The Hungarian Dance University (HDU) recorded significant growth in both applications and admissions during the 2026 general admissions process compared to 2025.
A total of 648 applications were submitted to the university’s programmes this year—an increase of 101 applicants, or 18.5%, over 2025. This upward trend is equally visible in acceptance figures: while 214 students were admitted last year, HDU welcomed 249 accepted students in 2026, representing a 16.4% jump, 35 more students.
Particularly encouraging is the strong surge in first-choice applicants. Following 196 first-preference applications in 2025, 229 prospective students selected HDU as their top choice this year, representing an 16.8% increase, 33 more applicants.
Of all the individual degree programs, the 4-semester Master’s in Dance Pedagogy achieved outstanding results, drawing 114 applicants in 2026 compared to 88 last year, which is a significant 29.5% surge. Admissions for this program climbed from 53 to 76 students (+43.4%), while first-choice applications rose by 35.8% (from 53 to 72).
The BA in Dance and Rehearsal Direction continues to be one of the university’s most sought-after degrees. Total applicants rose from 365 to 383 (+4.9%), first-choice applicants edged up from 102 to 104, and admitted students increased from 119 to 120.
For the first time this year, the incoming undergraduate cohort includes students from the Győr Secondary School of Dance and Fine Arts (affiliated with Széchenyi István University – SZE). As a result of the strategic partnership between HDU and SZE, these students can begin their university studies in the Classical Ballet and Modern Dance specializations of the BA programme alongside their secondary school registration.
A key feature of HDU’s admissions system is that certain degree programmes and specializations are offered only once every three years, so they directly match what the job market needs.
As part of this triennial cycle, applications opened this year for the BA in Choreography, which attracted 75 applicants, and finally 9 students were admitted. In addition, after three years, the university reopened specializations within the two-semester Master’s in Dance Pedagogy, drawing 18 applicants and accepting 7.
Overall, the 2026 admissions results show a clear increase in interest in the Hungarian Dance University. A nearly 20% rise in total applications, combined with a significant increase in both admitted students and first-choice applicants, highlights the strong appeal of HDU’s programmes and the success of its updated curriculum.
The Hungarian Dance University will begin the 2026/2027 academic year with 249 new students.
