How Much Are Tuition Fees in Hungary for International Students? Hungary University Tuition Fees Explained (2026 Guide)

If you’re considering studying abroad and your eyes are set on Hungary, one of the very first questions on your mind will be: How much will I actually pay in tuition fees? The answer here matters far beyond just a number on a page; it determines where you apply, how you budget, what scholarships you pursue, and ultimately whether your dream of studying abroad is financially realistic. Hungary has carved a niche in the global study abroad landscape because it offers high-quality, internationally recognized degrees at far lower tuition rates than many Western European counterparts, making it a compelling option for cost-conscious international students.

Tuition in Hungary varies widely based on university type (public vs private), level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral), and field (medicine, engineering, humanities, etc.), and this variation means there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In general, international students pay between roughly €1,200 and €16,000 per academic year depending on what and where they study.

This article deconstructs those numbers, taking you through not only standard tuition ranges but also why these ranges exist, how they compare to other countries, and how scholarships and funding can dramatically change the bottom line.

By the end of this guide, you won’t just know “how much.” You’ll understand how much strategically, allowing you to plan, compare, and decide with clarity.

Tuition Fees for Bachelor’s Programs in Hungary: What You Should Expect

Entering higher education in Hungary as an international student typically starts with the Bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree. Across Hungarian universities, the tuition fees for international undergraduates vary widely based on the institution, program, and language of instruction, but some clear patterns emerge.

At most public universities, which make up the backbone of Hungary’s higher education system, international students usually pay between €1,500 and €6,000 per year for standard Bachelor’s programs such as business, humanities, science, or arts. Public universities like Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) and the University of Pécs commonly fall in this range, offering a variety of English-taught programs that attract students from around the world.

The lower end of that range — around €1,500–€3,000 per academic year — is typically found in smaller cities or lower-demand fields, whereas universities in larger cities (like Budapest University of Technology and Economics) or higher-demand subjects may lean toward the higher end of the €4,000–€6,000 bracket.

Private institutions — which often have more internationalized or specialized offerings — charge higher tuition. For international undergraduates, private university fees can range from €5,000 to €12,000 per year, depending on the specific program and university prestige.

Medical-related undergraduate degrees are a notable exception at the Bachelor’s level because fields like medicine or dentistry frequently extend beyond typical graduation timelines and require more resource-intensive instruction. In those cases, base undergraduate fees can climb to €6,000–€8,000 or more in public universities and even higher in private settings, because the cost reflects lab work, clinical placements, and specialist staff.

What this means for you is that even at the undergraduate level, planning for tuition isn’t just about a single number — it’s about understanding how your chosen field and institution calibrate costs. Compared to similarly ranked institutions in Western Europe or North America, these tuition figures are often a small fraction of what you’d pay in the UK or US, making Hungary a particularly attractive entry point for international students with limited budgets.

Master and Doctoral Tuition Fees: Graduate Study in Hungary

For students considering graduate study — either Master’s (MA/MSc) or doctoral levels (PhD) — Hungary continues to be a comparatively affordable destination, but the tuition differences between program types and fields remain significant.

At the Master’s level, international students at Hungarian public universities typically pay between €2,000 and €7,000 per academic year for most disciplines. Many humanities, social sciences, and business programs fall into this range, and because these are generally shorter (often one- to two-year) degrees, the total lifetime tuition cost remains competitive relative to many other European destinations. Programs offered in English often sit at the higher end of this range, reflecting both demand and additional resource costs for language support or overseas accreditation compliance.

For doctoral (PhD) programs, the picture is slightly more complex. Many Hungarian institutions offer PhD candidates tuition support or even tuition waivers, particularly when candidates receive research scholarships or assistantships — making actual tuition fees as low as €1,500–€5,000 per year or effectively free for funded doctoral students. Without funding, self-financed doctoral students might see fees in the €3,000–€8,000 range, depending on the university and field.

Some Master’s and doctoral programs in fields like MBA, public policy, or specialized technology streams may be priced higher — sometimes reaching as much as €10,000–€15,000 per year at private or foundation universities with strong international branding.

It’s important to note that while tuition covers classroom instruction and examination, additional academic fees, such as thesis supervision charges, research lab access, or graduation fees, might be billed separately by some institutions. These tend to be modest in Hungary compared to many Western universities, but they are still part of the total educational cost and should be factored into planning.

When you compare these costs to postgraduate tuition in the UK or North America, where annual fees often exceed €20,000 for similar programs, the affordability advantage of Hungary becomes even clearer, especially when combined with relatively low living expenses.

Specialized Programs: High-Cost Fields Like Medicine, Dentistry, and Engineering

Certain fields of study require more intensive resources — labs, clinical placements, specialist equipment — and Hungary reflects these realities in its tuition structures. In particular, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and some advanced engineering programs often command higher fees than general undergraduate or graduate courses.

For example, many medical degrees at Hungarian universities — especially those taught in English — carry annual tuition fees in the broader range of €10,000 to €16,000 or more per year, because clinical training and healthcare facilities involve higher per-student costs. At elite institutions such as Semmelweis University, which is renowned for medicine and health sciences, medical tuition can reach the upper end of this range, reflecting the specialized nature and global accreditation standards of the program.

Similarly, dentistry programs frequently land toward the higher end of Hungary’s range — often €8,000 to €13,000 per year in public universities and even more at private institutions. Pharmacy and veterinary programs also tend to be priced above average due to laboratory and equipment costs, with figures typically floating in the €8,000–€10,000+ zone for international students.

Engineering degrees, while not as costly as medicine, still skew above humanities and social sciences, with many programs ranging from €3,000 to €6,000 per year depending on the specialization, institution prestige, and the extent of technical coursework involved. Of course, specialized master’s streams like aerospace or advanced robotics may command slightly higher fees as well — sometimes €7,000–€10,000+ per year — particularly at institutions with strong research output in those areas.

For prospective students, understanding these sector-specific fee brackets is crucial; it allows you to budget realistically for your field of choice, identify scholarship opportunities tied to your discipline, and compare options within Hungary or against alternatives in nearby European countries.

How Scholarships and Funding Shape Tuition Costs in Hungary

Tuition fees give you a baseline, but smart planning also looks at how scholarships and funding opportunities can radically reduce or even eliminate those costs. Hungary offers one of the most generous and structured scholarship environments in Europe, particularly for international students, meaning that many tuition price brackets listed above can be mitigated with the right awards.

The flagship program is the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, offered by the Hungarian Government to students from over 80 countries worldwide. Under this program, eligible students receive full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, accommodation contributions, and health insurance support — effectively bypassing the need to pay tuition fees directly in many cases.

There are also university-specific scholarships that award reductions on tuition — for example, merit-based scholarships at ELTE, University of Pécs, or BME that can deduct thousands of euros per year from otherwise standard fees. Other funding streams include Visegrad Fund scholarships, bilateral government agreements, Erasmus+ mobility grants, and CEEPUS regional support, which offer monthly stipends and partial tuition coverage in some situations.

Doctoral students often benefit from research stipends or assistantships, which not only cover tuition but also provide cash support tied to participation in research projects or teaching assignments.

Scholarship planning is so important that many students who might otherwise think Hungary is unaffordable find that — with the Stipendium Hungaricum or similar schemes — tuition becomes a non-issue while living costs remain modest. Combining scholarship awards with part-time work rights (up to 20–24 hours per week during term time) further reduces the financial burden.

Finally, many institutions allow partial scholarships, installment payment plans, or financial aid assessments — so even if you don’t secure a full ride, a combination of awards can turn a higher-fee program like medicine or engineering into a far more affordable option.

Real Examples: Tuition Fees at Top Hungarian Universities for International Students

To make these figures even more concrete, here are actual examples from well-known Hungarian universities, showing how tuition structures play out in real institutions:

At Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), one of Hungary’s oldest and largest public universities, tuition for international students typically ranges between €2,000 and €5,000 per year for most undergraduate and graduate programs — a range that underscores Hungary’s affordability relative to many Western European systems.

The University of Pécs, another historic institution with strong multilingual instruction and international presence, charges roughly €2,000–€7,000 per year depending on the field of study — medicine and technical programs often sit toward the upper end of this scale.

For students interested in engineering or technology, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) is a respected choice, typically pricing engineering programs in the approximate range of €3,000–€6,000 per academic year for international students.

Meanwhile, Semmelweis University, Hungary’s premier medical and health sciences institution, is known for its high-quality programs in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, and accordingly charges among the highest tuition fees — often €12,000–€16,000 or more annually for medical degrees.

These concrete examples help you contextualize the abstract ranges above and understand how different fields and university reputations influence your cost of study.

Country Comparison: Tuition and Costs 

Hungary Tuition by Degree (2026)

Tuition Comparison (Hungary vs Europe)

Conclusion

Hungary’s tuition system for international students is one of the most cost-effective in Europe, but it’s also multifaceted. You can expect public undergraduate fees generally in the range of €1,500–€6,000 per year, with master’s and PhD programs typically €2,000–€7,000, and specialized professional degrees such as medicine or dentistry commanding higher fees (often €10,000–€16,000+).

Private universities and specialized programs push the higher end of the tuition spectrum, while scholarship opportunities such as the Stipendium Hungaricum or university merit awards can significantly reduce — or in some cases eliminate — tuition costs entirely.

When you compare Hungary not only to Western Europe but to the UK or North America, the financial logic becomes clear: lower tuition combined with a reasonable cost of living makes Hungary a highly competitive destination for value-oriented students seeking quality education.