Study in the Czech Republic

Life in the Czech Republic

A landlocked country in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic shares borders with Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia, and is a member of the EU. Capital city Prague has in recent years garnered a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, packed with historic and cultural interest and lively nightlife.

While Prague, in particular, has become known for its party scene, the Czech Republic also offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and exploration. It has a glorious countryside, full of mountains, hiking tracks, cultural sites, medieval structures and picturesque historic towns. During your stay, you will no doubt encounter the famous Slavic humor, which may take some getting used to, but is guaranteed to have you chuckling in the end. Czech cuisine is known for its traditional soups, meat dishes, dumplings, salads and sweet pastries, and the country’s longstanding beer-brewing tradition continues to thrive.

Prague 

The country’s capital, Prague is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This New Jerusalem, as it was once called, attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year. Highlights include its striking castle, UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, and thriving arts scene, museums and nightlife. Prague is currently ranked joint 26^th in the QS Best Student Cities index, reflecting the city’s large and internationally diverse student community, formidable reputation among local and international recruiters, and relatively low study and living costs.

Prague is home to many of the country’s best-reputed universities, including two which rank among the world’s best: Charles University (currently ranked joint 314^th in the world) and the Czech Technical University in Prague (491-500).

Brno 

Brno is also an important center of higher education, with 13 universities located in the city and about 90,000 students. Some of the highest-ranked Czech universities are in Brno, including Masaryk University and Brno University of Technology, both of which feature in the QS World University Rankings 2018. Brno was ranked 59^th in the QS Best Student Cities 2017 index, achieving a very high score for the new Student View category.

Ostrava 

Ostrava is home to several well-respected universities, including the University of Ostrava and the Technical University of Ostrava.

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Applying to study in the Czech Republic 

The main requirement for applying for a bachelor’s degree in the Czech Republic is the completion of a full secondary general education. If you apply for a master’s degree, you will be assessed based on your undergraduate qualification; if you apply for a doctoral degree (PhD), you’ll be expected to have completed a relevant master’s degree.

Students may apply for several courses at various institutions and faculties. The deadline for submitting applications is usually the end of February or March. Most higher education institutions offer the option of applying in electronic form, online. At most universities, applicants are required to sit entrance examinations, which are usually held between June and September.

Assessment methods vary from university to university, and also depend on the field of study. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is used by most universities in the Czech Republic, making it easier for students to transfer course credits both within the country and also more widely within Europe.

Visas to study in the Czech Republic

Good news for some of you: the Czech Republic is a member state of the European Union, and students from other EU countries don’t need a visa in order to live and study here. All you need is a valid ID or passport and an acceptance letter from your university. For students coming from outside of the EU, a student visa is required. Contact the Czech embassy in your country for guidelines on specific visa requirements, as these vary from one country to another.

Fees and funding studies in the Czech Republic

Higher education at all public universities in the Czech Republic is free of charge for students of all nationalities – as long as you are willing and able to study in the Czech language. If you wish to enroll in a foreign language course, additional fees may apply. For example, the fees for English language programs average around CZK 108,334 (~US$4,500). Students should also expect to pay some fees for administration, and for any additional programs completed. Private institutions have different tuition fees, typically in the range of US$2,000-15,000 per year.

Life in the Czech Republic is generally much cheaper than in most Western countries. Expenses covering food, accommodation and public transportation should total around US$350-750 per month, though of course it depends on the lifestyle you are used to and your own budget. Prices can also vary depending on the city you choose to study in. However, it is safe to say that students coming from Western Europe or the US will be surprised by the affordable and yet high-quality lifestyle.

To support yourself whilst studying, you might like to find a part-time job. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need an employment permit, and students from other countries will need employment and residence permits. However, no employment permit is necessary from foreign students up to the age of 26 whose working days do not exceed seven successive calendar days or a total of 30 days within a calendar year.

Another way to help your funds is to find a scholarship – it’s always worth checking to see if your chosen university offers scholarships that would suit you.

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