Tuition Fees in Budapest for International Students

When choosing a university, it is important to look at the area that you are going to study because there are a lot of wonderful countries and cities that need to be visited to learn new information and achieve great experiences. When it comes to formal education, it is evident that Budapest, which is one of the locations in Hungary, tries to the best of its abilities to provide good education levels.

Public universities are often good options for international students because they allow students to access well-established education under governmental support. Students that are interested in entering a public university in Budapest should know that there are 13 universities here, and they need to research the most suitable for them.

Private universities are also some of the most credible places where you can get your degree. Out 25 institutions in Budapest, 12 of them are privately operated. With these options, along with public institutions, students have better chances of finding a university that fits their financial capabilities.

Tuition fees are among the most significant factors students weigh when it comes to their university applications. Fortunately, knowing about tuition fees ahead of time can help you prepare for this challenge. In this article, we will be looking at tuition fees in Budapest.

Are there any free tuition universities in Budapest?

No, there are no free-tuition universities in Budapest. Students are expected to be capable of financing their education and paying their tuition fees. However, students may check the universities here if they offer financial help, such as grants, scholarships, or work-study opportunities. It’s also worth checking the cheapest universities in Budapest to find the most affordable study destinations.

Is Budapest affordable for International Students?

Those pursuing bachelor's degree studies as an international student in Budapest spend an average of 1,330,400 HUF annually on tuition fees. On top of this, they also need to consider other costs, such as accommodation, food, and transport. With all these, those looking to study in Budapest need to prepare well, as these expenses can easily add up to make a significant dent in their finances.

Meanwhile, international students in master's programs might not find Budapest friendly to their wallets. The average tuition rate here is 1,646,900 HUF. This along with living costs and miscellaneous expenses can quickly add up and make budgeting quite a challenge.

Tuition Fees in Budapest

There are multiple universities in Budapest that are welcoming to both international and domestic students, and they provide great educational values with different tuition fee values. Here are the tuition fee ranges of universities in Budapest, based on student type and degree.

Universities Annual Tuition Fee for Bachelor
Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary 987,700 HUF - 2,735,100 HUF
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1,142,900 HUF - 2,209,500 HUF
Tomori Pal College 1,472,200 HUF
Wekerle Business School 1,509,900 HUF
Eotvos Lorand University 1,536,300 HUF - 3,226,100 HUF
University of Public Service 1,542,500 HUF - 1,619,600 HUF
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 1,600,000 HUF
Pazmany Peter Catholic University 1,770,000 HUF
Dennis Gabor College 1,881,100 HUF
John Wesley Theological College 1,887,400 HUF
Budapest Business School 1,891,200 HUF
Corvinus University of Budapest 1,937,800 HUF - 2,480,400 HUF
Obuda University 2,062,400 HUF - 2,444,300 HUF
Kodolanyi Janos University 2,126,700 HUF - 2,643,200 HUF
Budapest Metropolitan University 2,245,500 HUF - 3,019,800 HUF
Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2,444,100 HUF
Semmelweis University 2,521,400 HUF - 3,377,100 HUF
Central European University 2,700,700 HUF
Universities Annual Tuition Fee for Master
John Wesley Theological College 755,000 HUF
Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary 835,700 HUF - 2,279,200 HUF
Eotvos Lorand University 998,600 HUF - 3,218,500 HUF
University of Public Service 1,619,600 HUF - 1,696,700 HUF
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 1,900,000 HUF
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1,904,800 HUF - 2,285,700 HUF
Corvinus University of Budapest 2,247,900 HUF - 4,185,700 HUF
Pazmany Peter Catholic University 2,250,000 HUF - 2,515,700 HUF
Budapest Business School 2,269,500 HUF
Budapest Metropolitan University 2,322,900 HUF - 3,097,300 HUF
Obuda University 2,444,300 HUF - 2,673,400 HUF
Semmelweis University 2,597,800 HUF - 2,750,600 HUF
Kodolanyi Janos University 2,643,200 HUF
Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2,673,300 HUF - 2,902,400 HUF
Central European University 4,629,700 HUF - 5,787,200 HUF
Moholy-Nagy University of Arts and Design 9,077,900 HUF

Tuition fees in Universities in Budapest

1. John Wesley Theological College

  • John Wesley Theological College
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,887,400 HUF - 1,887,400 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 755,000 HUF - 755,000 HUF

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. 

2. Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

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.

3. Eotvos Lorand University

  • Eotvos Lorand University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,536,300 HUF - 3,226,100 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 998,600 HUF - 3,218,500 HUF

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.

4. University of Public Service

  • University of Public Service
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,542,500 HUF - 1,619,600 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 1,619,600 HUF - 1,696,700 HUF

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.

5. Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

  • Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,600,000 HUF - 1,600,000 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 1,900,000 HUF - 1,900,000 HUF

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. 

6. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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. 

7. Corvinus University of Budapest

  • Corvinus University of Budapest
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,937,800 HUF - 2,480,400 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,247,900 HUF - 4,185,700 HUF

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.

8. Pazmany Peter Catholic University

  • Pazmany Peter Catholic University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,770,000 HUF - 1,770,000 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,250,000 HUF - 2,515,700 HUF

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.

9. Budapest Business School

  • Budapest Business School
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 1,891,200 HUF - 1,891,200 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,269,500 HUF - 2,269,500 HUF

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. 

10. Budapest Metropolitan University

  • Budapest Metropolitan University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 2,245,500 HUF - 3,019,800 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,322,900 HUF - 3,097,300 HUF

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.

11. Obuda University

  • Obuda University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 2,062,400 HUF - 2,444,300 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,444,300 HUF - 2,673,400 HUF

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. 

12. Semmelweis University

  • Semmelweis University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 2,521,400 HUF - 3,377,100 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,597,800 HUF - 2,750,600 HUF

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. 

13. Kodolanyi Janos University

  • Kodolanyi Janos University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 2,126,700 HUF - 2,643,200 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 2,643,200 HUF - 2,643,200 HUF

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. 

14. Budapest University of Technology and Economics

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. 

15. Central European University

  • Central European University
  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee: 2,700,700 HUF - 2,700,700 HUF
  • Master’s international tuition fee: 4,629,700 HUF - 5,787,200 HUF

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.

The primary goal of this article is to provide information about tuition fees in Budapest and to assist students in their quest to achieve their goals. By describing the average tuition fees and providing you with the best ones available, we hope to help you make an informed decision about your education. Remember that studying in Budapest can be a financially viable option, so don't let the cost of tuition prevent you from pursuing your dreams.

And make sure to check out the most affordable universities in Budapest to learn more about making the best out of your finances as an international student.