For the third consecutive year, Széchenyi István University has been listed among the world’s top higher education institutions in one of the most prestigious global university rankings, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, published on 9 October this year. The result demonstrates that the institution continues to rank among the best universities worldwide.

The THE World University Rankings is one of the most prestigious listings in the higher education sector, assessing the performance of more than 25,000 universities worldwide against 17 criteria, according to the strictest international standards. The 2026 ranking includes 12 Hungarian institutions, among them Széchenyi István University, which has once again confirmed its place among the international elite. The prestige of the compilation is reflected in the fact that the top positions are occupied by the University of Oxford in the UK, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Princeton University in the US, and the University of Cambridge in the UK.

“The ranking is one of the world’s most comprehensive research-intensive evaluation systems, which, in addition to scientific publications and citation impact, also considers the quality of education, international outlook, and the strength of industry collaboration. This achievement is primarily due to the expansion of our international partnerships, our strong corporate relations, and our progress in research. We are particularly proud that our University continues to perform outstandingly in the proportion of international students and visiting professors, as well as in institutional income generation,” emphasised Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University. She added that the institution debuted in the THE World University Rankings two years ago, strengthened its position last year, and according to the newly published (officially 2026) ranking, has maintained its place in the 1501+ category.

“The fact that Széchenyi István University has appeared in this ranking for the third time is evidence of our Institution’s international recognition and continuous development. Behind this achievement stands the high-quality work of all our dedicated lecturers, researchers, and staff. Our strong performance is not only a recognition but also a confirmation that our education, research, and close partnerships represent real value and contribute to the development of our students and the region alike,” said Dr Lukács.

Széchenyi István University also appears in four additional THE rankings: in the Sustainability Ranking (401–600 category), in the Young University Ranking and the Interdisciplinary Science Ranking (both in the 501–600 category), while in the Subject Rankings, it is placed in the 601–800 range for Business and Economics, and in the 1251+ category for Engineering.

The inclusion of Széchenyi István University in the THE World University Rankings is also a guarantee that the institution provides high-quality education for its students
(Photo: András Adorján)