Apart from the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, there is no free university study in Hungary for international students. English-taught bachelor's degrees at public universities cost roughly $4,500–8,000 a year: computer science at ELTE and most BME engineering programmes cost $7,275 (€6,400), business at Corvinus $7,957 (€7,000). Medicine costs $16,750–21,234 a year. Housing ranges from $40–112 a month for an average dormitory place (Study in Hungary data) to $435 for a room in a shared Budapest flat, and the University of Debrecen estimates total living costs there at about $800 a month. Most universities quote fees per semester, so double them for the annual figure.
| At a glance | 2026/27 benchmarks |
|---|---|
| English-taught bachelor's (public universities) | $2,260–5,340 (€1,990–4,700) per semester, typically $3,630–4,090 (€3,200–3,600) |
| Master's | $2,380–5,340 (€2,100–4,700) per semester at ELTE, $2,500–4,540 (€2,200–4,000) at BME |
| Medicine | $16,750 (Pécs), $16,900 (Debrecen), $17,960 (€15,800, Szeged), $21,234 (€18,680, Semmelweis, 2027 intake) a year |
| Private university (METU) | $3,970–5,670 (€3,500–4,990) per semester for non-EU bachelor's students, depending on programme |
| Application fee | $115–225 (€100–200); medicine $150–400 |
| Dormitory | $40–125 (HUF 13,000–40,000) a month on average by city; ELTE $155–217 (HUF 50,000–70,000) |
| Room in a shared flat | $435 (HUF 140,000) in Budapest, $248 (HUF 80,000) in Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged |
| Residence permit | $125 (€110) at application, renewal $81 (HUF 26,000) |
| Free option | Stipendium Hungaricum only: tuition, $136 (HUF 43,700) a month, dormitory or housing allowance |
Tuition by programme
Bachelor's degrees (non-EU fees):
| University and programme | Per semester | Per year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELTE, English and American Studies | $2,610 (€2,300) | $5,229 (€4,600) | 3 years |
| ELTE, International Relations | $3,070 (€2,700) | $6,138 (€5,400) | 3 years |
| ELTE, Computer Science | $3,630 (€3,200) | $7,275 (€6,400) | 3 years |
| ELTE, International Business Economics | $4,090 (€3,600) | $8,184 (€7,200) | 4 years |
| ELTE, Psychology | $5,340 (€4,700) | $10,685 (€9,400) | 3 years |
| BME, computer science, electrical and civil engineering, mathematics | $3,630 (€3,200) | $7,275 (€6,400) | per programme |
| BME, mechanical engineering | $3,970 (€3,500) | $7,957 (€7,000) | per programme |
| Corvinus, business, economics, data | — | $7,957 (€7,000) | per programme |
| Corvinus, international relations | — | $7,502 (€6,600) | per programme |
| METU, business programmes | $3,970 (€3,500) | $7,957 (€7,000) | per programme |
Corvinus fixes its fees for the whole programme. ELTE and BME note that fees may change, so build in a margin for later years.
Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy:
| University | Medicine per year | Dentistry | Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semmelweis (2027 intake) | $21,234 (€18,680) | $21,234 (€18,680) plus materials of $2,500–5,000 a year from year 2 | $13,231 (€11,640) plus materials |
| Debrecen (2026/27) | $16,900 paid upfront, $17,900 by semester | $17,500 | $8,000 |
| Pécs | $16,750 | $17,350 including materials | $9,548 (€8,400) |
| Szeged (2026/27 starters) | $17,960 (€15,800), insurance included | — | — |
Six years of medical tuition alone come to roughly $93,000–127,000. Exams and deadlines are covered in studying medicine in Hungary.
Master's: ELTE charges from $2,380 (€2,100) a semester (Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience) to $4,760 (€4,190, natural sciences) and $5,340 (€4,700, psychology); Artificial Intelligence and Data Science cost $3,630 (€3,200). BME charges $3,630–4,540 (€3,200–4,000), with some economics programmes at $2,500 (€2,200). Semmelweis ranges from $4,090 (€3,600, Psychobiology) to $13,630 (€12,000) a semester (Clinical Translational Medicine; $24,980 (€22,000) if the year is paid at once).
Preparatory programmes: ELTE English Foundation $3,410 (€3,000) a semester, BME Pre-Engineering $3,630–4,310 (€3,200–3,800) a semester, Corvinus $6,810 (€6,000) a year, Szeged Foundation Year $7,720 (€6,800).
One-off costs when applying and moving
| Payment | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ELTE $115–225 (€100–200), BME $170 (€150), Corvinus $115 (€100); medicine: Semmelweis $400, Pécs $200, Debrecen $150 | at application, non-refundable |
| Entrance exam | Pécs $250 if taken on site; some ELTE programmes charge separately | before the exam |
| Deposit or prepayment | Semmelweis $2,000 within 14 days (credited to tuition); Corvinus first semester or year in advance, $568 (€500) of it non-refundable; Szeged $910 (€800) within first-semester fees | after admission |
| Registration fee | Semmelweis $230, Pécs $220 | with the first payment |
| Residence permit for study | $125 (€110); consulates in Russia charge roubles at their own rate | at the consulate |
| Translations | depends on the provider; for the visa the Kazan consulate accepts translations certified by OFFI or the consulate | before applying |
| Rental deposit | per your lease | on moving in |
Stipendium Hungaricum holders are exempt from fees related to entry, including the consular fee.
Living costs
Housing is the biggest variable. Average monthly prices from Study in Hungary's calculator:
| City | Dormitory | Room in a shared flat | Private flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budapest | $112 (HUF 36,000) | $435 (HUF 140,000) | $698 (HUF 225,000) |
| Debrecen | $56 (HUF 18,000) | $248 (HUF 80,000) | $512 (HUF 165,000) |
| Pécs | $99 (HUF 32,000) | $248 (HUF 80,000) | $543 (HUF 175,000) |
| Szeged | $40 (HUF 13,000) | $248 (HUF 80,000) | $419 (HUF 135,000) |
| Győr | $124 (HUF 40,000) | $295 (HUF 95,000) | $404 (HUF 130,000) |
| Miskolc | $68 (HUF 22,000) | $248 (HUF 80,000) | $373 (HUF 120,000) |
Rents include utilities. Average dormitory prices are only a guide: at ELTE fee-paying international students pay $155–217 (HUF 50,000–70,000) a month in 2026/27, and Semmelweis quotes central Budapest rooms from $341 (€300) and studios from $568 (€500).
Transport. A full monthly Budapest pass costs $28 (HUF 8,950) and a single ticket $2 (HUF 500; HUF 700 if bought from the driver). The discounted student monthly pass costs $11 (HUF 3,450), but BKK describes it as available to EU citizens with an EU student card and proof of address in Hungary. Students from outside the EU should budget for the full fare and ask the university's international office, once they hold a Hungarian student card, whether the discount applies to them.
Food. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs about $12 (HUF 4,000) in Budapest and $8 (HUF 2,500) in Pécs and Szeged, according to Study in Hungary. Cooking and university canteens are much cheaper.
Health insurance is required for the residence permit. Szeged includes basic insurance in its medical fee, and Stipendium Hungaricum provides it for scholarship holders. ELTE offers fee-paying students a UNION policy through its Quaestura office for $175 (HUF 56,220) per six months, with a $3,100 (HUF 1 million) limit per semester.
A university's own estimate. The University of Debrecen puts the monthly cost for a student sharing private accommodation at about $800, covering rent, food, study materials and transport: $9,600 a year excluding tuition. Budapest rents are higher, so budget more there.
One-year budget: three examples
| Scenario | Tuition | Housing for 12 months | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELTE Computer Science, ELTE dormitory | $7,275 (€6,400) | $1,863–2,608 (HUF 600,000–840,000) | food, transport ($333 a year for a full pass), insurance, personal costs |
| Corvinus business, shared flat in Budapest | $7,957 (€7,000) | about $5,215 (HUF 1,680,000) | food, transport, insurance, personal costs |
| Medicine in Debrecen, shared housing | $16,900 | included in the university's estimate of about $9,600 a year for all living costs | flights, books, fees |
For comparison, the cash stipend of Stipendium Hungaricum, $136 (HUF 43,700) a month, is described by the programme itself as only a contribution to living costs.
How to reduce the cost
- Apply for Stipendium Hungaricum. It is the only way to study for free: it covers tuition, provides a dormitory place or $124 (HUF 40,000) a month towards rent, and insurance. Russia, Kazakhstan and most CIS countries take part.
- Apply early. ELTE's early periods charge $115 (€100) instead of $170–225 (€150–200), and Szeged gives a $341 (€300) first-semester discount to students admitted by 30 April.
- Pay the year upfront. Debrecen medicine costs $16,900 paid in one instalment instead of $17,900.
- Choose a regional city. A room in Debrecen, Pécs or Szeged costs about $248 (HUF 80,000) against $435 (HUF 140,000) in Budapest.
- Apply for a dormitory as soon as you are admitted. Places are scarce, and the difference from private rent is two- to threefold.
- Check university discounts. METU offers discounts for new students, and Szeged gives siblings at the same faculty $341 (€300) a semester off.
Working while studying
The study residence permit allows up to 30 hours a week in the study period and full-time work for up to 90 days a year outside it. That helps with day-to-day spending but will not cover tuition, and permit renewal depends on academic progress. Plan your budget so that work is a supplement, not the main source of funds.
Paying tuition from Russia
Universities take payments by bank transfer in euros or US dollars (Semmelweis in dollars only, although tuition is set in euros; the university does not publish its conversion rate, so confirm the amount with the admissions finance office, and bank charges are paid by the student) or by card on their payment portals. Russian-issued bank cards usually do not work for this. Legal transfer routes are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia. Hungarian consulates in Russia, by contrast, accept the consular fee only by Russian bank card.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Mixing up semester and annual fees. Most universities quote per semester.
- Budgeting only the first year. Bachelor's degrees take 3–4 years, medicine 6, and fees can change.
- Forgetting non-refundable payments. Application and exam fees, deposits and registration fees come before the course starts.
- Relying on average dormitory prices. Your university's dormitory can cost several times the city average.
- Treating the scholarship as full support. $136 (HUF 43,700) a month does not cover living in Budapest.
- Not reserving funds to show for the visa. You must prove you can pay for living costs, housing, travel and healthcare.
FAQ
For non-EU students, an English-taught bachelor's at a public university costs roughly $4,500–8,000 a year and medicine $16,750–21,234. Add living costs: about $800 a month in Debrecen by the university's estimate, more in Budapest because of rent.
Only with Stipendium Hungaricum, which waives tuition and provides $136 (HUF 43,700) a month, a dormitory place or housing allowance, and insurance. Applications open once a year, with a mid-January deadline.
Average prices from Study in Hungary range from $40 (HUF 13,000) in Szeged to $124 (HUF 40,000) in Győr and $112 (HUF 36,000) in Budapest. ELTE charges fee-paying international students $155–217 (HUF 50,000–70,000) a month.
The immigration authority sets no fixed sum: you must show enough for living costs, housing, travel and healthcare. Base it on your city's real costs. See Hungary student visa.
Rent is the main cost: a room in a shared flat is about $435 (HUF 140,000) a month against $248 (HUF 80,000) in Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged. A full monthly transport pass costs $28 (HUF 8,950).
Yes, most universities invoice per semester. But before the visa a university may ask for a semester or year in advance, and Debrecen charges less if you pay the year at once.
Czech public universities are free in Czech but charge for English-taught programmes; Hungarian universities charge for English-taught programmes and have no free places for international students outside the scholarship. Compare with cost of studying in Czechia.
Sources
- ELTE: programme fees and application fees, apply.elte.hu/courses; dormitories and 2026/27 prices, elte.hu/en/dormitory-centre; insurance, elte.hu/en/health-insurance/private
- BME: 2026/27 fees, xplore.bme.hu/tuition-fees/; admission, bme.hu/en/application_and_admission
- Corvinus University of Budapest: fees and prepayment, uni-corvinus.hu/post/landing-page/application/fees-and-costs/
- Semmelweis University: medicine, semmelweis.hu/admission/programs/medicine/; payments, semmelweis.hu/admission/faq/how-where-can-i-settle-my-payments/; housing, semmelweis.hu/admission/life-at/housing/
- University of Debrecen: 2026/27 fees, edu.unideb.hu/p/tuition-fees; cost of living, edu.unideb.hu/p/cost-of-living
- University of Pécs Medical School: admissions.medschool.pte.hu/tuition-fees-and-costs
- University of Szeged Medical School: med.u-szeged.hu/english/fees-and-discounts/tuition-fees
- Budapest Metropolitan University: metropolitan.hu/en/tuition-fees
- Study in Hungary, cost of living calculator: studyinhungary.hu/living-in-hungary/menu/your-costs-of-living.html
- BKK, ticket and pass prices: bkk.hu/en/tickets-and-passes/prices/
- Stipendium Hungaricum, Call for Applications 2026/27: stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/
- OIF, fees: oif.gov.hu/eljarasi-dijak; Embassy of Hungary in Moscow, consular fees: moszkva.mfa.gov.hu/ru/konsulskie-sbory
Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rates of 24 and 29 September 2026 (on 29 September: €1 = $1.1355 = HUF 366.38, $1 ≈ HUF 323). Information checked on 28 September 2026. Universities are compared in universities in Hungary; general information is on our study in Hungary page.
If you want a full budget for your whole degree based on a specific programme and city, send us a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Studying medicine in Hungary: English-taught programmes, entrance exams and costs
- Stipendium Hungaricum: how to win a scholarship to study in Hungary
- Hungary student visa: the residence permit for study in 2026
- Universities in Hungary: which one to choose as an international student
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Cost of Studying in Czechia: 2026/27 and 2027/28 Tuition, Living Costs and a First-Year Budget
