Hungarian universities have shown significant improvement in the recently released 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, as announced by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (KIM) on Thursday. The results underscore Hungary’s growing academic reputation and its strengthened position in global higher education.
The QS rankings evaluate institutions across 55 academic disciplines and establish an institutional ranking based on five general criteria. This year’s edition features an unprecedented number of institutions specializing in medicine, computer science, information systems, and materials science.
12 Hungarian universities were ranked based on five general criteria and evaluated across 32 academic disciplines. Notably, three universities—Semmelweis University, Corvinus University of Budapest, and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics—improved their overall positions. Furthermore, five universities, including the aforementioned three, as well as the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, demonstrated notable progress in specific academic disciplines.
Eight Hungarian universities also secured new positions in subject-specific categories. These include the Corvinus University of Budapest, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Eötvös Loránd University, the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Óbuda University, the University of Debrecen, the University of Pécs, and the University of Szeged.
Hungary’s Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó emphasized the broader significance of these achievements. ‘The success of renewed Hungarian universities strengthens the nation and offers a real programme for competitiveness. The key to this success lies in institutional autonomy, predictable and flexible operations, and collaboration with economic stakeholders—even amid opposition from Brussels,’ he stated.
Hankó reiterated Hungary’s commitment to its Universities 2030 programme, aiming to position at least one Hungarian university among the world’s top 100 by 2030, with multiple universities excelling at the European level. ‘Regardless of external pressures, we remain committed to achieving our objectives,’ he affirmed.
The government’s strategy focuses on enhancing the international competitiveness of Hungarian universities rather than fostering internal rivalry. This approach has yielded consistent results, with 12 Hungarian universities now ranking among the top 5 per cent globally—surpassing their previous achievements.
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