Hungary is a Central European country with a range of higher education options for international students. Its universities offer programs in English and other foreign languages, and students can use the official Study in Hungary portal to explore available programs and practical information. Students should check the recognition requirements for their chosen degree and destination country.
Hungary’s cities offer different student experiences and budgets. Living costs vary by city and lifestyle, so students should estimate their expenses before applying. Below are several universities with English-taught study options in Hungary.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Hungary
| University | Undergraduate English-taught options | Graduate English-taught options |
|---|
| University of Szeged | English-language bachelor’s and undivided degree options. The article does not name individual programs; confirm the teaching language and entry requirements in the program directory. | English-language master’s and Ph.D. options across several disciplines. Postgraduate specialist training is also available and should be distinguished from academic master’s degrees. |
| Semmelweis University | English-language health-science bachelor’s options, including Nursing, plus one-tier professional programs in medicine and health-related fields. Hungarian language study is included for patient communication and practical training. | English-language master’s options in health-related fields and Ph.D. study through the Doctoral College. Check the requirements of the specific program. |
| Eötvös Loránd University | Examples highlighted in the article include International Relations and English and American Studies, with coursework conducted in English. | English-taught master’s and Ph.D. options. Student accounts highlight Social Integration and joint master’s study in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems. |
| University of Debrecen | English-taught bachelor’s programs, including Civil Engineering. One-tier medical programs are also available. | Examples include International and European Business Law, Animal Husbandry Engineering, Agricultural Environmental Management Engineering, and Public Health. English-taught Ph.D. programs are also available. |
| University of Pécs | English-taught bachelor’s options include Social Work and Business Administration and Management. Some elective courses may be available only in Hungarian. | English-taught master’s options include Psychology, alongside English-taught Ph.D. programs. Some fieldwork may require Hungarian-language support. |
| Budapest University of Technology and Economics | Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. Also offers a single-cycle Architectural Engineering program leading directly to a master’s qualification. | Master’s options include Mechanical Engineering Modelling, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Finance, and Structural Engineering. Doctoral options include Informatics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business and Management, and Architecture (DLA). |
| Corvinus University of Budapest | International Relations and the English-language track in Applied Economics. The article also highlights English-medium International Business Economics through a student account. | Master’s options include Finance and Economic Analysis; the article also highlights Public Policy and Management. Sociology is an explicitly English-taught doctoral option. |
| Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Food Engineering, Horticultural Engineering, Landscape Management and Garden Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Wildlife Management Engineering, Film and Media Studies, and Tourism and Catering. | Master’s options include Agricultural Biotechnology and Food Science and Technology Engineering. English-language doctoral opportunities include plant, biological, and environmental sciences. |
| University of Miskolc | Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, and International Relations. | Master’s options include Mechanical Engineering, Hydrogeological Engineering, Materials Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, and an MBA. Doctoral options include Mechanical Engineering Sciences. |
| Budapest University of Economics and Business | Business Administration and Management, Commerce and Marketing, Finance and Accounting, International Business Economics, Tourism and Catering, and Communication and Media Studies. | Master’s in International Economy and Business, Marketing, and Tourism Management. An English-language Ph.D. is offered through the Doctoral School of Entrepreneurship and Business. |
1. University of Szeged
The University of Szeged is located in Szeged, Hungary’s third-largest city. The university offers English-language study options for international students across multiple academic levels.
Students can access the SZTE Klebelsberg Library, which the university describes as Central Europe’s biggest university library. Students in relevant fields may also have opportunities to collaborate with the ELI-ALPS Laser Research Centre.
Students can choose from academic fields such as the humanities, sciences, medicine, pharmacy, law, and economics. Applicants should review the official page for each program to confirm its language of instruction, curriculum, and entry requirements.
2. Semmelweis University
Semmelweis University has more than 250 years of tradition in medicine and health sciences. Located in Budapest, it is the largest provider of healthcare services in Hungary. Its clinics and hospitals also provide practical teaching and care for patients who require complex treatment.
The university lists English-language one-tier, undergraduate, and Master’s programs in medicine and health-related fields. Its Doctoral College also admits students to Ph.D. studies.
Semmelweis offers programs in Hungarian, English, and German at six faculties. The university reports that approximately one-third of its students come from 129 countries across five continents. Hungarian language study is included in the curricula of its English-language training programs, and students begin meeting Hungarian patients in preclinical modules.
What Current Students / Alumni of Semmelweis University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Andrea Bergula Saises
BSc in Nursing | Reports that all her nursing classes are conducted in English. | Her training requires six semesters of basic and medical Hungarian, particularly for hospital placements with Hungarian-speaking patients. She also finds Hungarian helpful for daily interactions and community connections. |
3. Eötvös Loránd University
Eötvös Loránd University is the oldest continuously operating university in Hungary. Its predecessor was founded in 1635. Based in Budapest, ELTE offers study and research opportunities across a broad range of academic fields.
ELTE’s official materials list more than 1,400 Erasmus+ agreements with more than 600 partner universities, as well as memberships in international university networks. The university also participates in joint degree programs with other European universities.
ELTE offers more than 100 degree programs to international students, and its official materials state that Hungarian is not required for these programs. Applicants should review each official program page to confirm the language of instruction and the admission requirements. Zhibek, a Bachelor’s student in International Relations at ELTE, said that all of her classes are conducted in English and that students in an English-language program should not face academic problems because they do not know Hungarian.
In her account, Zhibek described her overall experience at ELTE as mostly positive. She said that the academic quality is strong, professors are supportive and knowledgeable, and course topics are relevant and engaging. She also mentioned services such as the International Office, Student Council, and mentorship programs.
What Current Students / Alumni of Eötvös Loránd University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Syma Afsha
MSc in Intelligent and Autonomous Robotic Systems | English was the language of instruction throughout her studies, including her semester at ELTE. She experienced no significant academic language barriers. | She generally managed university and daily life in Budapest using English, but believes learning Hungarian earlier would have enriched local interactions and cultural integration. |
Lisa Paul Magoti
MSc in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems | Reports that instruction was consistently in English throughout her program. | She does not recall problems caused by not knowing Hungarian while living in Budapest, where she found English widely spoken. |
Zewdie Habtie Sisay
Master’s in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems | His studies, including his autonomous-systems semester in Budapest, used English. He encountered no significant academic language barriers. | Basic Hungarian helped with everyday interactions and bureaucracy. He relied on English and translation apps when necessary. |
Zhibek
Bachelor’s in International Relations | All her classes are conducted in English, and she reports no academic need for Hungarian in her program. | She finds daily life in Budapest manageable in English, particularly in the city center, while recommending basic Hungarian. |
Minahil Mustafa
Master’s in Media and Communication Studies | Does not specify her classroom language. | After a year of Hungarian study, she passed an A2 exam. Understanding Hungarian texts, media, and cultural references enriched her academic work and supported her communications career. |
Florencio Venté
Master’s in Social Integration | His courses were conducted in English. He also reports that academic services supported English speakers. | He took Hungarian language courses during his first two semesters. |
Atharva Patwe
Joint Master’s in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems | Reports that all university courses in his joint program were in English, with no academic language difficulties. | — |
Stella Murugi
MSc in Environmental Science | Does not specify her classroom language. | She recommends Hungarian for cultural immersion and communication. In her account, Budapest offered more student jobs for English speakers, while jobs outside the capital could require Hungarian. |
Elizaveta
BA in English and American Studies | All her classes were held in English. | She completed a year of Hungarian lessons and found Hungarian useful outside academics. When she broke her leg, Hungarian-speaking friends helped her navigate hospital communication. |
Syed Muhammad Adnan Aslam
Bachelor’s in International Relations | In discussing studying without Hungarian, he describes the program as fully taught in English and academically manageable without Hungarian. | He recommends basic Hungarian for daily communication and cultural integration. |
4. University of Debrecen
The University of Debrecen is one of Hungary’s largest higher education institutions. Located in Debrecen, it offers English-taught programs in a wide range of fields.
The university offers more than 80 degree programs fully taught in English, including foundation, undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. or doctoral programs. It also offers one-tier medical degree programs.
Applicants should review the official page for each program to confirm the curriculum, duration, fees, entry requirements, and any practical components.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Debrecen Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Hafsa
LLM in International and European Business Law | Reports that classes were in English and that many professors and university staff spoke English. | She highlights language barriers at local offices, restaurants, and shops, alongside difficulties finding part-time work outside Budapest. |
Motaung Thabang Godfrey
MSc in Animal Husbandry Engineering | His classes were in English, and he describes his lecturers as fluent English speakers. | He reports no academic difficulties from not knowing Hungarian. |
Mohammed Abduelhamed Abboh Adam
MSc in Agricultural Environmental Management Engineering | All his classes and the majority of academic communication were in English. | Hungarian was not an academic obstacle, but he recommends basic Hungarian for daily life outside university. |
Syed Hanzila Azhar
Master’s in Public Health | All his classes are conducted in English. He finds English sufficient for classes and university matters. | He does not speak Hungarian and has experienced no academic problems, although daily life can sometimes be challenging. |
Charlemagne Wilson
Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering | He personally studied in the English-taught version of his degree program. | He completed two semesters of Hungarian lessons. He generally managed without Hungarian, although he found English less common among older people in Debrecen. |
5. University of Pécs
The University of Pécs is the oldest university in Hungary, with roots dating back to 1367. It is also one of the country’s largest higher education institutions, with approximately 25,000 students, more than 5,700 international students, and 10 faculties.
The university’s official pages describe Pécs as a secure and affordable study destination. The university offers more than 90 English-taught degree programs across foundation, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Pécs Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Phyo Thatar Linn
Bachelor’s in Social Work | All her classes are in English, but English-language elective choices are limited. Some courses that interested her were available only in Hungarian. | Compulsory first-year Hungarian lessons helped with daily situations. She also sees Hungarian as useful for part-time work and internships. |
Eesha
Master’s in Psychology | Her psychology classes are conducted in English. | She cautions that research involving fieldwork may require help from Hungarian classmates to communicate and translate. |
Maria Daniela Otero
BSc in Business Administration and Management | All her classes were in English. | She completed a year of Hungarian lessons targeting A1. She says prior Hungarian was unnecessary for academic success, although basic knowledge helped with daily life. |
6. Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Located beside the Danube in Budapest, Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) specializes in engineering and technology, alongside natural sciences, economics, and management. Its academic heritage dates to 1782, and its English-language degree offerings extend from undergraduate study to advanced research across several technical disciplines.
English-taught undergraduate options include Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, each normally lasting seven semesters. Civil Engineering takes eight semesters, while Mathematics and Physics take six. Mechanical Engineering combines scientific foundations with laboratory and design work. Students interested in architecture can enter the ten-semester English-taught Architectural Engineering single-cycle program, which leads directly to a master’s qualification rather than a separate bachelor’s degree.
At the graduate level, English-taught options include four-semester master’s programs in Mechanical Engineering Modelling, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, and Finance. Structural Engineering is a shorter, three-semester option. English-language doctoral study includes Ph.D. programs in Informatics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Business and Management, normally structured over eight semesters. Architecture also offers an eight-semester Doctor of Liberal Arts program emphasizing creative design supported by research.
What Current Students / Alumni of Budapest University of Technology and Economics Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Nene Abayateye
Master’s in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy | English was the language of instruction at all three universities he attended, including Budapest University of Technology and Economics. | He found daily life manageable in English, but not speaking Hungarian made integration more difficult. |
Muhammad Hassaan
Joint Master’s in Smart Systems Integrated Solutions | Instruction was in English throughout his program, and he experienced no academic language barriers. | Basic Hungarian helped with everyday interactions. Introductory language courses supported daily communication and cultural adjustment. |
Angel Vargas
Double Master’s in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy | Does not specify his classroom language. | He encountered language barriers in Budapest but found people patient and helpful. English, gestures, and online translation helped him communicate. |
7. Corvinus University of Budapest
Corvinus University of Budapest is located in Hungary’s capital and concentrates on business, economics, and the social sciences. Its degree portfolio connects these fields with international affairs, communication, and information technology, giving English-speaking students options ranging from quantitative economic analysis to the study of political and social institutions.
Students can complete the International Relations bachelor’s program entirely in English over six semesters. Its curriculum addresses global affairs, European integration, and the political and economic forces shaping relationships between countries. Applied Economics also offers an English-language bachelor’s track lasting six semesters, with an emphasis on economic theory, analytical methods, and evaluating economic policy. These are degree-level English study routes, rather than collections of English electives within a Hungarian-language qualification.
English-taught graduate options include the Finance and Economic Analysis master’s programs, both lasting four semesters. These provide advanced training in financial decision-making or the quantitative analysis of economic problems. At the doctoral level, the Sociology program explicitly identifies English as its language of instruction. Its dissertation-focused approach connects coursework with students’ research, including topics such as migration, gender inequality, corruption, and the social implications of artificial intelligence.
What Current Students / Alumni of Corvinus University of Budapest Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Mariam Gordeladze
Master’s in Public Policy and Management | She studied exclusively in English. Switching from primarily Georgian-language undergraduate study was initially challenging but became an enriching experience. | — |
Hasan Çağan Güler
Bachelor’s in International Business Economics | All his classes were in English except compulsory Hungarian lessons, which used both Hungarian and English. | He reports no academic difficulties without Hungarian, while noting that daily life and social situations can be harder without it. |
Kumlachew
Joint Master’s in Comparative Local Development | Does not specify his classroom language. | He encountered substantial communication difficulties during his first months in Budapest, including grocery shopping and public spaces. Translation tools and advice from senior students helped. |
8. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) is a multicampus university whose main campus is in Gödöllő, near Budapest. Established in its current form in 2021, it brings together agricultural and related academic traditions. Its English-language offerings cover food production, horticulture, biotechnology, environmental subjects, and engineering.
English-taught bachelor’s degrees include Food Engineering, Horticultural Engineering, and Landscape Management and Garden Construction Engineering at the Budapest campus, each lasting seven semesters. GödöllÅ‘ offers seven-semester programs in Mechanical Engineering and Wildlife Management Engineering. Options beyond these scientific fields include the six-semester Film and Media Studies program in Kaposvár and eight-semester Tourism and Catering program in Gyöngyös. The teaching location therefore depends on the selected degree.
At the master’s level, students can study Agricultural Biotechnology in GödöllÅ‘, choosing an animal or plant focus, or Food Science and Technology Engineering in Budapest. Both are four-semester English-taught programs. English-language doctoral opportunities include plant, biological, and environmental sciences. Doctoral training follows a four-year structure: two years of coursework and research culminating in a comprehensive examination, followed by two years focused on research, publications, and the dissertation. Depending on the subject, projects incorporate fieldwork or laboratory experimentation.
What Current Students / Alumni of Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Alyssa Jane Cabtalan
MSc in Sustainability in Agriculture, Food Production, and Food Technology | All courses in her joint program are taught in English, which made academic life easier. | She found Hungarian challenging and continued to struggle with fluent local communication despite taking a semester-long language course. |
Brian Lemus
Master’s in Agricultural Biotechnology | All his classes were entirely in English, with lectures and necessary study materials also provided in English. | Not knowing Hungarian caused no major academic problems. Two compulsory semesters of Hungarian helped with cultural connections, while basic knowledge supported daily and social interactions. |
Laide Rasaki
Joint Master’s in Plant Breeding | Reports that all classes were taught in English during studies at MATE and the partner university in Vienna. | — |
Alhaji Alusine Kebe
Joint MSc in Sustainable Agriculture, Food Production and Food Technology | Instruction in Hungary was in English, so academic activities were unaffected by language barriers. | Adapting to daily life required basic Hungarian phrases. Engagement with the local community improved cultural integration. |
9. University of Miskolc
The University of Miskolc is located in Miskolc, northeastern Hungary. Its academic portfolio combines engineering, materials, and earth sciences with business, law, humanities, and the arts. English-language degree options reflect this range, allowing international students to pursue both technical training and subjects concerned with international society and economic activity.
English-taught undergraduate options include Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science Engineering, both normally completed in seven semesters. Mechanical Engineering combines lectures with practical instruction, while the computing program prepares students for engineering work involving computer systems and information technology. Students seeking a social science route can choose the six-semester International Relations bachelor’s program, which covers international affairs, European integration, and the skills needed to work across national and cultural boundaries.
Graduate options taught in English include four-semester master’s programs in Mechanical Engineering and Hydrogeological Engineering. The latter focuses on groundwater resources, including their protection and use in drinking water supply and geothermal energy. Other listed English-language master’s options include Materials Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, and an MBA. Doctoral opportunities include the eight-semester Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Sciences, with research covering mechanics, machine and structural design, manufacturing systems, and materials processing.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Miskolc Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Mian Husnain Iqbal
Joint Master’s in Advanced Materials and Innovative Recycling | English was the language of instruction during his studies in Hungary and Germany. | He experienced significant language barriers in daily life. Learning basic Hungarian and engaging with the local community helped him adapt socially and professionally. |
10. Budapest University of Economics and Business
Budapest University of Economics and Business is located in Hungary’s capital and specializes in business, economics, management, tourism, and related subjects. Previously known as Budapest Business University, it emphasizes applied knowledge and professional practice. Its English-language degree portfolio includes undergraduate business training, specialized master’s study, and doctoral research on entrepreneurship and organizations.
Fully English-taught bachelor’s options include Business Administration and Management, Commerce and Marketing, and Finance and Accounting, each lasting seven semesters. International Business Economics and Tourism and Catering take eight semesters, while Communication and Media Studies takes six. These provide distinct routes into managing organizations, understanding customers, financial work, international commerce, hospitality, or communication. The university explicitly identifies these as complete English-taught programs.
At the graduate level, International Economy and Business, Marketing, and Tourism Management are offered in English, each over four semesters. International Economy and Business combines business disciplines with analysis of the global economy and related social issues. The Doctoral School of Entrepreneurship and Business also offers an English-language Ph.D. program lasting eight semesters. It operates within management and organizational sciences, with particular attention to small and medium-sized enterprises and an approach combining theoretical research with practical business questions.
What Current Students / Alumni of Budapest University of Economics and Business Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Otabek Narimonov
Master’s in International Relations | His program was conducted entirely in English. | Hungarian was unnecessary for completing his studies, but he recommends basic phrases for easier daily life and integration. |
Studying an English-taught program at one of Hungary’s universities can allow international students to experience European cultures and pursue an education outside their home country. This experience can open doors to career opportunities, international networks, and lasting academic experiences. If you are considering studying in Hungary, review the institutions listed above and check each official program page before applying.
We hope this article on the best English-taught universities in Hungary was helpful! If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
