Etvos Lorand University (ELTE)
About Etvos Lorand University (ELTE):
Etvos Lorand University, known as ELTE, has a rich history. It was established in 1635 in Nagyszombat by Archbishop Péter Pázmány, who was a prominent leader within the Jesuit order.
In its early days, the university consisted of only two colleges: the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Theology. The Faculty of Law was added in 1667, and the Faculty of Medicine followed in 1769.
Following the dissolution of the Jesuit order, the university was relocated to Budapest. In 1777, a founding committee selected the university’s permanent location, which is the present-day Józsefváros in Budapest.
Latin was the language of instruction at this university until 1844 when Hungarian became the official language. The university was known as Budapest University (Budapesti Tudományegyetem) until 1921.
In 1950, this university was recognized and named after the distinguished physicist Loránd Eötvös. A new building has recently been constructed along the Danube River to house the faculties of natural sciences, social sciences, and informatics.
Eötvös Loránd University is not only Hungary’s oldest but also one of its most prestigious institutions, offering education across eight different faculties. Among them, the Faculty of Social Sciences stands out as a leader in social sciences and foreign languages.
The faculty boasts around 100 faculty members engaged in a wide array of research fields, including sociology, social psychology, cultural anthropology, political science, international studies, social work, and social policy.
The university welcomes international students for three-year bachelor’s programs and two-year master’s programs. Additionally, it has strong connections with reputable American universities such as those in California and Wisconsin. As a result, the educational programs adhere to rigorous international standards.
Faculties at ELTE University:
Faculty of Political Science and Law:
This faculty focuses on political science, law, and related fields. It provides education and conducts research in these areas, preparing students for careers in law, public administration, and politics. In 2020, this faculty received the highest number of applications from aspiring lawyers, totaling 943 applicants.
Among those admitted, the average score was 428, and nearly 97 percent of them had successfully completed a language examination. In terms of teaching quality, the Faculty of Law secures the second spot.
Faculty of Humanities:
ELTE’s Faculty of Humanities covers a wide range of disciplines, including literature, history, philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies. It’s known for its strong emphasis on the humanities and offers various programs related to these fields.
The Faculty of Humanities has once again demonstrated exceptional results, particularly in the number of faculty members who have attained advanced academic qualifications.
Institute of Economic Sciences:
This institute focuses on economics, providing students with knowledge and skills related to economic theory, policy analysis, and economic research. It plays a key role in preparing future economists and researchers.
The outcomes of the ELTE Institute of Economics, which was founded in 2017, are becoming evident in the national rankings. While this faculty has not yet secured a spot in the academic excellence rankings, it has rapidly claimed the second position based on student feedback.
In 2020, the average admission score for this faculty was 433 applicants, and over 99 percent of admitted students had successfully passed a language examination. In the 2021 inter-semester admissions, ELTE Institute of Economics received the highest number of applications from students.
Faculty of Informatics:
The Faculty of Informatics offers programs related to computer science, information technology, and computer engineering. It’s a hub for students interested in technology and computing and is known for its contributions to the field.
When it comes to student excellence, the ELTE Faculty of Informatics takes the lead among domestic institutions. In the year 2020, the average admission score was 432, and over 95 percent of students had passed a language examination.
Faculty of Education and Psychology:
This faculty focuses on education and psychology. It trains future educators and psychologists, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to work in educational and psychological settings.
Faculty of Primary and Preschool Education:
Specializing in teacher training and early childhood education, this faculty prepares educators to work in schools and preschools. It plays a crucial role in shaping the education system in Hungary.
ELTE’s Faculty of Primary and Preschool Education secures the seventh spot in the student excellence rankings, with nearly two-thirds of the admitted students having passed a language examination.
Faculty of Social Sciences:
The Social Science Faculty is dedicated to the social sciences, including sociology, social work, and political science. It offers programs to students interested in understanding and addressing social issues.
The Faculty of Social Sciences is in second place in terms of student excellence rankings. In the 2020 admission procedure, the proportion of freshmen with language exams was over 90 percent.
Faculty of Natural Sciences:
Covering various natural sciences, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, this faculty provides education and conducts research in these fields. It’s a key contributor to scientific advancements and innovations.
The ELTE Faculty of Natural Sciences continues to uphold its dominant position in this area. This faculty stands significantly ahead of its domestic counterparts in the student excellence rankings, both in terms of the number of first-choice applications and the accomplishments of those who were admitted based on academic competitions.
In 2020, over 83 percent of the admitted students had successfully completed a language examination. Additionally, this faculty secured the top rank in teaching excellence.
Pre-University Course at ELTE University:
The Pre-University Course is designed for individuals who are interested in studying in Hungary but do not meet the necessary university admission requirements.
Students in this program are prepared for various bachelor’s degree programs, and the university guarantees that after completing this course, students will be eligible for bachelor’s level enrollment.
Academic System at ELTE University:
Organization of Education:
Students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s programs conclude their studies by successfully passing a comprehensive final examination. This final examination may encompass defending their degree thesis and may involve additional oral, written, or practical assessments.
Two-Tier Programs (First/Second Degree):
The initial higher education degree is the bachelor’s degree (alapfokozat), which also includes a professional qualification. Completing a bachelor’s program necessitates the accumulation of 180-240 credits, and the program typically spans 6-8 semesters.
The subsequent higher education degree is the master’s degree (mesterfokozat) and comes with a professional qualification. The master’s program builds upon the foundation of a bachelor’s program, meaning that a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for entering a master’s program. Fulfilling the requirements of a master’s program entails earning 60-120 credits during the course of study, and the program typically lasts 2-4 semesters.
Integrated One-Tier Programs (Long Programs):
One-tier programs, which lead to a master’s degree (mesterfokozat) without an intermediate bachelor’s degree, are more extensive, spanning 10-12 semesters. These programs require the accumulation of 300-360 credits. Aside from religious education and certain arts programs, the following programs are offered within one-tier Master courses: veterinary medicine, architecture, dentistry, pharmaceutics, law, and medicine.
Doctorate:
Built upon the foundation of a master’s program and a master’s degree, the Doctorate (doktori képzés) program necessitates the acquisition of a minimum of 240 credits. As of September 2016, the program’s duration is set at 8 semesters, equivalent to 4 years. Upon successful completion of the Doctorate program, candidates receive the academic title “Doctor of Philosophy” (PhD) or, in the realm of art education, “Doctor of Liberal Arts” (DLA) through a separate degree-awarding procedure.
English Programs at ELTE University:
Faculty of Political Science and Law:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| European Human Rights | LLM | English |
| European and International Business Law | LLM | English |
| International and European Taxation Program for Economists | Specialist Postgraduate
Degree |
English |
| International and European Taxation Program for Lawyers | LLM | English |
Faculty of Humanities:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| English Foundation Course (General English) | preparatory | English |
| Intensive Hungarian Foundation Course | preparatory | English, Hungarian |
| Archeology | MA | English |
| English and American Studies | B.A | English |
| English Studies | MA | English |
| American Studies | MA | English |
| Assyriology | MA | English |
| Film Studies | MA | English |
| Logic and Theory of Science | MA | English |
| Semiotics | MA | English |
| Central European Studies | MA | English |
| Communication and Media Studies | MA | English |
| Cultural Heritage Studies | MA | English |
| Indology | MA | English |
| Philosophy | MA | English |
| Doctoral School of Literary Studies | PhD | English |
| Doctoral School of Linguistics | PhD | English |
| Doctoral School of History | PhD | English |
| Doctoral School of Philosophy | PhD | English |
Institute of Economics Sciences:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| International Management | B.A | English |
| Finance and Accounting | B.A | English |
Faculty of Informatics:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction: |
| Computer Science, Preliminary Year | preparatory | English |
| Computer Science | BSc | English |
| Cartography | MSc | English |
| Computer Science | MSc | English |
| EIT Digital Master School:
EIT Digital Master School Program Security and Privacy (S&P) technical major MSc |
MSc | English |
| EIT Digital Master School:
Software and Service Architectures (SSA) technical major MSc |
MSc | English |
| Doctoral School of Informatics | PhD | English |
Faculty of Education and Psychology:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| Psychology | B.A | English |
| Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience | MSc | English |
| Educational Science | MA | English |
| Psychology | MA | English |
| Human Resources Counselling | MA | English |
| Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education | MSc | English |
| Social Integration | MA | English |
| Doctoral School of Education | PhD | English |
| Doctoral School of Psychology | PhD | English |
Faculty of Primary and Preschool Education:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| Kindergarten Education | B.A. | English |
Faculty of Social Sciences:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| Cultural Anthropology | MA | English |
| Ethnic and Minority Policy | MA | English |
| Health Policy, Planning, and Financing – full time | MSc | English |
| Health Policy, Planning, and Financing – part time | MSc | English |
| Ethnic and Minority Policy | MA | English |
| Community and Civil Development Studies | MA | English |
| PhD (doctoral) School of Sociology | PhD | English |
Faculty of Natural Sciences:
| Name of Major | Level of Training | Language of Instruction |
| Astronomy | MSc | English |
| Biology | MSc | English |
| Chemistry | MSc | English |
| Environmental Science | MSc | English |
| Geology | MSc | English |
| Mathematics | MSc | English |
| Meteorology | MSc | English |
| Physics | MSc | English |
| Doctoral Program in Biology | PhD | English |
| Doctoral Program in Chemistry | PhD | English |
| Doctoral Program in Earth Sciences | PhD | English |
| Doctoral Program in Environmental Sciences | PhD | English |
| Doctoral Program in Mathematics | PhD | English |
| Doctoral Program in Physics | PhD | English |
Application Deadlines at ELTE University:
- for prospective students applying via Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme 16 January 2023;
- for prospective students applying via Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programme 31 January 2023;
- for prospective self-financing students applying via apply.elte.hu 30 April 2023;
- Prospective students who have only Hungarian citizenship must apply via felvi.hu before 15 Ferbuary 2023.
Admission Requirements and Application Process:
Admission Requirements:
Degree Requirement:
Bachelor Programs: Applicants must have a Highschool Diploma and submit certified translated copies of their graduation certificate in addition to their transcripts from all attended highschools.
Master Programs: Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree and submit certified translated copies of their graduation certificate in addition to their transcripts from all attended universities.
PhD Programs: Applicants must have a Master’s Degree and submit certified translated copies of their graduation certificate in addition to their transcripts from all attended universities.
English language Proficiency Requirement:
Minimum level of language proficiency (both written and oral): B2
- IELTS Score: 5.5
- TOEFL IBT Band: 46-59
- Cambridge English Scale Score: 162
If the applicant cannot demonstrate their English proficiency through the provided certifications, they are required to partake in a Skype interview or attend a prearranged interview, which can be either in person in Hungary or through on-the-spot admission abroad, as arranged by the Faculty or its representatives.
This interview serves to evaluate the applicant’s overall knowledge and interest in the field. The issuance of an acceptance letter is dependent on the confirmed assessment of the applicant’s English proficiency, thereby confirming their eligibility for higher education at the institution.
However, if the applicant can provide a notarized certificate and a comprehensive academic transcript proving that their previous education was entirely conducted in English, they will be exempt from the language proficiency requirement throughout the admission process.
Additional Requirements:
Some programs have additional requirements such as:
- CV/Resume
- 2 Recommendation letters
Application Process:
Application Form:
Applicants must submit their completed online application by the specified deadline. Additionally, they must also submit the following documents:
- Bachelor’s degree/ Master’s Degree/ Highschool Diploma
- Transcript of records
- 2 Letters of recommendation (if applicable)
- CV/resume (if applicable)
- Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)
- Copy of application fee transfer
Application Fee:
Applicants must pay the 100 Euros (may vary depending on the program) non-refundable application fee, and attach a copy of application fee transfer to their online application.
Tuition Deposit:
Non-EU/EEA Students: 3000 Euro/semester
Please note that if you are a citizen of a non-EU/non-EEA country, you may be asked to transfer the first year’s tuition fee (6000 Euros) in advance in order to get an acceptance letter in order to get the student visa to Hungary.
How to Transfer Fees:
Bank: Magyar Allamkincstar Rt. // Hungarian State Treasury
Address: 1139 Budapest, Vaci ut 71
Account holder: Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem
IBAN: HU03 1003 2000 0142 6201 0000 0000
SWIFT code: HUSTHUHB
While transferring the fees under “comments” please add:
- your name
- this code: F10201/19
Application / Examination Procedure:
The Admission Board reviews the applications, and applicants receive notification of the selection outcome through the online application system. Admission letters are also distributed via the same system.
The entrance examination is often conducted in oral and written formats. Some programs may inly have an oral entrance exam. The ranking is determined by considering both the evaluation of academic excellence, which is based on the submitted documents, and the results of the entrance exam.
Since programs welcome students from diverse backgrounds, the purpose of the entrance exam is not to assess their existing knowledge. Instead, it aims to gauge their motivation, understanding of contemporary global issues, and analytical skills, which are important qualities for program participation.
Tuition and Fees at ELTE University:
University Tuition:
- Pre-University Course: 1,200-2,500 EUR/semester
- Bachelor’s Program: 2,400-4,500 EUR/semester
- Master’s Program: 3,000-5,000 EUR/semester
- Doctoral Program: 4,200-5,500 EUR/semester
Additional Expenses:
- Application Fee: 100 EUR (may vary depending on the program)
- Books: 400-800 EUR annually
- Insurance: Approximately 60 EUR per month
- Apartment Rent (excluding utilities): 200-500 EUR per month
- Utilities (water and electricity): Approximately 200 EUR per month
Facilities at ELTE University:
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Hungary provides a range of facilities to support the academic and extracurricular needs of its students. Here are some of the key facilities and services available at ELTE University:
University Library:
ELTE’s library is one of the oldest in Hungary, founded in 1561. It offers an extensive collection of books, journals, and digital resources to support students’ academic research and studies.
Address: H-1053 Budapest, Ferenciek tere 6.
TEL: +36-1-411-6738
Fax: +36-1-411-6737
E-mail: info@lib.elte.hu
Career Counseling and Psychology Center:
This center provides guidance and counseling services for postgraduate students who are preparing to enter the job market. It offers support in career planning, job searching, and psychological well-being.
Student Dormitories:
ELTE University offers student dormitories for both local and international students. The Dormitory Center, a central unit, provides numerous excellent and cost-effective accommodations within ELTE dormitories, fostering a vibrant sense of community. Over 50% of international students express interest in securing a spot in the dormitories. The Housing Office, a subsidiary division, assists in locating suitable lodging that aligns with your specific requirements through our partnerships in the private housing sector, which includes apartment complexes, apartments, and hostels. These services are coordinated to enable you to apply for both options simultaneously.
Sports Facilities:
ELTE offers sports facilities for students interested in various athletic activities, including field sports, tennis, rowing, football, and more. These facilities promote physical well-being and a balanced lifestyle.
IT Services:
The university provides internet access and IT services to support students in their research and academic activities. Access to digital resources and tools is essential for students in various scientific fields.
Language Learning:
ELTE has language learning centers and services to help international students improve their language skills, particularly in Hungarian or English, depending on their academic program.
Cafeterias and Dining Facilities:
ELTE likely has cafeterias and dining facilities where students can access a variety of food options while on campus. These areas serve as meeting points for students and provide a space for socializing.
Laboratories and Research Centers:
ELTE University is known for its strong academic and research programs. It offers well-equipped laboratories and research centers in various fields to support students’ academic and scientific endeavors.
Health Services:
Many universities provide health services or have access to nearby medical facilities to address students’ health and well-being. This includes medical check-ups, counseling, and support for students’ physical and mental health.
Scholarship Program at ELTE University:
STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM Scholarship Program:
The STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM scholarship program was launched by the Hungarian government in 2013. This program is based on intergovernmental agreements in the field of education between the Hungarian government and partner countries.
The aim of the scholarship program is to promote cultural understanding, economic relations, and political cooperation between Hungary and other countries.
The STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM scholarship program is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and coordinated by the Tempus Public Foundation.
Benefits for scholarship recipients:
- Tuition fee exemption
- Monthly stipend:
- For Bachelor’s and Master’s students: 43,700 HUF
- For Ph.D. students: 140,000 HUF per month in the first two years and 180,000 HUF per month in the subsequent two years after passing the complex exam
- Accommodation contribution: 40,000 HUF per month
- Health insurance coverage
By selecting the University of Miskolc as your study program, submit your application documents through the online application system of the Tempus Public Foundation.
Please click here for the application: STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM Application Portal
Our Services:
We provide all admission services for the Eötvös Loránd University completely free of charge.
We offer pre-evaluation of your documents including transcripts and English language proficiency results prior to applying to your program of choice.
Additionally, we offer assistance and provide guidance in constructing optimal resumes and personal statements if required for admission.
lastly, we provide a checklist of all the required documents for admission and assist you with applying for residency as well.