Minimum mark 60%
Level Undergraduate
Language/s English
Agreement Scope Mathematics and Physics Departmental Exchange
Exchange Places 1 full year place for Physics students for 2026/27
1 full year place for Mathematics students for 2026/27
About:
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) was founded in 1782, tracing its roots to a training institute for cartography, surveying and hydraulic engineering. The University now boasts 8 faculties ranging from Economic and Social Sciences through to Biotechnology.
Highlights:
BME's 8 faculties provide specialised technical training to their (approximately) 20,000 students. With Nobel Prize winning chemists, physicists and Olympians among its alumni, BME is a prestigious Hungarian university that has ties to institutions around the globe.
Location:
The University is in the centre of Budapest, on the banks of the Danube. It is situated next to the famous Gellért thermal baths. With a Metro connection to Line 4 and a host of city tram routes, it's easy to navigate the centre of the city and travel between the major railway stations. Budapest itself is located to the west of Hungary, with easy train links to other European capitals by air and via daytime and nighttime rail services.
Courses / Modules:
All courses available to exchange students are available to view on the University's Faculty Information webpage. This is updated for each semester but does have archive lists of previous semester courses, to give you an idea of what is available. Courses are subject to change at any time - a course running in one semester doesn't guarantee it will run the next. Assessment is a combination of written summative assessment and oral exams (in some modules).
Each department offers a list of courses for Exchange Students and registration takes place through their online system. Language courses are also available.
Credit (Full-time Load per semester):
You must take a full credit load while on exchange.
The Budapest University of Technoplogy and Economics uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values. 30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.
Teaching Periods:
There are two teaching terms. Term 1 runs from September to January, with teaching until December and exams in January. Term 2 lasts from February to early July, with exams during June and early July.
Language:
The language for all courses available to Exchange Students is English. If you are a fluent Hungarian Speaker, there is an option to also take courses in Hungarian.
The BME University website has a dedicated page for Practical Information for Exchange Students.
Accommodation:
Campus accommodation is not routinely provided for incoming students. There are a number of other options available and there is an international mentor team available to help you to find private dormitories and private rentals. Erasmus Student Network volunteers are also helpful with accommodation matters. Some recommended sites by the University are https://en.alberlet.hu (in English) and https://ingatlan.com/ (in Hungarian).
Orientation / Welcome week:
Orientation Week takes place at the start of September and information about it is circulated in August.
Both online enrolment and in-person enrolment are essential during the orientation period, and details of how to do this can be found on the BME website.
Support Services:
Details of the university's support services, including counselling , language teaching, and the international mentor team, can be found on the University Services webpage.
Visas:
You may need a visa to study in Hungary. If you are a UK National you must refer to the travel advice page and its Living in Hungary guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate. If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.
There is information about visas on the FAQ page of the university's Exchange Program website.
Travel insurance:
If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.
Health insurance:
Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC). In any case, for non-EU students a valid health insurance is required for enrolment and can be purchased after arrival in Hungary, for approx. 107 € per semester.
You could be the first University of York student to study at and share your experiences of Budapest University of Technology and Economics! Please read the student experiences on some of our other sites as a guide.
Please note this is a new exchange, therefore the information below has been collated from that provided by students who have undertaken exchanges outside of Hungary, the host university's web pages and internet research. We recommend that students use this as a guide and conduct their own independent research.
Money and Banking:
Start with a digital bank like Revolut if you can’t open a traditional account immediately.
Once you have an Budapest address and confirmation letter, consider opening a traditional student account for things like receiving wages, paying rent, or applying for visas.
Avoid ATM fees by using your bank's own ATMs.
Buy an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) at home then bring it with you, or request temporary student ID once enrolled at Budapest. You can use this to buy a student travel pass.
Staying Connected:
You can buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport, convenience stores, or mobile shops.
Telekom and Yettel are frequently recommended mobile networks in Hungary
Paperwork and bureaucracy:
Bring essential documents (and digital copies) - passport, offer letter, vaccination records, proof of funds, health insurance, academic transcripts. You’ll need some of these for immigration, banking, GP registration, etc.
Once you have been registered at BME, you are obliged to apply for a residence permit in Hungary (depending on your citizenship).
What I wished I'd known...:
Be wary of scams. Never send money before seeing a place or signing with a verified landlord.
Join clubs, societies, and hobbies early. It’s the fastest way to meet people.
Global Opportunities - Drop in and see us at Derwent College D/A/023, Tuesdays-Thursdays 11-1pm
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter :@GoGlobalUOY
Book a virtual appointment with one of our advisors: Emily or Stephanie, or email global-opportunities@york.ac.uk for further support.