If you travel to Central Europe, Hungary is one of the unique countries you’ll find. It is a landlocked country that borders Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. It is widely known for its natural sites, culture, and language. Interestingly, this country is also an excellent place to study higher education in various disciplines, including engineering.
Hungary has strong industrial and technology-related sectors, including automotive manufacturing, machinery, electrical goods, chemicals, ICT manufacturing, and digital industries. Because of this, students interested in engineering can find programs that combine technical knowledge with practical training. Hungarian universities and colleges offer modern teaching and research opportunities for their students.
Additionally, studying in this country can be rewarding. Affordable tuition fees and a comparatively reasonable cost of living are some of the best reasons you should consider Hungary. This article lists best universities for engineering in Hungary, so read the information below carefully!
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in Hungary
1. Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Founded in 1782, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics is a leading engineering school in Hungary. Its direct predecessor, the Institutum Geometrico-Hydrotechnicum, was the first institute in Europe to train engineers within a university structure. For more than 240 years, BME has been a major provider of engineering, science, and technology education.
Today, the university has eight faculties and 76 departments. The school offers many English-language bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in engineering, natural sciences, economics, and management. It has a strong foundation in engineering, science, and technology-related programs. BME is also associated with prominent scientists and Nobel Prize laureates, including alumni such as Dennis Gabor and Ferenc Krausz.
For decades, the university has contributed to engineering education, research, and innovation in Hungary. It also has many academic and research projects that significantly contribute to science and engineering.
What Current Students / Alumni of Budapest University of Technology and Economics Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Engineering Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Angel Vargas
Double Master’s in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy (ME3+)
Joint-program study at BME | In the joint program that included BME, he studied energy engineering, environmental technologies, and systems modelling, later specializing in Life Cycle Assessment and resource recovery. He describes applying his later specialization through company projects across the program. | He found Hungary the most affordable of his three study countries. In Budapest, everyday language barriers were eased by people who were kind and patient when he needed help communicating. |
Muhammad Hassaan
Joint Master’s in Smart Systems Integrated Solutions
Joint-program study at BME | His joint master’s studies included BME and focused on integrated-circuit design, semiconductor technology, embedded systems, and chip architecture. He reports English instruction throughout the program and no academic language barriers. | He found student accommodation in Hungary expensive and difficult to secure, although lower food and transport costs helped balance his budget. Basic Hungarian was useful for everyday interactions. |
Nene Abayateye
Master’s in Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy (ME3+)
Joint-program semester at BME | He studied at BME as part of an environmental and energy engineering track specializing in Life Cycle Assessment of products. He reports that instruction at all three universities he attended was in English. | Hungary had the lowest living costs among his study destinations. He found that not speaking Hungarian made social integration more difficult, although daily life remained manageable with English. |
2. University of Debrecen
The University of Debrecen is one of Hungary’s major higher education institutions, with more than 34,000 students, including more than 7,800 international students from over 140 countries. For international students, this school is an excellent choice because it offers more than 80 programs fully taught in English. It also emphasizes its growing international student body and global learning environment.
Engineering studies are offered through the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Engineering. These programs are available at undergraduate and graduate levels, with additional postgraduate diploma options. These programs engage students in learning and research activities so they can gain the skills and knowledge needed for their respective specialties.
The University of Debrecen is also a strong provider of practical training. Its Faculty of Engineering offers English-taught programs in areas such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, engineering management, vehicle engineering, and environmental engineering. The faculty has also received recognition for its quality-focused education.
For students interested in engineering disciplines, the University of Debrecen provides a robust and supportive academic setting. Shahla from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a master’s student in Food Safety and Quality Engineering, chose the University of Debrecen as her institution, aligning her studies closely with her bachelor’s degree in Food Technology. Her experience highlights the university’s commitment to delivering specialized English-taught engineering programs that allow students to build upon their existing technical foundations and develop their careers in specialized fields.
Shahla’s journey at the University of Debrecen underscores the institution’s role in equipping students with practical skills and fostering their professional growth. She notes that her master’s program offers “a strong foundation for developing my career in food science,” demonstrating the university’s practical approach to engineering education. This dedication to hands-on experience and career advancement, within a diverse and internationally focused academic setting, makes the University of Debrecen a compelling choice for aspiring engineers.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Debrecen Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Engineering Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Charlemagne Wilson
Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering | He reports completing his civil engineering studies in English. He found the coursework challenging and says the knowledge he gained proved practical as he began his professional career. | He valued the friendships and social life, but missing the dormitory application deadline forced him to find expensive private accommodation urgently. He also could not join the mentorship program because Saint Lucia was not included in its application system at the time. |
Glyssa May Bosquit
Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering | Her thesis involved synthesizing and characterizing a manganese complex intended as a pH-responsive probe for improved MRI contrast. She investigated its ligand structure, stability, and magnetic properties for biomedical imaging applications. | She says the university’s perceived international standing and the architectural beauty of its main campus building influenced her choice. |
Mohammed Abduelhamed Abboh Adam
MSc in Agricultural Environmental Management Engineering
2018–2020 | He reports that all his classes and most academic communication were in English, so not knowing Hungarian did not create academic difficulties. He describes a curriculum combining theory and practical knowledge, with access to research laboratories. | He enjoyed studying alongside students from different countries. Looking back, he would have learned more Hungarian before arriving to improve his social and cultural integration. |
3. University of Pannonia
Located in Veszprém, the University of Pannonia is a multidisciplinary Hungarian university with strong technical, scientific, and research activities. Its engineering offerings make it a good option for students interested in science, technology, and applied research.
The university comprises five faculties, one of which is the Faculty of Engineering. This faculty is known for its practice-oriented training, small-group education, and research activities. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral study opportunities. Undergraduate areas include materials engineering, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, mechatronics engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, and environmental studies. Postgraduate courses are taught in six major subject areas, and doctoral opportunities are available through the Doctoral School of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences and the Doctoral School of Chemical Engineering and Material Science.
The University of Pannonia has teaching locations in Veszprém, Nagykanizsa, Zalaegerszeg, and Kőszeg. Its Faculty of Engineering has also received research recognition, including the “Excellent Research Institution” title from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for 2025–2030.
4. University of Pécs
A long-running higher education institution, the University of Pécs is an excellent institution for engineering in Hungary. Its roots date back to 1367, and it is widely described as Hungary’s oldest university. It has a well-known reputation for education and research and continues to contribute to society’s advancement.
The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology offers programs across engineering, architecture, information technology, and design. Its eight bachelor’s programs include areas such as architectural engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer science engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental engineering. Its master’s programs include architecture, architectural engineering, computer science engineering, structural engineering, biomedical engineering, and other related fields. Examples include a BSc in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Structural Engineering, and many programs are offered in English, Hungarian, or both.
The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology also offers doctoral-level study through programs such as the DLA in Architecture / PhD in Architectural Engineering. The faculty has modern facilities and laboratories, and the university continues to appear in international university rankings.
The university’s engineering programs are designed to provide a high-quality education with a focus on modern teaching methods and expert faculty. Noor Aldeen Al-Hammadi from Yemen, a Bachelor’s student in Civil Engineering at the University of Pécs, was drawn to the institution because of its “modern teaching methods and the expertise of its faculty.” His childhood curiosity about “buildings, bridges, and roads” led him to civil engineering, a field where he found the university’s approach particularly beneficial.
5. University of Szeged
The University of Szeged is a leading public research institution in Hungary and is recognized internationally for its research activities and academic programs. It continues to hold a strong position among Hungarian universities in international rankings, including the QS World University Rankings.
The Faculty of Engineering delivers a strong technical curriculum in Hungary and has a history that dates back to 1962. It continues to welcome aspiring engineers through programs that balance theory, practice, and industry-relevant training.
Moreover, this faculty is divided into departments that specialize in multiple engineering studies, including food engineering, biosystems engineering, mechatronics and automation, mechanical engineering, and engineering management and economics. Its studies range from mechanical to food engineering and are offered mainly at the BSc and MSc levels. For international students, the faculty lists English-taught master’s programs such as Food Science and Technology Engineering and Food Safety and Quality Engineering.
6. Eötvös Loránd University
Eötvös Loránd University, commonly known as ELTE, offers mechanical engineering through the Savaria Institute of Technology within its Faculty of Informatics. These engineering programs are based at the Savaria University Center in Szombathely, Hungary, an important location distinction for students familiar with ELTE’s Budapest campuses.
The English-taught Mechanical Engineering BSc takes seven semesters, or three and a half years, and requires 210 ECTS credits. Its curriculum includes applied solid and fluid mechanics, computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, and finite element analysis. Students develop knowledge relevant to machinery design, component production, and manufacturing processes. Practical resources include materials science, production technology, and control laboratories, supporting the application of theoretical concepts to engineering systems.
ELTE also lists a Mechanical Engineering master’s program lasting four semesters, with a specialization in machine design and structural analysis. The Savaria program directory distinguishes English full-time study from Hungarian correspondence study.
What Current Students / Alumni of Eötvös Loránd University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Engineering Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Zewdie Habtie Sisay
Master’s in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems
Third-semester study at ELTE | During his Budapest semester, he specialized in autonomous systems and self-driving vehicles. He reports English instruction throughout his studies and no significant academic language barriers. | He found Budapest slightly more expensive than Girona. For daily interactions and local bureaucracy in Hungary, he used English and translation apps, and would have started learning local languages earlier. |
Lisa Paul Magoti
MSc in Intelligent Field Robotic Systems
Joint-program study at ELTE | She describes her studies as emphasizing programming and the software side of field robotics, including autonomous vehicles, drones, and underwater vehicles. Instruction was in English, and she found her mechanical engineering background less directly useful than expected because of the program’s computing emphasis. | She found Hungary slightly cheaper than Spain. In Budapest, she recalls no everyday communication problems caused by not knowing Hungarian. |
Syma Afsha
MSc in Intelligent and Autonomous Robotic Systems
Third-semester study at ELTE | She completed her third semester at ELTE, describing its part of her robotics program as focusing on autonomous vehicles, self-driving technology, and sensor fusion. Her courses were taught in English, without significant academic language barriers. | She found Budapest more affordable than her hostel-based stay in Girona, with convenient public transport and lower everyday expenses. English usually made communication easy, although she later wished she had learned more Hungarian for deeper cultural connections. |
Hungary offers excellent engineering programs at reasonable prices and with strong academic quality, making it a desirable option for international students seeking education in this field. Those who study engineering in Hungary can obtain the knowledge and skills they need in a vibrant, diverse environment that may improve their career opportunities abroad. So, consider the universities above if you want to pursue this field in the country!
We hope this article on the best universities for engineering in Hungary was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
