Program terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Vanderbilt applicants only
Type of Program: Direct University Enrollment
Costs: Budget Sheets
Academic Calendar: Extends into Summer Months
Key Dates:

Term	Application Deadline	Program Dates

Overview

In this engineering exchange program, students enroll directly at Budapest University of Technology and Economics, one of Vanderbilt's partner institutions. This program is a good option for Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering majors who are independent, proactive, and self-motivated.

Partner-provider CIEE will facilitate housing, orientation, safety, visa, and residence permit support for this program.

Location

Budapest is a thriving, beautiful city composed of two sides: Buda to the east of the Danube and Pest to the west. All parts of the city are easily accessed by great and inexpensive public transportation, and the train station also makes for easy travel throughout Europe. Ruin pubs (makeshift bars in old, abandoned buildings) are a unique part of the social scene for study abroad students.

Academics

All VU students must take between 12-18 VU credit hours while abroad. A full course load at BUTE is 26-30 ECTS per semester. Students are advised to have back-up courses in case their top choice subjects are full. Registration will take prior to arrival, with a brief add/drop period on campus.

Students can take a mix of engineering and non-engineering courses. Exchange students will be paired with mentors during the semester, and the international office has twice-weekly drop in hours for assistance with academic questions.

Academic environment, teaching style, course structure and grading scale at BUTE will differ from Vanderbilt. Class sessions may be longer and more lecture-based, and grades will be heavily weighted placed on mid-term and finals. Students should be prepared to make learning style adjustments accordingly. Much of the learning in study abroad takes place outside of the classroom. Students should balance academics with community engagement, social/cultural activities, travel, and fully take advantage of what a semester in Budapest has to offer.

Housing

Students will live in a student dorm across the Danube from the university. This housing is approximately 20 minute walking to BUTE or 1 stop by tram. Rooms are shared with CIEE U.S. study abroad students attending other universities in Budapest.  

Visa

We recommend that students apply for a Hungarian visa prior to departure. Please research visa options carefully. Upon arrival in Budapest, you will begin the process of applying for a residence permit, which is mandatory for all international students. You will be guided in this process by CIEE. It is also necessary to have a round-trip airline ticket that shows your return to the U.S. when arriving in Hungary.

Application

Students must complete an application with GEO by the GEO application deadline. After nomination by GEO, students will fill out a BUTE application directly with the university. Final admissions decisions will come from BUTE.

For more information, visit program homepage.

Fact Sheet

Housing: N/A
Minimum GPA: 3
Language of Instruction: English
Language prerequisite: No
Additional prerequisites: Engineering students only
Costs: Budget Sheets
Student contacts: Peer alumni

Photo: Budapest, Hungary, courtesy of Laurel Piper