Overview
Central European University (CEU) is a private research university specializing in social sciences, humanities, law, management, and public policy. Founded in 1991 by philanthropist George Soros, CEU initially operated in both Budapest and Vienna before relocating its main campus to Vienna, Austria in 2019 due to political pressures in Hungary. Today, CEU continues to emphasize open society values, academic freedom, and English-language instruction for students from around the world.
CEU is widely recognized for advanced study in political science, international relations, and economics, with notable strengths in comparative historical research and policy analysis. Its location and academic focus support critical dialogue on democratic governance, institutional change, and social transformation across Central and Western Europe.
2. General Information
| Name | Central European University (CEU) |
| Established | 1991 |
| Type | Private Research University |
| Location | Vienna, Austria (main campus) |
| Website | https://www.ceu.edu |
3. Fee Structure
Tuition varies by program, intake, and study format. The ranges below are intended as an at-a-glance estimate—always confirm the final fee in the program’s official tuition page before applying.
| Program | Tuition Fee (Annual, EUR) |
| Master’s Programs | €12,000 – €16,000 |
| PhD Programs | €15,000 |
| LLM Programs | €14,000 |
| Executive MBA | €28,000 (total program) |
4. Academic Programs
CEU structures its offerings across research-focused departments and schools. Depending on the degree track, students may also join cross-disciplinary institutes and labs.
- Department of Political Science
- Department of History
- Department of Economics
- Department of International Relations
- Department of Legal Studies
- Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology
- Department of Cognitive Science
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy
- Department of Mathematics and its Applications
- School of Public Policy
If you are comparing study options across Hungary, you may also want to review Eötvös Loránd University for broader humanities and social sciences pathways, or Corvinus University of Budapest for business and economics options.
5. Facilities
- Modern campus in Vienna’s Quellenstrasse district
- CEU Library with 250,000+ volumes
- Digital Humanities Center
- Center for Media, Data and Society
- Cognitive Development Center
- Open Society Archives
- Student lounge and study spaces
- Video-conferencing equipped classrooms
For students interested in research-driven environments in the region, it can also be helpful to compare how other major institutions support academic work—for example, University of Szeged and University of Debrecen often publish detailed information about research centers and library resources in their program pages.
6. Accommodation
CEU offers accommodation support for eligible students, including housing arrangements in university-affiliated residences in Vienna for first-year students. Residences are typically located with convenient access to public transport, and many rooms are equipped for comfortable year-round living.
- Single and shared apartments
- Fully furnished rooms
- Shared kitchens and common areas
- 24-hour security
- Laundry facilities
- Bike storage
7. Contact Information
- Email: info@ceu.edu
- Phone: +43 1 252 300
- Address: Quellenstrasse 51, 1100 Vienna, Austria
More Universities in Hungary
- Eötvös Loránd University
- University of Szeged
- Semmelweis University
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics
- University of Debrecen
- Corvinus University of Budapest
- University of Pécs
- Óbuda University
- Hungarian University of Fine Arts
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