Budapest

All programmes in Hungary

The Hungarian capital is attracting growing numbers of international students, and it’s not difficult to see why. Budapest is a busy, cosmopolitan European city with its own unique flavour (just as tasteful as its most famous dish, goulash) and it offers a lower cost of living compared to other destinations.

Spa baths and ruin bars

Budapest is a busy tourist destination, famous the world over for its remarkable architecture and landmarks. The bridges across the Danube, Buda Castle, the Parliament building, the Citadel… the list of well-known landmarks goes on and on.

The city is made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube. While Buda is dreamy, picturesque and picture-perfect, Pest is the more active and busy side - and because of that, it’s also where most of the students live.

Budapest’s nightlife is famously lively, and its so-called ruin bars, underground bars and pubs hosted in old, dilapidated buildings, still retain their hip charm. The city is also known for its spa baths, often housed in stunning historical buildings.

One of the many positive aspects of living in Budapest as an international student is the relatively low cost of living compared to other European destinations. A monthly travel pass for students, for example, will cost just over €10.

Universities in Budapest

There are dozens of universities located in Budapest, many of which offer Bachelors and Masters in English. Among the city’s best-ranked and most popular institutions are, for example:

• Eötvös Loránd University is the oldest and largest university in the country. It was founded in 1635, and it is home to almost 30,000 students. This university offers more than 80 degree courses in English.
• Semmelweis University is a research-led medical school founded in 1769. It offers English medium courses in medicine, dentistry and pharmaceutical sciences.
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics is also another high-ranking higher education institution which focuses primarily on engineering degrees.
• Corvinus University of Budapest, one of the top private institutions in Hungary specialized in business administration, economics, and social sciences.
• Budapest Metropolitan University, an accredited private university with a primary focus on business, communication and tourism.

Job Market

Students from the EU/EEA can work during their studies and after graduation without restriction. Other international students can work up to 24 hours a week during term time during their studies, and after graduation, they can apply for a 9-month visa to find employment or start a business.

It will be challenging to find a part-time job during your studies without speaking any Hungarian, and knowing the language will certainly be an advantage when looking for a job after graduation. However, several international companies operate or have branches in Budapest – the likes of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte or IBM – so finding employment with limited knowledge of Hungarian is a possibility. IT, education, finance and construction are among the sectors where expats often find more work opportunities.

Getting there and around

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport has several direct daily flights to European destinations – including budget airlines – and a few to Asia and the MENA region.

The city can easily be reached by train from the rest of the continent, also with high-speed train services. Be aware that there are three main railway stations: Western (Nyugati), Eastern (Keleti), and Southern (Déli).

Taking a coach to Budapest from another European capital is also an option, and it will be especially cheap with budget operators such as Eurolines and Flixbus.