ADMISSION HIGHLIGHTS

For Program Structure, please visit the PhD Program page.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must have a Master's degree or equivalent in philosophy or a related field, and a background in the history of philosophy and in logic. Applicants who haven't earned an MA degree yet should submit documentation indicating that they will earn their degree by the time of enrolling in the program
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose first language is not English normally submit standardized English language test scores, e.g., the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), but applicants with a degree from a program taught in English may request exemption.
Submission of the general CEU application form with its appendices, including the specific departmental requirements

General CEU requirements:

Department-specific requirements:

A statement of purpose (2-4 pages single spaced) which describes the applicant's interest in CEU and their proposed topic for a thesis. We are not asking for a detailed research plan, but the admission committee should be able to form an idea of the compatibility between the applicant's interests and the supervisory capacity of the department.
An essay of 2000–4000 words on an appropriate philosophical topic. The admission committee does not normally have time to read longer essays. Applicants who wish to submit a longer piece are asked to mark the sections they would not wish the committee to skip. The essay should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to think and write clearly and philosophically, for example by giving an original argument or evaluation of an argument about a philosophical problem, or an interpretation of a difficult philosophical text. It can, but need not, be related to the applicant’s past studies or proposed research topic.

After the admission deadline (4 February 2025), the departmental PhD admission committee evaluates all applications
The committee establishes a merit list, based on the

evaluation of previous academic record
evaluation of the writing sample
match between the applicant's interests (as explained in the statement of purpose) and CEU's supervision capacity
performance at the interview (if applicable; we do not interview every applicant)
any other relevant info contained in the application

Offers are normally sent out from April onwards. All offers for the PhD program include the CEU Doctoral Scholarship (full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend of 1880 eur/month, for 48 months total).