Central European University, with campuses in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria, offers financial-aid packages across its bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes for international students of any nationality. Master's and PhD students can receive fully funded awards that combine a 100 percent tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and full health insurance. Master's stipends are tiered: the Excellence Scholarship pays about EUR 1,000 per month, the Distinction Scholarship about EUR 750 per month, and the standard CEU Master's Scholarship about EUR 500 per month, all on top of full tuition. Doctoral scholars receive a stipend of about EUR 1,350 per month plus tuition and insurance, while undergraduates are eligible for partial tuition awards of up to EUR 4,000 per year covering as much as 50 percent of fees. CEU ranks within the world's top 100 in politics, philosophy, and social sciences, and draws faculty from more than 50 countries and students from over 100 nationalities. Because stipend rates, award counts, and the application window are set each cycle, confirm the current-cycle figures and the 2026 deadline on the official CEU financial-aid page before you apply.
Applications are made through the CEU admissions portal; financial-aid consideration is part of the standard admission application.
Doctoral applicants must submit a research proposal; some departments may invite shortlisted candidates to an interview before awards are confirmed.
All countries (international students worldwide)
Each department reviews applications on academic record, the statement of purpose, references, and (for doctoral candidates) the research proposal, sometimes followed by an interview. Funded master's and PhD packages and undergraduate tuition awards are allocated on merit, with stronger profiles placed into the higher master's stipend tiers (Excellence, then Distinction, then standard).
Central European University is an international graduate-focused institution founded in 1991, with campuses in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria. It draws faculty from more than 50 countries and students from over 100 nationalities, and ranks within the world's top 100 in politics, philosophy, and social sciences.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Master's and PhD packages are fully funded with a 100 percent tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and health insurance; undergraduates receive partial tuition awards.
Doctoral scholars receive about EUR 1,350 (est.) per month plus full tuition coverage and health insurance.
About EUR 1,000 per month (Excellence), EUR 750 (Distinction), and EUR 500 (standard), each on top of full tuition.
Yes. Undergraduates can receive merit-based partial tuition awards of up to EUR 4,000 per year, covering as much as 50 percent of fees.
Yes. Financial aid is open to international applicants of all nationalities.
English proficiency proof is generally required, but graduates of English-medium institutions may qualify for an exemption.
Yes. The monthly master's and PhD stipends are intended to cover living expenses in Budapest or Vienna.
Yes, but each programme requires a separate application through the admissions portal.
Transcripts, a CV, a statement of purpose, references, English proficiency proof, an ID copy, and a research proposal for PhD applicants.
Results are typically released in April 2026, after departmental review in February-March.
CEU operates campuses in Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria.
On the official CEU financial-aid and admissions pages, which publish the binding stipend rates and the current-cycle deadline.