Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) is Hungary’s largest private educational institution located in Budapest, Hungary. Founded in 1996, it was initially directed at university students in the arts and social sciences. It serves as a student dormitory, scholarship program and a private educational institution aiming to provide academic education beyond the traditional framework to students of all ages from Hungary and abroad. By February 2023, MCC had 7000 students. In addition to its training programs, MCC operates various mobility and scholarship programs, publishes books and scientific articles, organizes international and domestic conferences and forums to promote democratic dialogues and discussions. Programs are generally free of charge.
In 2020, the MCC received an influx of Hungarian government funds and assets valued at US$ 1.7 billion. Due to its close ties to Viktor Orbán's government, its critics describe MCC as a "breeding ground for future Fidesz-friendly elites." The chairman of MCC's board of trustees, Balázs Orbán, helped plan the transfer in his concurrent role as state secretary in the office of Viktor Orbán's government.
History
In 1996, the founding Tombor family donated a significant amount of money to create an institution for talent development. The aim of their initiative was to support highly talented young people committed to the prosperity of our country and provide them with complementary training which is not possible within the traditional school system due to a lack of time and resources. Initially, the institution only welcomed high school and university students.
In the 2000s, Miklós Maróth was also among the directors of MCC. In 2001, a residence hall was established on Somlói Road in Budapest with 47 students. After a year the institute launched a program for high school students, followed by the start of a two-year-long specialization offered to university students in law, economics, social sciences, international relations, and communication. In 2009, the Leadership Academy was established.
In the 2010s, as MCC expanded, new local high school and university programs were launched in Transylvania, Romania, in Cluj-Napoca, and Odorheiu Secuiesc. In the middle of the decade, courses for elementary school students were started as well as public leadership training programs in Transylvania and Transcarpathia. In these years, new education programs for young women leaders and the Roma youth were also launched while psychology was added to the curriculum for university students. In 2015, MCC opened its doors to elementary school students and launched its Primary School Program.
In 2020, the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation took the place of the dissolved Tihany Foundation in maintaining the Collegium. The Hungarian Parliament transferred 10-10% of the shares of MOL Plc. and Gedeon Richter Plc. and the real estate on Somlói Road to the Foundation. In the same year, the Foundation received new funding from the central budget.
In 2021, American Tucker Carlson spoke at a conference sponsored by the Collegium.
Structure
MCC’s core education activity is relying on its Schools for advanced studies and research institutes. In the end of 2022, MCC had 6100 students. By February 2023, 7000 students were enrolled.
Training courses are provided through the following programs: Primary School Program, High School Program, University Program, Postgraduate Programs, MCC Ph.D. Program, Postdoctoral Program, Leadership Academy, and the Roma Talent Program.
As of February 2023, the University Program is built on the academic work of its Schools:
School of Law
School of Economics
MCC-Mindset School of Psychology
Media School
School of International Relations
School of Social Sciences and History
Postgraduate Programs
MCC's single-issue think tanks:
Migration Research Institute
Climate Policy Institute
German-Hungarian Institute for European Cooperation
Youth Research Institute
Learning Institute
Flow Research Institute
Programs
Scholarships
MCC provides various types of scholarships to help its students and professionals to be able to deepen their knowledge and to be able to conduct research at the best universities of the world. As of June 2023, MCC offers the following scholarships: