International Education in Budapest
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When it comes to education, Hungary is very much an underrated destination. The country, and particularly its capital Budapest, has a strong educational history. The standard on offer is as good if not better than anywhere in Europe, from universities right down to kindergartens. Better yet, the cost is cheaper than many other cities and countries on the continent too.
International schools in Budapest, while not as widespread as in other European capitals, are still plentiful and very well regarded. If you’re considering living as an expat in the city, international schools may be the only option for your children. Public schools teach through Hungarian, so unless your child already has some knowledge of the language, they may find life in a Hungarian public school difficult.
International schools in Budapest, on the other hand, usually teach through English. The most popular curricula on offer include British, American, and the International Baccalaureate. Outside of this, there are other Europe-focused international schools that teach the French or German curricula (through French and German respectively).
One of the first things anyone learns about Budapest is that the city is divided by the Danube river into two sides: Buda and Pest. Buda is the more residential side, with a slower pace of life and family-friendly vibe. Pest is where most of the ‘action’ happens, with a vibrant cafe culture and busy business district. The majority of Budapest’s international schools are located on the Buda side of the city.
Most international schools in Budapest are small or medium in size compared to international standards. A few schools have 1000 students or more, but the majority sit somewhere between 200 - 500 students. Either way class sizes are not too big with 20 - 30 students per class.
Native English speaking teachers are a standard feature of Budapest’s international schools. Additional languages are also offered across all schools. Usually these languages will include Hungarian, German, and possibly some other European languages.
A school bus service is common among international schools in Budapest, although not in every school. Extracurricular activities are also a feature of all schools. Some have dedicated spaces such as sports grounds, theatres etc. for extracurricular programs, while other schools will use facilities in the school’s neighbourhood instead.
Be prepared to pay for any of these extras, however. In Budapest, the school fees your pay for an international school cover the lessons only. School lunches, transport, class outings, and most other things will cost you extra. On the plus side, most international school fees here are lower than the European average.
Below, we have compiled the top 5 international schools in Budapest according to our users. However, there are another 12 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Budapest based on your requirements.
