Overview

The University of Pécs (Hungarian: Pécsi Tudományegyetem, PTE; Latin: Universitas Quinqueecclesiensis) is one of the largest higher education institutions in Hungary. The history of the university began in the Middle Ages, when in 1367, at the request of King Louis I the Great, Pope Urban V granted permission to found the institution. This made it the first university in Hungary and the fourth in Central Europe. The official successor of the university is the Elisabeth University of Pozsony (Bratislava), founded in 1912. In 1921, after Bratislava became part of Czechoslovakia, the university was moved to Pécs in 1951, the Faculty of Medicine separated and existed as an independent institution, until it merged with the Janus Pannonius University (Hungarian: Janus Pannonius Tudományegyetem) in 2000, which united the other faculties in Pécs. This is how the current University of Pécs was created.

Currently, the university has approximately 22,000 students, of which 4,900 are international students studying in English or German.^[4][5] This makes it one of the higher education institutions with the largest number of students in the country. The university has 10 faculties, and several clinics and research centers support the academic development of students.

History

The University of Pécs was primarily intended for the proper teaching of church law and the Latin language, so that the Hungarian students of the time did not have to travel abroad if they wanted to attend university. In Pécs, the faculty of humanities and law can be taken for granted, so the medieval university was truncated. The Pope did not allow the establishment of the Faculty of Theology.^[9] Very few written documents have survived about the medieval University of Pécs, and we hardly know anything about its functioning. We know a total of four teachers and seven students by name who can be proven to have taught or studied at the university. The most famous medieval professor in Pécs was the Italian Galvano di Bologna, who stayed in Pécs between 1372 and 1374.^[10]

The supposed building of the medieval university of Pécs in 2015

The second and last chancellor of the university was Bishop Bálint Alsáni of Pécs (later Cardinal) (1374–1408). The university was fundamentally linked to the person of Vilmos Bishop, and then began to decline after his death, finally ending sometime around 1390, it was almost certainly not functioning when the University of Óbuda was founded in 1395.^[11] The modern Pécs University is not legally continuous with its medieval predecessor, we can only speak of an intellectual heritage. After that, university-level education did not exist in the city until the beginning of the 20th century, but the renowned and high-quality chapter school continued to exist.^[12] The supposed building of the medieval university in Pécs was excavated between 1978 and 1998 in the bishop’s castle, east of the Golden Mary chapel, in the immediate vicinity of the Pécs Cathedral, on its north side.^[13] The definition of the building is disputed, many researchers do not agree that the medieval studium generale operated in the building.^[14] In 2015, a permanent university history exhibition was opened in the restored building, with important medieval Gothic sculptural monuments.^[15]

Ranking & Achievements

The University of Pécs is one of Hungary’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, consistently ranked among the top universities in the country. It is renowned for its research output, quality of education, and contributions to various academic fields, earning both national and international recognition.

Faculties

The University of Pécs offers a diverse range of faculties including Medicine, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Business and Economics, Engineering, and Law. Each faculty provides specialized programs that cater to the diverse academic and professional interests of students.

Here is a list of some courses offered by the University of Pécs, along with their typical annual tuition fees:

Faculty of Medicine

• Doctor of Medicine (MD): €16,750 per year
• Dentistry: €17,500 per year
• Pharmacy: €8,000 per year

Faculty of Business and Economics

• BSc in Business Administration and Management: €3,000 per year
• MSc in Applied Management: €3,500 per year

Faculty of Humanities

• BA in English and American Studies: €2,000 per year
• MA in International Relations: €3,000 per year

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

• BSc in Civil Engineering: €3,500 per year
• MSc in Engineering Management: €4,000 per year

Faculty of Sciences

• BSc in Biology: €3,000 per year
• MSc in Chemistry: €4,000 per year

Faculty of Health Sciences

• BSc in Nursing: €4,000 per year
• MSc in Public Health: €5,000 per year

Faculty of Law

• LLM in International and European Trade and Investment Law: €3,000 per year

These fees are approximate and may vary based on the specific program and other associated costs. The university also offers various scholarships and financial aid options to assist students in managing their tuition fees.

Student Statistics

The University of Pécs with its 20 000 students, with more than 4 500 international students, with 1 400 lecturers and researchers, with its 10 faculties is one of the largest higher education institutions in Hungary and the centre of knowledge within the Transdanubian region.

Facilities & Services

Campus life

Pécs is a beautiful place to study in. It is simultaneously a friendly place and a very active city, in which you can never be bored. You can be sure you will find everything here that a student could wish.

If you choose the University of Pécs you can.

• Experience the high quality of teaching.
• Experience the incredibly vivid student life day and night in this truly university city, full of bars, restaurants and cafés.
• Study in the well and fully equipped classrooms.

Sports facilities

• To maintain the level of intellectual achievements and endure daily pressure, it is necessary to have ample opportunity for recreation and regeneration. The main goal is to make room for sports and physical exercise in people’s lives so that they can be an integral part of their lifestyle later.
• Sporting life at the University is coordinated by the TTK Sport Centre University of Pécs, which offers a wide range of sporting opportunities to the students and staff. The Centre organises various programmes that are attractive and accessible to everybody, irrespective of age, faculty or past training, which is a wonderful opportunity for recreation and regeneration.

Student clubs

• The Student Council of the University of Pécs (PTE EHÖK) is an organization, which deals with students advocacy and protection. We are managing our activities cooperating with each faculty’s parth authorities and the leadership of the University of Pécs.
•  Our topmost task is to protect students rights and to represent their interests in cases regarding studies, refunds and benefits, dormitories and other cases connecting to the university. We are also engaged in program organization, so students can relax during their studies. Our latest institution is the PTE Student Service Enterprise, it’s main goal to provide jobs during university.

Achievement and Awards:

University of Pecs Achievements University of Pecs is also ranked amongst top 700 universities globally by the QS World University Rankings. The university is also ranked 62nd in QS EECA University Rankings and amongst top 400 universities globally to study Medicine in the QS World University Rankings by subject.

Fees & Scholarship

Scholarships:

• FACULTY SCHOLARSHIPS
• STIPENDIUM HUNGARICUM SCHOLARSHIP
• SCHOLARSHIP FOR CHRISTIAN YOUNG PEOPLE
• DIASPORA SCHOLARSHIP
• Bilateral State Scholarships at the University of Pécs
• BILATERAL STATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Student Life

Student life at the University of Pécs is vibrant and enriching, with various clubs, organizations, and events. Students can engage in sports, cultural activities, and social events, fostering a strong community spirit and enhancing their university experience.

Accommodation

The university offers several accommodation options, including dormitories and off-campus housing. Dormitory fees typically range from €150 to €300 per month, providing affordable and convenient living arrangements for students.

Transport

The University of Pécs is well-connected by the city’s public transport system, including buses and trams, making it easy for students to commute. The compact city layout also encourages walking and cycling.

Location

Located in the historic city of Pécs, the university is surrounded by rich cultural and historical landmarks. The city offers a stimulating environment with numerous parks, museums, and cafes, providing a perfect blend of academic and leisure activities.
Pécs, 48-as tér 1, 7622 Hungary

FAQ’s

What is the NEPTUN Unified Education System and how can I use it?

The NEPTUN is an online educational administration system for students enrolled to the University of Pécs. This electronic database contains the personal data and full academic study records (registration, courses, exams, grades and credits) of all registered students of the university. Within the system you can manage your student status, your course and exam registration, your financial transactions for items which students are expected to pay to the university or to the dormitory and also access the materials that the lecturers uploaded.

At the beginning of your studies at our university, you will receive a NEPTUN code that you can use to sign into the system.

Does UP consider late applications?

Late applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact the relevant Faculty in order to get to know more information on late application.

Here you can find the contact information for each Faculty.

Can I transfer my credits?

You can initiate credit transfer based on your previous academic studies during the first semester of your studies. We also recommend that you indicate your credit transfer request in your application as well. To recognize credits, the student has to submit an official request in the Neptun system, supported by an official transcript, official syllabuses and the list of the requested courses as an attachment.

The syllabus provides a detailed description of each of the units that the student has completed.

The decision on credit transfer request is made by the given Faculty’s Credit Transfer Committee. If you wish to know which credits you will probably be able to transfer before you apply, you can contact the program coordinator.