University of Szeged opens new academic year with record international enrollment
International students at the University of Szeged during a previous year’s freshmen orientation. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
The University of Szeged opened the 2025–2026 academic year with record numbers of international students and a ceremonial procession through the city center, capped by a livestream of the event to students in China.
About 1,500 international students from 132 countries are starting their studies in Szeged this fall – a 25 percent increase over last year. The largest groups come from China, Turkey, Germany, Pakistan and Iran. Roughly 240 students are enrolled through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program, 159 through ERASMUS+ and CEEPUS, while around 1,000 are self-financed.
First-year students were welcomed with a three-day orientation program that included mentor meetings, team-building activities and information sessions. Twelve newcomers received SZTE START scholarships worth €500 each. The program concluded in front of the Rector’s Building at Dugonics Square with the international freshmen’s oath, followed by the popular Freshmen’s Party, which continued into the night at JATE Klub.
On Friday, Sept. 5, professors marched under the Hungarian, European Union and city flags in a brass-led procession from Dugonics Square to the university’s Study and Information Center (TIK). The ceremony featured speeches by university leaders and a guest address from Energy Minister Csaba Lantos. In keeping with tradition, first-year students swore an oath before the Senate and were greeted by a handshake from the rector.
This year’s opening carried special international significance. The ceremony was livestreamed to China, highlighting a new partnership between Szeged and Shaanxi Normal University. Under the program, students will complete three years in China and one in Hungary, earning international degrees recognized in both countries.
The University of Szeged is consistently ranked among the world’s top 500 institutions and was named Hungary’s leading university in the latest Academic Ranking of World Universities.
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