Central European University is considering expanding its presence in Budapest after years of political pressure forced it to move most of its activities to Vienna. The university sees new hope under Hungary’s government led by Péter Magyar, which has promised to restore academic freedom and reform public institutions.
Carsten Q Schneider, the university’s interim president and rector, said CEU was interested in offering more programmes in Budapest. However, he stressed that any expansion must protect the quality of education and the student experience.
The university has not held formal talks with the new government yet. Schneider said both sides were open to contact, but the government had many urgent issues to address.
CEU moved its main academic activities from Budapest to Vienna in 2019. The decision followed years of pressure from the government of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His administration introduced a law that made it difficult for the university to continue awarding degrees in Hungary.
The law became widely known as Lex CEU. Critics said it was designed to target the university, which was founded in 1991 by Hungarian-American financier and philanthropist George Soros.
The institution was created to support democratic values and academic development across Central and Eastern Europe. Its move to Vienna became a major issue in debates about academic freedom and political influence over universities.
In 2020, the European Union’s highest court ruled against Hungary over the law. The court found that the legislation violated the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, the ruling came after CEU had already moved most of its teaching activities to Austria.
The university still has a presence in Budapest. It employs 312 staff members there, most of whom work in administrative roles. Meanwhile, 476 staff members work in Vienna, where the university now runs its teaching programmes.
Schneider said a stronger presence in Budapest could become an important symbol of academic freedom and resilience. However, he said any decision would need support from independent funding and a positive working relationship with the government.
He also made clear that CEU was not seeking special treatment. The university wants to work with the government and find a practical way to expand its activities.
The final decision will rest with CEU’s 13-member board. Its members include George Soros and his son, Alexander Soros.
Despite the interest in Budapest, the university has no plan to move all its operations back to Hungary. Schneider said CEU was doing very well in Vienna and wanted to protect the progress made there.
Any expansion would also need to make life easier for students. For example, students studying economics and history should be able to take courses in both subjects without having to travel more than 200 kilometres between Budapest and Vienna.
CEU focuses on social sciences, law and humanities. It has more than 1,400 students from 103 countries. Most students are enrolled in master’s and doctoral programmes.
The university has also seen changes in its international student population. Schneider said US students now make up the largest group of master’s students for the first time in the university’s 25-year history. They account for 10% of that group.
He linked the rise in US applications to growing concerns about academic freedom in the United States. Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has taken several steps affecting major universities. These include cuts to federal funding and efforts to influence university policies.
Schneider has also held informal discussions with US academics about protecting academic freedom during periods of political pressure. He warned that universities should understand the goals of political movements that challenge their independence.
He said universities should not ignore the real problems raised by political leaders. However, he argued that attacks on higher education can also be part of wider efforts to influence culture and public debate.
Schneider said universities should build strong partnerships with other academic institutions, students, former students and parents. He also stressed the need to defend academic subjects that face political criticism, including gender studies.
CEU’s possible expansion in Budapest comes at a time of political change in Hungary. Magyar won a major election victory in April after promising to address corruption and reform state institutions.
The university’s interest in returning to a larger role in Budapest signals cautious confidence in the country’s future. However, its leaders say academic independence, reliable funding and a strong student experience will remain central to any decision.
