Study in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic as a tourist destination is a very enjoyable experience, but what is even better is when you go there to study. There are 70 different schools that you can choose from and more than a thousand different degree programs (Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D.) that you can select.

As an international student, we understand that you worry about being the only foreigner in a different country, but not to worry more than 40,000 foreign students are pursuing higher education in the Czech Republic.

The country is one of the biggest pillars of university education in Europe and has maintained its standards for centuries. Charles University in Prague is the oldest university in central Europe at almost 700 years old. You can enjoy all that the country has to offer as a visitor and you can even delve into more details as a student at any of its prestigious universities.

One fascinating educational mainstay of the country is in its magnificent libraries, one of which is the National Library, which stands as one of the communal centers for learning, research, and culture. If you decide to come to study in the Czech Republic, please come in the spring semester and enjoy the brilliant weather and amazing atmosphere.

Typically, universities in Europe open for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer semesters in an academic year, and the same is obtainable here.

Science, Technology, Research, Arts, and Literature are some of the main subject areas of higher institutions in the country, however, there are thousands of other field areas that are equally as important, Czech schools continuously update their quality and standards to meet with the times.

Life as a student is also rewarding while in the country and way after you graduate. With an international degree that is acceptable anywhere in the world, there are many reasons why the country is a perfect study abroad destination.

Living in the country is also not as expensive as it is in many of its European counterparts, the cost of living is very favorable and there are many ways to support your education if finance is a determining factor for you.

Study costs vary from one university to the other but typically go around €350 to €750 per month, and you can apply for a scholarship and many other grants. Studying in the Czech Republic also gives you the chance to enjoy exchange programs like ERASMUS.

Students in North Cyprus

About the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is at the heart of Europe and stands as the bridge between the east and west, located in central Europe, landlocked and bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria.

The country is divided into 13 regions with the capital city of Prague centrally located in the western half of the country. The second and third largest cities are Brno and Ostrava can be found in the regions of Moravia and Silesia.

The country is mostly made up of cosmopolitan large cities and the countryside with not much in between. The Czech Republic may not be the most forest ridden country in Europe, a lot of the land outside of urban centers is tilled and irrigated in irregularly shaped crop fields.

The country only has 4 national parks, however, their nature zones are very majestic. The country’s geography is a perfect drainage basin for various rivers on the continent and closer to the outside of the borders are rolling green hills and low mountains that speckle the country with the forests. Otherwise, most of the country is flat with small undulations here and there with many crop fields.

The Czech Republic is the most stable and prosperous of the post-communist states of Europe, the country has a population of around 10.5 million people and has the lowest unemployment rate in the all of the European Union. When it comes to ethnicity, 90% of the people are ethnically Czech, whereas the remaining 10% of the country either identify as Moravian, Slovak with a small percentage from other ancestries like Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

The official language of the country is Czech, which is a Slavic based tongue that is mutually intangible to the Slovaks and Poles with which they share a border. One thing that further sets the Czech Republic apart is its distinguishable architecture that incorporates both classical, baroque, and gothic elements with ornates and embellishments at its corridors and foyers like in Church of St. Nicholas, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the St. Georges Basilica.

The Czech’s hold their ground in culture and is home to a plethora of world-renowned composers, artists and one Nobel Prize winner for literature. Like many European countries, the Czech’s have a long history of complex kingdoms, empires, alliances, battles, unions, revolutions and even splits but through it all, they have still retained their unique sense of nationalistic Central European Slavic identity. The country also maintains an interesting sense of diplomatic identity as can be seen in their close ties with some of their allies and neighboring countries.

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic (or Czechia), is a beautiful city and an unmissable tourist destination in Europe; this is a well-known fact. But talking about a less well-known fact – did you know that the sugar cube was invented here? There should be no surprises here: with buzzing student cities, high-ranking universities and affordable living costs, Czechia is a pretty sweet deal for international students.

Universities in the Czech Republic

Through the Bologna Process, degrees awarded by Czech universities are recognised everywhere in the EU. Czech universities are some of the highest-ranking in the region. The best university in Czechia is Charles University. Founded in 1348, the university today has its main campus in Prague and faculties also located in Hradec Králové and one in Plzeň (Pilsen). Among the other top-ranked universities in the country are Masaryk University in Brno and the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague.

In Prague, in particular, students can also find a high-quality teaching experience at private institutions with an American teaching model. Most notably, these include the Anglo-American University in Prague as well as the University of New York in Prague.

The list of English-taught Bachelors and Masters in Czechia is growing, and so is the number of international students, with currently around 50,000 students from Europe and around the world.

Typical tuition fees for programmes in English range from low amounts at public universities up to €20,000 per year at private universities – but many of the courses are a lot cheaper.

Student life

Most of the country’s higher education institutions are concentrated in a handful of cities, including Prague and Brno. You know what this means: university city life! If you happen to be tired of the hustle and bustle, you can choose to visit one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites or a National Park – or sweat your worries away in one of the many spas. And don’t forget you are literally in the heart of Europe.

Students, both EU and non-EU, can work during their studies. While Czechia is part of the EU, it does not use the Euro. The currency is the Czech crown (koruna). Compared to other European destinations, the cost of living is rather low. The average living costs sit between €320 to €700, with a yearly student season ticket for public transport in Prague costing around €60.

Study in Czech Republic

If you’re trying to find the Czech Republic on a map, hopefully, you have an updated version, as you don’t want to be one of those embarrassing tourists who go to the Czech Republic and say, “Do they speak Russian here?”, or “Is this Czechoslovakia?”. Neither of these questions will get you very far.

However, the Czech Republic is actually a place with a unique and interesting history, full of cultural wonders and traditions. Students from everywhere come to the Czech Republic to visit the birthplace of Franz Kafka or to see its wonderful Gothic and Romanesque architecture.

Besides that, it is also a wonderful place to pursue your Master’s or Bachelor’s degree. If you’re looking for a brand-new country to explore, located right in the center of Europe, look no further than the Czech Republic for its great universities and exciting places to visit.

Why study in the Czech Republic?

Do you want to study, work, travel, in other words, experience the perfect balance and live your best study-abroad adventure? Make a smart choice and come to study in the Czech Republic! Czech universities offer long-standing reputation, unique conception, and innovative specializations. What's more, Czech research is one of the best in Europe!

These days, over 46,000 international students are studying in the Czech Republic; and as their universities continue to offer a ton of English-taught courses, more and more students are finding interesting options there. Moreover, if you decide to go there, you’ll find a large, exciting community of international students just like you.

Universities in the Czech Republic offer a wide range of programmes at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. level, as well as summer and winter schools and language and preparatory courses. Each university is accredited, meaning their courses are recognized by companies and organizations all over the country and throughout Europe.

In the Czech Republic, you can find one of the oldest traditions of higher education, dating back to the 14th century. It probably also means that the universities are haunted.

Studying in the Czech Republic places you in the middle of Europe and gives you a great opportunity to travel all over the continent. During your studies, you can find a part-time job and after graduation, you can stay and start your own business. The Czech Republic can offer you not only the strategic location, but also a wide expat community and regional headquarters of many international companies.

Which universities and colleges to attend in the Czech Republic?

There are several dozen public and private universities all over the Czech Republic, and many of them offer English-taught degree programmes. They have a very old tradition and a strong reputation all over the world.

Charles University – the oldest in Central Europe – now enjoys a high ranking thanks to the fact it is one of the largest continuously operating universities in Europe.

Here is a list of some excellent universities to attend in the Czech Republic:

Charles University

Masaryk University

Prague University of Economics and Business

Anglo-American University, Prague

University of South Bohemia in Ceské Budejovice (USB)

What it’s like to study at a university in the Czech Republic?

Czech universities offer great technological background, with modern laboratory equipment and high integration with industry with many practice opportunities. Plus, your instructors will be able to give you extra, individual assistance if you need it.

While you attend university in the Czech Republic, you’ll be able to enjoy a thriving social life outside of your classes. With plenty of museums to visit and wonderful restaurants to try, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the exciting Czech culture, while also getting your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

What to study in the Czech Republic?

Universities in the Czech Republic have a long tradition of educating students in a wide range of fields. From Science and Technology to Anthropology; from Literature and Arts to Law – students can find excellent courses in the fields of their dreams, taught by some of the best experts in the area.

Czech science has always had a very strong voice in the world. The Czech Republic has achieved international renown in areas ranging from Egyptology to high-tech fields such as non-woven nanofibers. There are currently 9 centers of excellence and more than 40 regional research centers in the country. The centers of excellence are focused on the development of laser systems, biomedical and materials sciences, energy research and complex mathematical modelling in natural, medical and technical sciences. 

Throughout the Czech Republic, you can find more than 60 universities in many towns and cities that offer fun and exciting student life together with unique history and cultural identity. Take a look at some interesting cities to live in while you study in the Czech Republic:

Prague

Brno 

Olomouc

Ostrava

Hradec Králové

České Budějovice

Plzeň

Explore more towns and cities in the Czech Republic where you can study.

How to apply

Each university in the Czech Republic has its own system on their website that allows future students to apply for and enroll in their degree programmes. So, once you select the university of your choice, you can go through their application process and submit your materials there.

Here are some of the basic requirements you’ll need for every application:

A scan of your diploma (high school or Bachelor’s degree)

A transcript/record of your previous courses

A scan of your passport and/or birth certificate

Your CV

Testing scores

Evidence of scholarship or funding

Letters of recommendation (between 2-3)

Portfolio and/or writing samples

Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for a university in the Czech Republic

Take Preparation Courses

These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.

Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice;

Improve your English by taking advantage of an English-language prep course

If you’re attending a degree programme in the Czech Republic you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. Some universities will require Czech, while others will require strong English skills. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

English-language tests

To apply to study in the Czech Republic, you’ll need to provide proof that you have an English proficiency diploma. The certificates generally accepted by the universities in the Czech Republic are:

PTE Academic

TOEFL

IELTS

C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 

Still, you should always check your university’s website, just to check what the exact requirements are.