Universities in Hungary

Hungary has a long university tradition: the first university in the country was founded in Pécs in 1367. Today its higher-education system follows the Bologna three-cycle structure, introduced in pilot projects in 2005 and in all bachelor's programmes in 2006. Most degrees are taught in Hungarian, but institutions offer more than 700 programmes in English, German, French and other languages, according to Study in Hungary, the official study portal run by the Tempus Public Foundation.

The sector has changed a lot in recent years. From 2019, parliament transferred many public universities to public-interest trust foundations, which made them private institutions in legal terms. According to Eurydice (updated 27 November 2023), Hungary has 24 private universities, 10 private universities of applied sciences and 24 private colleges (21 of these institutions are run by trust foundations), plus 6 church universities, 2 church universities of applied sciences and 19 church colleges, and 5 public universities and 1 public college. Only institutions recognised by the state can award higher-education degrees.

How it works

Hungarian law distinguishes three kinds of institution. A university (egyetem) must offer at least eight bachelor's and six master's programmes and award doctorates; a university of applied sciences offers at least four bachelor's and two master's programmes; colleges (főiskola) are smaller and mostly practice-oriented. Degrees follow three cycles:

• Bachelor's degree: usually 3 years and 180 ECTS credits; some programmes take 3.5 years (210 ECTS) or 4 years (240 ECTS)
• Master's degree: usually 2 years and 120 ECTS credits, with some shorter 60 or 90 ECTS programmes
• One-tier (integrated) master's: 5 to 6 years in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, architecture and law
• Doctorate: 240 credits over 4 years, with a comprehensive exam after the fourth semester

Our directory lists several institutions. The University of Pécs, heir to the 1367 foundation, teaches degree programmes in English, French and German as well as Hungarian. International Business School (IBS) has taught business in Budapest since 1991 and offers English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes. McDaniel College Budapest describes itself as a fully accredited American college. Duna International College, founded in 2010, runs preparatory programmes for students who want to enter partner universities. Central European University (CEU), founded in 1991, moved its main campus and administration to Vienna in 2019 after Hungarian legislation of April 2017 restricted its academic freedom; its Budapest site now hosts non-degree and research activities.

Admission

For Hungarian-taught bachelor's degrees, applicants go through the national procedure on felvi.hu. They need the secondary school-leaving exam (érettségi) or an equivalent, and are ranked by points: up to 400 from school grades and exam results plus up to 100 extra points set by the institution. Programmes for non-Hungarian citizens taught in another language are outside this central procedure: you apply directly to the university.

For English-taught programmes, universities rank applications on previous studies and grade point average, and some add an entrance exam. A bachelor's programme requires completed secondary education and proof of language level; a master's programme requires a bachelor's degree. At the University of Pécs, for example, the application deadline for many programmes starting in autumn 2027 is 30 June 2027.

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can study without a visa but must register with the immigration authority within 93 days of arrival if they stay longer than three months. Other students need a residence permit for study purposes, applied for at the Hungarian consulate; it is valid for between 90 days and two years.

Costs and funding

Tuition fees vary by university and programme, and most institutions require payment before enrolment, so check the fee on the programme page. Hungarian students can study on state-scholarship places, or on partial scholarships that cover 50% of tuition. For international students, the main government programme is Stipendium Hungaricum, founded in 2013 and based on bilateral agreements with more than 100 countries. It covers tuition, pays a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 at bachelor's and master's level, and offers a free dormitory place or HUF 40,000 a month towards housing. Applications for 2026/27 are open. According to Study in Hungary's cost-of-living calculator, a dormitory place costs on average 36,000 forints a month in Budapest and 32,000 in Pécs, and a room in a shared flat about 140,000 forints in Budapest. Study in Hungary states that non-EU students with a study residence permit may work up to 30 hours a week during term time.

How to choose

• Language: Hungarian-taught degrees go through felvi.hu; English, German or French programmes are applied for directly
• Type of institution: universities, universities of applied sciences and colleges differ in size and in how practice-oriented they are
• Recognition: check that the institution is state-recognised in Hungary, and how a foreign institution's degree (for example an American one) is recognised in your country
• Funding: check whether your country takes part in Stipendium Hungaricum and when its call closes
• City: Budapest has the most choice; regional cities such as Pécs have lower living costs

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Hungary?

Yes. Hungarian institutions offer more than 700 programmes in English, German, French and other languages. You apply directly to the university, not through the national felvi.hu system.

How long does a degree take in Hungary?

A bachelor's degree usually takes 3 years (180 ECTS), a master's 2 years (120 ECTS) and a doctorate 4 years. Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, architecture and law are one-tier programmes of 5 to 6 years.

Are there scholarships for international students?

The government's Stipendium Hungaricum programme covers tuition, pays a monthly stipend and helps with accommodation for students from more than 100 partner countries. Applications for 2026/27 are open.

Do I need a visa to study in Hungary?

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not, but must register within 93 days if they stay longer than three months. Other students need a residence permit for study purposes, applied for at the Hungarian consulate.