25 Best Universities In Budapest For International Students 2025

Budapest is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Hungary. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 25 universities and colleges in Budapest, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 25 universities in Budapest, Semmelweis University and Eotvos Lorand University are the top-performing schools in Budapest. This list covers both public and private institutions in Budapest.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Budapest. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Budapest.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Budapest?

Applying to the universities in Budapest involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Budapest to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Budapest?

Tuition fees at Budapest’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 987,700 HUF to 3,377,100 HUF , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 755,000 HUF to 9,077,900 HUF. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Budapest!

As we cover the best universities in Budapest for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Budapest for International Students

Semmelweis University is an internationally-renowned academic institution that specializes in medicine and health sciences. Graduates of the university make up the majority of the country’s doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and other medical practitioners. It is also known for providing world-class patient care in its clinical centers that also serve as training grounds for aspiring healthcare professionals. 

Eotvos Lorand University, shortly known as ELTE, is Hungary’s premier university. It takes pride in being part of the world’s top institutions, an elite achievement that speaks volumes of its quality education and training. Such excellence may result from centuries of experience, given that the institution was established in 1635. The programs ELTE offers are diverse, but among the most notable is its wide array of foreign language courses and degree programs, including English-taught programs. These courses not only introduce locals to new cultures but also makes it easier for international students to transition into the Hungarian institution.

Budapest University of Technology and Economics is one of the most prestigious universities in Hungary and Europe. It was established in 1782 to provide top-notch engineering education and training. At present, around 70% of all engineering degrees in the country are issued by the university. Graduates of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics are known for possessing strong technical, theoretical, and practical knowledge in the applied sciences that allow them to provide innovative solutions to different industrial and societal challenges. 

The Corvinus University of Budapest is Central Europe’s premier institution in business and social sciences. Its expertise in economics and management is highly regarded, and the university maintains such quality by concentrating only on its forte disciplines, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. The university also ensures that its excellent training is inclusive by offering English-taught programs, which allows international students to pursue students at such a premier university without worrying about language barriers.

The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an international reputation for being one of Europe’s largest and best agricultural universities. It was founded in 2021 through the integration of several top institutions in Budapest, but its history and tradition of educational excellence can be traced back to 1787. The university offers high-quality academic and research programs that focus on improving agricultural production, food safety, and sustainability. 

Established in 1879, Obuda University is known for providing some of the best programs in engineering and computer science in Hungary. Its unique educational model takes a collaborative network-based approach which allows its students and faculty to work together and exchange ideas in planning and carrying out their studies. One of the university’s main objectives is to develop critical thinkers and innovators who possess the competencies required in the international labor market. 

Central European University is the leading private university in Hungary and is renowned for its English-taught, interdisciplinary, and internationally accredited programs. International accreditation allows your diploma to be recognized in specific countries; for CEU, it’s either Austria, Hungary, or the United States. This is advantageous for students keen on exploring the world.

CEU has two campuses, one in Budapest and the other in Vienna, Austria. Its programs are focused on the social sciences, humanities, or international studies. It attracts hundreds of international students, given its high-quality courses and convenient medium of instruction.

Pazmany Peter Catholic University is a private institution founded in 1635 and operated by the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. It was named after its founder,  Archbishop of Esztergom Peter Pazmny who lived during the Ottoman occupation in Hungary and believed in education as a powerful instrument for the country’s intellect, morality, and spirituality to live on. At present, the university comprises four faculties that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in theology, social sciences, law, and information technology.

The University of Public Service (UPS), also known as the National Public Service University or Ludovika – UPS, is a young, specialized institution with a rich and credible teaching history. It was founded in 2012; however, its formation was borne out of a merger of decades-old colleges and faculties, such as the Zrínyi Miklós National Defence University and Corvinus University’s Faculty of Public Administration. Its parent institutions’ experiences allow it to offer high-quality and expert programs in public administration, military, and law enforcement.

Budapest Business School is dedicated to equipping future professionals with the relevant skills and experience necessary to thrive and meet the constantly-shifting needs of the business industry. It is a private institution with a vast network of international partners that provide various opportunities for academic and professional development. The university also has a mentorship program that supports and helps international students adjust more easily and make their academic journey more memorable. 

Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary is a public academic institution that specializes in theological studies. It was founded in 1993 as the successor of the Reformed Theological Academy of Pest. The university also offers programs in liberal arts, management, and education that integrate the teachings and principles of Reformed theology.

Moholy-Nagy University of Arts and Design is a public institution for higher education committed to raising open-minded and innovative designers and artists who can help solve the most current issues in society. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to provide strong theoretical foundations and practical skills. The university aims to promote the vital role of art and design in the cultural and economic development of Hungary.

Budapest Metropolitan University is a private institution that began as a communication and business college. Although it has expanded its range of disciplines, the university remains focused on only a few fields: the arts, communication, social sciences, economics, and tourism. In doing so, its students are assured that training is specialized and the knowledge they receive is unique, which gives them an edge against the tight labor competition.

International Business School is a private educational institution in Budapest that provides high-quality and innovative business programs. Its cooperation with the University of Buckingham and Dublin Business School allows its students to earn not only a Hungarian but also an Irish or British business degree. The university is dedicated to raising independent and critical thinkers with strong practical entrepreneurial skills that are sought after by employers.

The University of Theatre and Film Arts Budapest is a public institution for education and training in theater and motion picture arts. It is dedicated to imparting strong foundations on the theoretical, practical, and creative aspects of theater and film to develop talented and independent artists. The university also strives to contribute to the promotion and survival of Hungarian art and culture and enrich the lives of its citizens. 

Established in 2001, Andrassy University Budapest is the only university outside Germany that offers programs fully taught in the German language. It stands among the leading educational institutions in the country that has been awarded the status of a “University of National Excellence” by the Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities. The university aims to promote German as the language of science and produce experts who can contribute to the economic, social, and educational transformation of society. 

Kodolanyi Janos University is a private university recognized for being a national pioneer in e-based learning. Its pedagogical framework strongly focuses on equipping students with the management, communication, and organizational skills that they need for their future professions. The university also takes pride in its distinguished faculty which is composed of academic and industry experts as well as international lecturers. 

Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music is a public musical and cultural institute that opened in 1875 after the establishment of Budapest as the capital of Hungary. It aims to cultivate talented individuals and provide theoretical and instrumental training to aspiring musicians. The academy also consistently appears as one of the world’s top-performing arts schools in multiple global rankings. 

Hungarian Dance University is a public institution in Budapest that aims to contribute to the development of Hungarian society and the promotion of Hungarian culture through its high-quality programs in dance art. It was established in 1950 as the State Ballet Institute and earned its status as a dance university in 2017. At present, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in dance art and choreography with specializations in classical ballet, folk dance, and modern dance. 

Having existed for over 150 years, the Hungarian University of Fine Arts has set the standard for art education and research in the country. It offers top-notch programs in different fields of fine arts which are styled to incorporate traditional methods with contemporary and experimental approaches to the study and practice of art. The university is also known for its beautifully-decorated building as well as its many exhibition spaces where its students and professional artists can display their work. 

Wekerle Business School is a leading institution for higher business education in Budapest. It was named after Sandor Wekerle, a Hungarian politician and former prime minister who had significant contributions to the country’s economic and social development. The university is known for its high-quality academic and research programs in different areas of management, marketing, and commerce. 

Tomori Pal College is a regional frontrunner and center of knowledge in different fields of business and liberal arts. It was established in 2004 and was named after Pal Tomori, a Catholic monk known for his military success and bravery in battle during the Ottoman occupation in Hungary. The university offers undergraduate programs in management, international relations, accounting, and liberal arts and plans to expand its course offerings to include academic programs in technical sciences and information technology in the coming years. 

Dennis Gabor College is a private educational institution established in 1992 by the Dennis Gabor Technical Informatics College Distance Education Foundation. Its eponym, Dennis Gabor, is a physicist and electrical engineer world-famous for his invention of holography. The university offers four English-taught bachelor’s programs in computer engineering, tourism, management, and business informatics. 

Founded in 2020, Milton Friedman University is a private academic institution owned and maintained by the Hungarian Unified Jewish Congregation. It provides secular programs designed to impart future professionals with skills that meet the demands of employers, especially those from industries with a scarcity of qualified human resources such as sports management and community service management. Currently composed of four faculties, this fast-growing university plans to further expand its academic offerings by including programs in arts, commerce, and tourism. 

John Wesley Theological College is a private educational institution operated by the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship. It was established in 1987 and named after John Wesley, an English preacher known as the founder of the United Methodist Church. The college strives to live up to its mission statement by encouraging all its faculty and students to always choose to do good and serve their fellow men.