Hungary admits over 101,000 university students in 2026 record intake
More than 101,000 students will begin higher‑education studies in Hungary this September after the 2026 university admission round. A total of 140,427 applicants entered the process, and about 72 % were offered places, with eight out of ten securing state‑funded slots. The most sought‑after fields were business and economics (21,274 admissions), teacher training (16,199), engineering (13,314) and the humanities and IT sectors.
The highest entry scores were required for Corvinus University’s English‑language International Business programme (477 points) and ELTE’s law programme (467 points). Individual universities reported record enrolments: ELTE admitted 13,723 newcomers, SZTE filled its full state‑funded capacity with 7,343 students, and the National University of Public Service (NKE) took in 2,592 candidates. Metropolitan University (METU) saw a ten‑percent rise in intake, while the Agricultural University (MATE) reported historic growth across multiple campuses.
The announcement triggered a surge in student housing demand, with limited dormitory places and rising private‑rental costs, prompting analysts to warn of short‑term rent hikes. A nationwide “Pontváró” celebration was held in Budapest and other cities, marking the threshold release and providing a communal outlet for prospective students.