The University of Debrecen () is a university located in Debrecen, Hungary. It is the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in Hungary ever since its establishment in 1538. The university has a well established programme in the English language for international students, particularly in the Medical and Engineering field, which first established education in English in 1886. There are nearly 6000 international students studying at the university. Until 2014 technical Academy Awards (Oscars) have been awarded to five former students. The university also operates an associated Basic Medicine campus in Geochang County, South Korea. The University of Debrecen's acceptance rate is 25% making it one of the most competitive universities in Central Europe. University of Debrecen is ranked 501st in QS World University Rankings by Top Universities and has an overall score of 4.1 stars with its prestigious Medical School ranked 19th position worldwide along with the Engineering department ranked 59th, Computer Sciences ranked 37th, Veterinary department ranked 27th, Pharmaceutics and Toxicology department ranked 26th worldwide. It is also notable for its Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics department which is ranked 77th, 83rd and 79th worldwide respectively. History The early formation Higher education began in Debrecen with the Calvinist College of Debrecen, which was founded in 1538. Over centuries of its existence it was one of the key institutions of higher education in Hungary. In the beginning of the 20th century the college was transformed into a university, and has a strong link and cooperation with the present Calvinist College's Debrecen Reformed Theological University. Before, and during World War I In 1908, the Calvinist Academy of Humanities was created, and in 1912, the Hungarian Royal University was founded. The university incorporated the theology, law, and arts faculties of the college and added a medical school. Teaching began in 1914 in the old Calvinist College buildings. In 1918, the first new medical school building was opened, and the original medical school campus was completed in 1927. Between the two World Wars In 1921, the university took the name of István Tisza, former prime minister of Hungary. In 1932 the university's main building was completed. It is the largest building in the city, and was designed in eclectic and neo-baroque style. Between 1945 and 1990 In 1949/1950, the university was restructured under communist control. The primary goal of the "reorganization" was to split the university into smaller, less integrated institutions, and