Study in Budapest

Explore universities and programs in Budapest for international students.

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A cityscape of Budapest in Hungary featuring iconic elements of Budapest's architectural landmarks.

Key facts

  • Summer/winter temperature
    69/31°F
  • Population
    1.8 million
  • Universities
    35
  • Country
    Hungary

Why study in Budapest?

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary, and is famed for its architectural beauty, rich culture and vibrant nightlife. Many international students call Budapest home, and it's a popular destination for tourists who come from around the world to enjoy all it has to offer.

The city is in a great location for those who want to get out and explore, with great access to Eastern and Western Europe.

Illustration of famous landmarks and cultural items from Hungary, interconnected on a map-like layout with trees and clouds.

Universities in Budapest

Budapest is blessed with a number of higher education institutions, including some of the best in Hungary. Many of them offer international students the opportunity to study in English.

There are several large public universities in Budapest, as well as specialist schools and colleges that focus on areas including fine arts, music, law and business. You can study a degree program at all academic levels in Budapest, including bachelor’s, master’s and PhD.

What to study in Budapest

There’s a wide range of subjects available to study in Budapest, and you should be able to find a program that suits your interests and career aspirations. The city is known for its strengths in a number of areas including the arts, education, finance and sport.

Like much of Europe, bachelor’s degrees in Budapest usually last for three or four years, but some subjects like medicine will last for longer. Master’s are taught over one or two years, and PhDs can last up to five years.

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What is the cost of study in Budapest?

Tuition fees in Budapest are lower than many other cities in Europe and the US. If you’re from outside the EU / EEA, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $9,000 a year, but the exact amount will depend on the university and program you choose to study.

Hungary is considered a cheap country to live in, however Budapest is one of the most expensive cities in the country.

Illustration representing studying costs, featuring symbols like a calculator, stacks of money, and hands exchanging cash, all surrounded by a building resembling a university, books and a diploma scroll.

What is the cost of living in Budapest?

Category Cost  (in Hungarian Forint)
Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centreFt 278,710Range: Ft 230,000 to Ft 330,000
Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centreFt 213,682Range: Ft 180,000 to Ft 250,000
Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse)Ft 55,491Range: Ft 37,778 to Ft 77,273
Internet (60 Mbps unlimited)Ft 7,625Range: Ft 6,314 to Ft 10,500
Mobile phone plan (data + calls)Ft 8,234Range: Ft 5,000 to Ft 13,000
Monthly public transport passFt 9,000Range: Ft 8,950 to Ft 10,000
Monthly grocery basketFt 95,000Range: Ft 90,000 to Ft 100,000
Coffee shop drinkFt 1,095Range: Ft 700 to Ft 1,500
Cinema or cultural event ticketFt 3,100Range: Ft 2,700 to Ft 4,000
Gym membershipFt 23,142Range: Ft 15,000 to Ft 35,000

Indicative monthly costs per person.

Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced) and ppke.hu (University published).

How to study in Budapest

In order to study in Budapest, you first need to choose a university and a program you want to study. You should then check the entry requirements for your chosen program. Most bachelor’s degrees require you to have completed secondary education in your home country as a minimum.

If you want to study an English-led program, you’ll need to prove to the university that you have the required level of language skills. To do this you’ll need to take a TOEFL or IELTS English language test.

Once you’ve applied and been accepted on to a program in Budapest, you need to get a Hungarian student visa if you live outside of the EU.

Student reviews for Budapest

Samin Torabi
ir flag
Studied Business & Management Studies at International Business School Budapest
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    3
  • University social
    4
  • Accommodation
    3
  • University facilities
    2
Tell us about Budapest

I only visit Budapest in Hungary so far. Most of the people are nice. Budapest is full of foreigners so I don't feel lonely at all.

Sebastian Pena
do flag
Studied Business & Management Studies at International Business School Budapest
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    4
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    5
Tell us about Budapest

Hungary is beautiful and nice to get around, locals are okay, but it can be hard to understand the language. Budapest’s thermal spas are beautiful as well and they’re my favorite place to visit.

Artur Paravyants
re flag
Studied Finance at International Business School Budapest
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    5
  • University social
    4
  • Accommodation
    3
  • University facilities
    4
Tell us about Budapest

The people are calm, charismatic yet split into two groups - those that love their country and plan to stay here long-term, and those that want to leave abroad. I disagree with those with the latter point of view. I presume the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side" is applicable in this situation.