en/education/bilateral-phd-program

If you are already enrolled in a PhD program in Hungary, joining our program with a state-funded scholarship is only possible if you are a student at Semmelweis University or the University of Szeged. If you are studying at another Hungarian university and do not wish to transfer or hold a Semmelweis  or Szeged affiliation, you would need to pay a tuition fee to participate in our program. Please feel free to share more details about your current PhD training so we can better advise you on your options.

Yes, it may be possible to take part in the Semmelweis PhD program while already enrolled as a PhD student at another university—especially within the framework of a bilateral collaboration. However, this depends on several factors, including your current university, the year of your PhD training, and whether there is an existing bilateral agreement between the two institutions. We recommend reviewing the details provided on our website here: https://tm-centre.org/en/education/bilateral-phd-program. For personalized guidance, feel free to contact us with more information about your current program.

Your eligibility for the hybrid MD/PhD program depends on your citizenship and residency status. If you are a citizen of an EU country, you may be eligible for the state-funded scholarship. Additionally, if you are currently working as a resident in Hungary (e.g., in Kaposvár), and your employer approves your participation, you can apply for the hybrid program. We recommend contacting us directly with your specific details so we can help you determine your exact eligibility and funding options.

If you already have a supervisor and a research topic in mind when applying for the MD/PhD program, that’s excellent. However, if you don’t, there’s no need to worry—we’re here to help. Once you submit the preliminary application through our website, we’ll get in touch with you to discuss your research interests and assist you in finding a suitable supervisor in your chosen field.

As a non-EU citizen studying at Semmelweis University, you are generally required to pay tuition for the PhD program—unless you hold a valid scholarship or a Hungarian Blue Card. If you have a Blue Card, you may be eligible to apply for state-funded PhD training. We recommend contacting the university to verify your specific status and eligibility. As a Semmelweis student, if you are required to pay tuition, you are eligible for a 50% tuition discount. There are also scholarship opportunities available, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, which typically opens for applications between December and January. Please check if your country is eligible for this program. Additionally, we encourage you to explore funding options through your home country or your embassy, as they may offer further support for your doctoral training.

To apply for the MD/PhD program, having published papers or co-authorship is not a requirement. During the selection process, candidates are evaluated based on specific criteria and a scoring system used in the interviews. While having first or co-authored publications can strengthen your application and may provide additional points, it is not mandatory. Regarding funding: we offer state-funded training for EU citizens, but the number of funded spots is limited. There is also a tuition-based (self-funded) track available. We encourage you to apply regardless of your current publication record.

reiterated that the 3 most important things to join the Programme are English language proficiency, confirmation from the workplace that they will let the employee join the Programme and the selection of the subject leader. 

 yes. 

EU citizens can already be supported from the Hungarian state scholarship. If they are not EU citizens, then the scholarship or the 20.000 euros training fee/year could be an option. 

• It is not possible to join this Programme as a correspondent (he thinks it is slow and cannot replace full-time work). 
• We can put you in touch with a subject leader in your chosen field. 

• English language skills, a statement from the hospital that they allow you to participate in the training. In addition, the selection of the subject leader. These are the three most important things. 
• After that, you have to apply to a PhD school (the person will receive a full-time scholarship of 140.000 HUF) and every 3 months you have to report on the Progress Report. Out of 91 students, 77 students are currently remaining in the Programme after 18 months. 

1-2 pages 

Yes you can bring an external supervisor 

We can pair you up when you apply to us 

No only Stipendium Hungaricum  

Yes, there is a structured mentorship plan in place to help PhD students publish in high-impact journals and prepare systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The primary goal of our training is to guide you through the process of high-quality research. You bring your research topic, and we provide support with selecting the best methodologies, developing your research, and assisting you in publishing in top-tier journals.

You are welcome to join!! Group meetings are held in-person at Baross street 22, 1085, Budapest (CTM building). The schedules will differ depending on your field of interest.

Thank you for this important question! As introduced by Péter Hegyi, many of our faculty members are also PhD students or post-docs who are actively engaged in research. We value feedback from our students and are open to discussing potential improvements to our program. While we don't currently have a formal student council, we encourage students to share their thoughts and suggestions once they have gained some experience in the program. We believe in creating an open, collaborative environment where your input can help shape the future of the training.

You can contact the year coordinators and methodology supervisors at any time. Please have a look at our website: https://tm-centre.org/en/staff?center=3

Yes, as part of the CTM training, PhD students have access to various clinical research methodologies, including clinical trials and patient registries. While all students begin with systematic reviews and meta-analyses as foundational research methodologies, depending on your research interests and level of dedication, you can eventually start your own Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) or prospective patient registry. Access to ongoing studies and data will depend on the research group you are part of and the available collaborations within the program.

The exact timing for the in-person meetings will be determined after the admission period, with the academic calendar being published following the first round of interviews in June. However, here’s a general overview of the schedule: 1. Weekly Group Meetings: There is a mandatory weekly group meeting, and the specific timing will be set after the admission process. 2. Workshops: Approximately every two weeks, there will be a 6-8 hour workshop. 3. Project Meetings and E-Learning: These can be completed online, offering flexibility. 4. Progress Reports: During your first year, you will need to attend a progress report session every three months. 5. This structure allows you to manage your work commitments while completing the program.

To start the MD/PhD program in our TM PhD training, you need to be in Hungary during the first year, as we do not currently offer a remote option. Our program involves regular weekly on-site activities that are essential for the first-year training. However, we do have students who manage to balance travel—such as one of our current PhD students who frequently travels between Arad and Budapest. Ultimately, whether or not you can manage both commitments depends on your personal dedication and ability to balance your schedule. We encourage you to carefully assess your time management options before making a decision and reach out to us if you have any questions.

We currently have 1 such student. In such a case, no support from the ministry will come. In this case we will see what solution we can find. So it is not a disqualifying factor if someone already has a PhD. 

There is no age limit. 

 everyone in total who meets the criteria. We have funding for 90 people for the time being. He sees 2-3 people per hospital as realistic. 

the topic is chosen by the topic leader (from his/her research area) 

this time can be deducted from the optional part of the exam 

yes, it can count 

yes you have to dedicate about 8 hours, 1 day in Budapest 

yes, it means 4 days per week (in year I 4 days of academic work and 1 day of practical work, in year II it will be reversed and 1 day of academic work and 4 days of practical work in the sickbed)

Negotiations are underway to agree on this.

There will be no mid-year intake, please apply by 26 May.

In addition to the training, we can provide an expert and academic assistant to help you find your way around.

It is possible to have an employment relationship with a full-time PhD student.

After 2 years there is the complex exam and then in the 3rd or 4th year there is the PhD thesis. The 1st year requires a significant time commitment.

At this time, we are able to offer only limited assistance in finding a workplace that matches your PhD topic for the EKÖP-KDP fellowship. 

As a non-EU citizen studying at Semmelweis University, you are generally required to pay tuition for the PhD program—unless you hold a valid scholarship or a Hungarian Blue Card. If you have a Blue Card, you may be eligible to apply for state-funded PhD training. We recommend contacting the university to verify your specific status and eligibility. As a Semmelweis student, if you are required to pay tuition, you are eligible for a 50% tuition discount. There are also scholarship opportunities available, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, which typically opens for applications between December and January. Please check if your country is eligible for this program. Additionally, we encourage you to explore funding options through your home country or your embassy, as they may offer further support for your doctoral training.

The MD thesis and PhD thesis can be related in topic, but they are not the same. While it’s completely acceptable—and often beneficial—for your MD and PhD research to be connected, the PhD thesis requires a higher level of scientific contribution. Specifically, to earn a PhD degree (and defend your thesis), you must have at least two first-author publications based on original research that brings new findings to the scientific community. So in short: the research areas can overlap, but the scope, depth, and publication requirements for the PhD are more extensive.

Yes, in many clinical departments PhD training is often a requirement or a significant advantage when applying for residency. This is one of the key benefits of our PhD program: it allows you to begin your PhD while also starting your clinical training, helping you meet this expectation more efficiently. For specific requirements related to residency applications, we recommend contacting the department you’re interested in directly, as criteria may vary.

not a requirement, but it comes out like this. For the given topic (depending on the database)

https://tm-centre.org/hu/students-projects

Great question! While AI is advancing rapidly, it does not make systematic reviews and meta-analyses outdated. These methodologies remain the gold standard for synthesizing evidence and are essential components of evidence-based medicine. What’s changing is how we conduct them—AI is becoming a powerful tool to support and streamline the process, making tasks like literature screening or data extraction more efficient. Also, as presented in the webinar, our program goes far beyond just systematic reviews. Students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of research, including clinical trials, registries, and international surveys. We're actively incorporating AI into our research workflows to enhance—not replace—methodological rigor. So in short: systematic reviews and meta-analyses aren’t going anywhere—they’re evolving, and we're evolving with them.

Yes, bringing your own project idea into the PhD program is absolutely possible—and even encouraged. In fact, having a defined PhD topic and a supervisor is a requirement for joining the program. If you already have a draft project proposal and a research interest, that’s a great starting point. Our center is here to support you throughout the process—from refining your topic and developing the methodology, to guiding you through publication and overall research planning. We can also assist you in finding a suitable supervisor if needed., but we can not guarantee that we will find someone in your research interest.

• from high quality databases (structured databases)
• if we don't have our own data, we create a database/registry (longer process) from data designed from a perspective.
• Restructure international databases or publications (we build the database ourselves in an excel spreadsheet)

in research, the most important thing is the question, then comes the research, and you need excellent data.