To ensure a smooth start to your exchange semester, you are kindly asked to arrive in Budapest by the beginning of September / February as our faculty orientation programmes are usually scheduled for the week before the official start date of the semester. Enrolment is, by default, the first week of September / February. We recommend that you always check ELTE’s academic calendar. Nominated students are notified of the exact dates by email while students from other ELTE faculties can find the updated information on our Faculty webpage. For more information on the Enrolment Workshop, go to Section “Enrolment”.

IMPORTANT for students nominated to ELTE GTK: If you arrive in Budapest later than recommended (e.g., due to exams at your home university) and are, therefore, unable to attend the Enrolment Workshop, let the International Team know (incoming@gtk.elte.hu) in advance. An appointment to take care of all the required administrative issues will be arranged for you soon after your arrival.

Semesters at ELTE normally follow the pattern below (as indicated in the ELTE Academic Calendar), but modifications may, from time to time, be necessitated by unexpected events in the world: 

• Registration and Orientation Days organised by the University: last days of August –  first week of September. Orientation Week for International Students (elte.hu) 
• Faculty enrolment events: the week before the first day of the teaching period
• Teaching period: early September – mid-December 
• Exam period: mid-December – end of January/early February 
• Autumn break: one week in the middle/end of October or early November

Semesters at ELTE normally follow the pattern below (as indicated in the ELTE Academic Calendar), but modifications may, from time to time, be necessitated by unexpected events in the world: 

• Registration and Orientation Days organised by the University: last days of January –  first week of February. Orientation Week for International Students (elte.hu) 
• Faculty enrolment events: the week before the first day of the teaching period
• Teaching period: early February – mid May
• Exam period: mid-May – early July
• Spring Break: one week, a few days before Easter (in March or April)

To learn more about the English-language courses incoming Erasmus+ and guest students can study at the Faculty of Economics, visit the "Courses” section of the Faculty website. Information on the different ways in which students can complete a subject and earn grades and credits is available here: Studies > General Academic Information > Assessment. We also recommend that you visit the Current Students page to familiarise yourself with such matters as the assessment schedules and regulations, as well as the various facilities and services offered to the students (e.g., the Video Library).

A practical note on how to manage your workload within the semester and how to obtain your grades (Key terminology like midterm, offered grade, exam eligibility, etc., and your assessment options are explained here.)

Students differ considerably in their past experiences, attitudes to learning and study strategies. Some like to study continuously, find it easier to digest smaller sections of the material, and take midterms (short tests) on these. Others may prefer to revise bigger chunks of the course material and concentrate on the exams. The Faculty of Economics caters for both types of students by offering them a choice between completing one or more, or even all their courses during the teaching period, and taking exams in all, some, or none of the courses during the exam period.

Learn more about yourself, consider your circumstances, and choose either of the available two options. If, for example, you have exams at your home institution or face a lengthy visa process which lead to a late enrolment at ELTE GTK, or other constraints, we suggest that you choose a few courses in which you feel confident enough to get a good offered grade through midterms, and complete the rest of the courses in the exam period, making sure, of course, that you secure your exam eligibility in those other courses, too. On the other hand, if you are a conscientious and efficient continuous learner but suffer some exam anxiety, or if you have exam obligations at your home university as well, complete all or most of your courses with offered grades during the teaching period. Note that all exams are computer-based and exams must be taken at our Exam Centre, so in-person attendance is required. The choice is yours. The options are provided.

Bear in mind that most of your credits should be taken at ELTE GTK, however, you can register for courses from other ELTE faculties, as well. We recommend that youenquire about the minimum credit requirement of your sending (home) institution and register for more credits than that. In this way you have a higher chance to meet the minimum credit requirement at the end of your mobility.

If you like, you can register for sports courses, as well. Remember, however, that the language of   instruction in sports  courses may be Hungarian. Additionally, students may have to pay a certain fee for some sports courses, and this applies even if you abandon the course during the semester.

Bear in mind that most of your credits (minimum 10 ECTS or 2 courses) must be taken at ELTE GTK. However, you can register for maximum 2 courses from other ELTE faculties, too. If you like, you can register for sports courses, as well. Remember, however, that the language of instruction in sports courses may be Hungarian. Additionally, students may have to pay a certain fee for some sports courses, and this applies even if you abandon the course during the semester.

 We recommend that you enquire about the minimum credit requirement of your sending (home) institution and register for more credits than that. In this way you have a higher chance to meet the minimum credit requirement at the end of your mobility.

For information on practical issues, browse the Practical Information page (especially for visa / residence permit procedure and housing information) andthe Current Students page. Both pages give you valuable advice in the form of instructions and links. Some subpages of the Current Students page might require an institutional email address/IIG to access the materials, therefore these sections are only available to enrolled students. 

ELTE also has a series of podcasts on practical matters (like visa and accommodation) aimed at prospective students.