Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM) Direct Enroll

More Information on the BSM Direct Enroll Program

Some highlights of the Budapest Semester in Mathematics program:

Small classes, taught in English
Full-credit courses taught by instructors with experience teaching North American students
Credits are transferable to North American colleges and universities
Community of mathematically motivated students
The school is near the center of historic Budapest.
Modest living costs
Excellent public transportation

Study Options

Budapest Semesters in Mathematics semesters comprise 13 weeks of teaching plus one week of exams. Each course usually meets for a total of 42 contact hours per semester (plus office hours) a total of 56 hours including office hours.

During the first weeks of the program, students may shop around for courses, final registration is only during the third week of the semester. This way, students may analyze which courses would best fit with their interests or are required by their home institution. Students usually select 4 courses to study for the remainder of the fall or spring term.

Past semester course syllabi can be found on the Budapest BSM homepage: http://www.bsmath.hu/history.html

See more information on course information and academics at BSM.

Babilon Language and Culture Course

The Babilon Language School offers BSM students a Hungarian Language and Culture Course prior to the beginning of each semester.

This course is optional but highly recommended. Students who participate report feeling more comfortable navigating Budapest and enjoy getting to know their fellow classmates prior to the beginning of the BSM semester.

More details here.

Transfer Credit

Information on the transfer credit process at MIT can be found here.

Normally, one Budapest Semesters in Mathematics course transfers either as 3 or 4 semester hours depending on an evaluation of course material done by the home institution. Schools (like St. Olaf) which use the course unit system give 1 semester course unit for each BSM course taken: For reference, at St. Olaf, 35 courses are required to graduate and a Budapest Semester’s course transfers as exactly one St. Olaf course. St. Olaf College serves as the School of Record for BSM and provides the official transcript for the program. Transcripts can be requested from St. Olaf College at any time.

For this program, you will pay for tuition, accommodation, and other living expenses directly to BSM, and not to MIT.

Financial aid for year or semester programs:

Aid is portable. A few months before departure, SFS and MISTI will share with the students and the most up-to-date budget for the participation on the program based on an agreement with the host institution. Admitted students who receive financial aid should make an appointment with the financial aid representative to whom they are assigned to discuss the particulars; they should bring the budget received from MISTI to that meeting.

Students are housed in BSM-approved apartments in Budapest city center and suburbs. City center locations have the advantage of being close to the main cultural attractions of Budapest and the commute time to BSM is short. Housing and roommate assignments are arranged by our Hungarian BSM staff based on the information you provide in your Housing Form (once accepted into the program).

Housing assignments are given upon arrival in Budapest. The BSM representative who picks you up at the airport or train station will accompany you to your apartment. They will give you a mini orientation in your new neighborhood including the location of the nearest ATM or currency exchange booth and how it works, where to catch public transportation and how to purchase tickets, and directions to the nearest food store and pharmacy. They will also explain how to get from your location to both BSM and the Babilon Language School.

Typically, two or three students are housed together, and each student will have their own bedroom with a door. Apartments come completely furnished including pillows, sheets, towels, kitchenware, washing machine, etc. Clothes dryers are extremely rare. Keep in mind that thick items, such as sweatshirts, take several days to air dry; please pack accordingly. Apartment might be small by North American standards, with modest kitchen facilities. All apartments are located within easy reach of the university, either on foot or using convenient and inexpensive public transportation.

Rent prices per person, regardless of location, should be in the range of about $450-$475 per month plus one time security deposit. The security deposit is usually equal to one month’s rent. The first month’s rent will usually be payable within a week of your arrival. Please be aware that Hungarian laws governing rental properties vary greatly from laws in North America. Lease details may vary from apartment to apartment. Do not pay any rent until a lease has been signed. Do not sign any lease agreements until you fully understand and are comfortable with the terms. Your landlord should be willing to give you a few days grace period in which to do so.

More information about the visa requirements can be found here: Hungary Visa Information