Central European University in Vienna awards merit-based financial aid to students from 100+ countries across its English-taught bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes — there is no separate scholarship form; you tick the funding section inside the admission application. Doctoral students receive full scholarships (tuition + monthly stipend); master's awards combine tuition coverage with a monthly stipend.
Why it is notable: CEU makes its institutional aid decisions ONLY in admission Rounds 1 and 2 — rounds 3 and 4 are admission-only with no funding. And doctoral applicants don't even apply for aid: they are automatically considered for the doctoral scholarship. Many applicants waste a year applying in the wrong round.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Tuition awards (full or partial — "full scholarships are available to doctoral students"; Master's tuition awards vary; financial terms fixed in the Study Agreement for the whole study period):
Monthly stipend for Master's and doctoral awardees (doctoral stipend reported at €2,002 gross/month for up to 48 months — taxable in Austria as self-employed income):
Health insurance:
No separate financial-aid application — aid is requested inside the admission form's Funding section (doctoral applicants are considered automatically):
This scholarship is offered for Undergraduate, Masters and PhD programs.
Who can apply
all nationalities (financial aid decided on academic merit; financial need is NOT considered). Round restrictions by residence: Round 2 excludes citizens of visa-sensitive countries; Round 4 is limited to applicants with visa-free entry to Austria (incl. EU/EEA and listed countries). Master's applicants who already hold a Master's degree are generally not considered for CEU financial aid.
Experience
No experience required (selection weighs academic performance, statement, recommendations, research experience and English ability)
Language Certificate
proof of English proficiency required where not exempt (previous degree fully taught in English with university confirmation letter); CEU accepts every English test listed on its website, though departments may score academic tests (IELTS/TOEFL) more highly
Other Certificates
degree certificates/diplomas and full transcripts (official copies on enrolment); CV; research proposal (PhD)
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes which scholarships we list or how we describe them.
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
all nationalities eligible for aid. Rounds: all applicants may apply in Round 1; Round 2 excludes citizens of visa-sensitive countries (funding still…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
high-school diploma (UG) / bachelor's (Master's) / Master's in a related field (PhD). May apply before graduating; must prove graduation before term begins.
02
Language
English proficiency evidence where not exempt; upload via the Qualifications section; accepted-test list on CEU's website.
03
Documents
certificates, transcripts (official copy on enrolment), CV, statement of purpose, research proposal (PhD), references in English within 7 days.
04
Round discipline
aid only in Rounds 1–2; Round 2 excludes visa-sensitive-country citizens; doctoral applicants automatically considered for the doctoral scholarship.
05
Essays/answers
statement of purpose is the core qualitative document; departments weigh motivation, fit and academic promise.
06
Fee
€30 first application per cycle (non-refundable); fee payment must confirm before referees receive links and before further applications.
Document checklist
01Online application form (incl. Funding section)
02Degree certificates/diplomas and full transcripts
03Statement of purpose / application letter
04Research proposal (graduate/PhD applicants)
05Proof of English proficiency (where not exempt)
06Reference letters (referees upload within 7 days of your submission; English only)
07Passport copy
Application fee
€30 for the first application in each admission cycle (non-refundable; via Flywire inside the form); subsequent applicat
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Austria national (type D) student residence permit — applied for at the Austrian embassy/consulate before travel (concise — recheck current requirements on the Austrian MFA/embassy site).
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Choose your programme(s) —
up to 5 per cycle — and check departmental entry requirements and the correct admission round.
→
02
Register in the CEU online application form
complete the Funding section (request financial aid) — doctoral applicants skip this (automatic consideration).
→
03
Upload documents: degree certificates/transcripts
CV, statement of purpose, research proposal (graduate/PhD), English test scores, passport.
↓
06
Submit by the round deadline. Track status
on the Applicant Portal. Respond to any offer within 14 calendar days: accept, sign the Study Agreement (DocuSign), pay the registration fee.
←
05
Pay the €30 application fee for your
FIRST application in the cycle (Flywire; one payment covers further applications in the same cycle; MESPOM/Mundus MAPP applications are free).
←
04
Register referees in the Applicant Portal —
they receive the link only AFTER you submit, and have 7 days to upload (English only).
↓
07
Online application form (incl. Funding section)
→
08
Degree certificates/diplomas and full transcripts
→
09
Statement of purpose / application letter
↓
10
Research proposal (graduate/PhD applicants)
Application milestones
15 Oct 2026
Application deadline
2 Feb 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Central European University platform.
15 Oct 2026 — funding rounds: 15 Oct 2026 (Round 1) or 2 Feb 2027 (Round 2) — CEU institutional aid is awarded ONLY in…
Who can apply?
all nationalities (financial aid decided on academic merit; financial need is NOT considered). Round restrictions by residence: Round 2 excludes citizens of visa-sensitive countries; Round 4 is limited to applicants with visa-free entry to Austria (incl. EU/EEA and listed countries). Master's applicants who already hold a Master's degree are generally not considered for CEU financial aid.
What does the scholarship cover?
Tuition awards (full or partial — "full scholarships are available to doctoral students"; Master's tuition awards vary; financial terms fixed in the Study Agreement for the whole study period):; Monthly stipend for Master's and doctoral awardees (doctoral stipend reported at €2,002 gross/month for up to 48 months — taxable in Austria as self-employed income):; Health insurance:; No separate financial-aid application — aid is requested inside the admission form's Funding section (doctoral applicants are considered automatically):
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Austria · Central European University