The history of the University
1581
The University of Szeged traces its origins back to 1581 with the foundation of the Academia in Cluj (Kolozsvár). István Báthory, Prince of Transylvania, King of Poland (1571-1586), Grand Duke of Lithuania took measures to establish a Catholic university consisting of two faculties, Arts and Theology.
1872
Magyar Királyi Ferenc József Tudományegyetem (Royal Hungarian Franz Joseph University) is established in Cluj and operates there until 1921 when it is relocated to Szeged.
1921
The first academic year of the University is ceremoniously opened in Szeged by Rector Gáspár Menyhárt, and the construction of the university buildings starts a few years later.
1930
University buildings around Dóm Square, in front of the Votive Church, are ready to open, and the first pond of the botanical garden is created.
1937
Albert Szent-Györgyi is awarded the Nobel Prize.
1940
In the midst of WW2 and just after the second Treaty of Vienna, the Franz Joseph University is relocated to Cluj (Kolozsvár), and a new institution called Miklós Horthy University is established in its place in Szeged. Albert Szent-Györgyi is appointed Rector of the University.
1945
The University is renamed after the city, its new name is University of Szeged.
1951
The Medical Faculty is separated from the University of Szeged and begins to function as an independent university.
1962
The University of Szeged adopts the name of the poet Attila József.
1987
The Medical University of Szeged adopts the name of Albert Szent-Györgyi, its Nobel laureate rector.
1996
A statement of intent to create the University of Szeged is signed by Attila József University, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Gyula Juhász Teacher Training College, Ferenc Liszt Musical College, the Food Industry Faculty of the University of Gardening and Food Industry (Szeged), the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Debrecen (Hódmezővásárhely) and, as associate members, by the College of Theology and the Szeged Biological Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
2000
With the unification of Attila József University, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Gyula Juhász Teacher Training College, the Food Industry College of Szeged and the Agricultural College of the University of Debrecen, the new University of Szeged (SZTE) is established.
2003
The Szeged Conservatory begins to function as one of the current 12 Faculties of the University of Szeged.
2004
The new building of the Study and Information Centre (Tanulmányi és Információs Központ – TIK) a large part of which is occupied by the unified University Library, is inaugurated. A year later, the Centre is named after the poet Attila József.
SZTE Experience
Olney Rodrigues - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
My name is Olney Rodrigues de Oliveira and I am from Brazil. I am currently pursuing my PhD studies in the Doctoral School of Education at SZTE. I chose the University of Szeged because it’s one of the best universities in Europe, especially in the field of education. I personally love Szeged because it is safe and I love the architecture, the cultural events, the local Market Mars Tér and so many other beautiful destinations. For my studies I wanted to have an excellent university in a good quality life city and Szeged offers me that. It’s neither too big nor too small, I can ride my bike to go to my classes and practically everything is within a walking distance. I would advise the prospective students to enjoy the city during their stay, the cultural and historical events, know other international students and make a lot of friends, visit other cities in Hungary and make good memories. I am pretty sure that you will be proud of this priceless experience. Before coming to Hungary I worked several years as a teacher. I love the academic environment, the libraries, relationship with students and the feeling to be involved in the acquisition of new knowledge. That is why I plan to be part of a University as a professor as well as to keep researching in different aspects of the process of education. I am so thankful to be here and I believe that the Universe brought me to Szeged because the city and the University are the experience that I need in my life now.
Ahmad Adha - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
I am Ahmad Adha from Indonesia and currently a 3rd year student in Theoretical Linguistics PhD program. I chose the University of Szeged (SZTE) as my study destination because it is located in the center of the town and it is also the highest ranked university in Hungary. The university staff and the professors were very accommodating and understanding when I decided to change the program that suits my research topic. I am so glad that I can be a part of my current department, and of course SZTE, since it is also the Center of Pragmatic Research which aims to promote advanced linguistic pragmatic research with international collaborations. After graduating, I wish to continue to work in my academic field as a professor and a researcher. My advice for prospective SZTE students is to choose a university with a good academic reputation that fits their passion.
