Are you looking for the perfect university experience, but with a specific budget in mind? Need help finding a high-quality programme in a country with an affordable cost of living? Look no further! EDUopinions has compiled a list of the cheapest universities in Hungary, to help point you in the right direction for your journey through higher education.
Is Hungary a good place to study?
Hungary is a beautiful central European country and a great place for students. With a tradition of higher education spanning back to 1367 in the university town of Pécs, Hungary’s 65 universities are some of Europe’s finest. In addition to its long history of teaching, the country is an ideal place for students on account of its low cost of living and relatively low tuition fees, but more on that later. Finally, living in Hungary means you have the opportunity to easily explore central Europe. With nearby Prague, Vienna and plenty areas of natural beauty, Hungary is a great place for those keen on exploring.
How much does it cost to study in Hungary?
As mentioned above, the cost of living and studying in Hungary also makes it a very student-friendly place. Depending on your course, you pay only a thousand Euros per semester for a bachelor’s degree. Social science programmes and business degrees range between €600 and €1200 per semester. Engineering is slightly more expensive, usually costing between €1600 and €2500 per semester. Though this is still a considerable sum of money, relative to English universities’ annual fees of £9000 or French business schools’ €10000 fees, studying in Hungary can be surprisingly affordable.
How expensive is it to live in Hungary?
Depending on where you are in the country, expenses like rent can range from €100 to €175 per month for a shared flat. A month’s worth of groceries costs around €125, and public transportation for students is also very affordable, costing only €11 per month with a Hungarian student ID. What’s more, restaurants, cafes and bars have similarly affordable prices, meaning that going out on a student’s budget has never been easier!
EDUopinions’ list of the cheapest universities in Hungary
International Business School – IBS
First up, the International Business School in Budapest is an excellent option for those looking for an affordable university in Hungary. IBS is unique among Hungarian universities in that it offers a British degree accredited through the University of Buckingham. To make for an even more global experience, the campus in Budapest brings together students from over 100 different countries in a dynamic, bubbling environment. IBS offers seven different bachelor’s in business and management, each with a unique specialisation. For business-savvy students looking for one of the cheapest universities in Hungary, be sure to consider the International Business School in Budapest.
IBS is a truly international school with students and tutors from all over the world. IBS provides an open environment where students develop mutual respect and get to know different cultures as well as developing applicable skills.
The school is located in Budapest, Hungary. There are many universities in the city, therefor there are many fun activities and facilities for students should you be looking for a reasonably priced flat in a quite neighborhood or want to go for a night of fun with friends.
University of Debrecen
The next on our list of the cheapest universities in Hungary is the University of Debrecen, named after the city its located in in eastern Hungary. Debrecen is ideal for those looking to enjoy a classic university-town experience. With over 28,000 students and 80 different degree programmes, there are countless possibilities of what your educational and social life may look like at Debrecen. Without a doubt, University of Debrecen is a top-notch institution and one of the cheapest in Hungary. Read for yourself what graduates of Debrecen have to say about their experience:
The University of Debrecen is a long-standing higher education institution with a diverse range of study fields and rich extracurricular engagement options in store for prospective students.
The city is well-connected to other large cities nearby and it also offers a variety of leisure time activities to virtually all kind of well-respectable interests.
Although until present day, theoretical aspects within the majority of educational programs and majors might overwhelmingly exceed the practical parts, one is offered a rather solid basis when it comes to obtaining the core knowledge to build on. When it comes to practical experiences, there will be a strong need for self-nurtured willpower to fill in the “crevices” of the individual curricula, when it comes to self-actualisation by practical knowledge-gaining.
The volunteering, interest-, and/or study-based student life & student club/NGO-scene is rather diverse, unless you only inform yourself from the official university channels. There is a great variety of decent and exciting social circles one can choose from – at and outside of the uni scene, in and around town.
Do your research with befriending with well-connected local Hungarian youngsters and you will see it for yourself. Do make an in-depth research before applying and moving to Debrecen in terms of all aspects you prioritise the most to have them all covered during your Debrecen life, and you will not go wrong with happily choosing our beloved city and university.
The gems and perks of what Debrecen and its university offer to you may not always be on all-public display from the beginning, but they are there.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics – BME
Known as a leader in technical higher education, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics is another great option for those looking to study in Hungary. Located in the heart of the country’s capital, BME is a great place for those wanting to integrate into Budapest life. In terms of academics, the university offers many programmes within the fields of science and engineering from bachelors to doctorate levels. If you think you may want to go into research, BME may be the perfect place for you, as the university is a powerhouse in central Europe for research and development with plenty of opportunities to get involved. As such, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics is one of the best of its kind as well as one of the cheapest universities in Hungary.
Bme is a really prestigious university with a really tough education. The teachers are great and the campus is awesome. It has a lot of international students from all over the world. Simply one of the best universities.
Budapest Business School – BGE
Maybe you are not looking for a STEM-related degree. For those interested in business, the Budapest Business School (BGE) is a great option to consider. With over a dozen degrees in various business-related fields, there are many options for specialisation at BGE. Another unique advantage of BGE is that they offer study programmes in German and French in addition to English. What’s more, students are very pleased with their experiences at the Budapest Business School. Check out what this student had to say about the university’s supportive and cautious response to the Covid-19 pandemic:
During the corona pandemic, the measures taken to continue on with the learning process were great. They took strict measures to ensure the safety of the students. The professors were supportive and used various mediums to ensure students learnt and understood what was taught. The university international coordinator checked up on us to make sure we were safe.
Eötvös Loránd University – ELTE
Next up on our list of the cheapest universities in Hungary is Eötvös Loránd University. Also located in central Budapest, life at this university has a lot to offer beyond the classroom. With a wide range of interesting bachelor’s degree, including international relations, kindergarten education, and mechanical engineering, there is something for everyone at ELTE. In addition, the university offers even more master’s programmes, meaning it is an ideal university for those looking to complete undergraduate and graduate studies back to back. Something unique about ELTE is its well-developed sports programmes, perfect for students looking to join an extracurricular sports team as part of their university experience. Considering all this, it is hard to believe Eötvös Loránd is still one of the cheapest universities in Hungary!
I love my teachers and the way they are teaching us. Everything is given here to achieve big things if you are up to it! And what is bad? The infrastructure…. 😀 This isn’t a reach university in a reach country, but I think it is still really great! I love being an ELTE student.
Pázmány Péter Catholic University
For Catholic students looking for a religious university experience, consider Pázmány Péter Catholic University. The university offers courses in law and politics, technology and bionics, humanities and social sciences and of course theology. Owing to its direction by the Holy See, Pázmány Péter occupies a unique space within Hungarian higher education. In addition, the university has a truly beautiful campus, filled with historic buildings and places of worship. Altogether, Pázmány Péter is a great option for those looking for an affordable university in Hungary. Just read what one student wrote:
I think my university has plenty international studies possibilities to e.g. experience Erasmus in abroad, but because most of the students are not informed well about the possibilities they don’t gain international experience. Although it can be useful after graduation to find a good job. Language knowledge is always a plus and it could give you a better chance to have a better job. (E.g. In the field of law: get a job in an international law office/company) I think our professors are well qualified and provide all the support to help the students to get the best grades. In my opinion my university is a bit lack of the students events, it could be improved with organising more activites and events eg.: football, basketball, handball cup besides our waterpolo team. Organising Tea afternoon, language studiing groups, parties and events could improve the students life at the university. The facilies are okay, but with more IT gadgets and electronic devises the materials of the classes could be improved. I find it peaceful in overall the atmosphere of the university which is my favourite thing to mention in my university. The administrators are nice, kind and helpful and try to help and support the students. The location of my university is perfect, just in the center of Budapest, and have access by public transport. The building and classrooms are new, nice, and big enough. I find it quiet bad that our university dormitory is closed couple years ago, so finding an accomodation for the ‘freshers’ could be a big difficulty. In overall i would say that i really like my university and if i rank it: 4/5 stars.
Corvinus University of Budapest – BCE
Last but certainly not least, Corvinus University of Budapest is one of the best universities in Europe and ranks in the top ten of all Hungarian institutions. Offering programmes in Hungarian, English and German at four different campuses across the country, there is room for a lot of customisation at BCE. More great opportunities offered by the university include the chance to study abroad at one of the dozens of partner universities across the world and learning at the BCE’s dedicated Centre for Foreign Language Education. With so much to offer, BCE is clearly great value for money, as one of the cheapest universities in Hungary but also one of the best quality.
Hopefully, this list of the cheapest universities in Hungary has shown you that cost does not always correlate with quality in higher education. These are some of the most affordable educational institutions in Europe and at the same time some of the best quality ones. Even so, if none of these options caught your eye, or if you would like other advice from EDUopinions, then do not hesitate to reach out for free, personalised support!
Check out these other articles on affordable places to study an MBA and a guide to living in Budapest!
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