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Study in Hungary
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Bridging Central and Eastern Europe, Hungary combines many of the attractions of both regions – but above all prides itself on having its own distinctive identity. This pride is not without foundation. Though relatively small, Hungary has much to offer visitors, from the architectural and cultural delights of capital city Budapest, to vineyard-covered hills and historic castles. With so many natural and manmade attractions, combined with relatively low living costs and a strong focus on internationalization, it seems likely that Hungary’s popularity as a study destination will continue to grow. Choose to study in Hungary now, and you could be at the leading edge of that trend.
Read on to find out more about the top universities in Hungary, the student cities you could be based on, and practical information about applications, costs and more.
Universities in Hungary
While not as firmly established on the study abroad map as European destinations like the UK, Germany or France, Hungary is committed to becoming a leading higher education hub. Universities in Hungary are welcoming growing numbers of international students, both on exchange programs and for full degrees, and are increasingly offering courses taught in languages other than Hungarian, most commonly English.
In line with the Bologna Process, which aims to make higher education systems across Europe more compatible, universities in Hungary offer three levels of degree: alapképzés (bachelor’s), mesterképzés (master’s) and doktori képzés (doctorate). Bachelor’s programs typically last three or four years, master’s programs one or two, and doctorate programs three years. In some subjects, it’s also possible to complete a single five- or six-year course, which combines the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Six universities in Hungary appear in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, while a total of eight are featured in the QS EECA University Rankings 2018. The five highest-ranked universities in Hungary are:
University of Szeged
Hungary’s highest-ranked university, the University of Szeged is currently placed 501-550 in the QS World University Rankings and 27th in Emerging Europe and Central Asia. Keen to welcome international students, the university participates in the Erasmus exchange program and has scholarships available for international students across all subject areas. Most courses are taught in English, and some bachelor’s degrees include an English preparatory course. The University of Szeged also features in the global top 450 for six subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, including a place in the top 200 for agriculture.
Eötvös Loránd University
Ranked 651-700 in the world and 30th in the EECA region, Eötvös Loránd University is located in capital city Budapest and is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Hungary. It’s also one of the oldest, having been established in 1635. Eötvös Loránd’s alumni include four Nobel Prize winners and many world-famous scientists. The university currently educates about 28,000 students in its eight faculties, including 2,000 international students.
University of Debrecen
The University of Debrecen is ranked 651-700 in the world rankings and 35th in the EECA region as of 2018. Its main campuses are in Hungary’s second-largest city, Debrecen, in the east of the country. The university is dedicated to welcoming international students, and offers a selection of courses taught in English. It features among the world’s leading institutions for six subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, including places in the global top 300 for agriculture and forestry, medicine, and modern languages.
Corvinus University of Budapest
Corvinus University of Budapest is ranked 801-1000 in the world and 45th in EECA. It had just under 11,000 students enrolled in 2016, including over 1,400 students from outside of Hungary, many of whom are enrolled in a range of programs taught in different languages – including English, French and German. Corvinus University is currently ranked in the global top 250 for agriculture and forestry, and the top 350 for economics and business.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Ranked 751-800 in the QS World University Rankings® 2018, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics is ranked joint 28th in the QS EECA University Rankings 2018. It also features in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 seven times, including positions among the global top 300 for mathematics and material sciences. Like Corvinus University of Budapest, it teaches in a range of languages – Hungarian, English, German, French and Russian.
Other notable universities in Hungary, which all offer support for international students, include the University of Pécs (the oldest in the country, ranked 63rd in the EECA rankings), Szent István University, Kaposvár University, the University of West Hungary, Széchenyi István University, the University of Pannonia and the University of Miskolc.
Discover more top universities in Hungary with the EECA rankings
Explore some of Hungary’s major cities for students…
Budapest
Split into two halves (Buda and Pest) by the Danube River, and known for its attractive architecture, Budapest is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most aesthetically appealing cities. The city’s architectural and historic importance has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, where it’s described as “one of the world’s outstanding urban landscapes”.
Budapest doesn’t just look beautiful; it also offers plenty to do and explore, from world-renowned spas, art galleries and classical music, to trendy cocktail bars, bohemian cafés and outdoor clubbing venues. The best-known of Budapest's cultural events is the huge Sziget music festival, held on Óbudai Island in the center of the Danube every August – but there’s plenty going on all year round.
Three universities in Budapest feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2018 – Eötvös Loránd University (ranked 651-8700), Corvinus University of Budapest (801-1000) and new entry Budapest University of Technology and Economics (751-800). All three participate in Erasmus and various other student exchange programs.
Other universities in Budapest include Budapest Business School, Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Semmelweis University (medical), Óbuda University (technical) and Central European University, a postgraduate-only institution which ranks in the global top 50 for politics.
Debrecen
Debrecen is Hungary’s second-largest city, although far smaller than Budapest, with 207,000 residents compared to the 1.7 million residents of the capital. Debrecen has briefly been the capital city of Hungary during two periods of history; after the Hungarian revolution in 1848 and again at the end of World War Two in 1945.
The city is the administrative, economic, educational, scientific and cultural center of the eastern region of the country, and the usual range of activities are available here, including theater, live music, nightclubs and (in true Hungarian style) natural hot springs and spas. The city is also well known for its lively festivals, including the Flower Carnival in August, which involves millions of flowers being used to decorate a procession of floats.
Szeged
Hungary’s third-largest city, Szeged is located in the south of the country on the banks of the river Tisza. It’s nicknamed the “city of sunshine”, due to its warm climate and high number of sunny days. Szeged is also known as a cultural hub, and especially for its Open Air Festival, showcasing outdoor theater performances throughout the summer.
Szeged is a university town with a good nightlife, and it’s an ideal choice for foodies, offering great local and traditional food, including salami and fisherman's soup (halászlé). It’s also home to the highest-ranked university in the country – the University of Szeged.
See the latest QS World University Rankings
Student visas for Hungary
Students from within the EU/EEA do not need a visa to study in Hungary, but do need to apply for a residence permit within 15 days of arriving. Students from outside of the EEA should apply for a student visa residence permit before arrival, via their nearest Hungarian embassy. Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before departure, as the processing is likely to take at least a month.
Student visas for Hungary require the following:
All international students are required to register their place of residence with the local authorities, as soon as possible after arrival.
Costs and funding to study in Hungary
Living costs are relatively low in Hungary, with students likely to need about US$600-850 per month to cover everything from accommodation to nights out (~US$7,200-10,200 per year). Living costs will be more expensive in Budapest, where rent will start from about US$340 per month. You can get a rough idea of how your costs of living works out based on your accommodation, transport and city preferences here.
While tuition fees are not insignificant, they are much lower than charges in countries such as the US or UK. They vary between universities and courses, with some courses as low as US$5,500 per year at the University of Debrecen, going up to US$14,000 per year to study an English-taught medical degree (plus US$500 in application and entrance fees).
Some scholarships for international students are available from the Hungarian government, covering tuition fees, medical insurance, accommodation and a monthly stipend for residents of partner countries to study in Hungary at all levels. Students from within the EU may also be able to apply for a state-funded place, under the same system as local students. These are awarded based on academic grades, but are highly competitive, with the number of places available having been cut over the past few years. Students from Eastern Europe can also apply for scholarships from the Visegrad Fund.
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