Frequently Asked Questions: MA Program

THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE

What is the difference between the one-year and two-year MA programs?
The one-year Master’s program is designed for students who have completed at least a four-year Bachelor’s degree.  The two-year Master’s degree is designed for those who have completed a three-year Bachelor’s degree.  However, if a student eligible for the one-year degree would prefer to take the two-year program, he or she should indicate that preference on the application.  The two-year program provides extra time for researching and writing the thesis and is also more structured in terms of course work.

What should I write in the “statement of purpose?”
The Admissions Committee is most interested in knowing the type of research that you would be interested in undertaking here at CEU and the type of courses that would most help you in pursuing your ideas.  Since the written thesis is the most important component of our program, the more specific you can be in describing your potential MA thesis, the better we will be able to help you. The statement of purpose can also include what you hope that an MA degree in History might allow you to do afterwards in terms of future jobs or education.

What happens if I cannot complete the application on time?
If at all possible you should submit the application by the university deadline.  However, we are aware that it is sometimes difficult to obtain all of the necessary letters of recommendation by the deadline or that there are problems with the mail.  Therefore, should you run into a problem, please contact the History Department and explain your situation.

What are my chances of obtaining financial aid?
CEU has a generous financial aid policy, but it is important that you fill out the CEU application for Financial Aid so that your particular circumstances are understood by the History Admissions Committee.  In general the History Admissions Committee attempts to provide all admitted students with some sort of financial package for tuition and also assists students to find part-time work in the Open Society Archives, the Department or elsewhere in the university should that become necessary. 


LANGUAGE STUDY

How can I improve my writing skills in English?
The CEU Center for Academic Writing is a prize-winning group of writing instructors that provides specially constructed lectures to help students attain professional academic writing skills in history.  In addition to the two instructors assigned to history students, the History Department has its own writing instructor to assist students in the completion of the MA thesis.  The MA Workshops in the Spring session are devoted to thesis-writing specifically and students can also sign up for consultations at the Writing Center or with the History Department writing instructor throughout the academic year.

Can I study other languages?
The CEU Center for Academic Writing provides a course in Survival Hungarian as well as courses in Hungarian, French, German and Spanish. 

If I speak a language of the region but not well, can I have additional instruction?
Yes, if you are interested in doing further study in one of the regional languages (e.g., Hungarian, Romanian or a Slavic language), please indicate that in your application so tutorials with native speakers can be arranged.

If I do not speak a language of the region, what type of research could I do?
You might first investigate the holdings of the Open Society Archives to see the topics and materials that are available in English or other languages that you may speak.  For example, press clippings on major events in the region like the 1956 Hungarian Revolution or Solidarity in Poland may be available in a range of languages.  Or you may think about a topic related to diplomacy or press coverage of the region in your native language.  Finally, you should consider taking the two-year MA when you would have a longer period to learn more about the region and develop an appropriate topic, perhaps using archives in your own country for research.

COURSEWORK

What courses are offered?
Our courses for the current year are listed with full syllabi, so that you can see exactly what type of reading and assignments you will be expected to complete.  Since some professors only teach in one of the two terms, it is important to look at both the fall and winter term course listings.  Each year the History Department also hosts visiting professors, whose courses are not necessarily taught each year.  Past courses from the History Department are currently being archived at the Curriculum Resource Center where you can look at syllabi of past courses taught at the history department.

How many courses must I take?
A student must take 30 credit hours of courses in the first two terms.  These can be compiled in any combination, 12 + 18, 14+ 16, etc.  The rest of the credit hours are completed through the spring thesis workshops, MA thesis and MA thesis defense.

How am I graded?
Grading at CEU uses the letter-based system, A, B, C, D and F, not numerical scores.

THE MA THESIS

What type of topic must I choose?
The topics that work best are those for which you already know of relevant primary sources or for which you have already done research, perhaps during your BA degree.  The History Department Admissions committee also has to consider the probability that the topic you are interested in pursuing can be supervised by the faculty members of the department.  All faculty members, whether full-time, part-time, or visiting, can supervise your MA thesis.  You can also take a look at the MA theses that have been successfully defended in the past several years. 

What if I do not yet have a topic?
If you are choosing the one-year MA option, it will help greatly if you already have a topic in mind when you come, so that you can choose courses that will help you in reading the professional secondary literature and also can write portions of the thesis as term papers.  During the first year you will be assisted in refining your research topic in the Academic Writing class and, once you have chosen your MA supervisor, he or she will also help to shape your research and writing. 

What type of research materials would I have?
The CEU Library is one of the most up-to-date  research libraries in the region. Most books and journals are available on open access shelves. There are 30 computers for access to online and CD-ROM databases.  In addition to the large English-language collection, publications are available in all languages of the region.  The history book and journal collection is especially rich, due to important contributions from György Ránki, Jack Reese, Nicholas V. Riasanovsky, and Elizabeth Valkenier, among others.  The CEU Library is also the custodian of the book collection from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.  The library catalog is searchable online, so you can see for yourself the range of materials available.

In addition, the Open Society Archives has a range of resources in both English and languages of the region.  The collection includes materials collected by Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, including extensive periodicals from the socialist period and samizdat.  Visit the OSA to read more about the collections, exhibitions and special events.

Finally, the libraries in Budapest are rich in primary sources and CEU students can receive permission to do research there. 

What about computer access and training?
CEU has a number of computer labs available for student use as well as extensive and growing laptop areas for wireless access to the CEU computer system and internet.  Each student has a student account, which is used for downloading reading assignments as well as for word processing term papers and the thesis.  The computer staff has a help desk and also offers basic courses in some of the more common computer programs like Power Point.

LIVING IN BUDAPEST

How would I find a place to live in Budapest?
If it is your first time in Budapest you might wish to stay at the Kerepesi Residence Center, which has single rooms with computers, a dining hall, a swimming pool etc. There is also a notice board outside the CEU Alumni office for student apartments to rent and other students searching for a roommate.   A relatively large number of apartments have now become traditionally passed on from student to student. 

For your information CEU has estimated the cost of living in Budapest to be about 100,000-110,000 HUF per month.

Can I bring my family?
Families are welcome at CEU.  The CEU web page on parental support offers details on schooling and CEU facilities.  The schools and medical facilities are accessible.  Please remember, however, that non-Hungarian spouses would need a work permit in order to take a job and that visa requirements should also be considered.

What about working in Budapest while attending classes?
Many students find work at CEU, for a student visa offers a special status within the university for non-Hungarian students.  You can ask about these opportunities when you arrive.

How and when would I be able to travel back home?
The break between the fall and winter terms is usually about 3 weeks, when many students return home.  The cost of returning home at this time is the student’s responsibility. 

STUDENT LIFE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

What is it like to be a CEU student?
Both CEU and our department have many activities in addition to classes. 
Student activities organized by CEU include students from many departments.  Most CEU history students find a wealth of potential lectures and conferences to choose from. The History department also has an active student life.  The photos on the website are taken by students for students and most find plenty to do after studying is finished.  Our alumni probably give the best answers to that question.

What kind of help can I get in pursuing a career?
CEU provides a number of services, like career and educational counseling.  The History Department faculty and staff also alert students to opportunities through email postings and posters, and supervisors are also instrumental in writing recommendations and supporting plans for work or further study.  Many CEU alumni are also ready to help.  As some of our alumni write, the small but cosmopolitan student body helps to create a supportive atmosphere for making the future contacts that will enable you to pursue the career of your choice.