Eötvös Loránd University

Eotvos Lorand University, commonly known as ELTE, is a public research university in Budapest, Hungary. Founded in 1635, it is one of Hungary's oldest and most recognised universities, with English-taught study options across humanities, social sciences, economics, informatics, law, education, psychology, science and specialist postgraduate routes.

ELTE is a strong option for international students who want a European public university, a Budapest student experience and access to a broad range of English-taught programmes. The university promotes more than 100 international degree programmes and reports a large international community from many countries.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, ELTE can be a practical choice if the goal is to study in Central Europe, keep tuition costs lower than many Western European destinations, and choose a research-led university with a strong national profile.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
University type	Public research university
Main location	Budapest, Hungary
Founded	1635
Main study language for international routes	English-taught programmes are available; Hungarian and other-language routes also exist
Faculties	Humanities, Informatics, Education and Psychology, Economics, Law, Science, Social Sciences, Special Needs Education, Primary and Pre-School Education
Popular intake	September 2026
International profile	ELTE promotes 100+ degree programmes for international students and a community of more than 5,000 international students
Known for	Hungary's leading public university profile, research, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, informatics, education and Budapest location
Application platform	apply.elte.hu for most international applicants

Why Eotvos Lorand University Can Be A Good Fit

ELTE is useful for students who want a recognised European degree from a long-established public university. It has a broad academic structure, so students can compare subject areas across bachelor, master, doctoral, preparatory and specialist routes.

Budapest is also a major part of the decision. Students get access to a capital-city environment with public transport, student accommodation options, cultural life, international communities, shared-service employers, start-ups, research organisations and hospitality work.

ELTE's ranking profile is especially strong within Hungary. It is ranked 584th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, appears in the 801-1000 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, and ELTE's own ranking news highlights strong national results across several global ranking systems.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Tuition fees at ELTE are programme-specific and usually listed per semester. Students should always check the exact course page on apply.elte.hu or the relevant faculty website before applying.

Study route or example	Indicative 2026/27 tuition pattern	Notes
Humanities BA examples	Around EUR 2,000-4,300 per semester	Faculty of Humanities lists English and American Studies BA at EUR 2,300 and Motion Pictures BA at EUR 4,300 per semester for students enrolled from 2026/27/1
Humanities MA examples	Around EUR 2,500-3,500 per semester for many routes	Some specialist language routes may be higher
Applied Economics BSc example	EUR 2,700 per semester	Course-specific fee on ELTE's application portal
Social sciences MA examples	Around EUR 3,500 per semester on several listed programmes	Application fee may vary by period
Law, Politics and Economics MA example	EUR 3,500 per semester	Course-specific requirements apply
Foundation programmes	Around EUR 2,400-3,000 per semester on listed faculty routes	Depends on language and faculty

Fee And Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Academic requirement	Depends on the selected programme and study level
English requirement	Course-specific; English-taught programmes may ask for recognised proof of English or equivalent evidence
Application fee	Often EUR 100-200 depending on programme and application period
Undergraduate documents	Usually secondary school certificate, recent records, passport copy, motivation material and proof of fee payment
Postgraduate documents	Usually bachelor degree or equivalent, transcript, programme-specific documents and English evidence
Tuition payment	Accepted students receive payment information in the letter of acceptance or university system
Visa planning	Non-EEA students should allow time for admission, tuition payment, residence permit and arrival documents
Scholarships	Check Stipendium Hungaricum, Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship and ELTE/faculty options where applicable

Application Snapshot

Study level	Application route
Bachelor and master international applicants	Usually apply through apply.elte.hu
Hungarian-only citizenship applicants	Usually apply through felvi.hu where required
Doctoral applicants	Check the doctoral school and apply.elte.hu route for the exact programme
Scholarship applicants	Follow the scholarship provider deadline and ELTE programme requirements

For many September 2026 programmes, ELTE uses application periods across late 2025 and 2026. Several programme pages list final self-financing deadlines around 31 May 2026, while some master or doctoral routes may use different deadlines. Students should check the exact programme because faculties can close periods earlier if places are filled.

Campus And Student Life

ELTE is spread across Budapest rather than one single enclosed campus. This can suit students who want to live and study in a capital city, use public transport and access libraries, labs, faculty buildings, student services, sport, societies and city-based opportunities.

Budapest is generally more affordable than many Western European capitals, but students still need to budget for rent, deposits, transport, food, health insurance, visa documents and course materials.

Who Should Consider Eotvos Lorand University?

ELTE can suit students who want:

• A public university in Budapest
• A September 2026 European intake option
• English-taught programmes across several academic areas
• A university with long history and strong Hungarian recognition
• A research-focused environment
• Lower tuition fees than many UK, Irish or North American options
• Access to Central European travel and career networks
• A capital-city student lifestyle
• Scholarship options such as Stipendium Hungaricum where eligible

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising ELTE, students should confirm:

• Whether the chosen programme is open for September 2026
• Exact tuition fee per semester
• Application period and final deadline
• Academic and English language requirements
• Whether an entrance interview, portfolio, exam or video task is required
• Scholarship eligibility and separate deadlines
• Visa or residence permit timeline
• Housing availability in Budapest
• Whether the programme includes internship, laboratory, fieldwork or professional requirements
• Part-time work rules for EEA and non-EEA students in Hungary

Eotvos Lorand University is popular with international students who want a recognised Hungarian public university, English-taught study options and a Budapest student experience.

Popular area	Why students choose ELTE
Budapest location	Students study in Hungary's capital with access to public transport, cultural life, employers and international communities
Broad programme choice	ELTE promotes 100+ degree programmes for international students across bachelor, master, doctoral and preparatory levels
Humanities and social sciences	ELTE has a long academic tradition in humanities, languages, history, social sciences, law and education
Informatics and science	Students can explore computer science, data, mathematics, natural sciences and research-focused pathways
Affordable European study	Many programme fees are lower than comparable options in the UK, Ireland, Canada or the United States
Research profile	ELTE is a leading Hungarian research university with strong national and regional recognition
Scholarship routes	Students may check Stipendium Hungaricum, Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship and faculty-level options
Capital-city careers	Budapest offers part-time and graduate-facing opportunities in shared services, technology, hospitality, education, research and administration

Key Highlights For International Students

• QS ranking: ELTE is ranked 584th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
• THE ranking: ELTE appears in the 801-1000 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
• Long history: ELTE traces its foundation to 1635, making it one of Hungary's oldest universities.
• International programmes: Students can search English-taught options through apply.elte.hu.
• September 2026 planning: Many international programmes use a September start, but exact deadlines are programme-specific.
• Budapest advantage: The city can be attractive for students who want lower living costs than many Western European capitals while staying in a major European city.
• Student work options: Non-EEA students on a student residence permit should track Hungarian work-hour limits and tax-card requirements before accepting part-time work.