A Pioneer in Engineering Education Since 1782
The history of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics dates back to 1782, when it was founded by Emperor Joseph II under the name “Institutum Geometrico-Hydrotechnicum.” This makes it one of the oldest universities in Hungary and the first institution in Europe to train engineers according to the university model. For 240 years, the university has remained at the forefront of engineering education in Europe, boasting a deep academic tradition in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, information engineering, natural sciences, and business administration.
Today, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) trains approximately 70% of the country’s engineers. The degrees awarded by the university are widely recognized domestically as the highest standard in engineering education. Furthermore, the university boasts four Nobel laureates: Dénes Gábor, winner of the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics, and György Ölah, winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This further underscores the high academic value of a degree from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Dual Recognition: Global Rankings and Employer Reputation
BME’s degrees consistently demonstrate strong international competitiveness. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the university is ranked 711–720 globally; in the 2025 ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities), it is ranked in the 801–900 range; and in the QS European University Rankings, the university ranks first in Hungary for employer reputation. According to the Times Higher Education Subject Rankings, BME’s Engineering subject is ranked between 801 and 1,000 globally, while its Business and Economics subject is ranked beyond 801. Higher-paying diplomas in Hungary
In the 2025 QS Subject Rankings, BME’s Engineering and Technology subject is ranked among the top 231 globally, its Computer Science and Information Systems subject is ranked between 301 and 350, and its Civil and Structural Engineering subject is ranked between 201 and 275. These rankings collectively establish BME’s status as a leading science and technology university in Central Europe and secure its firm place on the global higher education landscape.
Eight Faculties and a Multilingual Academic Environment
The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) comprises eight faculties: Faculty of Civil Engineering (founded in 1782), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (founded in 1871), Faculty of Architecture (founded in 1873), Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (founded in 1873), Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (founded in 1949), Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering (founded in 1951), Natural Sciences (founded in 1998), and Economics and Social Sciences (founded in 1998). The university comprises over 100 departments and research institutes.
In the field of electrical engineering and informatics, BME launched Hungary’s first IT program focused on quantum computing and quantum communication in 2023, underscoring the university’s leading position in this field. BME offers degree programs in five languages: Hungarian, English, German, French, and Russian. The university currently has approximately 21,000 students, including over 1,000 international students from around the world. The campus is located on the right bank of the Danube in downtown Budapest, just a ten-minute drive from the bustling city center. While receiving a world-class academic education, students can fully experience the culture and atmosphere of this historic European city.
Graduate Salary Premium: A Real Return of Up to 100,000 Forint
BME degrees are highly competitive in the job market, a fact reflected in the salary levels of its graduates. According to official BME data, graduates holding a BME degree earn an average monthly salary in the Hungarian labor market that is approximately 100,000 forint (about 250 euros) higher than the average for graduates with equivalent qualifications.
Furthermore, research on the Hungarian talent market indicates that BME graduates have the highest expected monthly salaries among all higher education institutions in Hungary. The most common positions held by the university’s alumni include project manager, mechanical engineer, IT architect, and R&D engineer. In recent years, the expected monthly salary for recent graduates has generally ranged between 600,000 and 800,000 Forint. The university consistently ranks among the top in the country in terms of employer reputation. With multinational corporations such as BYD (the world’s largest electric bus manufacturer) and BMW establishing R&D centers in Hungary—including BYD’s Hungarian plant and BMW’s Debrecen facility—BME graduates enjoy broad career prospects.
