Central European University
Austria • World Rank #2518
Overview
Established in 1991 as a multi-campus university offering graduate level programs chiefly in the social sciences, law and the humanities in Prague, Budapest, and later Warsaw.
Students came primarily from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Later, all activities were gradually moved to Budapest, which became the main campus by 1995.
The university finally relocated to Austria in 2019.
Location & Contact
Find Central European University on the map and reach the right office through the contact channels listed below. Use these for general enquiries; specific departments often run their own contact pages.
Academic Details
Academic statistics for Central European University — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.
Degrees
Central European University's degree range. Credit-recognition across borders depends on the level and the qualification framework; check whether your home system accepts Central European University's credits.
Bachelor's 4 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Master's 23 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Commercial Law
- Comparative Law
- Economic and Finance Policy
- Economics
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Gender Studies
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Human Rights
- Industrial Management
- International Economics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Mathematics
- Medieval Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Women's Studies
Doctoral 16 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Business Administration
- Cognitive Sciences
- Comparative Politics
- Computer Networks
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Gender Studies
- History
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medieval Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
- Sociology
Faculties & Divisions
Each faculty at Central European University covers specific subject clusters. Cross-faculty supervision arrangements at the postgraduate level are sometimes available for students whose research spans disciplines.
Cognitive Science (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cognitive Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Business (Department/Division) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Economic and Finance Policy
- Economics
- Finance
- Industrial Management
- International Economics
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Environmental Sciences and Policy (Department/Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
Common Career Paths
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Officer
- Climate Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Gender Studies (Department/Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Gender Studies
- Women's Studies
History (Department/Division) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Central European Studies
- History
- Political Sciences
- Religious Studies
International Relations (Department/Division) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Economics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
Legal Studies (Department/Division) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Commercial Law
- Comparative Law
- Constitutional Law
- Human Rights
- Law
Mathematics and its Applications (Department/Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medieval Studies (Department/Division) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Central European Studies
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Medieval Studies
- Religious Studies
Network and Data Science (Department/Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Networks
- Data Processing
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophy
Political Science (Department/Division) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Comparative Politics
- International Economics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Public Policy (Department/Division) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
Sociology and Social Anthropology (Department/Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Sociologist
- Researcher
- Community Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Doctoral School of Political Science, Public Policy and International Relations (School) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Comparative Politics
- Economics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
How to apply to Central European University
How to apply to Central European University — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
- 1 Research programmes at Central European University
Look through the programmes section to see what Central European University offers. Identify your target qualification level and subject area before continuing with the application process.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Central European University's admissions process.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
- 4 Lodge your application
Submit your completed application through Central European University's official website at www.ceu.edu. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Central European University
Concise answers to the most-searched questions about Central European University, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.
In which city is Central European University?
Central European University is based in Wien, Austria.
What is Central European University's control type?
Central European University operates as a private institution.
How many students study at Central European University?
Central European University has approximately 1,419 students.
How is Central European University ranked?
It ranks #2518 globally and #16 in Austria.
What programmes are available at Central European University?
Central European University delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
Is Central European University officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria; Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Where can I learn more about Central European University?
You can find Central European University online at www.ceu.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in Austria
Subject-specific rankings sometimes diverge from overall national rankings. A university below Central European University overall may lead in your subject — worth checking subject tables separately.
Universities Often Compared with Central European University
Beyond Central European University, several other universities operate at a comparable level — by ranking, heritage, or scale. They are worth knowing as you build your shortlist, particularly if you want options at the same competitive tier.