One of the first questions students and parents ask is not about rankings or campus life – it is how much this will actually cost. The cost of studying in Hungary is one of the main reasons many students from the UK, Ireland and France look seriously at English-taught degrees there, especially when home options feel increasingly competitive or financially stretched.
Hungary has earned a strong reputation for internationally recognised degrees, particularly in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, business and science. But affordability is never just about a headline tuition figure. A realistic budget needs to look at the full picture: tuition fees, accommodation, food, transport, study costs and the smaller monthly expenses that quickly add up if you have not planned for them.
What shapes the cost of studying in Hungary?
The short answer is that it depends on the course, the city and the kind of lifestyle you expect. A medical or dentistry degree will naturally cost more than many business or humanities programmes. Equally, a student living very simply in university accommodation will have a different monthly budget from someone renting a private flat and travelling frequently.
That said, Hungary is often seen as a cost-effective route into high-value degrees taught in English. For students considering professional courses with intense competition at home, that matters. The value is not only in lower day-to-day living costs compared with many Western European cities, but also in access to well-established university pathways.
Tuition fees and the cost of studying in Hungary
Tuition is the largest part of the budget, and this is where course choice matters most. In Hungary, English-taught programmes in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy sit at the higher end of the range because of the laboratory, clinical and specialist teaching involved. Degrees in business, computing, engineering, agriculture and public health are usually more moderate by comparison.
Foundation programmes are another cost to factor in if a student needs academic preparation or entrance exam support before starting a full degree. For some applicants, a foundation year is an extra expense. For others, it is the step that makes a professional course possible and prevents a failed first application cycle elsewhere. That is why cost should always be weighed against opportunity.
At the University of Debrecen, students can access a wide portfolio of English-taught courses across medicine, health sciences, engineering, IT, business and more. Fees vary by programme and intake, so the sensible approach is always to check the exact course rather than relying on broad online averages that may be outdated.
Living costs in Hungary for international students
Living costs are where Hungary often compares well with more expensive study destinations. For many students, the difference is noticeable in accommodation, transport and everyday spending.
Accommodation is usually the biggest monthly cost after tuition. Students may choose on-campus options, student hostels or private rentals. University accommodation tends to be more budget-friendly, while a private flat offers more independence but usually costs more once utilities are included. In cities such as Debrecen, many students find that living costs remain manageable with careful budgeting, especially compared with larger capital cities elsewhere in Europe.
Food spending depends heavily on habits. Students who cook most of their meals generally keep costs under control far more easily than those relying on takeaways, cafés or frequent eating out. Supermarket shopping in Hungary is often reasonable, and many students settle into a routine quickly once they know where to shop.
Public transport is another area where costs are usually manageable. Student discounts can help, and many university areas are structured in a way that makes daily travel straightforward. Some students also find that they can walk to key locations or rely on occasional local travel rather than major commuting costs.
How much should students budget each month?
There is no single monthly figure that suits everyone, but most students are better off building a budget in layers rather than guessing one all-in number. Start with fixed essentials: accommodation, utilities, groceries, local transport, mobile phone costs and course materials. Then add a second layer for personal spending, social life and unexpected costs.
A student living modestly and choosing university-managed accommodation may spend far less than someone in a private rental with higher utility bills and a more flexible social budget. Parents often want a clean number, but the more honest answer is that monthly costs sit on a spectrum. The key is not aiming for the lowest possible spend. It is making sure the budget is realistic enough to avoid pressure once term begins.
Costs students often forget
This is where budgets can go wrong. Tuition and rent get attention early, but several smaller expenses are easy to overlook.
Students may need to pay for visa-related paperwork, travel to Hungary, bedding or kitchen basics on arrival, residence permit processes, health insurance requirements, entrance examination preparation and document handling before enrolment. There can also be one-off setup costs in the first few weeks, such as deposits, local essentials and study equipment.
For medical and science-based students, extra academic costs may include lab coats, instruments or specialist materials depending on the programme. These are not always dramatic sums on their own, but together they can affect the first-term budget more than expected.
Is Hungary good value for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy?
For many families, this is the real question behind the search. The cost of studying in Hungary is often discussed most heavily in relation to medicine and dentistry because these are the courses where domestic competition can be especially tough.
Good value does not mean cheap. These degrees still require serious financial planning, and they demand academic commitment. But many students see Hungary as worthwhile because it offers a structured route into internationally respected professional training in English, with a clear university setting and established international student communities.
That balance matters. A lower-cost destination is not automatically good value if the degree pathway is unclear or student support is weak. Equally, a high-fee course can still make sense if the teaching, recognition and progression opportunities justify the investment. This is why families should compare the full educational outcome, not just the annual invoice.
Can students work while studying?
Some students hope part-time work will cover a large share of their living costs. In practice, that should be treated as support for a budget, not the foundation of one. Professional programmes such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are academically demanding, and the timetable can be intense.
For students on lighter timetables, limited work may help with day-to-day spending. But no student should build their financial plan around the assumption that part-time income will reliably cover rent or tuition. A stronger approach is to arrive with a workable budget and then treat any earnings as additional flexibility.
Why planning early makes a difference
Students who start budgeting early usually make better decisions across the whole application process. They choose the right accommodation faster, prepare more confidently for arrival and avoid the stress of discovering hidden costs at the last minute.
This is also where proper admissions guidance helps. Knowing the likely cost range of a chosen programme, the practical setup expenses and the day-to-day realities of student life in Debrecen can make the difference between a rushed decision and a confident one. For applicants looking at the University of Debrecen, having direct guidance before enrolment can make the financial side feel far more manageable.
A realistic view for students and parents
Hungary is not a no-cost option, and it should never be presented that way. It is, however, a serious and often more accessible route to an English-taught degree in Europe, particularly for students aiming for career-led courses with strong long-term value.
If you are weighing up the cost of studying in Hungary, the best approach is to think beyond a single headline number. Look at the full student journey: tuition, living costs, setup expenses, the quality of the degree and the support available before you arrive. When those pieces are clear, the decision becomes much easier – and much less stressful.
A sensible budget does more than protect your finances. It gives you the freedom to focus on what really matters once you arrive: settling in well, keeping up academically and building a future from a degree that opens real doors.