Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
Budapest, Hungary
Quick facts
- World rank
- #17
- 2026
- Acceptance rate
- 10%
- Students
- 831
- International students
- 0%
- Institution type
- Public
- Founded
- 1875
Overview
The Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music (Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem) in Budapest, Hungary, is the only university of music in the world founded by Franz Liszt, who established it in 1875. It is a state university offering full-time BA (6 semesters) and MA (4 semesters) programmes across classical instruments (strings, keyboards, woodwinds, brass, and others), vocal and opera studies, conducting, composition, and early music. Postgraduate programmes include the One-Year Soloist Programme for Pianists, the Postgraduate Specialist Training Programme in Chamber Music Performance, and the Postgraduate Specialist Training Programme in Historical Performance. The Doctoral School offers DLA (Doctor Liberalium Artium) and PhD degrees in music, with the PhD in musicology being the only accredited doctoral musicology programme in Hungary. Teaching is conducted on a one-to-one basis and in small groups; programmes are available in both Hungarian and English. The Academy is also home to the Liszt Academy Concert Centre, featuring the Grand Hall and the Sir Georg Solti Chamber Hall, making it a premier international concert venue. The institution maintains international partnerships through Erasmus+, bilateral agreements, and the Weingarten Postgraduate Study Programme with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, an affiliated institution, offers BA and MA programmes in Kodály-based music education.
Fields of study
- Music Performance
- Composition
- Conducting
- Musicology
- Music Pedagogy
- Early Music
- Jazz
- Chamber Music
Accreditation: Hungarian Accreditation Committee (Magyar Akkreditációs Bizottság)
Admissions requirements
- IELTS (minimum)
- —
- TOEFL iBT (minimum)
- —
- GPA (minimum)
- —
- Intakes
- Fall, Spring
- Application deadlines
- Varies by program; typically spring for fall intake.
- Rolling admissions
- No
- Admissions contact
- international.office@lisztacademy.hu
Requirements differ between programs. Check the program page and the university's admissions office for the latest criteria.
Tuition & costs
International students
HUF 1,600,000 – HUF 5,300,000 / semester
From about $8,640 / year
Domestic students
HUF 1,600,000 – HUF 5,300,000 / semester
Fees are per semester; the annual fee comprises two semesters. International students may pay in EUR at the MNB exchange rate on the first day of classes. EU citizens may be eligible for state-subsidized status. Non-EU citizens may apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. Doctoral international fees: DLA 487,500 HUF/semester; PhD 325,000 HUF/semester.
Tuition varies by program. Confirm with the university before applying.
Official fee source (opens in a new tab)Programs
| Program | Level | Duration | Tuition | Deadline | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA Classical Singing (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Bachelor's | 3 years | HUF 800,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| BA Composition (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Bachelor's | 3 years | HUF 800,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| BA Piano (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Bachelor's | 3 years | HUF 800,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| BA Violin (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Bachelor's | 3 years | HUF 800,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| DLA (Doctor of Liberal Arts) in Music (opens in a new tab)Hungarian · Full Time | PhD | 4 years | HUF 487,500 / semester | Varies | — |
| MA Opera Singing (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Master's | 2 years | HUF 950,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| MA Piano (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Master's | 2 years | HUF 950,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| MA Violin (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Master's | 2 years | HUF 950,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| One-year Soloist Programme for Pianists (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Master's | 1 year | HUF 2,650,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| PhD in Musicology (opens in a new tab)Hungarian · Full Time | PhD | 4 years | HUF 325,000 / semester | Varies | — |
| Postgraduate Specialist Training Programme in Chamber Music Performance (opens in a new tab)English · Full Time | Master's | 1 year | HUF 350,000 / semester | Varies | — |
Information last verified Oct 3, 2026. Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Fees, deadlines and requirements change — always confirm with the university.
