Want to find out why and how to join our community? We’ve collected everything you need to know from how to put together an impressive application package to how to make the most of your time at CEU.  

Missing something? Drop us a line at  [email protected]. Have questions about how  recent changes to Hungary’s higher education legislation may affect future CEU students? Find out  here.

As a member of CEU’s incoming class for academic year 2019-2020, you’ll be making history – amongst the first cohort of graduate students admitted to our new Vienna campus. All enrolled students who successfully complete their academic requirements will graduate with a CEU degree. You may apply with confidence: if offered a place, you can plan on pursuing a degree to a successful conclusion as a member of our international community.

1. What is CEU’s future?

CEU has always been recognized as one of the world’s most international universities. We will continue to be recognized as such.

In April 2017, Hungary introduced legislation that threatened CEU’s ability to continue its operations in Hungary. CEU took the necessary steps to fulfill all legislative requirements, including launching educational activities in the U.S., at Bard College, that are fully verified by the local authority, the New York State Education Department. Despite this, the Hungarian government refused to sign an agreement with the State of New York that would enable CEU, as a foreign university, to continue its operations in Budapest from January 1, 2019. To ensure our uninterrupted educational activities, we chose to move to Vienna, home to some of the finest universities in the world. CEU has been registered in Austria to issue U.S.-accredited degrees. Decisions on which research and outreach activities will remain in Budapest are forthcoming.

2. Will CEU maintain any operations in Budapest? What about New York?

CEU is committed to remaining active in Budapest, our home for over two decades. At the same time, CEU is becoming a multi-campus university, having launched operations at an extension site in New York, and opening our new Vienna campus starting from Academic Year 2019-2020 for students enrolling in fall 2019. Decisions on which research and outreach activities will remain in Budapest are forthcoming.

3. How does CEU's move to Vienna affect student stipends?

We are committed to offering a student stipend appropriate to the cost of living in Vienna.

4. Will CEU provide health insurance to students in Vienna?

Yes. We will provide health insurance to our incoming students in Vienna.

5. Does CEU offer housing to students in Vienna?

Yes. We are committed to providing housing to eligible students enrolled in Vienna.

6. Is the accreditation of the University affected by the move?

No. CEU holds an absolute charter from the New York State Education Department. In the United States, CEU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. CEU is now registered to award its U.S.-accredited degrees in Vienna. CEU’s Hungarian entity, KEE (Közép-európai Egyetem) is accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee.

7. Will the accreditation of my degree be affected?

No. All programs remain registered by the New York State Education Department. Similarly, the Hungarian programs are and will remain accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee.

8. How does CEU plan to finance the transition to Vienna?

The University’s financial situation is secure, and funding for the move is assured. CEU, like most American universities, has an endowment meant to support the University's operations over its lifetime. Some of CEU's programs are also supported by generous donors and foundations. In addition, CEU is the regional leader in winning European Research Council (ERC) grants.