- Private, research, multi disciplinary
- Established in 1991
- Urban campus in heart of Vienna – new campus will be in a quieter, greener area
- Total students – around 1,500 from 100+ countries, no prominent nationality, 85% international.
- 300 faculty from 40+ countries
- $880 million endowment – one of the wealthiest universities in Europe per student
- Low student: faculty ratio (7:1)
- Very close knit international student body – lots of contact with faculty and graduate students
- Focus on academic excellence and research cooperation
- Tight knit alumni network, some act as thesis mentors for undergrads
- QS World Rankings 2021 – 25th Politics and International Studies, 35th Philosophy
- Mission to promote open societies, democracy and human rights – students really believe in and support this vision.
- Strengths in social sciences and humanities
- One of the members of CIVICA Alliance – eight European higher educational institutions in the social sciences, humanities, business management and public policy – also includes: Sciences Po, LSE, and Bocconi. Opportunity to study abroad at these institutions and others
- Accredited in Austria, Hungary and the US
- All programmes have a heavy research focus
- Challenging academics, solid research, a close-knit community, and a commitment to goals beyond the classroom.
- Small, seminar-style classes, individual attention, participation is expected
- Career counselling from year 1
- Many public lectures each year with renowned speakers – eg. Nelson Mandela gave a commencement speech, Madeleine Albright, the Dahli Lama.
- 3 interdisciplinary 4 year (3 is possible) bachelor programmes: Culture, Politics & Society (CPS) – 30 spaces; Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) – 35 spaces; and Quantitative Social Sciences (QSS) – 25 places
- Admission rate is around 25%. PPE is the most competitive programme.
- Hard to get in because of the requirements, but usually still spaces after the Feb deadline.
- QSS applicants need to be able to demonstrate strength in Maths and quantitative skills
- Thesis in 3rd year and capstone project in year 4
- Broad range of majors and minors/electives to choose from
- PPE is modelled on the Oxford PPE programme
- Application documents include: an application essay (topics given on their website), motivation statement, CV and a letter of recommendation. Finalists are interviewed at the end of March.
- Deadlines: 1st February (primary deadline) and 12th April (only for students who don’t need a visa and if places left)
- Will know decision by the start of April if applied by the 1st February
- Grades in the last three years of high school are central to the admission decision.
- Holistic, personalised approach to admissions.
- 30 Euro application fee – for any number of programmes
- Tuition fee – 7,000 Euro per year / Total costs around 19,000 Euro per year
- Campus is a 6 floor building in District 10 – 20-25 minutes to the dorms.
- Shared rooms are offered in contracted university residences in the centre of the city (District 5) – 2 or 3 roomed apartments. Including a gym, rooftop terrace, balcony, study areas and shared kitchens. Mandatory for first year students. Student Life Office assists after year 1.
- A number of scholarships are available. Applicants automatically considered if they apply by 1st February
- Student government, student newspaper, MUN, debating, human rights organisations, many academic clubs and societies, and others focused on leisure activities and sports. The hiking club is one of the most popular.
- Mental health, academic and career counselling are all available
- Vienna is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities – the very heart of Europe. UNESCO, a very green city, one of the most affordable university cities in Europe, 1.9 million population.
Applications to CEU should be made directly on their website.
Visit the Central European University website
