Why Study in Szeged as an International Student? Exploring the Benefits of Living and Studying in Szeged
University of Szeged main building. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
Studying in Szeged, Hungary's third-largest city, is an increasingly popular choice for international students. Szeged, located at the triple border of Hungary, Romania, and Serbia, is, without a doubt, one of the most attractive university cities in Hungary.
Szeged is famous for its multicultural environment, impressive architecture, culture, sports, and educational opportunities. In this article, we’ll be exploring why studying in Szeged is an excellent choice for international students.
Introduction to Szeged
Szeged is located on the banks of the Tisza river and is known for its breathtakingly beautiful architecture and vibrant culture. The city is home to many historic sites, including the iconic Szeged Dóm, also known as the Votive Church, and the University of Szeged (SZTE).
Szeged is also known for its nightlife, annual cultural and gastronomy festivals, and national and international sports events that attract thousands of visitors from all around the world.
Wine Festival at Széchenyi Square, May 2022. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
The city has won multiple awards for downtown development and was voted the second-best city to visit in the 2022 contest of the Hungarian accommodation portal Szállás.hu.
As you can see detailed below, Szeged is a great place to live, with a relatively low cost of living, excellent public transport, and an abundance of parks and green spaces.
The city has a warm climate and is known for its cultural diversity. In fact, since Szeged has the biggest number of sunny hours per year in Hungary, it is referred to as the city of sunshine. Szeged and its surroundings are also wonderful destinations for outdoor activities, such as hiking, running, cycling, and even birdwatching.
Benefits of Studying in Szeged as an International Student
One of the main benefits of studying in Szeged is the affordable tuition fees. The University of Szeged belongs to the top 250 universities in Europe and has EU accreditation but at the same time offers one of the lowest tuition fees in the European Union. This means that students can save money on their tuition fees, while still receiving a high-quality education.
Szeged is also an excellent choice for international students because of its vibrant multicultural atmosphere. The city is home to thousands of international students from all around the world, making it a great place to meet people from different cultures. Szeged also has a thriving cultural scene, with a wide range of clubs, bars, restaurants, and numerous cultural events throughout the year.
The city also presents excellent job and career opportunities for international students. The Career Office of the University of Szeged offers job and internship opportunities, along with various services to support the professional development of international students and recent graduates. At the spring and autumn SZTE Job Fairs, students can get an insight into the working structure, benefits, and expectations of more than 70 national and regional companies, including big names like Roche, Mercedes, and ExxonMobil, among others. The Job Fair is also a good place to build professional connections for the future.
SZTE Job Fair 2022. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
University of Szeged Academic Opportunities
The University of Szeged is one of the best and most prestigious universities in Hungary. It is top-ranked internationally - ranking at 225 in Europe according to QS World University Rankings 2023 - with a wide range of courses and programs. The university has courses in several disciplines, including law, economics, engineering, business, and medicine. SZTE also offers a range of English-language courses, making it an excellent choice for international students.
The University of Szeged also has a range of exchange programs that allow students to study in different countries. This is a great opportunity to gain international experience and broaden your horizons.
Szeged Culture and Leisure
Szeged is a great place to experience Hungarian culture and learn about the city's history. The city is home to many architectural attractions and historic sites, including the Reök Palace, the Votive Church, the National Theatre of Szeged, and the fourth-biggest Synagogue in the world.
There are numerous large-scale cultural and gastronomy festivals throughout the year, including the Wine Festival and Day of Szeged Celebrations in May, and the Szeged Christmas Weeks, among others. Szeged is also known for the SZIN festival - the Szeged Youth Days - featuring international superstars among the performers and welcoming thousands of music lovers from Hungary and abroad.
The city is also a great destination for those who are looking for vibrant nightlife, with a wide range of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Szeged is dotted with beautiful parks and green spaces suitable for outdoor activities.
Living in Szeged
Szeged is often referred to as a liveable city, with its comfortable size, good infrastructure, and low cost of living compared to other European cities with universities of this scale.
There is a wide range of accommodation options, from student dorms to room and apartment rentals. University students can search for rentals in dedicated Facebook groups or ask for help from their Faculty.
Szeged also has many restaurants, cafes, and bars that are very popular among university students, making it an ideal place to socialize with friends. Some even offer a student discount.
Another attractive characteristic is that most university buildings are in the downtown area, within walking distance from shops, restaurants, cafés, leisure, and entertainment possibilities.
Szeged has many bike routes and one of the largest numbers of bike users in Hungary, compared to other major cities in the country. The city also has excellent public transport, making it easy to get around.
Tram Train in downtown Szeged. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
Szeged is also well connected to Budapest - and the International Airport too - making it easy to reach the rest of Europe, as well as other parts of the world.
Cost of Living in Szeged
Although prices have gone up in the last few years, the cost of living in Szeged is still considered affordable for international students.
Accommodation rental options range from student dorms to private apartments, and rental prices are generally lower than in Budapest.
At the time of writing, accommodation in a student dorm costs around EUR 50 per month with utilities. A room rental without utilities is around EUR 120 per month, while a 1-bedroom apartment costs (without utilities) around EUR 190-460 a month, depending on the location.
Food, transport, and entertainment are also quite affordable in Szeged, and these costs are significantly lower than in Budapest and other major European cities.
Organic almond pancakes at ESSENTIALE Szeged. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
According to the calculation of SZTE, the average cost of living in Szeged is around EUR 500-600 a month, depending on the accommodation type. Another great reference is Numbeo, with a detailed and regularly updated list of prices in Szeged.
Scholarships for Studying in Szeged
The University of Szeged offers a range of scholarships for international students, including the Stipendium Hungaricum, Erasmus+, and the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA), among others. These scholarships can cover tuition fees and living expenses. The university also offers a range of grants and fellowships for students from certain countries.
Indonesian cultural event organized by IISMA awardees at the University of Szeged. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
For detailed information about scholarships, visit the website of the University of Szeged.
Support Services for International Students in Szeged
The University of Szeged offers a range of support services for international students. The SZTE website has plenty of information concerning applications, visas, and other topics.
When already in Szeged, students can get information and support from the dedicated international office of the university and also directly from their Faculties.
At the beginning of the academic year, the orientation days, organized by the SZTE Directorate for International Affairs and Public Relations, offer informative sessions, guided tours, games, and a Freshmen’s party.
The different units of the university also offer a range of programs throughout the year, which can help international students make friends and settle into the city.
SZTE Freshmen’s Party 2022. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
Szegedify Online Magazine
Szegedify, established in January 2022, is the first independent English-language magazine in Szeged. It is privately owned and funded by the owners.
The Szegedify Online Magazine was brought to life to serve the international community in Szeged, and beyond. Our magazine features programs and events in Szeged, general information about the city, and provides unbiased, politics-free news. The scope is mostly on Szeged, with additional news and events from Hungary and the world.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Time in Szeged
Studying in Szeged is an excellent choice for international students. The city has a vibrant culture, a low cost of living, and outstanding academic opportunities. Szeged is a great place to meet people from different cultures and gain international experience.
If you are considering studying in Szeged, make sure to make the most of your time in the city. Explore the historical sites, enjoy the vibrant cultural and gastronomy festivals, and take advantage of the job opportunities for students.
