Welcome to MATE

Welcome Intro 1

Last modified: 09. December 2025

Imagine studying at a university where innovation meets sustainability and nature meets knowledge. At MATE, you join a diverse, international community shaping the green future – together. 

Our campuses in Budapest, Gödöllő, Gyöngyös, Kaposvár and Keszthely  offer the perfect blend of academic excellence, natural beauty, and hands-on experience. Whether you’re passionate about agriculture, environmental science, food technology, engineering, economics or arts, you’ll find your path here. 

At MATE, you don’t just study – you explore, connect, and grow. Join us and become part of a global network of students and researchers building a sustainable world. 

Rector's Greeting

Rector's Greeting

Last modified: 09. December 2025

Dear Colleagues, Dear Students, Dear Visitors,
 

With the foundation MATE (Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences), one of the largest agricultural-focused, multi- disciplinary higher education institutions in Europe was established on 1 February 2021.  

The backbone of the new university infrastructure is provided by our prominent campuses where our professional teaching staff and a unique green environment make the students feel welcome.

Buda, Gödöllő, Gyöngyös, Kaposvár and Keszthely Campuses offer constantly renewed degree and training programmes and make significant investments in order to strengthen their ties to international higher education.

We consider lessons learned from the most successful European universities and we combine our traditions with the solutions of modern ages. Our long-term objective is to make MATE one of the thirty best agricultural higher education universities in the world.


Prof. Dr. Csaba Gyuricza
University Professor, Rector

Welcome to Hungary

About Hungary

Hungary is a safe, student-friendly country in Central Europe, known for its rich culture, strong traditions, and warm hospitality. Budapest offers big-city international energy, while smaller towns provide calm, green spaces and a close community feel. The country sits in a great location for travel — with many European capitals just a few hours away by train or bus. Living costs are generally more affordable than in many Western European countries, which helps students balance studies and life comfortably. And whether you love history, nature, food, festivals, or just discovering new places, Hungary gives you plenty to explore while you study.

Campuses

Gödöllő Campus

Gödöllő — our HQ, surrounded by royal heritage and green science

Gödöllő is the central home of MATE, known for its spacious, nature-rich campus and strong research atmosphere. The town is also famous for the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, one of Hungary’s most important historical sites and a symbol of royal heritage in the region. It is one of the largest university campuses in the country, where agricultural, technical and economic university programmes are offered. The train station right next to the campus allows fast travel to the heart of Budapest.

Buda Campus

Budapest — where innovation meets elegance

Budapest is Hungary’s capital and its biggest international hub — full of student life, culture, and career opportunities. With its grand architecture and Danube river views, it really does feel like a place where history and modern energy live side by side. Located in Buda Arboretum, the Buda Campus offers a beautiful green refuge right in the heart of this bustling city.

Keszthely Campus

Keszthely — gateway to Lake Balaton, the “Hungarian Sea”

Keszthely sits on the western shore of Lake Balaton, the country’s most beloved summer region and a key area for tourism, nature, and sports. Studying here means being close to nature, while living in a charming, scenic city. The predecessor of Georgikon Campus was the first agricultural tertiary institution in Hungary and Europe, and is still a prestigious symbol of Hungary's agricultural tradition. 

Kaposvár Campus

Kaposvár — The treasure of Somogy

Kaposvár is a relaxed, student-oriented town with lots of parks, walkable streets, and a strong local cultural scene. It’s known in Hungary for its tidy, green public spaces and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great place for focused study and a close-knit campus community. If you want a slower pace with real support and space to grow, Kaposvár delivers. It is where you can find all of MATE's art courses.

Gyöngyös Campus

Gyöngyös — gateway to the majestic Mátra Mountains

Gyöngyös lies right next to the Mátra range, home to Hungary’s highest peak, and is a natural starting point for exploring the mountains. The city is perfect for students who feel inspired by forests, hiking trails, and outdoor life – quiet enough for deep focus, adventurous enough for weekends outdoors. It is a very modern, international campus, building on a strong foundation of agriculture, business and technology, both in higher and vocational education.

Pioneers Since 1797 

Our History & Strategy

At MATE, history isn’t just something we teach — it’s what we made. From being Europe’s first regular agricultural higher education institution, founded in 1797 in Keszthely, to becoming Hungary’s largest multi-disciplinary university focused on agriculture, sustainability, and life sciences – our legacy keeps growing. 

A few milestones that shaped us: 

  • 1797: Georgikon Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Keszthely — Europe’s oldest agricultural higher education institution 

  • 1787–1950: From Veterinary Medicine to Engineering — the roots of MATE spread across Hungary, developing in the various institutions that later come together to form MATE

  • 2000: Szent István University established 

  • 2021: MATE officially founded — uniting centuries of knowledge into a single, forward-thinking institution 

Over two centuries later, we still lead the way in sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration in Hungary. Today the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) is one of Central Europe’s leading institutions in agriculture and life sciences. With more than 12,500 students and a diverse research portfolio, MATE plays a key role in driving sustainability and innovation in the region’s agri-food systems and rural development.

Guided by its long-term strategy, MATE2030, the University is committed to advancing the green transition in Hungary and beyond. This ambition is realized through flagship initiatives built around the central theme of resilience—from agriculture and technological innovation to ecological systems and social resilience. Through its initiatives, MATE seeks to connect science, practice, and education, while building a foundation for long-term international collaboration.

MATE in Global Rankings

Ranking

Last modified: 09. December 2025

The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) is proud to be represented in several prestigious international rankings, including Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. Among others, the QS rankings evaluate institutions based on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, and research impact, providing a comprehensive assessment of university performance. Similarly, the THE rankings assess universities across teaching, research quality and environment as well as international outlook, highlighting institutions that excel in these key areas. These acknowledgments highlight our dedication to high-quality education, impactful research, and global engagement. 

MATE continuously works to strengthen its international presence through scientific excellence, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships with universities and research institutions worldwide. Our inclusion in the below listed rankings reflects our ongoing commitment to providing world-class education and contributing to global scientific advancements in agriculture and life sciences. Below is the latest available list of international rankings and areas in which our university is ranked and its position in each ranking. 

Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings 2025

Times Higher Education world university rankings 2025

Become a MATE Student

MATE Courses – Introduction

From Agriculture to Artificial Intelligence, MATE offers programs that bridge the environment, technology, and society: Agricultural, environmental, and food sciences, horticulture, landscape architecture, viticulture, water and renewable energy management, mechanical engineering, rural development, economics and even arts – all in one multidisciplinary institution. With well over 40 English-taught programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels, you will definitely find one that suits you. MATE also offers a wide range of scholarships for talented students.

At MATE, you will join an ever-growing, vibrant intenational student community, representing over 100 nationalities on our campuses. 

Embrace the MATE Spirit. Be part of something that has shaped Europe’s agricultural legacy — and is now shaping its future!

Explore & Connect