Hungary’s universities break through in 2024 Shanghai Rankings—Which ones are top 200?

Hungarian universities are rising globally, reaching significant milestones in the latest 2024 Shanghai Subject Rankings. These rankings are highly competitive, evaluating over 5,000 universities from 96 countries based on research impact, publication quality, international collaboration, and scientific awards. For a small country, this presence on the world stage is a major win for Hungary’s academic reputation.

The rankings are not just about quantity; the Shanghai Rankings prioritise quality indicators such as the share of top-cited (Q1) research articles, citation frequency, and international collaboration. They also consider research quality and the international reputation of faculty, including awards and recognitions. According to Eduline, rankings like these provide a nuanced picture of which institutions are advancing on a global scale and why.

Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Daily News Hungary

Hungarian university placements in the top 200

Semmelweis University has achieved an impressive standing, ranked among the world’s top 100 in Pharmacy (76–100), the only Hungarian institution to reach this level in any category this year. Several other Hungarian universities are making headway across disciplines in the Shanghai top 200. Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) is placed in the 151–200 range in mathematics, while Semmelweis is also ranked in the top 200 for clinical medicine and dentistry.

The University of Veterinary Medicine is similarly positioned in the 151–200 range for Veterinary Science, while BME (Budapest University of Technology and Economics) takes a 101–150 spot in Civil Engineering, an especially competitive field. These placements clearly highlight Hungary’s progress and potential in both the sciences and technical fields.

In the natural sciences, ELTE ranks 151–200 in mathematics, with the University of Debrecen and BME following at 301–400 and 401–500, respectively. ELTE also holds a 201–300 spot in physics, with BME in the same range for chemistry. Semmelweis is again ranked 151–200 in clinical medicine and 201–300 in health technology, reaffirming its influence in the medical sciences.

Photo: Facebook, ELTE University Library

Hungary’s leading universities

Semmelweis University is building an impressive track record, not only appearing in Shanghai but also among the Times Higher Education’s top 300 worldwide. Its 76–100 ranking in Pharmaceutical Sciences reinforces its global status and impact, particularly among Hungarian institutions. Semmelweis University is not only achieving high ranks; it is setting the standard for Hungarian higher education on the international stage.

ELTE, Hungary’s oldest university, has maintained a high standard since 1635. BME, one of the first technical universities globally, was established in 1782, and both continue to make strides in modern research. Universities such as the University of Szeged and the University of Debrecen are also recognised internationally for high performance in their fields, making Hungary a key player in Central European academia.

Hungarian universities’ continued success in global rankings underscores their commitment to research excellence and academic collaboration. These achievements create new opportunities for international partnerships and make Hungary a more attractive destination for students and researchers worldwide. With a growing reputation, Hungary’s universities are building a global profile that will continue to attract top talent, expand research collaborations, and strengthen Hungary’s position in the international academic community.

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