It was established in 1991 by the Hungarian philanthropist George Soros, who has provided an endowment of US$880 million, making the university one of the wealthiest in Europe.
Õppeasutuse rajas 1991 filantroop George Soros, kes on toetanud seda 880 miljoni dollariga, tehes selle üheks rikkamaks ülikooliks Euroopas.