Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

About

Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary is a youthful institution with a long tradition. The university was established in its present form in 1993, although its legal predecessors date back to 1839 and 1855.

The university combines the traditions of Reformed education and an openness to professional innovation. Their students enjoy a friendly environment in which they acquire up-to-date knowledge that is based on a solid, value-driven Christian ethos. Furthermore, we place considerable emphasis on community-oriented education, the personal relationship between professors and students as well as on the support of student initiatives.

Students can conduct their studies at the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Teacher Training and the Faculty of Social Studies and Health Sciences. The central location of most of the university buildings in Budapest provides students with an exciting cultural environment that enjoys an international reputation.

Facts and figures – Why Károli?

Károli Gáspár University is a church university, founded by the Reformed Church in Hungary. This fact is reflected in the official name of the institution: Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. The university was named after Károli Gáspár, the Calvinist pastor, who prepared the first complete Hungarian translation of the Bible in 1590.

• Károli is the 4th best higher education institution in Hungary out of the ranked 38 institutions. („Diploma 2021” - Annual higher education ranking of the acknowledged Hungarian weekly business paper, HVG Magazine)
• Education and research activities are carried out by 15 institutes and 52 departments belong to the five faculties altogether.
• over 600 academic staff members teaching at 38 (BA, MA, single-cycle) degree programmes.
• 3 Doctoral Schools in history, law and theology offer PhD programmes.
• The university maintains cooperation with 158 partner institutions from 37 countries in 4 continents.
• 13 foreign languages can be studied at the university.
• 8 university sport teams.
• More than 150 000 books are kept in the libraries of the university.
• Besides Budapest and Nagykőrös where the two main campuses are located, Károli Gáspár University provides courses in Romania in Targu Mures/Marosvásárhely and Ilieni/Ilyefalva. 
• The practice-oriented trainings provide students with immediately accessible knowledge
• The Career Office and the Student Consulting Centre offer our students career and life management counselling.
• The Faculty of Law finished first place in the ranking ‘Excellence of Professors’ on in legal training („Diploma 2021” - Annual higher education ranking of the acknowledged Hungarian weekly business paper, HVG Magazine)
• The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences ranked as 8th in the overall training ranking out of 147 higher educational faculties.(„Diploma 2021” - Annual higher education ranking of the acknowledged Hungarian weekly business paper, HVG Magazine)
• At The Faculty Of Theology The Proportion Of Professors With Academic Titles Is Almost 100%.

Our faculties

1. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
2. Faculty of Law
3. Faculty of Theology
4. Faculty of Social Studies and Health Sciences
5. Faculty of Pedagogy

Degree programmes offered in foreign languages

• BA in Psychology
• BA in English and American Studies
• MA in English Studies
• Teacher of English Language and Culture
• MA in Deutscher Sprache, Literature and Kultur
• EMLex – European Master in Lexicography
• LL.M. in European and International Business Law
• Master of Theology
• PhD studies in Theology
• PhD studies in Law and Political Sciences
• Doktoratsstudium in Theologie

Student life and services

Student life at our university is extremely active and colorful. Students find the locations of our campuses very attractive; they offer the sort of cultural environment that the faculties are able to benefit from in diverse ways. Our students pursue an active social and academic life.

Typical activities include but not limited to:

• Book presentations, debating society, Ats Days
• Autumn and Spring Training Week with professional and cultural programmes
• Student Talent Days
• Conferences, Symposiums, Professional forums

Student Sport Circle

In 2014, as a result of long and close cooperation between the Hungarian University Sports Federation and Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, the university sports office and the Károli Student Sports Circle were established, which serve to coordinate sports events and sport life at our university. The sport office is available for students every day of the week in person, by telephone or via e-mail. It offers several different sports activities both at competitive and at hobby level. Students are always welcome to join the excellent KRE Főnixek football, handball, volleyball, basketball or water polo teams during study term. They may take part in inter-university competitions and even put together their own team for tounaments and championships.

Housing and accommodation

International students are offered a place in one of our dormitories located in Budapest:

• Óbudai Diák Hotel/Óbuda’s Student Hostel
• Bethlen Gábor Kollégium/Bethlen Gábor College

Buddy programme

The university maintains a mentor system called KRE Buddy Programme. The aim to connect international students with Hungarian students studying at the same faculty who can help their integration to the university and the country and can help them during their studies.