Hungary is an important Central European location for information and communication technology, business services, and software development. The country also has a diverse agricultural sector with favorable natural conditions, major crops such as wheat, corn, and sunflower, and a positive agricultural trade balance.
However, the nation also offers higher education quality and relatively more affordable tuition fees than many Western European study destinations. While there are plenty of scholarships for domestic and international students, the Hungarian government also offers scholarship programs, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum, for eligible applicants from partner countries.
As a result, the country hosts a large international student community each year. Here are some of the best subjects to study in Hungary.
Top Courses to Study in Hungary
1. Civil Engineering
Budapest and other Hungarian cities continue to modernize transport, housing, public services, water systems, and energy infrastructure. Therefore, whether you plan to work in the country after graduation or earn a degree from one of its universities, civil engineering is a practical subject to study. Students can also seek internships with construction, infrastructure, or engineering firms.
While Hungary’s top major cities are well connected, smaller towns and rural areas still need infrastructure planning, water management, and sustainable development. Civil engineers may find career opportunities in urban and rural planning, construction, energy infrastructure, or water treatment.
The University of Pécs offers an English-taught BSc in Civil Engineering that runs for 4 years, or 8 semesters. Graduates can pursue careers related to building, structural, and infrastructure development. Meanwhile, the University of Debrecen offers an English-taught BSc in Civil Engineering, where graduates can explore careers in construction as well as management, business, and finance-related sectors.
2. Information Technology
Information Technology degree holders in Hungary can enjoy a wide range of career prospects, considering the industry’s role in telecommunications, software development, health, finance, banking, security, and other sectors. Specialists such as data scientists, cybersecurity professionals, and software engineers remain especially relevant as the country’s digital economy develops.
IT scientists and engineers can also find opportunities with companies operating research, development, software, and digital service activities in Hungary. The country has a strong pool of technical talent, which is why many incoming university students are interested in IT-related degrees.
Eötvös Loránd University, one of Hungary’s well-known public higher education institutions, offers Computer Science master’s options and specializations including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, programming languages, web engineering, autonomous systems, and multimedia design. The Budapest University of Technology and Economics offers English-taught Computer Science Engineering programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, with related doctoral options such as Ph.D. programs in Informatics and in Mathematics and Computer Science.
3. Business Management or Administration
Hungary remains a Central European EU market with a strategic location for companies serving nearby European markets, although recent economic growth has been more modest than the immediate post-pandemic rebound. Its transport links and position between Western, Central, and Southeastern Europe can still make it a useful place to study business, logistics, management, and international trade.
Business opportunities in Hungary range from agriculture and food processing to pharmaceutical production, IT, business services, and technology companies. Business administration is an excellent subject to study in Hungary and can help graduates prepare for roles in various industries. Moreover, an MBA or business-related master’s degree from an accredited institution can help graduates pursue management roles locally or abroad.
Students may also see Central European University discussed in business-school guides, but degree-seeking applicants should note that CEU’s degree campus is now primarily in Vienna, while its Budapest site supports non-degree and research activity. For Hungary-based business studies, Corvinus University of Budapest offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and MBA options in business, economics, management, and social sciences. Budapest University of Economics and Business also offers English-taught bachelor’s programs such as Business Administration and Management, Commerce and Marketing, Finance and Accounting, and International Business Economics.
4. Medicine
Hungarian medical schools offer English-taught health science programs, including one-tier medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy programs. Admission is not automatic: applicants should expect university-specific requirements, which may include English proficiency, science prerequisites, entrance exams, and interviews. A medical degree from an EU-registered program can support graduates who want to continue medical training or seek recognition in Europe, subject to the rules of each country.
Besides medicine, pharmacy-related programs, nursing, physiotherapy, and veterinary medicine are also popular healthcare subjects. Hungary also has a significant pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, which can make health-related studies relevant beyond clinical practice.
The University of Szeged offers English-language health science programs, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and physiotherapy. The University of Pécs offers general medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, and health science programs, and its Medical School provides training in Hungarian, English, and German. Meanwhile, animal lovers often pursue a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, where admission requires academic qualifications, English competence, motivation, and an entrance examination in English, Biology, and Chemistry.
5. Agriculture
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed about 2.7% of Hungary’s GDP in 2024, while agricultural employment was around 4% of total employment in recent World Bank data. Although the sector is no longer as large as services or industry, it remains important because of Hungary’s favorable agricultural conditions, rural economy, and food production.
Agricultural products include livestock such as poultry, pigs, cattle, and sheep, as well as crops such as wheat, corn, sunflower, fruits, and vegetables. Hungary is also a notable wine-producing country, although it is more accurate to describe it as an established European wine producer rather than one of the world’s largest wine manufacturers. There is still room for innovation in precision agriculture, rural planning, water management, food safety, and sustainable production.
Some of Hungary’s universities, including the University of Szeged and the University of Debrecen, offer English-taught agriculture-related programs. The University of Szeged offers a BSc in Agricultural Engineering in English with specializations such as agricultural economics, animal production, horticulture, and plant production. The University of Debrecen provides several English-taught master’s degree programs in this field, including agricultural environmental management, crop production, food safety and quality, plant protection, and animal husbandry engineering.
Given Hungary’s education options and culture, international students can consider enrolling here. Learners can engage in a vibrant and diverse environment while building a competitive edge in their future careers by selecting top subjects available in this country, from civil engineering to agriculture. Consider the study areas above if you are still deciding which field to pursue.
We hope you found this article on the best subjects to study in Hungary informative and helpful. Also, make sure to check out the Hungary Page and Available Programs in Europe for more information about studying abroad!
