University of Szeged

The University of Szeged (SZTE) is one of the most popular universities of Hungary, occupying high places in all the international rankings. The number of its academic research and teaching staff reaches 2300 teaching and training up to 25 000 students. It has been considered for years as one of the world’s best 500 universities and it is known as a green institution.

Faculties

• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Law and Political Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Music
• Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Science and Informatics
• Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Studies
• Juhász Gyula Faculty of Education

1581

The University of Szeged traces its origins back to 1581 with the foundation of the Academia in Cluj (Kolozsvár). István Báthory, Prince of Transylvania, King of Poland (1571-1586), Grand Duke of Lithuania took measures to establish a Catholic university consisting of two faculties, Arts and Theology.

1872

Magyar Királyi Ferenc József Tudományegyetem (Royal Hungarian Franz Joseph University) is established in Cluj and operates there until 1921 when it is relocated to Szeged.

1921

The first academic year of the University is ceremoniously opened in Szeged by Rector Gáspár Menyhárt, and the construction of the university buildings starts a few years later.

1930

University buildings around Dóm Square, in front of the Votive Church, are ready to open, and the first pond of the botanical garden is created.

1937

Albert Szent-Györgyi is awarded the Nobel Prize.

1940

In the midst of WW2 and just after the second Treaty of Vienna, the Franz Joseph University is relocated to Cluj (Kolozsvár), and a new institution called Miklós Horthy University is established in its place in Szeged. Albert Szent-Györgyi is appointed Rector of the University.

1945

The University is renamed after the city, its new name is University of Szeged.

1951

The Medical Faculty is separated from the University of Szeged and begins to function as an independent university.

1962

The University of Szeged adopts the name of the poet Attila József.

1987

The Medical University of Szeged adopts the name of Albert Szent-Györgyi, its Nobel laureate rector.

1996

A statement of intent to create the University of Szeged is signed by Attila József University, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Gyula Juhász Teacher Training College, Ferenc Liszt Musical College, the Food Industry Faculty of the University of Gardening and Food Industry (Szeged), the Faculty of the University of Agriculture of Debrecen (nem Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Debrecen?) (Hódmezővásárhely) and, as associate members, by the College of Theology and the Szeged Biological Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

2000

With the unification of Attila József University, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Gyula Juhász Teacher Training College, the Food Industry College of Szeged and the Agricultural College of the University of Debrecen, the new University of Szeged (SZTE) is established.

2003

The Szeged Conservatory begins to function as one of the current 12 Faculties of the University of Szeged.

2004

The new building of the Study and Information Centre (Tanulmányi és Információs Központ – TIK) a large part of which is occupied by the unified University Library, is inaugurated. A year later, the Centre is named after the poet Attila József.

2009

The University of Szeged is awarded the Higher Education Quality Prize.

2010

The University is awarded the title of Research University.

2012

The second official Confucius Institute in Hungary opens its doors in the building of the Rector’s Office.

2013

The University of Szeged is awarded the title of University of Excellence.

2014

The foundation stone of the ELI Laser Research Centre is ceremoniously laid in Szeged.

Application Step by Step

1. Choose your programme and read the programme description on our website. Each descriptions includes a direct link to the online application platform.

2. Click on Apply Now button in the programme description and sign up for the online application platform.

3. Fill in the online application form, upload the necessary documents and make sure to pay the application fee.

4. Check your mailbox regularly. The system will remind you to complete the tasks.

What happens after?

5. After you have submitted your application, your documents are going to be evaluated and you may be invited to take an entrance exam.

6. Pay the entrance exam fee, if applicable, and do your best at the exam.

7. Once the tuition fee is credited, your place is reserved at SZTE.

8. If you are accepted, you will receive our Admission Letter through the system including the tuition fee.

9. In case you need a visa, make sure to arrange an appointment at the Hungarian Consulate or Embassy and present your Admission Letter and the proof of payment of the tuition fee (in most of the cases of SZTE programmes you are asked to pay the first two semesters (one year).

The University of Szeged has achieved excellent results in all acknowledged international rankings.

• Placed among the top 601-800 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2018;
• In 2019 the University was ranked the highest of the Hungarian higher education institutions on the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University list. SZTE is among the top 500 universities of the world;
• According to rankings published HVG in Hungary, the University of Szeged is the best university out of the capital;
• University of Szeged is still the “greenest” Hungarian university according to UI Green Metric World Ranking;
• SZTE ranks 88th greenest university in the world and is ranked 42nd place on the European Green-list;
• Good and excellent classifications are received on U-Multirank created by the European Commission;
• 7th out of the 50 Most Amazing University Libraries in the World;
• Szeged is 8th on the list of the Best University Towns in Europe;

Cost of living

It depends partly on your own spending habits how much money you will need during your stay in Hungary. In general, living expenses are reasonable in Hungary especially in comparison with Western European countries. The average cost of living in Szeged, including room and board amounts to 500-600 Euro (160 000 – 190.000 HUF) per month depending on the type of accommodation you choose.

Public transport

Szeged is an easily walkable city, however buses, trolley buses, and trams are all available means of transportation. Bus tickets can be purchased almost anywhere in the town in kiosks, in shops, and even on busses. All conference participants receive a city map printed in the conference programme booklet.

For using a bus, tram or trolley bus one needs to purchase a valid ticket. Tickets have to be validated on the vehicle. One ticket is valid for one journey only (single way on the same bus). Upon changing vehicles, one needs to validate another ticket.

Student Card

Temporary Student ID

• Valid (at least temporary) student ID is necessary for buying or applying for a monthly student pass, which might be useful for international students.
• Required documents: an activated EHA-code (following the Neptun registration) and the student’s passport.

Permanent Student ID

In case of longer stays (in excess of 1 year), application for a permanent student ID is recommended.

• Required documents: passport and certificate of university attendance

Process of application:

• At the Okmányiroda (National Office for Legal Identification Documents) personal details are registered and a photo is taken of the student free of charge.
• The student receives a form, which should be taken to the Students’ Services Office (HSZI).
• The actual application costs 1400 HUF. This fee can be paid on the spot by credit card or at the post office by cash.
• The Students’ Services Office will inform the student if the permanent student ID is ready.
• In case of group arrivals (groups of 5-10 people), the coordinator should make an appointment at the Okmányiroda.
• English-speaking administrator is provided at the Okmányiroda

It is mandatory to hold a student card, as it is the only way of proving that you have an active status at the University. I also entitles students to enjoy a number of discounts in many places.

• The University of Szeged is one of Hungary’s leading and internationally ranked higher education institutions.
• The Greatest Community in Town
• The University of Szeged (SZTE) with a history dating back to 1581, is located in the sunniest city of Hungary attracting thousands of young people due to its lively, urban lifestyle and colourful festivals.
• Since Hungary is a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), it also has EU accreditation. According to QS World University Rankings, SZTE was the best Hungarian university in 2019.
• Outstanding professors have worked at the university, including the Nobel Laureate Albert Szent-Györgyi (1937), who was the first to isolate Vitamin C, extracting it from Szeged paprika and the student-faculty ratio is currently 10:1.
• It is a research university with outstanding achievements, covering 700 research areas at 19 Doctoral Schools and 53 full-time degree programs for international students. Scholarships, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme and the SZTE START Scholarship assist students from various regions of the world to attend the University.
• Our student body grew to 21000, in which the number of international students exceeds 3700.
• International study programmes in various languages have been available at the University of Szeged for three decades. SZTE offers international degree programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D level and other preparatory programmes in English and in Hungarian.