ELTE Institute of Oriental Studies
About Our Institute
The Institute of Oriental Studies at the Faculty of Humanities of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE BTK) is the oldest continuously operating educational and research institution in Hungary dedicated to Oriental studies. It is the most important academic and educational institution for Oriental studies in Hungary.
Interest in the East initially arose from a fascination with Hungarian prehistory and the era of Ottoman rule. This general interest in the East led to the development of Turkish, followed by Arabic, Persian, and other Oriental studies in Hungary. Ármin Vámbéry, an internationally renowned scholar and traveler, established the first independent Department of Turkish Studies in Europe at the University of Budapest in 1870.
Currently, the Institute of Oriental Studies comprises four departments:
- Department of Indology
- Department of Iranian Studies
- Department of Semitic Philology and Arabic Studies
- Department of Turkish Philology
Education
As part of the three-year Bachelor's (BA) program in Eastern Languages and Cultures, we offer four specializations: Indology, Turkish, Arabic, and Iranian Studies. Students can continue their studies at the Master's (MA) and Doctoral (PhD) levels.
International Relations
One of the main strengths of the Institute of Oriental Studies is its active participation in international academic research through both formal collaborations and personal academic networks. Our international connections also enable students to take part in language training programs in the target countries as scholarship holders or visiting students.
Our Programs
BA in Eastern Languages and Cultures (6 semesters undergraduate program):
- Arabic specialization
- Iranian Studies specialization
- Turkish specialization
- Indology specialization
Minors: Cultures of the Silk Road, Arabic, Hindi, Indian Culture, Iranian Studies, Islamic Arts, Sanskrit, Turkish
MA Programs (after BA, 4 semesters):
- MA in Arabic Studies
- MA in Iranian Studies
- MA in Turkology
- MA in Indology (specializations: Hindi, Sanscrit)
- MA in Islamic Studies
PhD / Doctoral Programs (after MA, 6 semesters):
Available in all fields.