FAQ | CEU Summer University

FAQ

ELIGIBILITY

1. Who can apply to SUN?

The minimum entry requirement is to hold a BA (or equivalent) degree.
There are two Tracks in the program:

Track I courses have a strong research focus and are targeted at primarily Ph.D. students, junior faculty and researchers, and postdoctoral fellows. MA students are also eligible. Some of the Track I courses explore policy aspects of their research focus as well and therefore tend to encourage the participation of both academics and professionals.
Track II courses mostly address the professional development needs of practitioners, policy-makers, etc. These courses tend to provide training and/or deal with policy issues at a practical, applied level and are targeted at mostly practitioners, or a mix of academics and professionals.

2. Am I required to have any prior knowledge or qualifications?

In general, the only minimum qualification you need is a college or university degree. However, some courses may specify additional requirements in their course description. Make sure you check the relevant course page on eligibility before you submit your application.

3. Is my English good enough? Will it be tested?

You need to have a strong command of English to be able to participate actively in discussions, give presentations, etc. During the course teachers use interactive methods and you are expected to participate in a variety of class activities requiring fluent English skills.

There is no formal testing, but you have to fill out a self-evaluating questionnaire in the application form unless you are a native speaker or you have a degree in English. If there is a discrepancy between the stated level of your English and your actual performance, your fellowship may be terminated and you will not be eligible for any other funding from CEU.

Also, if you are shortlisted in the first round of selection, your course coordinator may contact you by telephone to check your language skills. With a good level of English your chances of acceptance are higher.

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Application in general

4. How many courses can I apply to?

You may apply to a maximum of two summer courses. In case of being admitted, you can only attend both if the two courses do not overlap in time. Financial aid, if available, is only granted to attend one course.

5. If I submitted an application to CEU last year, can I use the same login?

IIf you applied to CEU’s master, doctoral, etc. programs in the 2017 or 2018 admission cycle, please use your existing login and password to start a new application. If you do not remember your password from last year, click on Forgotten Password.

6. If I submitted an application to CEU Summer University last year, can I use the same login?

In the 2018-19 application cycle, CEU Summer University (SUN) has started to receive application via a new online system, therefore previous SUN accounts cannot be used any more. Please create a new user account.

7. May I apply after the application deadline has expired?

You may, but it will be at the discretion of the course director whether s/he will include it in the selection process. Possible deadline extensions will be posted on the course web sites.

8. If I am experiencing technical problems when trying to create an account or to complete an online application, what should I do?

With technical problems, bugs or errors related to the online application forms please contact the CEU IT Help Desk.

9. What are the file size and type requirements for uploading attachments?

The maximum allowable file size for upload is 2MB per file and the acceptable file formats are PDF, JPG and JPEG. Ensure all security features (e.g. passwords and encryption) are removed from the documents before uploading them.

10. Will I need to submit a reference letter?

Some, but not all courses may request one confidential letter of recommendation submitted as part of your application. (In case you apply for two courses that require recommendations then a separate letter should be submitted for each course.) The letter must be written in English by your faculty members, employers, or thesis or job supervisors (i.e. people most familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities and character) and sent via the online application system by the recommenders themselves. (You must not know the contents of the letters and therefore cannot submit them.)

11. Can recommendations be mailed?

If a recommendation is requested, (please check the "How to Apply"- section on the course web site) it is expected to be submitted online.

In order to enable your recommenders to send in their letters, you need to register them in the relevant section of the online application form AND submit your application; they won’t receive an email with a link to a recommendation form until after you have submitted your application. All recommendations must be received within two weeks of the time the application is submitted. Late references may or may not be considered.

12. I have submitted my application and just realized I need to make some corrections in it. What can I do?

Contact the Summer University office at summeru@ceu.edu to check what modifications are possible after submission.

13. I am a former CEU student and am now applying to a SUN course. Am I required to upload official copies of academic records if the course requires these?

No, we have your records on file.

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ACCEPTANCE

14. When will I find out about the decision?

You are supposed to receive notification by the end of April for most courses (please check course-specific information on the relevant course web page under "Important course dates").

15. I got accepted. How do I confirm/decline my participation?

Through the applicant portal which is currently under developement.

16. If I'm accepted, is there anything I need to do before the course?

Some time in May, the SUN Office will post the reading materials for the courses, and provide participants with a login name and a password to access the site. Please make sure that you accomplish the reading assignments (if any) for the course before arriving in Budapest.

17. If I am on the waiting list, what are my chances to be accepted?

It is difficult to predict. Each year, there are accepted applicants who have to turn down our invitation for some reason and whose places will be offered to those on the waiting lists. If you live in a country from where traveling to Hungary is somewhat difficult because of visa requirements, do not expect an invitation later than the end of May.

18. Supposing I have been admitted but cannot come this year, does this mean I can come next year?

Unfortunately, you have to submit a new application.

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COURSES

19. Are the courses the same every year?

No. Some of the courses (or their slightly revised versions) run several times but there are always new courses on the "menu".

20. How can I find out more about the courses?

From time to time you should check the SUN web site, which is constantly updated. You'll find a separate course page containing updated brief and detailed course descriptions, syllabus, schedule, CVs of the professors, occasionally bibliographies for the course. From May onwards, courses will make the reading materials available online. You will receive instructions from the SUN Office how to prepare a login name and a password so that you can access the password protected site.

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PRE-COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

21. What should I do if I have difficulty accessing or downloading the reading materials?

Please contact Eva Barbara Bodogan at bodogane@ceu.edu in such cases. She will assist you with these technical problems.

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CREDITS

22. Can I get academic credits for a SUN course?

Our courses offer ECTS points (check the number on the relevant course web site), which may be accepted for credit transfer by the participants' home universities. Those who wish to obtain these credits should inquire about the possible transfer at their home institution prior to their enrollment. The Summer University Office will send a transcript to those who have fulfilled all the necessary course requirements and request one.

23. Will I receive a certificate?

Certificates are awarded for full attendance, satisfactory class participation and the production of satisfactory coursework such as individual or group presentation, submission of written assignments, etc.

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FEES AND FUNDING PACKAGES

24. Do I have to pay for the course?

CEU Summer University courses have a variety of financial schemes. Depending on their funding sources, sponsors, cooperating partners, etc., some courses offer financial aid in the form of full or partial scholarships (tuition waiver + travel and/or accommodation grant), or a tuition waiver, while there are a few which only accept participants on a fee-paying basis.

Participants are responsible for covering their own living expenses (local transportation, airport transfer, meals, etc.) while in Budapest (unless they receive a special scholarship offering a stipend as well).

Please check the details of the financial policy of the course of your choice in the “Financial Information” section on the relevant course web site.

25. What does the scholarship cover for accepted participants?

It may cover tuition costs and accommodation in double (or single) rooms in CEU’s Residence Center (or in a hotel specified at the course website). In addition, it may contain a full or partial travel grant. A few courses offer a stipend as well. Please check your course website for specific information on funding packages.

All packages will include the following:

a minimum of 24 tuition hours per week
ECTS credits
a certificate of attendance
access to course E-learning page (with readings, assignments, etc.)
access to CEU facilities (Library, IT services, and, if you are housed in CEU’s Residence Center a sports centre including the use of the indoor swimming pool, tennis courts)
some social and cultural events depending on the course schedules (e.g. welcome and farewell reception / outings / fieldtrips / film screenings, etc.)

26. If I did not receive a scholarship offer, are there any other funding opportunities outside CEU to help cover the tuition and/or other costs (travel and accommodation)?

We strongly encourage applicants to look for non-CEU funding sources that may offer some help with participation costs. Please consider if you or your institution can contribute to the program expenses. Faculty and Ph.D. students are advised to approach their home departments for travel grants; researchers may have research grants available which can cover their participation; professionals may turn to their employers to fund their training in the program.

There are several organizations that provide grants for conference or summer school participation, some of which are listed below:

27. If I am not accepted on a scholarship basis, can I apply as a fee-paying student?

Yes, if your application was accepted on academic merit, but was rejected due to lack of funding, you may be accepted on a fee-paying basis if there are still available places in the course.

28. Who is eligible for a travel grant?

Please check your course website for specific information on funding packages.

29. If I am a fee-paying student, when and how am I supposed to pay?

For most courses fee-paying participants are expected to pay the tuition fee by May 28. A reduced Early Bird fee option is available until April 30. Fees and fee-payment deadlines, however, vary with courses so please check these on the relevant course web sites.

Information on the fee payment will be provided in the online application system.

Please do NOT include accommodation costs when you pay the tuition fee. Those who are responsible for covering their own accommodation costs should pay upon arrival at the hotel either in cash or by credit card.

Before making your payment please visit https://summeruniversity.ceu.edu/logistics/payment to see details on the online payment.

30. Can I pay by credit card?

Yes. For details see the online application system.

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FACILITIES AND HOUSING

31. What facilities does CEU offer?

CEU possesses an excellent library holding the largest collection of English-language materials in social sciences and humanities in Central and Eastern Europe. https://library.ceu.edu/ .

The Vera & Donald Blinken Open Society Archives also has an associated library of books and periodicals, the core of which is the library of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. Additional information on the Vera & Donald Blinken Open Society Archives is available at http://www.osaarchivum.org/.

The university has several computer labs with free email and internet access for SUN participants and also free wi-fi access and laptop areas on its premises. See http://it.ceu.edu/.

32. Where are we going to stay?

Most courses will be accommodated in the CEU Residence Center, a modern, air-conditioned hostel. The scholarship may include housing in shared double rooms for 2 persons, with 2 single beds, and a bathroom and toilet that roommates share. A few courses that have extra funding will be able to offer their participants single room occupancy in the Residence Center.

Getting from the Residence Center to the Central European University teaching facilities takes about 40-45 minutes by public transportation (bus+metro).

Please check the accommodation details of your course under Logistics/Accommodation.

33. How long can I stay in the Residence Center?

Participants are expected to arrive the day before the course starts (e.g. if the course starts on Monday, the arrival day will be on Sunday) and depart the day after the last teaching day (e.g. if the last day of the course is a Friday, the departure day will be on Saturday).

Check-in time: 14:00 P.M.

Check-out time: 11:00 A.M.

34. Can I stay longer than the duration of the course?

If you plan to arrive/depart earlier or later than the above standard dates, you will be able to modify the dates.)

35. Will I have any free time to work in the Library, see the city, etc.?

To be honest, not much. SUN is a highly intense experience. Class attendance is compulsory, so you will be mostly in the classroom until 4 or 5 p.m. with short coffee breaks and a longer lunch break in the middle of the day. You will receive reading and/or written assignments to accomplish from one day to the next. There is very little time left to do your own research in the Library or even to explore the city.

36. If I don't want to share a room with someone, can I have a single room?

A single room with a private bathroom costs 28 EUR per night. If you are a scholarship participant and a double room accommodation is included in the scholarship you can upgrade your room, but will then have to pay for the difference out of your own pocket.

37. How far is CEU's Residence Center from the university?

It is approximately a 40-45-minute ride by bus and the underground.

38. If I'd prefer to stay somewhere else, not in the Residence Center, can I receive my housing costs to be spent on the accommodation of my own choice?

No, there's no such option for scholarship participants.

39. Where can I find computers on CEU premises?

There are four computer labs located in the Basement of Faculty Tower Nador u. 9, which are available to all participants. There is also a small computer lab in the Dormitory, on the 1st floor. Lab assistants are available at the computer labs. For exact locations and opening hours, please consult the IT Department's web page.

40. How can I contact the IT Helpdesk?

While in the CEU main campus you can contact the IT Department Helpdesks:

in the Nádor 15. building, 4th floor, within the library(extension 3030); classroom support (extension 6000)
in the CEU Residence Center, on the 1st floor, in front of the computer lab (extension 5543)
in the Zrínyi 14. building, on the 5th floor (extension 2000)
or via e-mail at helprequest@ceu.edu

41. How will I be able to use a computer and connect the CEU network?

You will receive a login name and a password at the orientation at the beginning of the course. Here you will also receive information about the opening hours and locations of computer labs, about the file, mail, printing service and the internet, as well as an introduction to the network and other useful do's and don'ts.

42. Can I use my laptop in the main campus?

Yes. If your laptop is suitable for WiFi connections, you can access the wireless network in the whole CEU campus. Click here for the information on WiFi access.

43. Can I use my laptop in my room at the Residence Center?

Yes, you can: there is free WiFi in all rooms of the Residence Center. If your laptop is suitable for WiFi connections, you can access the wireless network similarly to the main campus.

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TRAVEL AND VISA

44. What kind of visa will I need to attend thew Summer course?

You’ll need to apply for a short-term (type C) Schengen visa.

45. Will CEU Summer University arrange a visa for me?

No, you will have to apply for a short term tourist visa yourself. Please check our visa page for further information.

46. How long will the visa procedure last?

Most Schengen Embassies can process applications within 15 working days, however there can be delays , especially in Summer due to the high season. We therefore recommend that you apply at least 4-6 weeks before you intend to travel. Schengen Embassies will not accept an application more than 3 months before the intended date of travel.

47. If I have received a travel grant, who will take care of my travel?

Those receiving a travel grant grant should book their ticket as soon as possible after notification in case they have a valid visa or they do not need one. Those needing to apply for a visa can book their ticket after their visa is granted.

In most cases the amount of travel grant is less than the actual ticket price, and participants need to cover the difference from their own budget. This is why it is most important to make the ticket booking at the earliest date in order to secure the cheapest possible ticket.

48. If I have received a travel grant, how will the reimbursement take place?

Recipients of a travel grant will be reimbursed based on the granted amount of travel specified in the acceptance letter during the first week of their stay in Budapest.

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MISCELLANEOUS

49. I have not received any response to my email. What should I do?

Due to some spam filtering settings some emails occasionally end up in our spam filtering system. We tend to respond to each incoming email within 2-3 business days. If you do not hear back from us after a week, please contact one of our colleagues via their personal email addresses. Click here for the contact information page.

50. Are there any social or academic activities organized outside of the classes?

Yes. These activities are all optional and are organized after 5 pm. and on the weekends.
The supplementary academic events include public lectures, field trips, occasional film screenings, etc.
Social events usually include welcome and farewell parties and a boat trip. Depending on the program schedule most of the two-week courses will be invited to a boat trip on the Danube during their stay in Budapest. There will be NO centrally organized sight-seeing tours, so be prepared to explore the city on your own or with your fellow participants. Your course coordinator may, however, offer the group an optional walking tour. At the end of the course, usually there is a farewell party arranged for each course separately.

51. How do I get to the hotel from the airport/station?

Please check the links in the Logistics/Accommodation page. Information posted there will include directions to your hotel.

52. Can I bring my family with me?

The workload is high during your course therefore we advise you not to bring your family with you. If, however, you would still like to bring someone, it is your responsibility to find out in advance whether there is a double room available. You have to take care of the visa arrangements if any, and pay for all additional costs.

53. Do we receive meals?

If you are staying at a hotel, room price includes breakfast. All other meals should be covered on your own. The SUN Office will offer tips about where you can have lunch at a reasonable price in the university's neighborhood.

54. Do I receive medical treatment in case I need it?

All participants are responsible to have a valid health insurance during their stay at CEU. If you suffer from a chronic disease, please make sure you bring your medication with you.

With minor problems you can contact the CEU Doctor on campus. In case of emergency you will receive proper clinical or hospital treatment covered by your insurance.

55. What's the weather like in Budapest in July?

The weather tends to be hot in July (25-35 degrees Celsius). Classrooms, the Residence Center and some of the other hotels are air-conditioned so bring something warm if you find the air-conditioning sometimes too cold inside the buildings.

You can click on http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=BUDX or http://daily.webshots.com/content/weather/html/full/e_BUDAPEST.html to check the weather prior to departure.

56. Is there a dress code?

Faculty and participants tend to dress informally for class. If you wish, you can however bring something formal as well for special occasions that the course may decide to organize.