About 44,000 foreign students are currently studying at universities in the Czech Republic. Programs are taught in Czech, English and other foreign languages.

Studying in Czech at public universities in the Czech Republic is free of charge for everyone, including foreign students. You must pass the Czech language certification exam (CCE) before you can enter the university. In addition to the Czech Republic, you can take the exam in more than 15 other countries. The required language level is B2, and C1 for some programs. Many universities offer a one-year language course to prepare you for studying in Czech and taking the entrance exam. There are also preparatory programs for a specific field of study (economics, medicine, technology and IT, natural sciences, art, architecture, humanities).

The Czech higher education system, which has existed for 600 years, today includes more than 70 universities, of which about 2/3 are private.

5 best universities in the Czech Republic

1.Charles University in Prague (Univerzita Karlova v Praze)

Charles University was founded in 1348 by the Emperor, King of Bohemia Charles IV of Luxembourg and remains the largest university in the country with more than 50 thousand students. It cooperates with 200 universities around the world. The university campus is located in Prague.

Charles University includes 17 faculties and offers more than 600 study programs. The programs are available in English, German, Russian or French at an affordable price. All programs in Czech language are free of charge. Students can study for 7 years (6+1) for free. If they do not complete their studies by the end of the 7th year, they will have to pay a certain amount when they enter the 8th year.

2.Czech Technical University in Prague (Ceske vysoke uceni technicke v Praze)

The Czech Technical University is the oldest European technical university. It was founded in 1707 in Prague by Austrian Emperor Joseph I. There are about 24 thousand students studying here. The structure includes 8 faculties with more than 100 study programs, mainly in engineering and related fields. The main campus is located in the Dejvice district of Prague. Teaching is conducted in Czech, English.

3. Masarykova University in Brno (Masarykova univerzita)

Masaryk University is the 2nd largest public university in the country, located in Brno, the second largest city in the country. Founded in 1919, it is a member of the Compostela University Group and the Utrecht Network Association, which promotes cooperation between universities across Europe. The university includes 10 faculties, offers educational programs in English and German languages. The institution has 36 thousand students.

4. Brno Technical University (Vysoke uceni technicke v Brne)

Brno Technical University was opened in 1899 in Brno. Initially the university offered one course of study in civil engineering, but over time it has become a large academic institution with 8 faculties, where 22,000 students are enrolled in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

To support internationalization, the university participates in EU projects such as Erasmus, Leonardo, Tempus and others. It offers a number of programs in English from bachelor's to doctoral level, mainly in the field of engineering.

5. Palacký University in Olomouc (Univerzita Palackeho v Olomouci)

Palacký University in Olomouc is the second oldest university in the Czech Republic, founded in 1573 in Olomouc. The university consists of 8 faculties with about 25,000 students in 270 study programs and 3 international research centers within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

Applying to study at a university in the Czech Republic

The basic prerequisite for admission to study at universities in the Czech Republic is successful completion of the previous level of study, i.e. high school diploma for bachelor's degree programs, bachelor's degree for further master's degree programs, master's degree for postgraduate, doctoral studies. In addition to certified copies of academic credentials, minimum admission requirements typically include a completed and submitted application, proof of payment of the application fee, and eligibility for a specific academic program (e.g., letter of recommendation, portfolio, English language proficiency test).

Students may apply to multiple academic programs at different universities and departments. The application deadline is usually the end of February or March. Most institutions of higher education offer the possibility to apply electronically online on their official websites. Most universities require applicants to take an entrance examination, which usually takes place between June and September.

Assessment methods vary from university to university and depend on the field of study. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is used by most Czech universities, which allows the transfer of course grades within the country and across Europe as a whole.

Cost of studying at universities in the Czech Republic

Higher education at all Czech public universities is free of charge for everyone, including foreign students, on study programs in the Czech language. Additional fees are charged for courses in a foreign language. Fees for English language programs average CZK 108340 ($4500). International students may qualify for scholarships.

Registration fees, fees for extensions beyond the limit, and foreign language fees may apply. Private institutions charge varying tuition fees, usually in the range of $2000-15000 per year depending on the institution and curriculum.

Conclusion

Higher education at Czech public universities in the Czech language is free of charge for all students. Study programs taught in English or another foreign language have a fee.