Eötvös Loránd University earned recognition for its global research and educational collaborations, extensive student mobility opportunities, as well as its outstanding number of international students and foreign-language programs.

At the gala held Monday in the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, the University of the Year 2026 awards and accompanying HUF 10 million prize money in each of 12 categories were presented. Eötvös Loránd University competed in the International University category with the University of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Szeged.

The award ultimately went to Eötvös Loránd University based on its outstanding results in international rankings, more than 4,000 foreign-language courses, over 100 English-language programs, more than 5,000 international students, as well as its global research and educational collaborations.

The prize was received by Gyula Scheuer, Chancellor, Gábor Zemplén, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, and Anna Dorottya Nagy, President of the ELTE Student Union, from Balázs Hankó, Minister for Culture and Innovation, and Rodrigo Ballester, Ministerial Commissioner for the Internationalization of Hungarian Higher Education and Research.

In his brief speech, Vice-Rector Gábor Zemplén emphasized that the award carries great significance for the entire Eötvös Loránd University community, the new rectorate, and the several thousand teachers and researchers. He also expressed hope that, come autumn, as many as possible from this year's over 20,000 first-choice applicants will join the more than 40,000 students at the institution and can also make successful use of the wide-ranging international network of ELTE.