Central European University (CEU)
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Society
Vienna, Austria
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
* final deadline for applicants who have citizenship or permanent residency in an EU/EEA country or require a student residence permit but do not require a tourist visa to enter Austria
** payable in one or two installments, non-refundable initial tuition fee installment (€500 EUR) is paid to confirm your acceptance of our offer of admission and is credited towards the 1st tuition fee installment in year 1
Key Summary
About: CEU's Data Science and Society bachelor's blends mathematics, computer science, data analysis and social sciences. You study with peers in Vienna and earn an American (BA) and Austrian (BSc) bachelor's degree in four years. Small classes (7:1), seminars, a Year 3 thesis and a Year 4 capstone build quantitative and qualitative skills to analyze human behavior and society.
Career Outcomes: The programme prepares you for career opportunities in data analysis, research and industry. Graduates join startups, fintech, banks, governments, international organisations or universities, or pursue graduate study (MA, MSc, PhD) in economics, political science, computational social science or sociology.
In CEU’s bachelor's degree program in Data Science and Society (DSS), students learn to address some of the key questions for humanity today using a unique combination of mathematics, computer science, data analysis, and social sciences. You will study with peers from around the world, learn to present your ideas and knowledge effectively and prepare for exciting careers, all in beautiful Vienna.
Why choose the CEU Data Science and Society bachelor's degree?
Because you will:
- Earn an American (Ba) and Austrian (Bsc) Bachelor's Degree in Four Years
- Enjoy the American College-style Undergraduate Experience, in Europe
- Live in Vienna, Consistently Ranked Among the World’s Most Livable Cities
- Study in Another Country via Study Abroad in Year 3
- Benefit From a Private University Education at a Reasonable Cost
- Learn From World-class Faculty in One of Europe’s Top Research Universities
- Access a Wide Variety of Career Paths
Major or double-major in:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Data Science
- Environmental Sciences
- Sociology
What will you learn in CEU’s bachelor's degree program in DSS?
You will be able to:
- Take Advantage of the Vast Amounts of Data on Human and Societal Behavior
- Examine, Explain, and Help Answer Global Socioeconomic Questions
- Analyze Data Using Rigorous Quantitative Theory, Computational Methods, and Mathematical Modeling
- Draw Conclusions Derived From Qualitative Theory and Methods From the Social Sciences
- Present Your Analysis and Ideas Based on a Combination of Quantitative and Qualitative Arguments
Our unique program lies at the intersection between the major scientific disciplines of mathematics, computer science, statistics, and the social sciences. We challenge students to combine these disciplines to gain insight into how the world works, in a manner that is not possible by focusing on each discipline in isolation. You’ll delve into some of the big questions using not only the quantitative tools of data science, but also the qualitative perspectives of sociology, economics, political science, and environmental science. You’ll need to think critically and come up with your answers to understand how humans interact with each other and with their environment. We’ve tailored the program so that you will gain a solid foundation in mathematics, data analysis, and statistics as well as four pillars of the social sciences. Then you’ll use what you’ve learned to address issues that interest you most, and you’ll emerge with analytical skills and multifaceted knowledge that you can put to use in the real world. So if you want to:
- Challenge Yourself in the Classroom and Beyond
- Become an Active Member of an Emerging Interdisciplinary Scientific Community
- Tackle the World’s Biggest Problems Using Cutting-edge Analytical Methods
- Make a Difference Using Your Unique Quantitative and Qualitative Knowledge and Skills
- Open a World of Career Options
How does CEU's bachelor's degree program in DSS work?
In the Data Science and Society (DSS) bachelor's degree program, you’ll address questions of how humans behave and how society works, using mathematical methods to analyze data, while at the same time drawing on the fields of sociology, economics, political science, and environmental science to interpret the results. Once you’ve analyzed an issue or an event from all these angles, you’ll also learn to communicate your newfound knowledge effectively and have the opportunity to expand and use your knowledge outside the classroom. You’ll enjoy:
- Small Class Sizes, With a Student-to-faculty Ratio of 7:1
- Discussion-based Seminars Where You’ll Participate and Contribute Your Analysis
- Individual Attention From Leading Professors and Researcher-practitioners
- A Community of Faculty and Students From More Than 100 Countries
- Courses With All Your Classmates in Year 1, Then Increased Focus and Course Choice as You Progress Within the program
- Preparing an Individual Thesis in Year 3 and a Capstone Project in Year 4
- Personal Supervision by a Professor for Your Capstone Project in Your Final Year
At the end of four years, you’ll have an Austrian bachelor of science and an American bachelor of arts degree.
CEU’s undergraduate degree in Data Science and Society (DSS) is for you. In your first year, you’ll take a mandatory set of courses with your classmates for comprehensive training in mathematics, computational data analysis, statistics, and data science. You’ll pair that with the fundamentals of sociology, economics, environmental science, and political science. Later you’ll choose two specializations and focus on an issue you’re passionate about for your thesis research and another for your capstone project. After your first year, you’ll focus on your choice of two of the following:
- Sociology
- Economics
- Environmental Sciences
- Political Science
- Data Science
You’ll also be able to choose from mandatory and free electives and participate in a seminar series, where you’ll learn about current research and concrete applications of data science in academia and industry from researchers from different fields. This will enable you to bridge the gap between classroom material and real-world applications. It will also inspire you to address concrete issues in your research and thesis projects during the program.
The DSS program is divided into seven modules, covering fundamental topics in Mathematics, Programming and Data Analysis, Data Science, and Social Sciences, as well as five specialization tracks in Sociology, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Political Science, and Data Science.
Module I: Mathematics (13 US credits/26 ECTS)
- Calculus
- Linear Algebra
- Statistics
- Optimization
Module II: Programming and Data Analysis (11 US credits/22 ECTS)
- Introduction to Programming
- Algorithms and Data Structures
- Fundamentals of Data Analysis
- Data Visualization
Module III: Data Science (16 US credits/32 ECTS)
- Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Mining
- Introduction to Complex Systems
- Data Management
- Data Science Project
Module IV: Social Sciences (16 US credits/32 ECTS)
- Communities, Societies, States: Keys Issues in Sociology
- Introduction to Political Economy: Interests, Institutions, and Ideas
- Introduction to Environmental Sciences
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Ethics of Big Data
- Quantitative Approaches to Social Sciences
Module V: Specialization tracks (16 US credits/32 ECTS)
- Students must choose two from the following five specializations:
- Sociology
- Key Issues in Sociological Theory
- Social Networks
- Gender Inequality Through Numbers
- Economics
- Econometrics
- Game Theory
- Environmental Sciences
- Measuring Progress
- Climate change
- Spatial Data Visualization
- Political Science
- Introduction to Comparative Politics: History, Topics, And Methods
- Rational Choice Politics
- Data Science
- Text data analysis
- Advanced Machine Learning
Mandatory electives
- Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Genres of the Human
- Labor economics
- Inequality in the age of globalization
- Social Problems
- Gender, Race, Class: Global Inequalities
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Transition Economics
- Behavioral Economics
- Banking and Finance
- Economic Development
- History of Economic Thought
- Health Economics
- Economics of Law
- Labor Economics
- Competition Policy
- Energy Economics
- International Trade
- Economic History
- International Finance
- Environmental modeling
- Energy Economics
- Advanced Topics in Global Environmental Governance
- Ecological Economics
- Sustainable Energy Transitions
- Environmental Complexities: Past and Present
- Policies for Sustainable Transport
- Sustainable Water Management
- Multimethod Research Design
- Welfare States in the Current Era: Origins, Issues, and Challenges
- Frontiers of Political Research: Topics, Trends, Techniques
- Domestic Politics in the Global Economy
- Democracy, Autocracy and Economic Development
- Political Economy: Rational Choice and Collective Action
- Varieties of CapitalismLabor Economics
- Causal Inference
- Network Science
- Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures
- Introduction to Differential Equations
- Stochastic Processes
- Data Security and GDPR
- Fintech in Depth
Modules VI and VII:
- Bachelor thesis and Capstone project
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in DSS?
With an American and Austrian bachelor’s degree in Data Science and Society (DSS), you’ll have acquired vital skills to approach an issue you’re passionate about. You’ll know how to collect valuable information, analyze and synthesize it all, produce your own theory, generate your own solution, and communicate it in multimedia form to any audience. Transferable skills:
- Quantitative and Qualitative Theory and Methods
- Technical University-level Mathematics
- An Interdisciplinary Approach to Problem-solving
- Programming
- Critical Thinking and Reasoning
- Computational Data Analysis
- Grasping and Producing Complex Information
- Core Elements of Various Social Sciences
- Research and Analysis
- Detailed Knowledge in Topics Within the Chosen Specialization
- Presentation and Communication
- Data Visualization
These skills open many doors, from graduate study at CEU or another university to career options in the private, public and non-profit sectors. CEU’s Career Services team will guide you in finding the right door for you to open.
CEU enjoys the support of generous donors, including our alumni, who support talented students with scholarships and awards. Here you’ll find information about these opportunities and how to apply.
- Partial Tuition Award
- Presidential Scholar Award
- External financial support and scholarship opportunities
Partial Tuition Award
A small number of Partial Tuition Awards is available for outstanding applicants to the BA/BSc in Data Science and Society, BA in Culture, Politics and Society, and BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics programs.
Details
This is a merit-based award, which may fund up to 50% of the tuition fee (up to €3,500 per academic year).
Application
Applicants who want to be considered for this award must apply by February 1, 2024.
Presidential Scholar Award
Two outstanding candidates will receive a Presidential Scholar Award with a total value of €5,000 each. The Presidential Scholars Fund was established by CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff and his wife Zsuzsanna Zsohar to support students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and leadership promise.
Details
The Award covers part of the tuition fee throughout the four years of BA studies as follows:
- Year 1: €500
- Year 2: €1,000
- Year 3: €1,500
- Year 4: €2,000
Application
All applications submitted by February 1, 2024, will be automatically considered for this award. There is no need to submit a separate application or indicate your interest in this award in the CEU Application Form ('Funding' section) by visiting the university's website.
External Financial Support Opportunities
You can find information about some of the opportunities from governments and other funders on the university's website. Please note that this list is by no means comprehensive. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements before applying.
- At a Startup, you could collect and analyze market research data to draw conclusions and develop a new targeted marketing campaign for your product.
- At a Social Media Consulting Company, you could develop algorithms to detect organized misinformation campaigns and attempts to manipulate public opinion.
- In a Public Health Governmental Agency, you could analyze in real-time the results of measures taken to contain a pandemic, devise appropriate strategies, and model the outcomes.
- At a City Council, you could monitor and explore citizen response to measures implemented by the council, such as mapping the mobility of people following a traffic or public transport initiative and making recommendations for new initiatives.
- At a Polling Agency, you could design, conduct, and interpret polls, contributing to the development of new ways to test public opinion.
- At an International Organization, Government Body, or Think Tank, you could analyze the statistics of armed conflicts and model the spread of political unrest to inform decision-making.
- At a Climate Change NGO, you could help analyze statistical trends and interpret them for the public, or track the formation of public opinion in order to plan and organize effective campaigns or activities.
- As a SCIENTIST at a university or research institution, you can make use of your unique interdisciplinary makeup to pose and answer scientific questions about the behavior of societies and economies that take into account their emerging complexity and form bridges between scientific disciplines.
The CEU bachelor's degree in Data Science and Society (DSS) gives you a multidisciplinary foundation that supports many exciting career paths. Your competence in analyzing, interpreting, and communicating quantitative information will be in high demand on the job market. What’s more, your DSS experience will surely be transformative personally, as you and your classmates become members of transnational cultural, political, and social communities. You’ll be ready to continue your studies in graduate school or start a career in business, government or non-profits, startups, or multinationals. Here are some examples:
Pursue a master’s or Ph.D. degree at CEU or other leading universities in subjects such as:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Environmental Science
- Sociology
- Network Science
- Computational Social Science
Pursue a career at:
- Banks and Fintech Companies
- Government and Policymaking Bodies
- Universities and Think Tanks
- Startups and Incubators
- Large Companies and Multinationals
- International Organizations
- Non-profit and Non-governmental Organizations
- The Law, Education, and Health Care Sectors