Central European University Scholarships 2026 Hungary (Partially and Fully Funded)

Central European University (CEU), a private research university accredited in Austria, Hungary, and the U.S., offers merit and need-based scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. These scholarships aim to attract global talent by covering tuition and providing stipends. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year, including financial aid, will open in September 2025 and be submitted in two rounds October 15, 2025 and February 4, 2026 (23:59 CET).

Eligibility

Undergraduate applicants
- High school diploma with excellent academic record.
Master’s applicants
- Bachelor’s degree required.
Doctoral applicants
- Master’s degree required.
Applicants must meet program-specific criteria, including language requirements.
All applications must be complete with any applicable standard test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc.) and followed by the application fee payment.
Applications that fail to meet all general and program-specific entry requirements are immediately rejected by the Admissions Office.
Final admissions decisions are made by the departmental/program selection committees, based on:
- Past academic achievement
- Strength of recommendations
- English language competency
- Intellectual merit
- Work experience (if applicable)
- Expectations of the program and future plans
- Compatibility with the goals of the academic unit
Most departments interview pre-selected candidates before making the final decision.

Program Dates/Location

University: Central European University (CEU) – campuses in Vienna (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary).
Application Opens: September 2025
Application deadline (incl. financial aid):
- Bachelor's Program and Master's Program
  - Round 1: October 15, 2025 (23:59 CET) – applicable to all applicants.
  - Round 2: February 4, 2026 (23:59 CET) – applicable to all applicants except visa-sensitive countries.
- Note: Doctoral Programs have only the February 4, 2026, deadline
Status updates by applicant type:
- January 15, 2026 – Candidates from visa-sensitive countries will receive a status update latest on this date.
- May 31, 2026 – Candidates from visa-required countries will receive a status update latest on this date.
- July 15, 2026 – Candidates not needing a visa to Austria will receive a status update latest on this date.
Admission decisions for Round 1: December 1, 2025 - January 15, 2026
Admission decisions for Round 2: April 1 - 30, 2026

Note: There are more than two rounds of application; however, scholarships are only available for applicants in Rounds 1 and 2

Program Benefits

Undergraduate Scholarships:
- Partial Tuition Award: Up to 50% tuition waiver.
- Presidential Scholar Award: Around €5,000 total value.
Master’s Scholarships:
- Excellence Scholarship: Full tuition waiver; €1,000/month stipend; health insurance.
- Distinction Scholarship: Full tuition waiver; €750/month stipend; health insurance.
- Master’s Scholarship: Full tuition waiver; €500/month stipend; health insurance.
- Partial Scholarship: Full tuition waiver; €300/month stipend; health insurance.
Doctoral Scholarships:
- Full tuition waiver; approximately €1,680/month stipend.
Other Awards:
- Alumni Scholarship: €300/month for the first year; can be combined with other aid.
- External financial support/scholarships: Varies by award.

Fields of Study

Bachelor’s Degrees at CEU

CEU offers three undergraduate degree programs that prepare students for international careers in private or public organizations or further academic studies. You will learn from leading scholars in the social sciences, data science and humanities, with flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests. These studies will take place in Vienna, Austria, a city known for its stunning beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The three Bachelor’s degrees at CEU can be completed in three or four years, with the three-year option granting you an Austria-accredited degree and the four-year option qualifying you for a degree accredited in Austria and the United States.

Bachelor of Arts in Culture, Politics and Society
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Society - an American (BA) and Austrian (BS) dual degree in four years
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Master's Programs

CEU PhD Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Science
Doctor of Juridical Science / Doctor iuris
Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Gender Studies
Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative History
Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences and Policy
Doctor of Philosophy in Late Antique, Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Doctor of Philosophy in Network Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology and Social Anthropology

Required Documents

CV or Resume
Academic transcripts and diploma(s)
Passport details
Motivation or personal statement
Letters of recommendation
English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL), unless exempt
Program-specific writing samples or essays (if required)
GRE/GMAT (if required by certain programs)
Non-refundable application fee

Application Process

Single application submission through CEU’s online system: no separate scholarship applications needed.
Complete the ‘Funding’ section in the application to be considered for scholarships.
For doctoral applicants, applying by the deadline automatically enters you into consideration for the Doctoral Scholarship.
Master’s and undergraduate applicants must indicate interest in funding during application submission.

For more detailed information, please visit the official website: Central European University Scholarships.