The University of Debrecen is located in Debrecen, Hungary, and is the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in the country, established in 1538. The university offers a well-established program in English for international students, particularly in the fields of Medicine and Engineering. This program, first introduced in 1886, now attracts nearly 6,000 international students.
The university boasts an impressive legacy, with five former students having received technical Academy Awards (Oscars) up until 2014. Additionally, the university operates an associated Basic Medicine campus in Geochang County, South Korea.
In Debrecen, the university has three major campuses. The main campus, which is the oldest, hosts the majority of departments from the faculties of Humanities, Science, Medicine, and Music, as well as the botanical garden. The Kassai-road campus is home to most of the buildings of the faculties of Law, Economics, and Informatics. The Böszörményi campus is dedicated to the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management. Besides these main campuses, the university has several smaller units spread across the city. Notable among these is the compact “mini-campus” formed by the departments of Physics and the Institute of Nuclear Research of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), as well as the Faculty of Agronomy. The Faculty of Engineering also has its own dedicated campus on Ótemető Street.
The University of Debrecen’s library is the largest university library in Hungary and one of the two national libraries in the country, alongside the National Széchényi Library in Budapest. The library houses over 6 million records, making it a significant resource for research and education.
1538
Higher education in Debrecen traces its origins back to 1538 with the establishment of the Calvinist College of Debrecen. Over the centuries, this institution emerged as a cornerstone of Hungarian higher education. At the dawn of the 20th century, the college transitioned into a university, maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with the present-day Debrecen Reformed Theological University.
Pre- and Post-World War I
In 1908, the Calvinist Academy of Humanities was founded, followed by the establishment of the Hungarian Royal University in 1912. This new university absorbed the theology, law, and arts faculties of the college and introduced a medical school. Classes began in 1914 in the old Calvinist College buildings. By 1918, the first building dedicated to the medical school was completed, with the entire medical campus finalized in 1927.
Interwar Period
In 1921, the university was renamed in honor of István Tisza, a former Prime Minister of Hungary. The completion of the university’s main building in 1932 marked a significant milestone. This grand structure, designed in an eclectic and neo-baroque style, is the largest building in Debrecen and a landmark of the city.
Post-World War II to 1990
The university underwent dramatic changes from 1949 to 1950 under communist regime reforms. The primary objective was to fragment the university into smaller, less cohesive units, and eliminate faculties that did not align with Soviet ideologies. The Faculty of Theology was returned to the Calvinist College, the Faculty of Medicine operated independently until 2000, and the Faculty of Law was disbanded. Many faculty members were expelled, and departments teaching English, French, Italian, German, and Classical Philology were shut down, while the Department of Russian saw substantial growth. Teaching of Western languages resumed only after 1956, except for Italian, which was not reinstated until the 1990s.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences gained independence in 1949, moving into the new Chemistry Building in 1970. In 1952, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Natural Sciences were renamed Lajos Kossuth University, a name they held until the year 2000.
The 21st Century
On January 1, 2000, a significant merger took place, combining the colleges and universities of Hajdú-Bihar County, including the University of Agriculture, Lajos Kossuth University, and the Medical University, to form the University of Debrecen. This merger created an institution with five universities and three college-level faculties, serving a student body of 20,000. The Conservatory of Debrecen, along with the university’s branches in Hajdúböszörmény and Nyíregyháza, joined the University of Debrecen later.
The Debrecen Summer School, established in 1927 and located on the university campus, remains an independent entity. It offers year-round programs teaching Hungarian culture and language to international students.
The university’s most popular journal is “Egyetemi Élet” (“University Life”), and the leading student online media outlet is www.egyetemportal.hu. Additionally, the university publishes the Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies.
Auguszta Hotel Dormitory
The 5 three-story buildings compose a separate subdivision. The hotel with its 300 bedroom capacity provides an excellent accommodation opportunity. Most of the apartments are single room apartments, but there are some 2 and 3 room apartments as well. The common premises (lounge, dining room, laundry) also serve the comfort of the guests. Each apartment has a kitchen with fridge, microwave oven, electric oven and kitchenware, a bathroom and a balcony. Internet connection is also available in each room.
