CEU Summer University (2026)

Welcome to CEU’s Summer University, a very special postgraduate study-abroad opportunity in Budapest, one of the great capital cities in the heart of Europe. 

Who can apply?

We invite applications from academics (graduate students, post-docs, junior faculty, and researchers) as well as from professionals (e.g. policy-makers, civil servants, NGO workers, etc.).

We also accept applications from advanced undergraduate students who have adequate prior study or engagement experience on the subject and make a compelling case in their application/statement of interest.

The summer school offers an opportunity for our participants to enhance their knowledge in a variety of areas across the social sciences and humanities, gain applied skills, and build interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral global networks. The courses, offered in June and July, are taught by international teams of scholars and practitioners and rely on CEU’s state-of-the-art academic resources.

Pre-requisites

The language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. 

Please consult the eligibility section on each course webpage for course-specific requirements and prerequisites.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees vary from course to course; therefore, please visit the relevant course web pages to see the course-specific information. We expect fees to be paid online upon your confirmation of participation, via the Applicant Portal.

Payment deadline

• May 15, 2026 (Full tuition fee, in one installment)

For our fee-refund policy see the Cancellation and fee-refund policy page below.

What is covered by the tuition fee?

Tuition covers the following:

• a minimum of 24 tuition hours per week
• ECTS credits for Vienna based courses
• a certificate of attendance
• access to course E-learning page (with readings, assignments, etc.)
• access to CEU facilities (Library, IT services, etc.)
• some social and cultural events depending on the course schedules (e.g. welcome and farewell reception/outings/field trips/film screenings, etc.)

In addition to the tuition fee, feepaying participants need to cover their own travel, accommodation, health insurance costs, and living expenses.

Financial aid packages 

Tuition Waiver

• Financial aid: tuition fee waived
• Participant's contribution: health insurance, travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses

Partial SUN Scholarship

• Financial aid: tuition fee waived; free accommodation (in a single or double room) OR a grant (full or partial contribution to travel and visa costs, and living expenses)
• Participant's contribution: health insurance and any costs exceeding the granted scholarship amount (travel or accommodation, visa costs, and/or living expenses)

Full SUN Scholarship

• Financial aid: tuition fee waived; free accommodation (in a single or double room); grant (full or partial contribution to travel and visa costs, and living expenses)
• Participant’s contribution: health insurance and any costs exceeding the granted scholarship amount (travel or accommodation, visa costs, and/or living expenses)

Accommodation costs will be paid directly to the hotel by the SUN Office. Recipients of full or partial travel grants and/or stipends will get their grants by bank transfer.