Some Hungarian universities have started complete education programmes in English for foreign students in the last 15-20 years. These programmes are closely connected to the Hungarian ones, comprising the same curriculum. Hungarian students are also allowed to attend these programmes in English. The English programmes contribute in a great extent to the European integration 83.of the Hungarian higher education. Hungary is a candidate to the membership of the European Union, actually is the most advanced one, and takes part in many joint education projects with the several institutions of the EU member states.

The education programmes in English at the Hungarian universities make it easy to integrate the European exchange students arriving to Hungary from different states of the EU in the framework of different European programmes like ERASMUS/ SOCRATES or, earlier, TEMPUS. A great number of American students also arrive for a semester abroad to join similar programmes.

The Budapest University of Technology and Economics was one of the first Hungarian universities to introduce an education programme in English 16 years before. All the engineering faculties participate in this programme. The programme comprises four-year B.Sc., two-year M.Sc. as well as three-year Ph.D.courses. Description of these programmes in details can be found in the www.tanok.bme.hu homepage. The campus lies in the centre of Budapest, at the shore of the Danube and at the foot of the Gellert hill. The tuition fees at the Hungarian universities are moderate and the living expenses are relatively low as compared to Western standards.

Hungary is now a stable democracy. All the governments after the liberation from the Soviet influence has have served their four-year terms. The economy is booming with a yearly increase of the of 5-6%, the industrial production increased with a record 21% in the last year making Hungary the fastest developing country in Europe.

Hungary has the highest foreign capital investment per person in Central and Eastern Europe. Inflation is below 10% and is still decreasing; unemployment is lower then than in the EU. Hungary is also a favourite place for international tourism. The main attractions of the country are Budapest and the lake Balaton, although the other regions of the country have also many beautiful things sights to visit and see and they are rich of in traditions, cultural heritage and historical buildings. Budapest, with a population of 1.8 millions inhabitants, is not only the capital of Hungary but also a cultural, financial, economic transport and transport economic centre of the region. As it lies is situated in Central Europe, it is easy to reach from Budapest the other capitals in Europe from Budapest. Vienna lies just 260 km from Budapest, Prague is about 600 km away, Berlin is 900 km apart, Rome is 1300 km etc. The beautiful mountains of the Alps, the Adriatic Sea, and the Italian cities rich in tourist attractions are all of within easy reach from Budapest.

The city has unique scenery in Europe, as the mighty Danube River flows just through the centre of the city, and the Buda Mountains also reach the centre and the Danube. The river and the mountains together create the beautiful scenery of the city. There are many nice buildings of in the city dating back to the time of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and even earlier times. The city is rich in thermal springs. The oldest thermal baths were constructed in the XVIth 16th century during the Turkish occupation of the city and they are still in operation.

There are many theatres, two opera houses, museums, galleries etc. to give a wide range of cultural opportunities both for inhabitants, locals and visitors. There are many sport facilities, also too. The neighbourhood of Budapest offers wide excellent opportunities for excursions, first of all the Buda Mountains, the Pilis Mountains and the unique Danube Band, just about 20-30 kilometres to the North from the city, the Danube flows between mountains along small historical and picturesque towns and ruins of castles. On the Danube there are is a wide range of water sport possibilities facilities illustrated by the successes of the Hungarian teams at the latest Olympic Games.