From affordable tuition to global exchange programs, Corvinus University offers students the chance to study business, economics, and humanities with international recognition. Learn how to apply, secure funding, and make the most of student life in Budapest.
Saba Gagoshidze, International Student Recruitment Coordinator
About Corvinus University
Corvinus University of Budapest is one of the leading universities in Hungary, especially in business and economics, but we also have programs in humanities like international relations, media communication, politics, philosophy, and economics. What really sets us apart is that we are the only university in Hungary accredited by AICUSP and AMBA. These are prestigious American accreditations that allow you to continue your studies or work anywhere in the world after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree with us.
The most popular programs in business are Business Management and International Business. Most of these programs last about three to three and a half years, except for International Business, which is a four-year program. One of the main advantages of studying at Corvinus is affordability. Tuition costs are around three to three and a half thousand euros per semester, so the total for a year is roughly six to seven thousand euros. Compared to other universities in Europe, this is much more affordable, and the cost of living in Budapest is also lower than in most EU capitals.
About admission
For students who are self-financing, the application process is quite simple. You will need your passport and your school grades, but we don’t focus on the GPA or how high your grades are; they just need to exist. You also need to show your English proficiency. We accept IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, Cambridge, and similar certificates. For example, you need an IELTS score of 6.0 or about 100 in Duolingo, which corresponds to a B2 level of English.
For business and economics programs, we have an internal math exam, but for humanities programs like International Relations or Media Communication, there is only an oral interview, so no math exam is required. There is also a small application fee of 75 euros, and that’s basically all you need to submit if you are self-financing.
We often get questions about whether 12 years of schooling are required. The answer is no. We know that some countries have 11 or even 10 years of schooling, and we accept those certificates as well. Another common question is whether the SAT can replace the internal math exam. This year it’s not possible due to regulatory changes, but starting next year, a score of 680 in the math component of the SAT will allow you to skip the math exam.
There are no differences in the application process depending on where you come from. Whether you are from Central Asia or Europe, everyone has the same requirements. There are no additional scholarships for specific regions, but if you are from Central Asia, your country might participate in the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which is a huge advantage because it allows you to study completely free.
Besides Stipendium Hungaricum, we also offer a partial grant. The process works like this: if you apply for Stipendium Hungaricum and do not get it, we can offer you a 10% discount on the first year’s tuition. Then, after your first semester, depending on your grades, you can apply for a partial scholarship. This scholarship can provide up to 200 euros per month, but it must be renewed each semester, so maintaining good grades is very important.
Stipendium Hungaricum and opportunities during studies
Let’s talk in more detail about the Stipendium Hungaricum program. I also applied through this program, so I can share what you need to know and how to prepare. First, your country nominates you — usually through the Ministry of Education. Once nominated, you apply to us and go through the admissions procedure. You can submit your documents either directly to us or through the Stipendium Hungaricum platform, DreamApply. We review your documents, you take the exam, and if we accept you, the Hungarian government will decide whether to provide funding. So, the first step is to apply through your country’s Ministry of Education.
The documents are mostly the same as for self-financing students, but for Stipendium Hungaricum, you also need a motivation letter, and if you are nominated, a medical certificate is required, which includes basic health checks like hepatitis and blood tests.
During your studies, there are many opportunities for internships, research, and even work. Working is not only possible as a bachelor’s student, it’s often necessary, because all programs include a mandatory internship. We have many corporate partners, including companies like KPMG, Wizz Air, MOL, Citibank, and Morgan Stanley. Twice a year, these companies come to our campus for job fairs, making it easy for students to find internships. Sometimes, students even stay on and work at these companies after their internships. I experienced this myself — I started working on campus from my second semester, around 30 hours a week, which is the maximum allowed under a student visa. It’s more than enough to gain experience and support yourself.
Student life
We also have unique programs at Corvinus. One example is the Pannonia exchange program, similar to Erasmus, though Erasmus is no longer available in Hungary. Through Pannonia, you can study at a partner university in Europe or Asia for one semester, with the possibility to extend up to a year. Unfortunately, we don’t have exchange programs with the U.S., but there are many options in Europe and Asia. During your exchange semester, a monthly scholarship is provided to cover living expenses.
For self-financing students in Applied Economics or Business and Management, there’s the Double Degree program. You can earn a diploma from a partner university as well as from Corvinus for the cost of one program, completed within the same time frame. It’s a great opportunity to gain an international degree.
I’ve been living in Budapest for almost two years, and I really think it’s an ideal city for students. Being in the heart of Central Europe makes it easy to travel — so far, I’ve visited over twelve EU countries. Flights are very affordable, for example with Wizz Air. The city itself is also quite affordable compared to Berlin, Paris, or Vienna.
Students enjoy many discounts here. Monthly transport passes cost about two euros, covering all four metro lines, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. There are discounts in libraries, cafes, museums, and more. Budapest has a vibrant student life with plenty of bars, clubs, and events. On campus, there are many student organizations and clubs. For instance, if you study International Relations, you can join the Diplomatic Club, where politicians and diplomats give lectures. Overall, student life here is diverse, active, and full of opportunities beyond academics.
