12 Best Private Universities in Budapest for International Students
There are a lot of great countries and cities that need to be visited and discovered in your lifetime, and one of the main locations that need to be visited for your studies is Budapest, which is one of the cities in Hungary. When visiting Budapest, in addition to developing your skills and academic knowledge, you will become part of a new system and society that will open and enrich your cultural horizons.
Private institutions are a great way to reach your academic goals and get that well-deserved degree. To help you out, check out the list below if you’re looking to study in a private university in Budapest. Each university page provides you with specific details on tuition, admission, language requirements, available courses, and more. So, make sure to check the university pages! Let’s dig in!
| Rank | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central European University | Budapest, Hungary |
| 2 | Pazmany Peter Catholic University | Budapest, Hungary |
| 3 | Budapest Business School | Budapest, Hungary |
| 4 | Budapest Metropolitan University | Budapest, Hungary |
| 5 | International Business School | Budapest, Hungary |
| 6 | Andrassy University Budapest | Budapest, Hungary |
| 7 | Kodolanyi Janos University | Budapest, Hungary |
| 8 | Wekerle Business School | Budapest, Hungary |
| 9 | Tomori Pal College | Budapest, Hungary |
| 10 | Dennis Gabor College | Budapest, Hungary |
| 11 | Milton Friedman University | Budapest, Hungary |
| 12 | John Wesley Theological College | Budapest, Hungary |
Private Universities in Budapest
1. Central European University
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.
2. Pazmany Peter Catholic University
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.
3. Budapest Business School
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.Â
4. Budapest Metropolitan University
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.
5. International Business School
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.
6. Andrassy University Budapest
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.Â
7. Kodolanyi Janos University
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.Â
8. Wekerle Business School
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.Â
9. Tomori Pal College
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.Â
10. Dennis Gabor College
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.Â
11. Milton Friedman University
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.Â
12. John Wesley Theological College
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.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Private Universities in Budapest Cost?
There are 12 private universities in Budapest, out of which, we have tuition fee of 9 private universities available.
As you plan your studies abroad, we hope that this article will help you in choosing a good private university.
We know that attending a private university can be expensive, given its benefits and added perks. But remember that public universities are always an option, too, as they're affordable and can provide you with the same high-quality education. With that, feel free to check out our list of public universities in Budapest to learn more about your options for your next academic destination.