Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem (Műegyetem)
Hungary's leading technical university on the Danube; English-taught BSc fees from 2,200 euros a year for EU citizens.
- Students
- 20,215
- 12,496 undergraduates
- International
- 12%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 16.3:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €6,400
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1782
About BME
The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME, known in Hungarian as the Műegyetem) traces its origins to the Institutum Geometrico-Hydrotechnicum founded in 1782, which BME describes as the first institute in Europe to train engineers in a university structure. Since 1910 it has occupied its site on the Buda bank of the Danube near Gellért Square, and it is Hungary's most important university of technology.
BME has eight faculties: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Economic and Social Sciences. In 2023 it had about 20,000 students, including 12,496 on bachelor's programmes, and nearly 2,300 foreign students, over 12% of enrolment. It offers more than 50 English-taught bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, and its alumni include Nobel laureates Dennis Gabor and Ferenc Krausz.
Most teaching is in Hungarian through the national felvi.hu admissions system, where Hungarian State Grant places are paid for by the state. International students usually join the English-taught programmes as fee-payers or on a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, and must pass BME's online e-admission test in maths and physics. It suits applicants who want a rigorous, maths-heavy engineering or science degree in a central European capital at moderate cost.
Why students choose BME
English-taught BSc programmes include Computer Science Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and a Professional Pilot degree.
EU citizens pay from 1,100 euros a semester for many English-taught BSc programmes; non-EU tuition is 3,200-3,500 euros a semester.
BME alumni include Nobel physicists Dennis Gabor and Ferenc Krausz, aerospace pioneer Theodore von Kármán and Rubik's Cube inventor Ernő Rubik.
An International Mentor Team helps admitted students with health insurance, accommodation and getting around Budapest.
Admissions
September 2027 entry
Selectivity
BME publishes no acceptance rate for its English-taught programmes. Applicants are pre-screened on documents and then take an online e-admission test; BSc applicants whose maths, physics or chemistry and English are too weak are directed to a one-year preparatory course. Hungarian-taught places are allocated by points in the national felvi.hu procedure (6,113 first-choice applicants in 2023).
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school leaving certificate (English-taught BSc) | High school certificate, e.g. minimum 70% for Computer Science Engineering, plus the e-admission test in mathematics and physics |
|---|---|
| English proficiency (BSc/MSc) | B2 minimum: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First 160, PTE 50, Duolingo 100, or a medium-of-instruction certificate |
| Pre-Engineering (preparatory) programme | B1 English (IELTS 4.5, TOEFL iBT 42); no admission test |
| Hungarian-taught programmes | Hungarian érettségi (matura) points in the national felvi.hu procedure |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 72 BME's general minimum for BSc and MSc programmes is B2 (IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72); individual faculties may set higher scores. |
Deadlines
- Fee-paying, February 2027 intake Non-binding Next deadline · In 40 days15 November 2026
Application period 15 October - 15 November 2026; not every programme starts in February.
- Hungarian-taught programmes, general procedure (felvi.hu) Non-binding In ~4 months15 February 2027
Felvi.hu says calls for September programmes are published by 31 December and the application deadline is usually 15 February; point thresholds are set in July.
- Fee-paying, September 2027 intake Non-bindingNot yet published (2026 cycle: 1 April - 15 May 2026, now past)
For September 2026 entry, BME's fee-paying application period was 1 April to 15 May 2026. Expect a similar spring window for 2027.
The September 2027 fee-paying window had not been announced when checked; the 2026-cycle dates (1 April - 15 May 2026) are past and shown for reference. Stipendium Hungaricum has its own deadline set by the Tempus Public Foundation.
How to apply
Fee-paying applicants create an account on BME's e-admission portal, upload a CV and motivation letter, passport copy, high school certificate, proof of English and the receipt for the 150-euro application fee, then take the online e-admission test. Stipendium Hungaricum applicants apply through the Tempus Public Foundation. Hungarian-taught programmes are applied for centrally through felvi.hu.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary school leaving certificate of adequate quality (e.g. at least 70% for Computer Science Engineering).
- B2-level English for BSc programmes.
- Solid mathematics and physics, tested in the online e-admission exam.
- For some programmes, an oral examination or interview; faculties may add further criteria.
Tips for applying to BME
- 1 Practise on the sample tests in BME's e-admission portal before sitting the entrance exam.
- 2 If your maths or physics is shaky, consider the one-year Pre-Engineering programme, which needs only B1 English and no admission test.
- 3 Check whether Stipendium Hungaricum is open to your country: it covers tuition, a monthly stipend and a dormitory place or housing contribution.
- 4 Watch for the spring application window for September entry; in 2026 it ran only from 1 April to 15 May.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
The Hungarian government's Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship gives students from partner countries free tuition, a monthly stipend of 43,700 HUF (about 110 euros) for bachelor's and master's students, a dormitory place or accommodation contribution, and health insurance. BME also lists the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship, the Scholarship for Christian Young People and a Students at Risk programme. Hungarian State Grant holders have their study costs paid by the state in return for completing their degree and working in Hungary for a set period.
- HUF 43,700 (about 110 euros), 12 months a year
- Stipendium Hungaricum monthly stipend (BSc/MSc)
- 150 euros
- Application fee
- 14,650 euros a semester (terms 1-6)
- Professional Pilot BSc tuition
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (autumn and spring)
Computer Science Engineering (BSc)
Seven-semester, 210-ECTS programme in BME's largest faculty, with Software Engineering and Infocommunication specialisations.
Electrical Engineering (BSc)
Taught by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, where Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz graduated in 1985.
Civil Engineering (BSc)
The oldest faculty, dating from 1782; EU students pay 1,100 euros a semester.
Professional Pilot (BSc)
A rare university pilot degree from the Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering.
Architecture (integrated MSc)
Ten-semester single-cycle programme from the Faculty of Architecture, where Ernő Rubik studied.
Physicist-Engineer (BSc)
Seven-semester, 210-ECTS programme in the Faculty of Natural Sciences combining physics with engineering, mathematics, and computer and data science.
Research
- BME describes itself as the most successful Hungarian applicant to the EU's Horizon research programme (Facts and Figures 2023).
- It is a member of EELISA, the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance.
- Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz, a pioneer of attosecond physics, graduated from BME's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics in 1985.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Civil Engineering
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics
- Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics says graduate tracking shows its graduates' average salary is well above the national average and that most students find jobs during their studies.
Student life
BME's campus stretches along the Danube in Buda's 11th district, next to Gellért Square. Each autumn BME University Days is billed as the largest student festival in Budapest, and a University Sports Day lets students try everything from beach volleyball and squash to fencing and Hungarian folk dance at the BME Sports Center. A Job Fair and International Fair run every semester, and student organisations such as AIESEC, BEST and IAESTE are active. International students are supported by BME's International Mentor Team.
- BME University Days, the largest student festival in Budapest.
- University Sports Day and a Sports Center with gym and discounted classes.
- Job Fair and International Fair every semester.
- Students from BME launched part of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
Housing. BME's International Mentor Team helps with university and private dormitories (about 110 euros a month) or shared flats (about 174 euros a month).
Location
Budapest is Hungary's capital, split by the Danube into hilly Buda and flat Pest. BME's main buildings line the Buda bank of the Danube near Gellért Square. BME estimates a dorm place at about 110 euros, a shared flat at about 174 euros and basic food at about 125 euros a month.
Nearest airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Notable alumni
- DG Dennis GaborInventor of holography and 1971 Nobel laureate in physics; began his engineering studies at BME in 1918
- FK Ferenc Krausz2023 Nobel laureate in physics for attosecond science; electrical engineering graduate (1985)
- TV Theodore von KármánAerospace engineer and founder of modern aerodynamics; mechanical engineering degree (1902)
- LS Leo SzilardPhysicist who conceived the nuclear chain reaction; studied engineering at the university from 1916
- ER Ernő RubikInventor of the Rubik's Cube; studied at the Faculty of Architecture (1962-1967)
- LB László BéládyComputer scientist known for Bélády's anomaly; mechanical and aeronautical engineering degrees
- AA András AratóInternet meme 'Hide the Pain Harold'; electrical engineering graduate (1969)
Frequently asked questions
How much does BME cost for international students?
For 2026/27, non-EU students pay 3,200 euros a semester for most English-taught BSc programmes (3,500 for Mechanical Engineering). EU citizens pay 1,100 to 2,250 euros a semester depending on the programme; Vehicle Engineering is charged per credit (3,200 euros for a 30-credit semester).
Does BME have an entrance exam?
Yes. English-taught applicants take BME's online e-admission test; for Computer Science Engineering it covers mathematics, physics and an asynchronous oral interview.
What English score do I need for BME?
The general minimum for BSc and MSc programmes is B2: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First 160 or equivalent. The preparatory programme needs B1 (IELTS 4.5).
When is the BME application deadline?
For the February 2027 intake, fee-paying applications run from 15 October to 15 November 2026. The window for September 2027 had not been published; in 2026 it was 1 April to 15 May.
Can I study at BME for free?
Stipendium Hungaricum scholars from partner countries pay no tuition and receive a monthly stipend. Hungarian State Grant places on Hungarian-taught programmes are paid for by the state.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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