February 1, 2024 (23:59, Central European Time)
Application deadline for applicants for master’s programs from all countries (except applicants from visa-sensitive countries) who wish to be considered for CEU financial aid (where available).
Application deadline for doctoral programs for applicants from all countries.
March 15, 2024 (23:59, Central European Time)
Application deadline for self-financing applicants for master’s programs who are citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA area and require a study visa (except applicants from visa-sensitive countries). All applications must be complete with any applicable standard test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc.).
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We offer the US and Austrian-accredited One- and Two-year MA Programs, as well as a doctoral education in political science.
MA in Political Science / 1 YEAR / 2 YEARS /
Our international curriculum helps you develop a critical understanding of the challenges contemporary political communities and their citizens face. We move across borders and disciplines to give you a comparative perspective, along with hands-on, transferable skills. To gain an even more comprehensive picture, you can join cross-country research projects, and apply for research grants and travel funds to attend conferences.
Our program comes in two formats, with the One-year MA Program offering a more intensive study experience. The Two-year MA Program is an ideal stepping stone for PhD research and training, thanks to a more extensive research period. Students with three-year and four-year bachelor’s degrees in the social sciences and related disciplines are both eligible to apply for the latter.
What you can specialize in
- Comparative Politics
- Political Economy
- Research Methods and Techniques
- Social and Political Theory
- Political Behavior
- Democracy and Social Change
Scholarships and tuition fee waivers are available for both Master's (One-year and Two-year) and PhD studies on a competitive basis. The majority of CEU students receive internal or external financial aid while about 90% of the students at the Political Science Department are granted some kind of institutional financial aid, ranging from full stipends to tuition waivers.
Our programs focus on research methods, comparative political economy, democratic political institutions, political regime change, party systems and voting behavior, the role of media in democratic politics, analytical and normative political theory, constitutional theory, and political sociology. We aim to foster critical thinking and analytical skills through debates, workshops, seminars, and conferences.
The Department’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research has also been acknowledged by professional world university rankings and is currently ranked as one of the top 26 programs globally and 1st in Austria by Quacquarelli Symonds. The Department was ranked one of the best political science departments in Europe with six stars from the prestigious CHE – Centre for Higher Education Development in 2010. The 2022 edition of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) prepared by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy ranked our program at 76-100 globally.
Additionally, CEU has been ranked #3 in Austria by university ranking U-Multirank.
Our students come from more than 20 countries and our outstanding 7:1 student/faculty ratio ensures the opportunity for professional development for each and every student. Central European University offers not only a unique experience in postgraduate studies through a dynamic and highly international graduate school environment, but also enables students to achieve successful international careers.
The Political Science program has an excellent placement record in terms of alumni careers and targets both future academics and students who wish to pursue professions in non-academic jobs requiring considerable skills in social and political analysis (e.g. civil service, news media, NGOs, political and cultural organizations, and private businesses).
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