e-mail: summeru@ceu.edu
Tel.: +36-1 327-3811
Skype: ceu-sun
FAQ
ELIGIBILITY
1. Who can apply to SUN?
Target group:
We invite applications from academics (graduate students, post-docs, junior faculty, and researchers) as well as from professionals (e.g. policy-makers, civil servants, NGO workers, etc.) For most courses, a BA is a requirement although several courses are open for undergraduates as well.
Language requirement:
The language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. Some of the shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a telephone interview. Please consult the eligibility section on each course website for course-specific requirements and prerequisites.
There are several types of programs we offer:
- Research-intensive 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 these courses explore policy aspects of their research focus as well and therefore tend to encourage the participation of both academics and professionals.
- Policy and Training Courses mostly address the professional development needs of practitioners, policy-makers, etc. These courses tend to provide training and/or discuss policy issues at a practical, applied level and are targeted at mostly practitioners, or a mix of academics and professionals.
- Short workshops
2. Am I required to have any prior knowledge or qualifications?
Please consult the eligibility section on each course website for course-specific requirements and prerequisites.
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 upload some proof of your English language skills in the online application form. Please check the relevant section in the How to Apply page.
Also, if you are shortlisted in the first round of selection, your course coordinator may contact you by telephone to check your language skills.
*****************************************************************
COURSES
4. 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".
5. How can I find out more about the courses?
From time to time, you should check the SUN website, 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.
Application in general
6. 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.
7. If I submitted an application to CEU last year, can I use the same login?
If you applied to CEU’s master, doctoral, etc. programs in the 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020 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.
8. If I submitted an application to CEU Summer University last year, can I use the same login?
If you applied to CEU’s master, doctoral, etc. programs in the 2017, 2018, 2019 or 2020 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.)
13. 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.
14. 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 to check what modifications are possible after submission.
15. 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.
*****************************************************************
ACCEPTANCE
16. When will I find out about the decision?
In case of Summer courses we will notify applicants about the decision by mid-May, at the latest. In case of Winter programs notification depends on the course dates. You can check more about our program timeline on the Dates and Deadlines page. Make sure you put the summeru@ceu.edu email address on your white list.
17. I got accepted. How do I confirm/decline my participation?
- Please go to the Applicant Portal and log in with your user name and password.
- Go to My Application.
- Click on the View Offer button to see the details of the offer.
- Scroll down and respond to the offer.
18. If I'm accepted, is there anything I need to do before the course?
You need to go through the following steps in order to be enrolled for a course:
- accept the offer on the applicant portal
- go to the onboarding section
- complete the onboarding steps as soon as you can
- register on the e-Learning site if you receive an invitation from the Summer University office
19. 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.
20. 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.
*****************************************************************
21. How am I expected to prepare for the course?
Courses using the SUN e-Learning platform will make the reading materials available sometime in May. Confirmed participants will receive instructions from the SUN Office on how to prepare a login name and a password.
If you have difficulty accessing or downloading the reading materials please contact Eva Barbara Bodogan who will assist you with technical problems.
*****************************************************************
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 and active participation (discussions, individual or group presentation, submission of written assignments, etc.).
*****************************************************************
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 that 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:
The Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation (for Swiss applicants)
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 see details of the payment procedure.
30. Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. For details see the online application system.