Eötvös Loránd University

Overview

Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), founded in 1635, is Hungary’s oldest university and one of the country’s most prestigious research institutions, located across multiple campuses in Budapest. Named after physicist Loránd Eötvös, ELTE has grown into a comprehensive university with a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Today, it serves more than 28,000 students, including a significant international community, while combining long academic traditions with modern research facilities and teaching methods.

As a leading higher education institution, ELTE is particularly recognized for strength in humanities, natural sciences, and informatics, and it actively supports international study through cross-border academic partnerships. If you’re comparing options in Hungary, you may also want to review similar study paths at Budapest University of Technology and Economics or Central European University.

2. General Information

3. Fee Structure

Tuition varies by program level, nationality, and study field. The ranges below reflect typical annual tuition bands you may encounter for international students, but you should always confirm the current fee schedule on the official ELTE program page before applying.

4. Academic Programs

• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Informatics
• Faculty of Education and Psychology
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Primary and Pre-School Education
• Faculty of Special Needs Education
• Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Education

If you’re deciding between Budapest-based options, it can help to compare how different universities structure studies in computing, law, and social sciences, for example at Corvinus University of Budapest or Óbuda University.

5. Facilities

• Central European Studies Library (one of Hungary’s largest)
• Modern research laboratories
• Planetarium and astronomical observatory
• Language learning center
• Sports center with swimming pool
• Student cultural centers
• Computer labs with specialized software

Beyond traditional classrooms, ELTE supports student learning through research-oriented environments and field-adjacent learning opportunities, which is especially relevant for science and informatics programs. Students interested in broader technical and engineering ecosystems in Hungary may also compare campus resources and lab access at BME (Budapest University of Technology and Economics).

6. Accommodation

ELTE offers dormitory places for both Hungarian and international students through the ELTE Dormitory and Catering Service. Housing options are available across Budapest, and priority is generally given to first-year students and scholarship holders. Availability can vary by intake, so it’s important to review the dormitory application timeline and requirements early.

• 10 dormitory buildings in different locations
• Single, double, and triple rooms available
• Shared kitchens and common areas
• 24/7 security
• Meal plans at university cafeterias

For students open to studying outside Budapest, you can also explore accommodation and campus life at universities like University of Debrecen or University of Szeged, where student housing and support services are organized at a large-city campus scale.

7. Contact Information

• Email: international@elte.hu
• Phone: +36 1 411 6500
• Address: Egyetem tér 1-3, Budapest, 1053 Hungary

More Universities in Hungary

• University of Szeged
• Semmelweis University
• Budapest University of Technology and Economics
• Central European University
• University of Debrecen
• Corvinus University of Budapest
• University of Pécs
• Óbuda University
• Hungarian University of Fine Arts

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