Admissions FAQ

Ready to start your application? Browse through the application checklist and start filling in the online application form here.

General Questions
How to Apply?
Financial Aid
After you Apply
Information for Accepted Students
Privacy & Data Protection

General Questions

I'm in the final year of my undergraduate program and will earn my bachelor's degree next summer. Can I apply for your next fall's intake?

You certainly can apply and be accepted without having earned your bachelor's degree; you will, however, only be able to enroll if you have successfully graduated by the time the term begins at CEU.

Can I apply for a one-year master's program with a three-year bachelor's degree?
Yes, but please note that if a two-year master’s is offered in the same subject, the department may overrule your preference and admit you to the two-year program. Also, if you only have a 3-year bachelor’s degree, you will not accumulate a sufficient total number of credits required under the 3+2 Bologna model and may experience difficulties with degree recognition/nostrification in some European countries.

Can I apply for a master's program at CEU with a different background?
Some, but not all, of our two-year master's programs are designed for both those with a three-year bachelor's degree and those with a different background - please check the entry requirements of the program(s) you are interested in at the departmental website before you apply.

Can I apply for a two-year master's at CEU if I have a four-year bachelor's degree?
You can apply for some programs if you have a background in another field. You may also do so if your undergraduate degree is in the same or a similar subject as your proposed CEU master's degree, but note that the department may choose to overrule your choice and offer you admission for the one-year program instead.

How are your programs organized? What is the duration of my program of study?

• One-year master's degree programs at CEU typically run for 10 months. Most programs include an orientation session, two 12-week semesters, and a two-month spring session during which students prepare their thesis or research assignment.
• Two-year master's degree programs at CEU usually run for 20 months, interrupted by a summer break (July - August) which does not require presence on campus. The semester structure is similar to that of one-year programs.
• CEU doctoral programs, typically for students with a master's degree in a related field, normally take between four and five years to complete. First year: students must complete the taught course credits specified by their department. Upon the successful completion of a comprehensive examination and a dissertation proposal (or an extensive research paper), students are approved for full doctoral candidacy. Year two and beyond: the period of doctoral candidacy, in which the student pursues research toward the dissertation. For further information, see the CEU Doctoral Regulations.

See also: CEU Academic Calendar

Do CEU programs offer a fall and a spring intake?
No.  Currently, all CEU master's and doctoral programs start in the fall semester.

What funding opportunities are available?
CEU awards an extensive range of financial aid options to support its students. Please review them here.

Are there admission quotas for certain countries or regions?
No. CEU admits students based on a combination of academic merit, professional experience, and demonstrated preparation for their intended degree programs.

Do I need to find a supervisor before I apply for one of your doctoral programs?
No. The department will do it for you if you are offered admission.

I have a bachelor's degree, can I start a PhD program at CEU straightaway?
No, unless you are applying for the PhD in Cognitive Science program. In order to be eligible for admission into a CEU doctoral program, you will have to earn a master's degree first, whether at CEU or another university.

I would like to earn a PhD at CEU while completing one at my home university at the same time. Is this possible?
No. Students enrolled at CEU may not be enrolled at other universities.

I've already earned a master's degree at CEU. Can I apply for another one?
You certainly can, but please note that if you received any sort of financial aid from CEU when you did your first master's degree at CEU, you will not be eligible for further CEU financial aid expect for a 15% discount on the tuition fee. 

Are your programs available on a part-time basis?
CEU offers full-time programs with only a few exceptions at the Department of Economics and Business.

Can I study at CEU on a distance-learning basis?
Sorry, this is currently not possible.

I have started a master's/PhD program at another institution but I've decided to quit it and continue my studies at CEU. Is it possible to transfer to CEU?
No. To study at CEU, you'll have to start the program from the beginning; some of your credits earned at the other university, however, may be accepted at the discretion of the program in question.

How To Apply?

• General Issues
• Online Application Form
• Qualifications
• Academic Records (Diploma/Certificate & Transcript)
• Language and Program-Specific Tests
• References
• Application Fee

GENERAL ISSUES

I can't seem to find the link to the online application form - where is it?
The link is available in the Application Checklist.

How many applications can I submit?
You can submit up to 5 applications, however some schools and departments restrict the number of applications that may be submitted to their programs. Please carefully read the relevant guidelines on the relevant departmental pages.

My transcript (CV, statement of purpose, research proposal, etc.) consists of more than one page. How can I upload documents of multiple pages?
You can easily upload a document of up to 100 pages (as long as it does not exceed 2 MB in size) if you include all pages of the document in one single file. Most scanners allow creation of a single file containing multiple pages, or you can use a pdf merger program.

Some of the files I want to upload exceed 2 MB. What can I do?
You will need to reduce their size. To do this, please print out the pages that you want to upload. Then, scan the printed out pages into a pdf file format, and upload this new document onto the appropriate page in your online application. When scanning the document, please make sure to scan in a low (but still readable) resolution, and in black and white, to ensure that the document is under the 2MB file upload limit.

I submitted an application last year and am planning to apply again. Can you use my last year's materials or do I have to resubmit my application?
It is not possible to reinstate an application submitted in a previous year, so you will need to submit a new online application complete with all required materials even if you are applying to the same program. Please use your existing account to do this. (You may of course want to consider revising or updating your statement of purpose, research proposal, or CV at your discretion.)

Can I add new documents to my submitted application, or replace some of the submitted documents with updated ones?
No, you can’t edit your application after you have submitted it, nor can you send in updated or extra materials unless we request you to do so. If this happens, you'll have to submit those materials through the Applicant Portal. 

I am applying to a CEU degree program and have already submitted an electronic application form. Should I additionally post the required documents or is the online application enough?
An online application is enough. 

I am not an EU/EEA citizen and will need a visa to Austria. However, I do not currently have a passport. Can I apply all the same?
Yes, you can. You will, however, need a valid passport to apply for a visa if you are admitted.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

I applied to CEU via the online application form last year. Can I use last year's login and password to start a new application?
Yes, you can start a new application using your existing account. If you have forgotten your password, click on the Forgotten Password button.

Do I need to create a new user account for each new application?
No. Please log in with the email address/password you used for the first application whenever starting a new application. The system will take you to the User Action Screen where you can choose whether to

-       edit or cancel the application you started earlier:

or

-       start a new application:

How can I log back in to an application I already started?
Go here to log back in.

I'm about to send in my application. How can I be sure that I have attached all required documents?
The online application automatically checks a certain number of required questions and document uploads. Please note however that not all fields are mandatory, and the program you apply to might require fields to be filled in/items to be uploaded that are not marked as mandatory. Please first check the specific program requirements of the program in question, then thoroughly check all sections of the application before submitting, and also check the list of document uploads that are summarized on the last (submission) page of the application form. Please also note that references can be uploaded by the referees only AFTER you have submitted your application. The application will only be considered complete once the application fee payment was received.

I have started an application to a CEU degree program, but I have changed my mind and decided not to submit it after all. Can I delete it somehow?
Cancel the application for the program you no longer wish to apply for on the User Actions screen.

If you want to delete several applications you need to do so for each of them on the User Actions screen.

I am experiencing technical problems when trying to create a user account or when completing the online application/references. What should I do?
If you have any technical issues or concerns using the online application form, please contact  the CEU IT Help Desk.

QUALIFICATIONS

I cannot find my school's name in the list of institutions in the Qualifications section. What should I do?
The list contains about 17,000 entries, so it is very unlikely that your school is not included in it. Select the country first, then look for your school within that group. Select "Other" and enter your school manually only after you have made ABSOLUTELY SURE that the list does not contain your school. Then type your school's name in the space provided.

In the Qualifications section, I would like to list a Study Abroad (non-degree, unfinished degree, etc.) program I have attended, but I cannot because no such entry is found in the degree list. What can I do?
In the Qualifications section, we need you to list your bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees completed (or to be completed in this academic year). Any other program such as Study Abroad programs, non-degree programs, and unfinished degree programs should be listed in your CV.

The Qualifications section asks me to upload a GRE or GMAT score. Is this mandatory?
No. The GRE/GMAT field is optional. Please note, however, that some programs of the Departments of Economics and Business do require a GRE or GMAT score - please refer to the website of the program in question for details. 

I would like to upload several additional documents but there is only 1 upload field (Other Supporting Documents). What should I do?
If you wish to upload several documents please merge them into one pdf file, making sure the file does not exceed 2 MB.

ACADEMIC RECORDS (DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE & TRANSCRIPT)

I am in the final year of a bachelor's (master's) program, so I do not have a diploma to upload yet. What shall I do?
In place of the diploma, upload a certificate of enrollment stating, if possible, your expected date of graduation (see also item 3 of the Application Checklist). Please note that in order to be able to enroll at CEU, you must graduate before the academic year at CEU begins.

I am in the final year of a bachelor's (master's) program, so I do not have a final transcript to upload yet. What shall I do?
Upload an official current transcript. If you are accepted, we will need an official copy of the final transcript.

I graduated last year but my university hasn't yet issued my official diploma. Does CEU accept a certificate of graduation that certifies that I have completed my bachelor studies?
Yes, a certificate of graduation is acceptable for application purposes if the diploma is not available yet.

I have earned a master's at CEU and am now applying for a doctoral program. Am I required to upload official copies of my academic records?
If you are applying to the same department's doctoral program you have graduated from, an unofficial transcript of your CEU grades will suffice. If it is some other department you are applying to, make sure to also submit your bachelor's records the same way you did when applying to CEU for the first time.

My university does not issue official transcripts to its students, but sends them directly to graduate institutions. How can I meet the requirement of submitting a scan of my official academic records with my online application?
Get a student copy to upload with your application. If you are accepted and enroll, however, we will need an official copy.

Should the academic records I upload be apostilled?
No, that's not necessary.

LANGUAGE AND PROGRAM-SPECIFIC STANDARD TEST SCORES

Can I submit my English test score (GRE, GMAT score) after the application deadline?
Applications need to be submitted complete with the required language or other program-specific test scores as applicable (please see https://www.ceu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/checklist for details). English or other test scores submitted after the deadline are considered on a case-by-case basis (i.e. may or may not be accepted, depending on when they are received). If you are to be certain that your application is considered, please be sure that your application includes the relevant test certificate.

Where should I upload my English test score report?
There is an upload field for English Language Qualifications in the Qualifications section of the online application form. It will pop up once you answer the first question (Do you qualify for exemption...?) with No.

I have obtained a BA/MA from a program taught exclusively in English. My transcript/diploma does not state the program was taught entirely in English. Do I still qualify for exemption?
Yes. However in this case please upload an additional document issued by the university confirming that the language of instruction of the entire BA/MA program was English (either merge it with your transcript or diploma, or upload it in the Additional Supporting Documents field).

I am wondering if the type of the English test I submit would make any difference in the evaluation of my application, as long as I meet the minimum score required?
Every English test listed on our website is accepted (i.e. will qualify you for an academic review if your application is otherwise complete and if you are eligible for the program you are applying for.) Please note, however, that some departments or programs may, at their discretion, assign higher evaluation scores to more academic tests in their assessment of applications. This means that with all other things being equal, an academic test such as an IELTS or TOEFL could tip the scales in favor of one applicant over another that has submitted a non-academic test.

I have taken a program-specific test/done an interview with the selection committee of the program I applied for. When and how will I find out about my score/the interview outcome?
Program-specific test results and interviews are for internal use only and not made known to the applicants. Only the final admissions decision will be displayed on the Applicant Portal.

REFERENCES

I hit the "Submit" button on my Application Form. How will my referees know they need to complete a reference?
Once we have received your application (please see Question #1 on this), your referees will receive an automated email with a link to the reference form. Please make sure to remind your referees that they have one week to submit a reference on your behalf.

How can I know if my references have been received?
You can track their status on the applicant portal. Details are available here.

One of my recommenders has not received the automated email with the link to the reference form. Can you resend it to him?
Please ask your referee to check their spam folder. If the email is not there, please remove and re-register the referee on the Applicant Portal. If they do not receive the email with the link even after multiple resends, an alternative email address should be used. 

When do my references have to be submitted by?
They should be received within seven days after your application (and your application fee payment, if it is your first application!) has been received by us - you will get a confirmation email when this happens. Consequently, references do not have to be received by the application deadline if the application was submitted on or slightly before the deadline. 

Can recommendations be sent by postal mail?
No.

Can recommendations be submitted by electronic mail (email) or fax?
No.

My referees have no access to the internet. Can I submit their recommendations for them?
No, because we need confidential recommendations whose contents must not be known to you. Please make sure to register referees who do have internet access.

I am applying to more than one program at CEU.  Do I need separate references for each application?
Yes, each submitted application needs to be complemented by 2 (or in some cases: 3) reference letters.  

Can recommendations be transferred onto another application?
Recommendations cannot be transferred from one application to another. A recommendation must be completed for each program you apply to.

One of my referees prefers to write the reference in a language other than English. Can they do that?
No. We can only consider references in English only. 

APPLICATION FEE

How do I pay the application fee via Flywire?

Step 1: Submit your application to get redirected to the Flywire payment page. You cannot, and need not, pay the fee in advance on Flywire’s website.

Step 2: Select the payment method that suits you best and initiate a payment. You will receive a notification from Flywire when this has happened, with a link to track your payment status and/or manage your payment. (Please use this link if you need to restart the payment process to switch to another payment method. Also, if another person is paying your application fee, forward them this email so they can complete the payment via this link.)

Step 3: Complete the payment. This step will also be confirmed by Flywire by another email.

Step 4: Once your application fee payment has been received and confirmed by Flywire, you will receive an notification email from us and one from Flywire as well. The reference links will be sent to your referees at the same time. From then on, you will be able to track the status of your application and references on the Applicant Portal. (Please note that until your application fee is confirmed, you cannot submit applications for further programs.)

Should you have any questions or issues while completing your payment, please contact Flywire (and/or your bank), not CEU. We do not have access to your application until your application fee payment is confirmed by Flywire.

(NOTE: The above applies to your first application in a specific admission cycle such as 2023/24: it does not apply to any subsequent applications in that cycle [or to an application for MESPOM, even if that is your first application]. These applications can be submitted free of charge and are received immediately upon submission.)

I have submitted an application and paid the application fee via the application form/Flywire. My payment is still being processed and the deadline is today. Will I be considered for financial aid if my application is late by a few days?
As your first application was submitted and the application fee paid before the deadline, your application will be considered duly submitted even if slightly late due to the payment processing time.

I submitted an application and paid the application fee via the application form/Flywire before the deadline. I want to submit an application for (an)other program(s) as well, but the application form says I cannot do so until my first application and application fee payment are received by CEU. Will I be considered for financial aid if my second (third, etc) application(s) are transferred to CEU after February 1?
Those applications will also be considered as submitted on time if you submit them immediately as soon as you are notified of the receipt of your first application/payment.

A friend/relative of mine will pay the application fee on my behalf. How can they do it?
Please see Step 2 in the previous FAQ. 

I have been trying to pay the application fee through the online application form but I don't seem to manage. Can you help?
Please see the first FAQ in this section.

When is the application fee to be paid? Is there a deadline for it?
The application fee must be paid upon submitting your (first) application in each admission cycle. 

Can I get an application fee waiver?
The only fee we can waive for selected students (in part or in full) is the tuition fee– all other fees including the application fee unfortunately cannot be waived. Third party payment, however, is possible via Flywire, our payment processor, in the online application form – you may want to ask somebody else to pay the fee for you. 

I am applying for five programs altogether. Does that mean I have to pay five times EUR 30?
No. Every applicant must pay the application fee only ONCE in the same admissions cycle. After you have paid it for your first application, our application system will record the payment for all further applications in the same admissions cycle.

Can I pay the application fee by wire transfer?
Flywire offers a range of payment methods that varies from country to country. Wire transfer is typically one of them. 

Can I pay the application fee on the CEU Payment Gateway? 
No. The application fee can only be paid via the application form/Flywire, otherwise the application does not get received even if it was submitted. 

Can I pay the application fee by Western Union or MoneyGram?
Unfortunately, neither is possible.

I have recently applied to CEU but have meanwhile changed my mind and withdrawn my application. Can I get a refund of my application fee?
No. The application fee is not refundable, regardless of whether you withdraw your application or not. 

Financial Aid

Can anyone from any country apply for CEU financial aid?
For those programs where financial aid is available, yes.

Do all CEU master's and doctoral programs offer financial aid?
Financial aid is available for most, but not all, CEU master's programs. Make sure to check the information on the relevant departmental website before applying.  
Doctoral candidates applying by the relevant application deadline are automatically considered for the CEU Doctoral Scholarship.

I want to be considered for financial aid and will submit my application by the relevant deadline. Is that it, or is there an additional form to complete in order to apply for financial aid at CEU?
The online application form has a Funding section where candidates need to indicate  whether they wish to request financial aid. There is no separate financial aid application.
Please note that not all master’s programs at CEU offer financial aid. 
Applicants to doctoral programs need not apply for financial aid because they are automatically considered for the doctoral scholarship in case they submit their application by the relevant deadline.

I have no financial resources of my own, so I need a full scholarship to fund my studies at CEU. If I apply for CEU financial aid in my application, will I receive one?
Not automatically. You might if your academic merit ranking and the available funding render you eligible. Please note that it is unfortunately not possible for us to give each applicant the amount of aid they may expect.

You say you award financial aid based on academic merit. Is my financial situation taken into account?
CEU financial aid is awarded based on academic merit only.

I would like to be considered for CEU financial aid and will therefore submit my application by the relevant deadline. Should I also write to the Financial Aid Office?
No, it's not necessary.

I’ve been offered a place but I’m afraid I can’t accept it as the financial aid offered is less than I expected and I don’t have enough funds of my own. What can I do?
In that case, what you may want to do is decline this offer and select “financial” as your reason for doing so. Please note, that in this case your study slot will be offered to another person and will be no longer available to you. At the same time, you will be placed on the waiting list for a new offer. However, there's no guarantee that you will advance form the waiting list.

I would like to apply for an external scholarship listed on the CEU Admissions website. How should I go about it?
Please refer to the guidelines provided on the website of the specific scholarship fund. The general CEU application forms are not linked to any of the external scholarship agencies. You may, however, request an early decision on a self-funding basis if the external scholarship has a deadline earlier than the CEU application deadline. 

After You Have Applied

I have submitted my application. How can I be sure that you have received it?
When your first application AND application fee payment* (please track its status using the link you have received from Flywire- it will take a few days before it gets delivered, please see Question #1 on this!) have been received, you will receive an automatice email confirming the receipt of your application and providing a link to the Applicant Portal. Please check your Applicant Portal (a different a portal from the online application form!) – if you login and see your address displayed and the application listed, you can be sure we have received it. (Please note this confirmation email is only sent when your first application is received- any subsequent applications will not be confirmed this way, but they will be listed on your applicant portal likewise.)

*The above applies to your first application in a specific admission cycle such as 2023/24: it does not apply to any subsequent applications in that cycle or to an application for MESPOM, even if that is your first application. These applications can be submitted free of charge and are received immediately upon submission.

Can I add new documents to my submitted application, or replace some of the submitted documents with updated ones?
No. If we need any further materials from you, we'll enable you to submit them on the Applicant Portal.

I have just received an email saying there’s an update to my application on the Applicant Portal. I’ve logged in but can’t find the update- can you help?
The update is normally a decision- please check the "Decision" field for the relevant application.

How and when will I find out whether my application was successful?
The admissions decision will be posted in the Applicant Portal. You will also be notified by email of the result. Please see our admission schedule for the notification dates. 

I see that my application has been rejected. Can I know the reasons?
If your application has met all general and program-specific entry requirements, then it has been rejected for academic reasons by the departmental selection committee, based on a thorough assessment of your academic and professional credentials. These include the quality of your program-specific submissions (essay, statement of purpose, research proposal, etc.), past academic performance, strength of recommendations, general compatibility with the department and program, English language proficiency, and for some programs, the admission interview and/or any test results you have submitted or achieved during the admission process. We review a large number of applications each year, which makes for an extremely competitive selection process. This means that from all the qualified candidates that apply, only a few can be accepted. 
Please note that CEU does not provide information on the reasons why an application has been rejected; if, however, you choose to apply again next year, you will be competing against a different applicant pool, and may receive a different decision.

Once accepted, can I request deferral to postpone the start of my studies?
Deferring enrollment is not a standard option for admitted students at CEU. Individual units may sometimes grant deferral in exceptional cases.

Is there a waiting list?
Yes. Due to limited space availability and competition, some candidates are placed on the waiting list, which is shown on their Applicant Portal. 
Having been waitlisted is no guarantee for eventual acceptance.

Can I know my position on the waiting list and my chances of acceptance?
Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, we can't provide you with that information.

How long will I remain on the waiting list?
Waitlisted applicants who need a visa to study in Austria may advance from the waiting list no later than May 31st. After that, their waiting list status expires.
Waitlisted candidates who do not need a visa may be offered admission as late as a few days prior to the beginning of the academic year. Once the academic year starts, the waiting list status expires for them as well.

Can I get an early decision so that I can apply for an external scholarship?
Yes, you can. In order to do so, please submit a application and email us to request an early decision. Please note 1) the application must be complete with all required documents and recommendations and 2) the decision, if positive, will award you a self-financing place until the decisions about CEU financial aid are announced in April (which may or may not alter the financial terms of your intial offer).

Information for Accepted Students

• Before responding to an offer
• How to respond to an offer?
• Registration fee & other fees

BEFORE RESPONDING TO AN OFFER

I’ve been offered a place but I’m afraid I can’t accept it as the financial aid offered is less than I expected and I don’t have enough funds of my own. What can I do?
In that case, what you may want to do is decline this offer and select “financial” as your reason for doing so. Please note, that in this case your study slot will be offered to another person and will be no longer available to you. At the same time, you will be placed on the waiting list for a new offer. However, there's no guarantee that you will advance form the waiting list. 
Alternatively, you may want to accept the offer and look into external funding options such as those listed here. (Before doing so, however, please make sure to check our fee refund policy here and here.)

Can I work while studying at CEU?
Full-time students may work up to 20 hours a week subject to departmental permission and, unless they are permanent residents or citizens of an EEA country, the acquisition of a work permit. Please note that even if both are granted, we cannot guarantee students employment because CEU does not currently offer a work-study scheme. Please consider this before accepting an offer of acceptance. (Further information about student employment is available here and here.)

HOW TO RESPOND TO AN OFFER?

I have applied and received notification that I am accepted. Where can I read the details of my Acceptance Offer?

Log in to your Applicant Portal, go to the section of the relevant application, then click on "View Offer":

View Offer

I have applied and received notification that I am accepted. How can i accept/decline the offer?

Log in to your Applicant Portal, go to the Actions section, then click on "Respond to offer". You will then be taken to a screen where you can choose to accept the offer or decline it.

I have accepted an offer of acceptance and paid the registration fee via the applicant portal/Flywire. How can I be sure my response has been registered and my fee received?
Please check your response status on your applicant portal. If it reads "Firmly accepted", that means your response and registration fee have been registered and received.

 REGISTRATION FEE & OTHER FEES

Can I confirm my place of study and pay the registration fee later?

No. The registration fee payment needs to be received to confirm your place of study. If your registration fee is not received by the deadline indicated in the relevant admission offer document, your study offer will be revoked.

What is the enrollment fee?
Please refer to the relevant section on our website. 

Do I need to pay my registration fee, enrollment fee and tuition fee all at once?
For all students enrolling at the Vienna campus, the CEU payment schedule for enrollment and tuition fees applies.

What is the ÖH fee and do I have to pay it?
Every student enrolled at CEU Vienna must pay this fee. Please click here for details.

Privacy & Data Protection

Central European University places great emphasis on the protection of your personal information and compliance with the applicable data privacy requirements, including specifically the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

With regard to data collection for admissions purposes, please read the Privacy Notice for our Vienna campus, and the Privacy Notice for our Budapest campus respectively.