Central European University

Central European University, commonly known as CEU, is a private research institution that has made its home in Vienna, Austria, since 2019. It specializes in graduate and undergraduate education across the social sciences and humanities, with degrees accredited both in Austria and the United States. The university maintains a research and civic engagement hub in Budapest, reflecting its deep ties to the region. CEU is a member of The European University of Social Sciences and the Europaeum network.

Founded in 1991 by philanthropist and investor George Soros, CEU was initially based in Budapest, Hungary, where it quickly established itself as a leading center for critical thinking and democratic values in post-communist Europe. The university's move to Vienna came after the Hungarian government introduced legislation that threatened its ability to operate as a foreign institution. The relocation preserved CEU's mission and allowed it to continue attracting a diverse international student body and faculty.

CEU's academic programs cover a wide range of fields, including political science, economics, sociology, history, law, and environmental studies. The university is known for its rigorous, interdisciplinary approach and its commitment to fostering open societies. With a relatively small student body, it offers an intimate, research-driven environment that has earned it a strong reputation among European and American academics. [edit]

CEU's mission is to promote open societies and democratic values through rigorous research and teaching in the social sciences and humanities. The university aims to cultivate critical thinking, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and prepare students to become engaged citizens and leaders. It is committed to academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge that serves the public good, both in Central Europe and globally. [edit]

CEU was founded in 1991 in Budapest, Hungary, by George Soros, who envisioned a graduate institution that would help train a new generation of leaders for the post-communist world. The university quickly gained international recognition for its rigorous academic programs and its role in promoting democratic values. It became a hub for scholars and students from across the region and beyond.

In 2017, the Hungarian government passed a law, often called the lex CEU, requiring foreign universities operating in Hungary to have a campus in their home country. Since CEU was accredited in the United States but did not have a physical campus there, the law threatened its existence. Despite international protests and negotiations, the university was forced to relocate. In 2019, CEU moved its main campus to Vienna, Austria, while retaining a research presence in Budapest.

After the move, CEU expanded its academic offerings, launching its first bachelor's programs in 2020. The university has continued to grow, attracting students and faculty from over 100 countries. In 2026, with a new government in Hungary, discussions have emerged about a possible partial return of degree programs to Budapest, though CEU has stated it will not abandon its Vienna base. [edit]