Central European University (CEU) in Vienna is a vibrant global hub for innovation in social sciences and humanities, blending the best of American and European academic traditions.

Founded in 1991 shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain, CEU was envisioned as a beacon of intellectual freedom in a region confronting its past and forging a brighter future. Its mission focused on promoting open and democratic societies that advocate for good governance, adhere to the rule of law, and respect diversity and human rights.

This mission has remained strong over the past three decades, and the university has evolved to broaden its focus. From its regional beginnings, CEU is now a global institution, attracting students from over 130 countries with no single dominant nationality. This is unique in that it enables an exceptional
level of perspective sharing in the ­classroom, with discussions led by faculty hailing from 30 countries.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, CEU cultivates a tight-knit, supportive community that is united in the pursuit of knowledge that
can transform the world. “In my ­experience, CEU takes an approach of looking at each student ­individually,” says Max Petershagen,
a ­bachelor’s student from Germany. “Professors are not only interested in teaching, but also in incorporating feedback from the students. They take the students very seriously.”

At CEU students are encouraged to take intellectual risks and rethink fundamental concepts through ­practical and ­interdisciplinary ­research. Its Department of ­Cognitive Science, for example, ­combines ­psychology, neuroscience, ­philosophy, mathematical modeling, linguistics, and the social sciences to explore the incredibly complex nature of human cognition.

CEU’s faculty secures millions of euros in research grants annually and collaborates with some 100 universities on joint projects. ­Research topics range from gender board quotas in Austria and capacity building for Roma civil society to macroeconomic management practices and algorithmic bias in social networks. CEU’s commitment to developing impactful, real-world research that addresses pressing global issues demonstrates that education extends past the ­classroom and into the real world.

CEU is also a member of ­CIVICA, the European University of Social Sciences, funded under the Erasmus+ program. Formed in 2019, ­CIVICA is a flagship ­alliance of 10 leading European ­universities, ­including Bocconi ­University, ­Sciences Po and the London School of Economics and Political Science. This partnership opens doors for ­students to take ­multicampus ­courses and participate in ­collaborative research and policy projects that address societal
challenges, promote civic ­responsibility and help broaden access to higher education. ­Projects include supporting students of refugee backgrounds and providing access to higher education initiatives for first-generation college students.

Central European University spearheading social science innovation in Vienna

Learn more about CEU’s latest innovative initiatives at

ceu.edu