25 Best Universities In Hungary For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Hungary, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 41 universities and colleges in Hungary, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 41 universities in Hungary, Semmelweis University and Eotvos Lorand University are the top-performing schools in Hungary. This list covers both public and private institutions in Hungary.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Hungary. 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 Hungary.

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

Applying to the universities in Hungary 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 Hungary to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

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

Tuition fees at Hungary’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 12,583,900 HUF , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 755,000 HUF to 39,536,000 HUF. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Hungary!

As we cover the best universities in Hungary 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 Hungary 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.

The University of Szeged is a public academic institution known for its internationally-competitive programs in medicine, natural sciences, engineering, and humanities. It also prides itself on having a sustainable campus and carrying out several initiatives that promote environmental responsibility. The university’s student-teacher ratio allows students to have more individual interactions with their professors and gain a more personalized academic experience. 

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.

Founded in 1538, the University of Debrecen is the oldest and one of the largest universities in Hungary. Having provided excellent education, training, and research for over four hundred years, the university has played a vital role in the educational and economic development of Debrecen. It currently offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of study areas, such as agriculture, legal sciences, health sciences, and economics.

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 University of Pecs was founded in 1367 making it one of Europe’s earliest educational institutions. Having a long tradition of excellence and innovation, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs and conducts research in different areas of business, arts, humanities, and applied sciences designed to help build a better and more harmonious society. 

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 University of Pannonia is a public institution in western Hungary with a prominent international reputation for its high-quality research programs that focus on sustainability and making sustainability-related knowledge accessible to everyone. It is composed of two campuses and five faculties that offer a variety of programs taught by accomplished instructors. The university also maintains close ties with different sectors of the community in conducting projects and training programs for its students. 

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. 

The University of Miskolc is a public institution for higher education dedicated to the acquisition, application, and dissemination of scientific knowledge. It comprises seven faculties and one institute that offer programs in more than 300 study areas. The university also collaborates with different organizations from Hungary and overseas to conduct research and development projects to help the local community.

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. 

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.

Situated in the beautiful town of Sopron in northwest Hungary and in close proximity to main cities in Slovakia and Austria, the University of Sopron is best known for its outstanding programs in the wood industry and forestry. It is also famous for having a green and sustainable campus that reduces its negative impact on the atmosphere. The university also welcomes students from all around the world and provides various opportunities for international mobility. 

Located in the historic city of Eger, Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University has played an important role in the development of Hungarian higher education for 250 years. It also takes pride in the baroque-style architecture of its buildings and its high-quality educational programs that provide a dynamic blend of traditional and modern approaches to learning. The university also strives to extend its international reach by partnering with different institutions outside the country to conduct joint research and development projects and other international activities. 

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. 

Szechenyi Istvan University is a public academic institution known for its top-notch engineering programs focused on contributing to the social and economic development of the region. It is situated by the Danube River and close to major cities in Slovakia and Austria. The university also has an extensive network of universities outside the country with which it conducts academic programs and research and development activities. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

The University of Dunaujvaros traces its roots to the Technicum of Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering, a specialized tertiary institution founded to meet the demand for engineering specialists. Such a connection is still evident as the university still specializes in metallurgical and mechanical engineering. However, it has since expanded to other engineering branches and non-engineering disciplines, such as business and communication.

Although the University of Dunaujvaros only opened its doors to international students in 2006, it has maintained active efforts to attract them by offering more English-taught courses. This has led to positive results, as the population of foreign learners in the institution keeps growing.

The University of Nyiregyhaza is a regional frontrunner in technical and agricultural training, education, and research. It has also gained popularity on the national and international scale because of its state-of-the-art infrastructure that helps facilitate an environment conducive to learning and conducting different research and development projects. The university’s primary aim is to contribute to the economic and social development of the region through practice-oriented education and active cooperation with different sectors of the community.