CEU was founded by American-Hungarian philanthropist George Soros, Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic and other visionary intellectuals from the region in 1991. The founding vision was to create a university dedicated to examining the contemporary challenges of "open societies" and democratization.
Distinctive for the integrated approach it brings to teaching, research and public service, CEU emphasizes interdisciplinary coursework and collaborative research to create new knowledge and tackle complex societal problems.
CEU has earned global recognition for a range of social sciences, humanities and business programs. Our top performing graduate programs include political science and international relations, philosophy, history, business analytics and finance. We also offer two interdisciplinary bachelor's programs in the social sciences and humanities. Our work in emerging fields such as cognitive science, and network and data science is also renowned internationally.
CEU is a research-intensive university. Our faculty members typically devote at least half of their time to research including participation in European and international projects. More than one-third of CEU students are pursuing doctoral degrees and thus are also actively involved in research, normally on par with faculty members.
Our research-led teaching and learning fosters critical intellectual exchange and creative solutions. Students work closely with professors, frequently playing substantive roles in faculty-led research and publishing projects.
We help our graduate students transform their CEU experience into meaningful professional engagement. Our graduates are employed in the public, private, non-profit and multilateral sectors as well as within higher education.
The CEU Career Services Office offers guidance and support to students and alumni as they pursue personal visions for impact and success. The office engages with students and alumni throughout the career development process and cultivates relationships with a global network of employers.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2019. By rating institutions on a scale from 1 to 5, on multiple studies-related questions, we found the top educators in the world.
Learn more about the Global Student Satisfaction AwardsCEU is a student-oriented university with a wide range of service units that provide personal attention and support, including the Strudent Center, the Center for Academic Writing and the Compouter and Statistics Center. We also offer access to medical services and psychological counseling.
CEU's student housing partner in Vienna is OEAD, the Austrian state agency for international mobility and cooperation in education, science and research.
CEU provides accommodation in OEAD dormitories for MA students whose financial aid award covers housing, and for BA students on a fee paying basis.MA and PhD students who have not been offered housing as part of their financial aid package should arrange their own accommodation.
MA and PhD students not in receipt of a financial aid package covering housing but who still wish to stay in OEAD facilities are advised to contact OEAD directly with their reservation requests.
CEU library has one of the largest English-language collections in the social sciences and humanities in Central and Eastern Europe. Its mission is to provide exemplary services in support of teaching, learning and research.
CEU library in numbers:
CEU offers you extensive technological services and support - with freely available internet access, convenient copy and print services, and desktop workstation access at the main campus (including the library) and at the CEU Residence center.
Members of the CEU community are given free wireless access to the internet through CEU’s own internal network, available throughout the campus.
The CEU Medical Center is open to all students, faculty and staff. Access to the Medical Center requires a valid CEU ID and a medical insurance card. Consultations and treatment are free of charge for CEU patients, regardless of the patients' insurance details.
CEU's Vienna campus is located in Favoriten, the Austrian capital's multicultural 10th district and one of the city's most diverse locals.
Creating a collaborative working and learning environment is at the core of CEU's vision. Following a multimillion-euro campus refurbishment project, each classroom is equipped with smart-boards as well as microphones and cameras that enable video conferencing with just a few taps. A 200-seat auditorium and a tiered classroom have been created for high-profile lectures and large events.
Outside classroom hours, you will have access to learning and social spaces, including a library, computer and PhD labs, lounges and a cafe.
CEU students participate actively in matters of governance and management. To ensure adequate student representation the student body elects a Student Union Assembly (SUA) every academic year. The SUA is an independent body operating according to its Constitution.
CEU holds an absolute charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, for and on behalf of the New York State Education Department.
In Austria, CEU is recognized as a private higher education institution, pursuant to section 7 of the Decree on Accreditation of Private Universities (PU-AkkVO).
In Hungary, CEU is recognized as a private higher education institution. KEE is accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee.
Multicultural, diverse and competitive environment which pushes you forward to work on your skills and yourself!
Studying at CEU is amazing but challenging at the same time! Don't be afraid to ask questions anywhere and anytime. Even though you will spend a lot of time focusing on your studies, don't forget to have fun with your friends.
I know that choosing the university and applying for the right program may be challenging so that is why I want to help the next generation of the CEU students to make this process a little bit easier for them. Studying requires a lot of your time and energy, but the results achieved at the end are always rewarding and worth it.
