Application Checklist

All programs at CEU require one or more pieces of academic writing for the application, such as a statement of purpose, research proposal, academic essay on a given subject, writing sample, etc. Each academic program has its own writing requirement(s). (On how to put together a competitive application, how to improve your statement of purpose or write a compelling research proposal, you may want to check the Useful Tips section for advice.)

You must have two (or, for some doctoral programs, three) confidential letters of recommendation submitted as part of your application, assessing your ability to conduct graduate-level work, and potential for a successful academic or professional career. The letters must be written in English by your faculty members or job supervisors (i.e. people most familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities and character), and sent via the online application system by the recommenders themselves. (You must not know the contents of the letters and therefore cannot submit them.) Also, please note that a complete set of recommendations must be received for every application that you have submitted.

In order to enable your recommenders to send in their letters, you need to register them in the relevant section of the online application form, submit your application and - for your first application - pay the application fee; they won’t receive an email with a link to a recommendation form until after you have submitted your application and your application fee is delivered by Flywire (see point 7 below.) All recommendations must be received within one week of the time the application is received. Late references may or may not be considered. 

You can track the status of your references on the applicant portal. If you have any questions about the letters of recommendation, please go here. 

Your application must include a scanned image of

1. your complete official bachelor’s transcript and your bachelor's diploma in English if you are applying to a master’s program;
2. your complete official bachelor’s and master’s transcripts and your bachelor's and master’s diplomas in English if you are applying to a doctoral program.

Notes:

• The transcript and the diploma should be issued in English by your university/college or translated by the issuing institution or a registered translator. In either case, it must bear the stamp and signature of an official of the institution or the translator.
• Candidates in the process of completing a degree program must upload an official interim transcript and, in place of the diploma, a certificate of enrollment confirming their student status. The certificate of enrollment should include the expected date of graduation if possible.
• Candidates having completed their degree program and having yet to receive their diploma must upload a certificate of graduation.
• Candidates who have taken courses at more than one institution as part of their degree program need to submit an official transcript from each school, unless the transfer credits are listed in detail (course names, credits, grades) on their final transcript.
• Candidates applying for a one-year master's program at CEU that have earned a three-year undergraduate degree and have completed or are, at the time of application, completing a master's program at another university must submit their master's transcript (and diploma, if already available) in addition to their bachelor's transcript and diploma.
• The official "Diploma Supplement" issued by European institutions is acceptable as a transcript; it is, however, not valid without an official copy (and translation if applicable) of the diploma.

If you have any questions about academic records, please go here.

Please upload an updated CV or resume, including a publication list if available. CEU accepts all commonly used CV/resume formats.

You must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting standardized English language test scores, e.g., the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or other tests listed below.

Candidates whose first language is English are normally exempt from this requirement. Other candidates may also be exempted if they fall into either of the two categories below:

1. current or former CEU students applying to CEU's master's or doctoral programs;
2. candidates who have earned a bachelor's or a master's degree taught exclusively in English. Please note: CEU reserves the right to request proof that the program was taught entirely in English if it is not evident from the academic records provided.

To request exemption from the English language proficiency requirement, answer the questions on English Language Qualifications accordingly in the Qualifications section of the online application form and, unless your institution is located in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA or the language of instruction is clearly stated in your academic records, provide (as an “Other Supporting Document”) an official letter from your university or college, confirming that your bachelor’s or master’s program was taught entirely in English.

If you are submitting a test score of one of the English language exams listed below, please upload a scan/screenshot of your paper/online score report to the relevant section of your online application. (CEU's institution code with ETS is 0069 - please use this code when taking a TOEFL test.)

Language test types & minimum test scores required by Master's programs*:

*The Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP) has different language requirements which are listed on the program website.

Language test types & minimum test scores required by doctoral programs:

If you have any questions about our English proficiency requirements, please visit here.

Some programs at the Department of Economics and Business require GRE or GMAT scores as an entry condition. For details, please consult the webpages of relevant programs.

Notes:

• All application materials must be submitted with the online application form(s). Materials sent by postal mail, electronic mail or fax are not considered.
• You may apply to up to 5 programs (master's and/or doctoral) offered by any academic unit at CEU. To apply for multiple programs, you must submit a complete application (including refererences) for each program. Some programs have different application deadlines; please always refer to the program websites for detailed guidelines.
• CEU charges a one-time application fee of EUR 30 for each candidate irrespective of the number of programs applied to in the given admissions cycle. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. The fee must be paid via the online application form after the first application is submitted in the given admission cycle. Once you hit "submit" on your application, the page will redirect you to the payment portal where you can pay the application fee. NOTE: Fee payments to CEU are processed by Flywire. For your (first) application to be processed, we must receive your application fee payment. Because Flywire takes several days to process and deliver payments, we recommend that you submit your first application with your fee payment at least one week before the deadline to avoid any issues. (Please see our FAQ's here.)
• Applications cannot be edited after submission with the exception of certain data (contact information) that can be updated via the Applicant Portal. Please submit your application only when it is 100% final and complete. (Please see the related FAQ's here.)
• CEU does not return application documents, or provide copies thereof.
• If you applied to CEU in a previous admission cycle, please use your existing login and password to start a new application. If you do not remember your password from last year click on Forgotten Password. With technical problems, bugs or errors related to the online application forms please contact the CEU IT Help Desk.