Academic Bulletin - International Degree Programs in Hungary

2
General Information
Brief History
The Budapest University of Technology and Economics
can trace its evolution through several
academic institutions, dating back to 1782 when
Emperor Joseph II established the Institutum
Geometricum as part of the Faculty of Liberal Arts
at the University of Buda. The Institutum was the
first higher educational institution in Europe to
award engineering degrees to students of land
surveying, river control and road construction.
The name and organizational structure of the
University has changed several times throughout
the past of more than 200 years. In 1850 the Institutum
Geometricum merges with the Joseph College
of Technology and in 1856 the merged institution
become the Royal Joseph Polytechnic. In
1860 Hungarian replaces Latin as the language of
instruction. Two year later Royal Joseph Polytechnic
becomes the Royal Joseph University. Since
1872 this University has the right to issue engineering
diplomas after five years of studies. It is
among the first institutions in Europe to train
engineers on university level. In 1949 the name
Technical University of Budapest becomes official.
In 1984 instruction is offered in English as
well as Hungarian. In 1994 the credit system is
introduced. The University applies the credit assignment
according to the European Credit Transfer
System (ECTS) in its accredited academic programs.
In 2000 the official name changes to Budapest
University of Technology and Economics.
Several Nobel Laureates have been associated
with the Budapest University of Technology and
Economics: Dennis Gábor (Physics), George Hevessy
(Chemistry), Eugene Wigner (Physics), György
Oláh (Chemistry) and János Harsányi (Economics).
Further notable personalities have also studied or
taught at the University: John von Neumann, inventor
of the computer, Edward Teller, nuclear physicist,
Leó Szilárd, known for his work on nuclear
chain reactions, Marcel Breuer, architect, Ernő Rubik,
inventor of the famous cube, Donát Bánki, coinventor
of the carburetor, Károly Cipernowszky,
one of the inventors of the transformer, Dénes Mihály,
one of the inventors of television.
For the time being more than 110 departments
and institutions operate within the structure of
eight faculties. About 1100 lecturers, 400 researchers
and other degree holders and numerous
invited lecturers and practicing expert specialists
participate in education and research at the Budapest
University of Technology and Economics.
Approximately 800 of the University’s 14,000 students
are from 50 countries abroad. The University
offers engineering programs in Hungarian, English,
German and French. The Budapest University
of Technology and Economics issues about 70% of
Hungary’s engineering degrees.
Research at the University is highly encouraged
and is present on all levels from the B.Sc.
trough to the doctoral level.
The Budapest University of Technology and
Economics is keenly interested in maintaining and
strengthening existing international relations.
The University has signed into agreements of cooperation
with over 100 universities, mainly in
Europe and in the United States of America. Some
of these ventures are research oriented while others
involve the exchange of faculties and students.
The University is also member of many international
organizations, including EAU (European
Universities Association), IAU (International Association
of Universities), CESAEER (Conference of
European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education
and Research). Many professors of the University
hold leading positions in these international
professional organizations.
The campus of the Budapest University of Technology
and Economics is located along the Danube
River between two bridges. Its eclectic collection of
buildings – constructed between 1892 and 1898 –