Erasmus guide University of Pécs
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Pécs in Pécs, Hungary.
Study abroad at University of Pécs: overview
Study abroad at the University of Pécs for Hungary's oldest university: founded 1367, around 22,000 students including 5,000 international. Strongest for medicine, law and humanities, with a twice Erasmus Quality Award-winning exchange programme in a smaller, cheaper city than Budapest.
Enrollment
Around 22,000 students
International Mix
Approximately 5,000 international students; around 200 incoming Erasmus students per year
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Hungary's oldest university in a smaller, culture-rich, noticeably cheaper city than Budapest, with a genuinely well-organised exchange programme. The trade-off is a more modest global research profile than Budapest's largest universities.
Language of instruction: Hungarian (primary); English-taught programmes and courses widely available, especially in medicine and business
Exchange & application at University of Pécs
Exchange runs through Erasmus+ or bilateral agreements with clear published deadlines — May 31 for autumn, December 15 for spring.
✅Requirements
Home university nomination, online application, transcript, language proof, and — for non-EU students — a Hungarian residence permit obtained within 30 days of arrival.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates you directly to the University of Pécs by the published deadline for your intake semester.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students need no visa. Non-EU students must obtain a residence permit at the local Immigration Office within 30 days of arrival, with an HUF 18,000 application fee payable at any post office.
👥Buddy System
ESN Pécs coordinates student volunteers who can meet new arrivals if their arrival time is shared in advance, alongside a broader buddy and welcome programme.
🧭Orientation Week
The International Office runs orientation covering registration, housing and course confirmation, alongside ESN Pécs's social welcome events.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | Set by home institution | May 31 (autumn semester, starting September) |
| 2nd semester | Set by home institution | December 15 (spring semester, starting February) |
Arrival Checklist
- Apply for a dormitory room (Boszorkány, Szalay László or Szántó) as soon as your exchange nomination is confirmed.
- Share your arrival time with the International Office to arrange a student-volunteer airport pickup if needed.
- Budget the HUF 18,000 residence permit fee and register within 30 days of arrival if you are a non-EU student.
- Confirm your course language (Hungarian or English) with your faculty coordinator before arrival.
Academics & courses at University of Pécs
English-taught programmes are widely available, especially in medicine and business, alongside the primarily Hungarian-taught degree structure.
📝Course Registration
Course registration happens through the faculty's study guide once enrollment is confirmed; exchange students select courses within their nominated faculty.
🎓Credit System
ECTS — Hungary is fully aligned with the European Credit Transfer System.
💯Grading System
Hungarian 1-5 scale (5 = jeles/excellent, 1 = elégtelen/fail); the university provides ECTS conversion guidance for exchange students.
✍️Exam Culture
Mix of oral and written exams; medicine and law lean toward oral exams, business and sciences toward written exams and coursework.
📚Library Access
University of Pécs library system includes a central university library and faculty-specific libraries, with digital access for enrolled students.
Tuition & fees at University of Pécs
Exchange students pay no tuition beyond their home institution's fees; full-degree international tuition varies significantly by faculty, with medicine at the highest end.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | HUF 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange students pay no tuition to the University of Pécs, only their home institution's fees. |
| Full degree – international student | Approximately EUR 3,500-16,000/year depending on programme (medicine at the higher end) | Full-degree international tuition varies significantly by faculty; medicine and dentistry programmes charge the highest fees. |
HUF 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange students pay no tuition to the University of Pécs, only their home institution's fees.
Approximately EUR 3,500-16,000/year depending on programme (medicine at the higher end)
Full-degree international tuition varies significantly by faculty; medicine and dentistry programmes charge the highest fees.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Pécs
University dormitories (Boszorkány, Szalay László, Szántó) are the cheapest and most convenient option — apply as soon as your nomination is confirmed.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Pécs
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Pécs
The International Office and ESN Pécs cover most day-to-day needs, including student-volunteer airport pickups — use both from arrival.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU students; EHIC generally sufficient for EU/EEA exchange students.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
No dedicated campus clinic; students use local Hungarian healthcare providers, with university-offered insurance covering non-EU students.
🧠Mental Health
Psychological counselling is available through the university's student support services.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Accepted for EU/EEA exchange students for the duration of their stay.
University-arranged local insurance
Varies
Offered directly by the University of Pécs for non-EU students who need local coverage.
Campus services
International Office
Central office handling exchange nominations, applications, housing coordination and arrival logistics, including student-volunteer pickups.
ESN Pécs
Student-run Erasmus Student Network chapter organising buddy pairing, welcome week and social trips.
University dormitory administration
Manages room allocation across the Boszorkány, Szalay László and Szántó facilities.
Student life at University of Pécs
Campus life is woven through Pécs's compact historic centre, with the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter as a distinctive cultural anchor.
Student Clubs
- ESN Pécs
- Faculty student associations
Buddy Program
ESN Pécs buddy programme, including student-volunteer airport pickups for new exchange arrivals.
Sports & Recreation
- University sports facilities with subsidised access
- Cycling and walking routes around the Mecsek hills
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend International Office orientation for registration and course confirmation.
- Move into your dormitory or finalise your private housing.
- Begin your residence permit application if non-EU (30-day deadline).
- Join ESN Pécs's welcome week for social events and the buddy programme.
Key exchange dates at University of Pécs
Application deadlines (May 31 and December 15) are fixed and published well in advance — treat them as hard cutoffs.
-
1
Nomination and application
By May 31 (autumn) / December 15 (spring)
Home university nominates; student applies online by the published deadline.
-
2
Arrival and orientation
Late August-early September / late January-early February
International Office orientation, dormitory check-in and course registration.
-
3
Exam period
January / June
Mix of oral and written exams varies by faculty; confirm dates before booking return travel.