The admissions requirements below are part of CEU's Admissions Policy. Individual units may establish additional criteria for admission, such as specific academic backgrounds or minimum language test scores higher than the general CEU minimum requirements.
Note: In the case of Advanced certificate programs, application is only open to already-enrolled students.
Eligibility Requirements for Master's Programs
Applicants must have a first degree (bachelor's or equivalent undergraduate degree) from a recognized university or institution of higher education or provide documentation indicating that they will earn such a first degree before enrollment in a CEU master's program. Applicants applying for two-year master’s programs must have collected a minimum of 180 ECTS credits* (or equivalent) during their undergraduate studies, while applicants for one-year master’s programs, a minimum of 240 ECTS credits* (or equivalent).
(In exceptional cases, applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree [180 ECTS credits or equivalent] may be allowed admission into one-year master’s programs. The applicants should be aware that they may not be able to pursue a doctoral degree in the European Higher Education Area if they have accumulated less than 300 ECTS credits (or equivalent) in their prior university studies. Applicants wishing to pursue an academic career in the countries that have adopted the ECTS framework should choose their master’s program accordingly [two-year master’s in case they collected 180 ECTS (or equivalent) and one-year master’s in case they have 240 ECTS credits (or equivalent)]. For the list of conditions under which exemptions may be granted, please refer to the program’s website.)
Students enrolled in a master's program at CEU must not be simultaneously enrolled in another higher education institution, unless they provide official documentation about having obtained a leave of absence from the other institution for the entire duration of their studies at CEU. Admitted students are required, if applicable, to indicate enrollment at another institution in the matriculation form at the beginning of their studies at CEU.
*One ECTS credit is worth 0,5 US credits. For information about the European Credit Transfer System, please go here. The US credit system is explained here, and CEU’s credit hour policy here.
Eligibility Requirements for Doctoral Programs
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and a master's degree (or equivalent) in a related field from a recognized university or institution of higher education, or provide documentation indicating that they will earn such a degree before enrollment in a CEU doctoral course of study. Those students holding a five-year master’s degree are not required to have a bachelor’s.
In exceptional cases, the Department of Cognitive Science will also consider candidates who only hold a bachelor's degree, provided it is in a discipline closely associated with cognitive science.
Students enrolled in a doctoral program at CEU must not be simultaneously enrolled in other institutions of higher education, and are required, at the beginning of their studies at CEU, to sign a declaration to this effect.
Language Requirements
The language of instruction for all master's, doctoral and non-degree programs offered by Central European University is English.
Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting standardized English language test scores.
Candidates whose first language is English are normally exempt from this requirement.
For further information refer to the Application Checklist.
