STUDY IN CZECH REPUBLIC
About Czech Republic
-
Location : Central Europe, southeast of Germany
-
Area :
total: 78,867 km2 (30,451 sq. mi)
land: 77,247 km2 (29,825 sq. mi)
water: 1,620 km2 (630 sq. mi) -
Area – comparative : slightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than Scotland
-
Capital & Largest City : Prague
-
Official Language : Czech
-
Currency : Czech Koruna (CZK)

Why Study in the Czech Republic?
If you decide to study in the Czech Republic, you will not only benefit from its perfect location in central Europe, but also from its membership to the European Union and the Schengen Area. You may enjoy visiting other parts of beautiful Europe without the need of visas while earning a degree.
The Czech Republic boasts the oldest academic institution in Central Europe – the Charles University in Prague, founded in 1348 – and it was Czech students and intellectuals who in 1989 led the Velvet Revolution, which wrested control of government from the socialist regime. As a result, higher education holds a special place in the history of the Czech Republic. Students who choose to study in the Czech Republic have the chance to experience a rich cultural heritage as well as one of the most exciting capital cities in modern Europe.
High quality education and research, especially in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. The Charles University in Prague was founded in 1348 and is the oldest university in the Central Europe. Quality assurance of various activities of higher education institutions belongs to the main priorities of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.
Czech universities offer long-standing reputations, unique conception and interesting specializations. Students can come for a short study visit or to complete their degree in a wide range of traditional as well as newly-emerging disciplines.
Over 37.000 foreign students are studying at Czech higher education institutions and their interest is growing as the offer of study programmes in foreign language (especially in English) is increasing. Czech universities are more and more involved in a wide range of international cooperation activities and programmes taking place in the European Union and other countries.
Studying in the Czech Republic puts you in the middle of Europe and you have a great chance to discover all European countries and places you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to visit.
Due to its geographic location the Czech Republic is situated in the intersection of many cultures. The country’s culture was historically formed mainly by Slavonic, German (Austrian) and Jewish influence, which resulted in a rich Central-European culture heritage and lifestyle. The Czech Republic is sure to entertain you in between your studies!
The costs of living in Czech Republic are not as high as the cost in Western Europe and the life is thus more affordable.
Universities and Colleges in Czech Republic

Education System
The Czech degree structure is similar to that of the United States. Degree programs are as follows:
Degree structure
Higher education institutions offer accredited degree programmes at three levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral, as well as lifelong learning courses. Higher education institutions can be either university or non-university types. Traditional university-type institutions may offer all types of degree programmes while non-university institutions are characterised by providing mainly Bachelor’s degree programmes. The documents confirming the completion of studies and the right to the appropriate academic title are the higher education diploma and the supplement to the diploma.
Bachelor’s degree programmes are 3 to 4 years in duration and constitute the first level of higher education. The study programme must be completed with a final state examination, which usually includes the presentation and defence of a thesis. Successful graduates may enter the labour market or continue their studies in follow-up Master’s programmes in related fields.
Master’s degree programmes may either follow on from Bachelor’s programmes as follow-up Master’s programmes (1 to 3 years), or they may be full programmes (4 to 6 years). Programmes focus on the acquisition and application of theoretical knowledge, and on the development of creativity and talent. Graduates in Master’s programmes have to take a final state examination and publicly present and defend a thesis. Studies in medicine, veterinary medicine and hygiene are completed by a demanding state examination, including the presentation and defence of a rigorous thesis.
Doctoral programmes (normally last 3 years) are intended for graduates from Master’s programmes and focus on independent creative work in research, development or the arts. Doctoral studies are completed by way of a state doctoral examination and the public presentation and defence of a doctoral thesis (dissertation) based on original work, which must have been published or admitted for publishing.
Institution | Type of education | Length (years) | Ages |
---|---|---|---|
Tertiary professional school |
Tertiary professional education |
3 – 3,5 |
19 – 21/22 |
Higher education institution, |
Bachelor |
3 – 4 |
19 – 22/23 |
Higher education institution, university type |
Doctoral studies |
3 – 4 |
– |
Some institutions provide also study programmes leading to the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA). This study is oriented on solving real-life case studies and should enhance managerial knowledge and skills of students.
The country is home to over 70 public and private academic institutions of higher education, and many offer Czech language courses designed specifically for foreign students.
Admission to Czech universities and colleges is available to all students who have completed their secondary education and successfully passed an entrance exam (each institution specifies their own exam). Most Czech institutions have adopted the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, which allows easy credit and degree transfer to institutions throughout Europe.
Education Cost
Unlike in private institutions, tuition fees at public higher education institutions in the Czech Republic vary depending on the language of instruction of the course or study program.
For studies in Czech language, students are exempted from paying tuition fees. For studies in English or any other foreign language, public as well as private institutions charge tuition fees starting at approximately EUR 1000 per semester.
Furthermore, public institutions may charge non-refundable registration fees of approximately EUR 20 (CZK 500) following the rules as set forth by the Czech Republic Higher Education Act, while private institutions are free to decide the amount of registration fees payable by students.
Best course to study in Czech Republic

Skill Shortage
Czech Republic: Skills forecasts up to 2025
The European Commission forecasts GDP growth for the Czech Republic of 2.5% in 2015 and 2.6% in 2016.
According to Cedefop’s skills supply and demand forecasts (see scenario assumptions), economic growth will have positive effects on job growth in the Czech Republic, however employment is not expected to reach its 2008 pre-crisis level by 2025 (Figure 1). This is slower than employment growth forecast for the EU as a whole, where average employment is expected to reach its pre-crisis level in 2020.
Cedefop’s forecasts give insights on job opportunities between now and 2025. Total job opportunities are the sum of newly created jobs (expansion demand) and job opportunities arising because of the need to replace people who either go on to other jobs or leave the labour market, for example due to retirement (replacement demand). Often, replacement demand provides more job opportunities than expansion demand, which means that there will still be job opportunities even if the overall level of employment falls. Relatively slow job growth and an ageing labour force mean that between now and 2025 replacement demand in the Czech Republic is forecast to provide almost all job opportunities.
In the Czech Republic, most job opportunities, around 22%, will be for professionals (high level occupations in science, engineering healthcare, business and teaching), followed by around 17% for technicians and associate professionals (occupations applying scientific or artistic concepts, operational methods and regulations in engineering, healthcare, business and the public sector) (Figure 3). Job opportunities forecast for clerical support workers (workers who record, organise, store, compute and retrieve information, and perform several clerical duties in connection with money-handling operations, travel arrangements, requests for information, and appointments) in the Czech Republic, around 11%, is higher than the EU average of 9% for this occupational group.
The economic crisis reduced employment in almost all sectors, notably in manufacturing and construction between 2008 and 2013 (Figure 2). However, employment in business and other services increased over the same period. Future employment growth in the Czech Republic up to 2025 will be in business and other services, non-marketed (largely public sector) services, and distribution and transport. The employment share of the manufacturing, construction and primary sectors is forecast to continue to fall, but at a much slower rate.
Average Income
Average Salary in the Czech Republic – Job and Sector Comparison.
Job | Net Monthly Income constant 2005 US$ (1) | Notes | Gross Monthly Average Income (2) | Compulsory Deduction (3) | Weekly Hours (4) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flight Attendant average income | PPP $1,671 | $1,092 | Excl. bonuses, 2005. | 37,797 | korunas | 31% | 35.5 |
Computer Programmer average income | PPP $1,621 | $1,059 | Insurance industry, Excl. bonuses, 2005. | 36,682 | korunas | 31% | 39.1 |
Engineer average income | PPP $1,540 | $1,006 | Chemical engineer, Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 33,851 | korunas | 29% | 36.9 |
General Physician average income | PPP $1,471 | $961 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 32,349 | korunas | 29% | 40.2 |
Accountant average salary | PPP $1,421 | $928 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 31,237 | korunas | 29% | 38.0 |
Fire-fighter average income | PPP $1,280 | $837 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 27,761 | korunas | 28% | 39.4 |
Dentist average income | PPP $1,070 | $699 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 22,574 | korunas | 26% | 31.9 |
Teacher average income | PPP $1,042 | $681 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 21,679 | korunas | 25% | 37.9 |
Professor average income | PPP $1,012 | $661 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 21,064 | korunas | 25% | 33.5 |
Bus Driver average income | PPP $949 | $620 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 19,758 | korunas | 25% | 43.3 |
Miner average income | PPP $935 | $611 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 18,952 | korunas | 23% | 41.0 |
Wood Grinder average income | PPP $918 | $600 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 18,606 | korunas | 23% | 37.5 |
Professional Nurse average income | PPP $890 | $582 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 18,048 | korunas | 23% | 38.6 |
Physiotherapist average income | PPP $761 | $498 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 15,238 | korunas | 22% | 38.6 |
Office Clerk average income | PPP $740 | $483 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 14,804 | korunas | 22% | 37.5 |
Carpenter average income | PPP $735 | $480 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 14,704 | korunas | 22% | 42.1 |
Hotel Receptionist average income | PPP $700 | $458 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 14,014 | korunas | 22% | 38.5 |
Car Mechanic average income | PPP $696 | $455 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 13,933 | korunas | 22% | 40.7 |
Auxiliary Nurse average income | PPP $643 | $420 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 12,704 | korunas | 21% | 39.3 |
Postman average income | PPP $638 | $417 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 12,599 | korunas | 21% | 35.5 |
Garment Cutter average income | PPP $581 | $379 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 11,328 | korunas | 20% | 37.4 |
Furniture Finisher average income | PPP $538 | $352 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 10,500 | korunas | 20% | 38.1 |
Baker average income | PPP $514 | $336 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 10,031 | korunas | 20% | 40.9 |
Salesperson average income | PPP $481 | $314 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 9,376 | korunas | 20% | 40.9 |
Chambermaid average income | PPP $444 | $290 | Excl. bonuses, 2005 | 8,660 | korunas | 20% | 36.6 |
Sector | |||||||
Financial average income | PPP $1,587 | $967 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 34,853 | korunas | 31% | |
Gas-Electricity-Water average income | PPP $1,097 | $669 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 22,466 | korunas | 26% | 39.1 |
Mining-Quarrying average income | PPP $1,050 | $640 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 21,202 | korunas | 25% | 39.7 |
Transport-Communication average income | PPP $940 | $573 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 18,488 | korunas | 23% | |
Real Estate average income | PPP $934 | $569 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 18,367 | korunas | 23% | |
All Sectors average income | PPP $866 | $527 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 17,030 | korunas | 23% | |
Manufacturing average income | PPP $842 | $513 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 16,560 | korunas | 23% | 40.6 |
Education average income | PPP $831 | $506 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 16,343 | korunas | 23% | |
Construction average income | PPP $815 | $497 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 16,039 | korunas | 23% | |
Hotels-Restaurants average income | PPP $518 | $316 | Excl. bonuses, 2004 | 9,806 | korunas | 20% |
Admission Process
Students should apply directly to the university of their choice. Universities are independent bodies and have their own requirements and application deadlines. The deadline for submitting applications is usually between February and April. Students may apply for several study programmes at various universities and faculties.
In general, the application process is as follows:
Choose the study programme and check its specific requirements (browse the website of the selected university or use our sources)
Apply for admission directly to the university of your choice: fill in the application form (universities usually use the system of electronic applications which simply guides the student through the whole procedure; you may be asked to attach specific documents or send these by post)
Pay the application fee
The next steps will be communicated to you through the online application system and by a letter/email from the university.
For international applicants there are usually no entrance examinations and applicants‘ materials are assessed by an applications committee. If there are entrance examinations, these are mostly held between June and September, earlier for Arts studies.
If you have degrees issued abroad and wish to enroll at the university in the Czech Republic, you are required to obtain an official document confirming that your degree is recognised in the Czech Republic.
Document Required
What documents will be required?
Sr.no | Documents |
---|---|
1 |
All applications must be made in person. Postal applications will not be accepted. |
2 |
Please note that only applications with all of the supporting documents as specified below will be accepted. |
3 |
All original documents have to be presented with a photocopy. You won’t be able to make them once you are inside the premises. Otherwise the originals will not be returned. |
4 |
Each applicant needs to present a separate application form and a separate set of documents. |
5 |
Applicants can apply up to 3 months before planned travel, but at least 15 days before planned travel. |
6 |
An original application form completed legibly and signed by the applicant or the legal guardian for children. (Each child endorsed in a passport and also travelling needs to present a separate application form with a photograph and birth certificate.) |
7 |
A passport valid for at least 90 days beyond the validity of the requested visa (with a blank visa page to affix the visa sticker).Passport must be issued within the last 10 years. |
8 |
Photocopy of your passport (only the data page with your photograph, signature and passport validity. |
9 |
One recent passport photograph (please attach your photograph with glue, do not staple). |
10 |
Proof of your current occupation or your student status (either a recent original letter from your employer, solicitor, Company House or Chamber of Commerce or for students a recent original letter from your school, college or university. Please note that pay slips, work contracts and Student ID cards are not accepted). |
11 |
Proof of sufficient financial funds to cover the cost of your intended stay, e.g. a recent bank statement with your name, amounting to a minimum of GBP 30.00 for each day of your stay, traveller’s cheques, a credit card etc. Please note that cash is no acceptable proof. |
12 |
Proof of valid travel insurance (including Terms and Conditions) covering medical expenses, including emergency hospital treatment and repatriation, for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area, also mentioning name of the person, period of cover and medical coverage (minimum GBP 20,000). A policy number only is not sufficient. |
13 |
Alternatively, you can submit a Letter of Invitation certified by the Alien and Border Police in the Czech Republic as proof of financial funds and travel insurance. |
14 |
Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in the Schengen area. |
15 |
The applicable visa fee. |
16 |
If you wish to have the passport returned by mail, pre-paid self-addressed Special Delivery Envelope. |
Scholarship
General information on the scholarship programme:
The Government of the Czech Republic offers scholarships within the framework of its Foreign Development Assistance in support of the study of foreign nationals from developing countries at public institutions of higher education in the Czech Republic.
These so called Government Scholarships are designed to cover the standard length of study:
1) in Bachelor/Master/Doctoral study programmes plus one-year preparatory course of the Czech language(which is combined with other field-specific training). Government scholarships of this category are awarded to graduates from upper secondary schools, or Bachelor’s/Master’s degree courses, as applicable, who can enrol only in study programmes in which instruction is given in the Czech language. Depending on the subject area, applicants are normally required to sit entrance examinations at the higher education institution concerned. Successful passing of entrance examinations constitutes a precondition for the scholarship award;
or
2) in follow-up Master study programmes or Doctoral study programmes. Government scholarships of this category are awarded to graduates of Bachelor or Master study programmes, respectively, who enrol in study programmes with instruction in the English language.
Field(s) of Study and Host Institutions:
Scholarships are provided in the field of Economics, Agriculture, Informatics, Environment and Energetics at public institutions of higher universities in the Czech Republic. See the scholarship guidelines (link found below) for the full list of programmes covered by the government scholarship program.
Target group:
The scholarships are dedicated solely to promoting the studies of adults who are foreign nationals from developing third countries in need. Neither a citizen of the Czech Republic, nor a citizen of the European Union, nor any other foreign national with a permanent residence permit on the territory of the Czech Republic may therefore apply for the scholarship. Furthermore, the scholarships may not be granted to persons younger than 18. (The applicant has to turn 18 as of 1 September of the year when s/he commences studies in the Czech Republic at the latest.)
Application instructions:
Prospective applicants are advised to address their inquiries concerning, among others, their eligibility and closing date for applications to the Czech Embassies in their countries.
Scholarship applications can only be filed on-line. The scholarship application form is available at the official website. The deadline for applications is by 30 September of the year prior to the given academic year at the latest. Some students can file their applications with the respective National UNESCO Commissions. For contact information on individual local offices see http://www.unesco.org/ (and search under the heading Communities, National Commissions).
It is important to read the scholarship guidelines and visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
FAQs

Cost of Living
With living costs in the Czech Republic substantially cheaper than anywhere in Western Europe, this Bohemian paradise is offered at a discount. Government estimates place total food, housing, and transportation costs for students in the Czech Republic at only 350-750 USD per month.
Additionally, students are encouraged to acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which provides discounts for restaurants, cinemas, museums, concerts, and more.
Foreign students are eligible for a number of scholarships, including those offered by specific institutions and the European Union. The Czech government offers financial aid scholarships to foreign students through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and within the framework of the Foreign Development Aid.
You have several options for arranging accommodation while studying in the Czech Republic. Some universities provide student dormitories or you can arrange your own housing in a private flat. The costs will depend on the location and quality of the accommodation.
Most universities in the Czech Republic offer students the possibility of being accommodated in dormitories. Single rooms are rare, so you will probably share the room with a room-mate. The accommodation is usually apartment-type, consisting of two twin rooms with a shared kitchenette, shower and toilet. Rooms are usually equipped with all basic furniture items (bed, desk, chair and shelves). Kitchens are equipped with a cooker, refrigerator, running water and basic kitchen furniture. The rest, like curtains, carpets, blankets, pillows, cleaning equipment, dishes, water boilers, toasters etc., is up to the student.
Prices vary but an average monthly fee is around 120 EUR per month in the room with roommates (usually two people living in one room). Prices include bedding and bed linen, access to a shared kitchenette or kitchen and bathroom facilities, and utility costs.
Students can also find their own private accommodation, usually either a room in a shared flat, or a flat. It is common for international students to share bigger flats especially in the city centre. This is a good option to take after you have settled in and know your way around. Own housing has the advantage of choosing your flat mates and the area.
Prices depend on size, location and the equipment of the flat. The rent is about 500-800 EUR per month for a 2–3 bedroom flat. A room in a private flat will cost cca 250 EUR per month. Be prepared to pay a deposit as well. It will be returned to you upon your departure, provided that the accommodation is left in acceptable condition.