by Alimat Aliyeva

Hungarian universities continue to grow in popularity among
international students, steadily strengthening their position as
attractive destinations for global education,
Azernews reports.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, more than 12,000 foreign
students were enrolled in universities across the country —
accounting for approximately 16% of the total student population. A
decade ago, this share was below 10%, reflecting significant
progress in Hungary’s efforts to internationalize its higher
education sector.

Students from Germany, China, Iran, Turkiye, and the Western
Balkans represent the largest groups of international applicants.
At the same time, there is a noticeable increase in interest from
Africa and South Asia, as students from these regions seek quality
education at more affordable costs compared to Western Europe or
North America.

Experts attribute this growing appeal to a combination of
factors: relatively low tuition fees, affordable cost of living,
and the high academic standards offered by Hungarian institutions.
In addition, Hungary’s central location in Europe makes it an
accessible and attractive base for international students looking
to explore the region.

A major driver of this trend is the Stipendium Hungaricum —
Hungary’s prestigious government-funded scholarship program — which
brings in thousands of students each year. In 2025, the program
reached a new milestone, with a record number of scholarship
holders arriving to study at Hungarian institutions.

University leaders note that the increasing presence of foreign
students contributes not only to academic diversity, but also to
the development of English-language programs and the strengthening
of international research collaborations. In cities like Budapest
and Debrecen, the number of English-taught courses has nearly
doubled over the past five years, helping universities attract even
more applicants from abroad.

The Hungarian government views the influx of international
students as a key element of its “soft power” strategy, using
education as a means to build global partnerships and enhance
Hungary’s diplomatic and cultural influence.

Looking ahead, experts predict that by 2030, the share of
international students in Hungarian higher education could surpass
20%, solidifying the country’s role as an emerging hub for global
academic exchange.