In 1963 the government made a resolution to establish an architectural university. In 1968 the resolution was changed and the government wished to build a telecommunication university. The university’s predecessor in title, the Transportation and Telecommunication Faculty of Technical Sciences, was established in this year. The faculty trained engineers for the transportation and telecommunication infrastructure. The building of the university was built—an unmatched exception in Hungary, originally for education purposes—on the picturesque bend of the Moson Danube within walking distance of the baroque city. In the early 1990s beyond the technical sciences, economical, medical and social programmes became in demand. In 1995 the Eötvös Loránd University set up a lawprogramme here, so the juridical training returned to the city and, since 2002, it is its own programme at Széchenyi István University. The institution bears the name of István Széchenyi the "greatest Hungarian" since 1986. The university offers several courses in BA/BSc and MA/MSc and doctoral schools are available.
Faculties
The university provides education at nine faculties and four doctoral schools:
Developments
In May 2008, the new architectural studio was opened. It was converted from an old transformation house. Széchényi István University won on the calling for tender to improve public facilities. The university has several projects underway including AUTOPOLIS: The construction of a new building will expand the capacity of the university and will serve for research and development purposes. Within this project a foot-bridge will be re-located and two multi-storey car parks will be built. The project is estimated to be finished in 2011.
Student life
There are several opportunities for entertainment in Győr and at the university. Every year there is a Széchenyi-week, where famous Hungarian people are invited. The university offers opportunities to do sport. The Széchenyi race takes stage during Széchenyi-week. Alternative-operated vehicles challenge each other at the parking lot in front of the university.