Study in the Czech Republic

Located in Central Europe, the Czech Republic is known for its blend of traditional, gothic and modern architecture. It is also home to 12 of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Czech Republic covers an area of 78,866 square kilometres and is home to 10.6 million people.

The country has a fascinating history, and it was the only place in Central Europe to remain a democracy between World War I and World War II. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved and created 2 countries, one of which we now know as the Czech Republic.

Why Study in the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic is a well developed country, with a rich economy founded on an export-oriented social market. It is also a member of the EU, and bordered by 4 well known European countries. This make it a perfect location for international students to gain their education, with access to industry based job opportunities.

Whilst the official language is Czech, thousands of courses are taught in English throughout higher education institutions. There is a mixture of public and private universities, as well as 2 state institutions. Across these institutions, there are more than 43,000 international students.

The Czech Republic has a high quality education system, specialising in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. It is home to the oldest university in Central Europe, The Charles University in Prague, founded in 1348. Ranked in the top 20 countries in the world for its education system, the Czech Republic is the ideal destination for international students wanting to study abroad!

Cost of Studying and Living in the Czech Republic

Although it is in the EU, the Czech Republic uses the Czech Koruna (CZK) as its currency.

Study Expenses

International students wanting to study in English will have to pay a tuition fee. This applies whether they go to a public, state or private university. These fees can vary between being free, and costing up to $22,350 per year.

Living Expenses

Most large universities have their own dormitories. These will cost around $150 per month, depending on the choice of university. For information regarding individual accommodation costs, please refer to your university of choice – links can be found at the bottom of the page. If you would prefer to live in private accommodation, costs will be higher. For example, a private room in a flat can cost around $250 per month, and a private flat can cost around $450 per month.

You can eat out at a restaurant from 130 CZK/$5.90, and lunch in a student canteen will cost around 50 CZK/$2.30. The cost of entertainment is also reasonable. For example an average cinema ticket costs between 100-200 CZK/$4-$9, and average fitness centre admission starts from 100 CZK/$4.50.
There is an International Student Identity Card available for all students. Having this card allows you to get discounts for transport, restaurants and many other exciting things. You should obtain this card from your home country, or you can find more information and apply on their website.

If you are from a country outside of the EU and are not coming from the countries listed below, you may need to purchase comprehensive health insurance. This applies if you are staying in the Czech Republic for longer than 90 days. It is important that this is acquired, as proof of your health insurance policy will be required when you apply for your visa. There are certain insurance companies that are certified to provide insurance policies for international students, and you should be sure that your insurance covers all appropriate requirements. There is often a discount for students aged 17-26.

Countries outside of the EU that are exempt from purchasing health insurance cover:

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia
Cuba
Japan
Macedonia
Montenegro
Turkey
Serbia
USA

Study and Work in the Czech Republic

Working during your studies is a great way to pay for education and enjoy your free time. However, students from outside of the EU should be aware that if they are in the Czech Republic on a student visa, paid work cannot be your primary occupation. If you are studying a programme accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, you will not need an employment permit. If you are on any other programmes, you are required to obtain an employment permit and a resident permit, or an Employee Card or Blue Card.

Students coming from an EU country or Switzerland do not need an employment permit, Employee Card or Blue Card in order to gain employment. This also applies to students from outside of the EU who are in the Czech Republic on a student exchange programme such as Erasmus.

Visas

Students from an EU country or Switzerland do not have to obtain a student visa to study in the Czech Republic. They do however have a reporting duty if their stay is going to be longer than 30 days. If this is the case, they are to report to the nearest Foreign Police Department. This does not always apply to students staying in student dormitories, but you should check with your university of choice.

Students from countries outside of the EU need to obtain a student visa to be able to study and live in the Czech Republic. There are several different types of visas, and all are appropriate for different situations. You should get a short-term visa if your stay is going to be less than 90 days, and a long term visa if your stay is going to be longer than 90 days. If your studies are going to keep you in the Czech Republic for longer than one year, you should apply for a long-term residence permit for study purposes.

When submitting your application for your visa, you are usually required to include these documents:

Application form
Letter of acceptance for studies
Valid passport and passport photos
Proof of financial resources (bank account statement, proof of grant/tuition support or sponsorship etc)
Valid international health insurance
Confirmation of guaranteed accommodation
Abstract from the Register of Criminal Records

Some of the above documents need to be translated into Czech language by a translator with an official rubber stamp.

Visa regulations are subject to change, so to make sure you have the most up to date information regarding your visa application process, please visit the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic at: http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx

Language

In order to study a degree programme in English, you need to have a high level of English language skills. Most universities in the Czech Republic will require proof that your language skills are up to a certain standard. This will allow you to succeed and make the most out of your degree programme.

If your English skills do not meet the required standard, it is common for universities to offer programmes that can help to improve your standards. These will be listed on the university website, and will range in price depending on the institution of choice.

Cities

Prague

Home to around 1.3 million people, Prague is the largest city in the Czech Republic and its capital city. It has a rich history, which is displayed in its varying architectural styles. The historic centre of Prague is even a UNESCO World Heritage site!

It is a popular tourist destination, ranked as the fifth most visited European city. This large influx of tourists means that the city has been well developed and has an extensive public transportation system. This will make it easily accessible for international students wanting to explore.

Located in Prague is the oldest university in Central Europe, Charles University in Prague. It also boasts 9 public universities and 36 private universities. Many of these universities provide programmes taught in English. These institutions are well suited to students looking for programmes in business, finance and economics, science and technology, arts and plenty of other disciplines.

Brno

The second largest city in the Czech Republic, Brno is the justice centre of the country. It is also home to 13 higher education institutions, and around 89,000 students.

Brno is now an important university city, and hosts many research and development institutes. There are also plenty of employment opportunities post studying, with lots of companies focused on engineering, software development and development basing themselves in Brno.

There are universities that focus on technical and technology disciplines, and an academy of music and performing arts. Mendel University, home to 10,000 students, is named after the founder of genetics Gregor Mendel.

Ostrava

Second only to Prague, Ostrava is the largest urban area in the Czech Republic. It has a long industry-based history, with its status as a coal mining and metallurgical centre. Despite this industrial background, the city is now a modern and cultural city, with theatres, galleries and other cultural facilities. In 2014, Ostrava was a European City of Sport and has held many major sporting events since way back in 1986! There are a wealth of opportunities for international students to immerse themselves into the sporting culture, as well as enjoying the music and arts events and facilities Ostrava has to offer.

The city has 2 public universities, offering English taught full programmes in a variety of disciplines. They also offer opportunities for exchange students to spend a year studying in the Czech Republic.

Universities in the Czech Republic

Browse universities in the Czech Republic using the map. You can also select a university from the list below to view more information about the institution, its location and the courses offered.

View all Courses in the Czech Republic