Besides quality universities, Budapest provides international students with a high quality of life and a range of benefits. So if you are about to enrol in one of the excellent study programs, here is what you need to know about the amazing student life that awaits you.
Universities in Budapest
Budapest is home to many quality universities, and you can learn technically anything here, from human sciences to engineering, arts and medicine, computer and social sciences. The are , (BME), , renowned medicinal institution and the University of Economics (BGE). You can read more about the top Hungarian universities in our broader Study in Hungary guide for a full list of options.
Most of them are located in the central parts of the city, districts V, VI and VII, but you can find some in Buda as well, like BME, the University of Physical Education or the Faculty of Science and Informatics at ELTE. The latter is based at L谩gym谩nyos campus, which offers restaurants and green areas to relax for its students.
You might have heard about one of the international schools in Budapest called Central European University (CEU). While the university had to relocate its US-accredited degree programs to Vienna, it maintains a research and educational presence in Budapest. It remains a prestigious institution in the region, particularly for doctoral research and non-degree programs.
If you are interested in Hungarian studies, check out , which is similar to the UK's British Council, or Germany's Goethe Institut. For those who would like to study music, the is a perfect choice, while future artists can visit the , the and the .
Many local universities offer English-language courses within student exchange frameworks like Erasmus, and several Hungarian universities offer courses or whole degree programmes in foreign languages, mainly English and German. If you would like to apply, just check the website of the university you selected; you should find all the relevant details there.
Generally, you need to select the course you would like to attend, check if it's available in English, check the , send your application form and pay the application fee. You will need to submit your high school diploma or previous university degree, accompanied by an official translation if the original document is not in English or Hungarian. Most institutions also require proof of language proficiency through recognized certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL, a detailed curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining your academic goals, and a copy of your valid passport.
IF you are an EU/EEA national, you only need to register your residence with the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) after arrival, providing proof of your student status and address. Otherwise, you also need to apply for a student visa and residence permit. For this, you will likely need to show proof of accommodation, health insurance, and sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Living in Budapest and studying elsewhere
If you would like to discover other regions or maybe neighbouring countries, you can do so as Budapest is located in the heart of Hungary and Europe as well. During summer, you can visit Lake Balaton, which is only 2 hours away, but you can also jump on a train and be in Vienna, Bratislava or Prague in a few hours. to check your options.
This central location makes Budapest a popular hub for Erasmus students who wish to use the city as a base for exploring Central Europe while completing their studies, even if not all of the Hungarian universities are currently part of the program.
Scholarship opportunities are widely available, with the being the most prominent. It covers tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, and assists with accommodation costs for students from eligible partner institutions. Note that the European Union has suspended Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe funding for a set of Hungarian universities as of 2026. This is because many of the major state institutions (including Corvinus, Semmelweis, and also Debrecen and Szeged elsewhere in the country) have transitioned to a "foundation-run" model and are managed by public interest trusts. Due to rule-of-law disputes regarding this model, you may not have access to standard Erasmus+ grants. As a replacement, the state-funded "Pannonia Program" offers similar mobility scholarships on a global basis.
Tuition fees in Budapest
Budapest is an ideal city for students, with not just wide options to study but for competitive prices as well. Depending on the university and the programme, you can expect to pay around 2,500 to 4,000 euros per year for business or social science degrees. Engineering programmes can be a bit more expensive at up to around 6,000 to 8,000 euros per year. Studying medicine or dentistry usually incurs tuition fees of around 16,000 to 18,000 euros per year
Student life in Budapest
The cost of living in Budapest is still relatively low compared to other European capitals. The most expensive part, as almost everywhere, is accommodation. If you choose to rent a studio flat, it can cost you around 180,000-240,000 HUF (450-600 EUR), but if you don't mind sharing, you can just rent a room for about 100,000-180,000 HUF (250-450 EUR). Alternatively, you can try to apply for a place in a dormitory, but places are limited, and the standard might not be as high as private accommodation.
For travelling, the best option is a monthly ticket. You can get a student ticket for 3,450 HUF (9 EUR), which is not bad for unlimited travel around the city. The money you spend on food very much depends on the places you visit. You can get a daily lunch menu for 2,000-3,500 HUF, a Chinese or pizza is around 3,000-4,500 HUF, while a meal in a standard restaurant starts from 4,000 HUF. Or you can just cook something at home; a weekly shopping with getting the necessary food and drink will cost around 15,000-20,000 HUF.
To supplement your income, you can take up part-time jobs. The minimum hourly wage for student work in Budapest typically ranges between 2,000 and 2,300 HUF, though specialized roles in IT or engineering can pay significantly more, and if you speak English well, that can also benefit you here.
As for leisure and networking, let's just say that alcohol and cigarettes are cheap, especially if you compare prices to other major European cities. But if you go to a trendy bar, you can spend much more than in an average place. Ruin pubs are more and more famous, and attracting mostly tourists and international students, but if you would like to get real Hungarian experiences, visit smaller places, or leave the so-called Bulinegyed (district VI and VII) for the outer areas.
There are plenty of opportunities to meet other students apart from pubs and bars as well. Universities are always organising student events, and most of them have their own . You can also join an international organisation like Alumni Network Hungary, which works with universities all over the country. It's also worth checking out online communities on and to meet other international students or people with the same interests.
As part of your studies, you are likely to visit libraries, where you can also meet other students. The biggest ones are Szab贸 Ervin Central Library, Sz茅ch茅nyi National Library, and the National Foreign Language Library.
As an international student in Budapest, you can get student discounts for most attractions and museums. The is the most widely accepted form of student ID, which provides discounts on sights, accommodations, food and transportation. Some places offer admission discounts of 20%-50% to ISIC members.
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