Corvinus University of Budapest

What you'll study

This graduate diploma combines core project management theory with practice-oriented modules focused on international projects. The curriculum covers project lifecycle and governance, financial planning and cost control, risk management, procurement and contract management, and quality assurance. Special emphasis is placed on cross-cultural communication, stakeholder engagement, and legal and ethical considerations relevant to multinational environments.

• Project Management Fundamentals – project initiation, scope, scheduling and resource planning.
• International Project Governance – structures for decision-making, roles and responsibilities in cross-border teams.
• Financial Management for Projects – budgeting, cost estimation, cash-flow and financial controls.
• Risk Management and Contingency Planning – risk identification, assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Procurement and Contracting – international procurement processes, supplier selection and contract types.
• Agile and Traditional Delivery Methods – comparative study of PMBOK, PRINCE2 and agile frameworks with practical application.
• Cross-cultural Leadership and Communication – managing diverse teams, negotiation and stakeholder engagement across cultures.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment – tools and indicators for performance measurement, reporting and lessons learned.
• EU Funding and International Donor Projects – overview of common funding instruments, proposal management and compliance (where applicable).
• Capstone / Applied Project – an applied assignment or consultancy-style project with a company or organisation, integrating learnt skills.

Teaching methods typically include lectures, case studies, group projects, guest seminars from industry practitioners, and computer-supported project simulations. Assessment is by a combination of coursework, group work, exams and the capstone project.

Entry requirements

• A recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in business, economics, engineering, social sciences or a related field; applicants with substantial professional experience in project-related roles may also be considered.
• Proficiency in English demonstrated by a recognised language certificate or prior study in English, or an internal language assessment. Specific level requirements are provided by the admissions office.
• Curriculum vitae and a motivation letter outlining career goals and reasons for choosing the programme.
• Depending on the intake, a reference and/or short interview (in person or online) may be requested to assess suitability for the applied nature of the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with practical tools for managing projects in multinational corporations, public institutions, non-governmental organisations and consultancies. Typical roles include:

• Project Manager / Project Coordinator for international projects
• Programme Manager or PMO (Project Management Office) Analyst
• Procurement and contracts specialist on cross-border projects
• EU project officer or grants coordinator for donor-funded programmes
• Consultant in project delivery, change management or process improvement

The programme is particularly useful for those aiming to work in Central and Eastern Europe, international development, corporate internationalisation projects, infrastructure and IT project delivery.

Why study at Corvinus University of Budapest

Corvinus is a leading Hungarian university with a strong reputation in business, economics and management education and close ties to regional and international employers. Studying in Budapest offers access to a dynamic Central European business environment and to multinational headquarters and NGOs based in the city. The programme benefits from faculty with academic and practitioner experience, frequent guest lectures from industry professionals, and applied learning opportunities including company projects and networking events.

Students also benefit from Corvinus' career services, alumni network and partnerships that help with internships and job placement in project management roles across sectors.