Central European University’s University Preparatory Program (CEU-UP) is a six-month, full-time, in-person education program in Vienna. This non-degree program helps students of refugee backgrounds make competitive applications for English-language Bachelor's or Master’s programs to CEU or to other European universities. Its curriculum – taught entirely in English – is equally designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and academic English to succeed if admitted.
It provides scholarships and stipends to all admitted, full-time students (except those already receiving financial support for their studies.)
Highlights of the CEU-UP Program
Small, Inclusive Teaching
- CEU-UP courses focus on discipline-specific skills, individualized research and skills, and academic communication.
- Classes are conducted as small-group seminars, ensuring close feedback from facilitators and lively exchange with peers.
- We aim to cultivate an environment that is welcoming to students of all faiths, genders, sexual orientations and ethnicities.
English-Language Teaching in an International Setting
- CEU is one of the world's most international universities, measured by the percentage of students born abroad. It is fully accredited in Austria and in the United States.
- CEU's working language is English.
- CEU-UP students are fully registered non-degree students, with access to facilities such as the library, career services and IT.
Support for Studies
- Financial support is provided to accepted students, including scholarships for accepted students who are not receiving funding from other sources.
History of Impact
- CEU-UP builds on the internationally renowned OLIve-UP program. Opened in 2017, approximately 70% of graduates of the predecessor program have gone on to study for a degree program at a university in Europe.
Important Notes
CEU-UP is full-time and requires students to be resident in Vienna during its duration.
CEU-UP is a non-degree program and does not guarantee admission to degree programs at CEU or at other universities. Admission to these degree programs is wholly independent of CEU-UP.