Hungary’s current nursing education system took shape after 1989, when advisers from the United States helped modernize nurse training and raise it to the bachelor’s level. The first pilot nursing program began in Budapest at Semmelweis University as a three-year, part-time program, and later four-year bachelor’s programs were launched at health care colleges affiliated with the medical universities in Debrecen, Pécs, and Szeged in 1993. The first master’s degree in nursing science was established at the University of Pécs in 2000 and lasted three semesters.
Ph.D. pathways for nurses became available in 2006 at universities where a nursing master’s program was offered. Hungary converted health care higher education to the Bologna system through a 2005 pilot and full conversion in 2006. In 2016, the Ministry of Human Capacities issued updated learning outcomes and competency requirements for nursing, and vocational nursing education was renewed as part of the country’s vocational education reform.
Furthermore, more and more top universities in the country are offering nursing programs. In this article, we will look at the best universities for nursing in Hungary!
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Hungary
1. Semmelweis University
Semmelweis University is one of the best nursing schools in Hungary. Its nursing program is offered under the Faculty of Health Sciences. The Department of Nursing was founded in 1975 as part of the College of Health Care of the Postgraduate Medical School, and academic-level nursing began with part-time training in 1989/1990 and full-time training in 1990/1991.
The institution introduced the first four-year baccalaureate certificate program in nursing in Hungary, and its nursing master’s program was introduced in the 2002/2003 academic year. Today, the Department of Nursing offers a full-time Bachelor’s in Nursing program in English that lasts four years, or eight semesters, and awards 240 credits. Meanwhile, the Master’s in Nursing is a full-time, English-taught program that lasts two years, or four semesters, and awards 120 credits. The master’s program is focused on primary and community health care and nursing, while covering study areas such as family planning, health ethics, nursing education in clinical practice, and other advanced nursing topics.
The learning model at Semmelweis emphasizes depth, discipline, and real-world readiness. As Andrea, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student, explains, “Studying at Semmelweis University has been an incredible journey…” that provides “a strong foundation in healthcare, emphasizing both theory and hands-on practice.” She also highlights the structure that enables focused mastery: “Each semester consists of 14 weeks of theoretical, practical, and seminar classes… your final grade is based mainly on your end-of-semester examination.” This combination of rigorous coursework, skills labs, and structured clinical exposure helps future nurses translate science into safe, compassionate care.
For international students, academic delivery is streamlined: “All our classes are conducted in English,” while required Hungarian language study, including “six semesters of… medical Hungarian” for nursing, supports effective patient communication during placements. Grounded in the motivation “to serve with passion and purpose,” this ecosystem of rigorous training, clinical immersion, and targeted support demonstrates why Semmelweis University is a strong option for students who want high-quality nursing education in Hungary.
2. University of Pécs
The University of Pécs offers its nursing programs under the Faculty of Health Sciences. While the university’s historical roots go back to 1367, the Faculty of Health Sciences is one of its younger faculties: health sciences teaching began in 1990 after the faculty was established in 1989 as part of the Medical University of Pécs. The faculty launched its nursing master’s program in 2000 and became a university faculty in 2006.
The faculty currently offers the English-taught BSc in Nursing, which lasts four years, or eight semesters. It also lists English-taught MSc in Nursing APRN pathways, including MSc in Nursing APRN and MSc in Nursing APRN programs that are currently published as two-year, four-semester programs. For doctoral study, the university also offers an English-taught Ph.D. in Health Sciences. The faculty has campuses in Pécs, Kaposvár, Szombathely, and Zalaegerszeg, where it cooperates with local teaching hospitals and social institutions for clinical and professional training.
3. University of Szeged
The University of Szeged offers its nursing program under the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies. It is also included in our list of public universities in Hungary. The university states that its English-taught Nursing and Patient Care BSc is registered in the European Union, and its academic heritage includes Albert Szent-Györgyi, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937.
The faculty’s roots go back to the State Nurse and Health Visitor Training Institute, with the Szeged institute founded in 1938. Health visitor training was elevated to the college level in 1973, and three-year studies began in 1975. In 1989, the off-site college became part of the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University. The nursing department was established on July 1, 1993, full-time nursing training began in 1995, and the faculty became an independent university unit in 2000. It was renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies in 2006.
The university offers an English-taught Bachelor’s in Nursing for eight semesters, which awards 240 credits. The university’s Nursing Master Program lasts three semesters, ends with a Registered Nurse degree, and is not available in English at this time.
The nursing program at the University of Szeged is known for its practical, real-world application, equipping students with essential skills for health care. Danjuma Favour Dan from Nigeria, a student in the nursing program, emphasized that “Nursing is more than memorizing medical knowledge; it’s about learning how to think critically, solve real health problems, and advocate for patients.” This highlights the university’s hands-on approach and commitment to developing competent and compassionate nurses ready for diverse health care settings.
The University of Szeged’s nursing curriculum is designed to align with current global health care needs, fostering a deep sense of purpose in its students. Danjuma shared that what she loves most about the program is that it “aligns with my purpose: I’m not studying just to be a nurse. I’m studying to save lives.” Her experience of studying and interacting with people from various parts of the world also broadened her understanding of global health care, showcasing the university’s international environment and its impact on preparing students for meaningful careers.
4. University of Debrecen
The University of Debrecen offers its Nursing and Patient Care (Nurse) BSc through the Faculty of Health Sciences. Higher education in Debrecen dates back to 1538, when the Reformed College of Debrecen was established. The modern University of Debrecen was formed through a 2000 merger and is now one of Hungary’s largest higher education institutions.
The Faculty of Health Sciences in its present form was created in 2022, when the former Faculty of Public Health was integrated into the former Faculty of Health. It operates on three campuses in Nyíregyháza, Debrecen, and Szolnok, and offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs on the Nyíregyháza and Debrecen campuses. The Nursing and Patient Care (Nurse) BSc is based at the Nyíregyháza Campus.
The Nursing and Patient Care (Nurse) BSc is an English-taught, four-year program lasting eight semesters and awarding 240 ECTS credits. More than half of the curriculum consists of practical training, and students complete a 48-week internship. Current admission information lists a high school certificate, B2-level English, an entrance interview, and a written biology exam among the main requirements. The faculty also maintains partnerships with clinics, hospitals, and health care institutions that support practice-oriented training.
International students who enroll in nursing programs in Hungary may expect to receive strong academic preparation, practical training, and exposure to different health care settings. These programs provide students with the skills and abilities necessary to prepare them for a fulfilling profession in health care. So, consider the schools mentioned above if you want to pursue this health field.
We hope this article on the best nursing schools in Hungary was helpful. To learn more about how you can study in the country or in Europe, check out the Hungary Page or the Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
