The Semmelweis University has broken into the top 200 institutions in the Times Higher Education subject rankings and is now central Europe’s leading medical school, Veronika Varga-Bajusz told public current affairs channel M1.

Twelve Hungarian universities are in the top 5 percent globally, with nine excelling in engineering and seven in life sciences, covering all major academic fields, she said. She noted that the government's aim is for a Hungarian university to reach the global top 100 by 2030.

Whereas in 2020 Hungarian universities held 24 positions across global rankings, they now they occupy 60, the state secretary said. She said this showed that systematic planning and strategic work had delivered significant results. The progress made by Hungarian universities over the last five years meant that they now provided internationally competitive education at home, she added.

Regional universities are also rising, with half of all students enrolled outside Budapest, Varga-Bajusz said. Last year, engineering and IT were the most popular fields, but teacher training also saw high demand, she said. Labour market-aligned courses were expanding, and student recruitment remained stable, she added.

Noting that applications for 2026 are open until Feb 15, Varga-Bajusz said that last year, 107,000 of 129,000 applicants were admitted, and similar numbers were expected this year.
 

Meanwhile, Varga-Bajusz told public broadcaster Kossuth Radio that rankings reflected opportunities for students and were vital for the nation.

Earlier: 

Significant advancements in informatics and digital literacy are reshaping the Hungarian educational landscape, according to recent government data. Speaking at the EduDigiTech platform’s annual launch at Edutus University, State Secretary Veronika Varga-Bajusz highlighted a period of rapid growth within the country’s higher education and research sectors.

Research and Global Rankings

The shift toward an innovation-led economy is reflected in the performance of Hungary’s universities. Corporate research revenue has doubled, while high-tier (Q1) scientific publications have seen a nearly 50% increase.

More strikingly, patent filings have grown sixfold, and income generated from intellectual property has surged sevenfold.

For expats considering local higher education options, the international standing of Hungarian institutions continues to climb. Currently, 12 Hungarian universities rank within the global top 5%, meaning two-thirds of the country’s students are now enrolled in world-class institutions.

A Legacy of Informatics

Drawing a line from John von Neumann’s foundational role in computing to modern robotics and AI, Varga-Bajusz noted that Hungary’s focus has shifted toward practical, high-expertise industries.

This strategy appears to be yielding results on the international stage:

* Euroskills 2025: Hungarian trainees secured gold medals in all four informatics disciplines.
* World Robot Olympiad: Hungary distinguished itself as the only European team to reach the finals alongside Asian competitors at the recent Singapore event.
* Global Innovation: While 96th in population, Hungary now ranks 33rd globally in innovation performance and 10th in research talent.

Looking Ahead: Space and Robotics

The momentum is set to continue with high-profile projects. Following the 2023 Nobel Prize successes and the 2025 mission sending a Hungarian astronaut into space, the focus is now turning to emerging technologies. Edutus University, in partnership with Széchenyi István University, has announced the launch of national drone competitions starting in 2026.

As digitalization evolves from everyday smartphone use into the realms of AI and advanced robotics, Hungary is positioning itself as a central European hub for technical expertise and future-facing industries.

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