Czech Republic
Dec 21, 2022
Study in Czech Republic
The World of Learners, Tradition, Castles, and Expats
Known as the most castle-rich country in Europe, with around half a million internationals living there, the Czech Republic or Czechia, is quite welcoming to foreigners. For international students, studying in the Czech Republic means receiving high-quality education, living in one of the safest countries in the world, and being spoiled with the most magnificent views of the country's ancient cities, national parks and castles.
The Czech Republic gained independence at the beginning of 1993. Its capital is Prague and it is home to one of the top-ranked universities in the world, that is Charles University. The Czech Republic has had a history of offering high-quality education to all its students - national and international.
Apart from its reputation on education, the Czech Republic also has a reputation for the best location, enabling international students to not only visit the beauties of the country itself but to also explore the surrounding countries and enjoy some of the panoramic beauties of Europe. The ancient castles, cities, gorgeous lakes of the country are a bonus sight to see.
The Czech Republic was ranked as the 8th most peaceful country globally by the Global Peace Index 2020.
Did you know that the famous novelist, Franz Kafka, was born in Prague, Czechia?
Universities in the Czech Republic have always strived to develop collaboration with other countries and as a result, the Czech Republic is one of the program countries of Erasmus. The study programs of the country are many including here Architecture, Finance, Animal Welfare and Protection etc. The high quality of study programs in the Czech Republic is especially seen in study programs such as Medicine, Engineering and Sciences.
Czech Education has a history that dates back to the 14th century. One positive thing about it is that everybody in the country has the opportunity to acquire education. People who benefit from the higher education system in the country are also international students who speak the Czech language and can continue their studies in this language free of charge.
Thanks to its geographical location, many say that the Czech Republic is located in the heart of Europe. For this reason, the country makes a great starting point for anyone who wants to travel and see more of Europe. The countries that border the Czech Republic are Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. Not that the country itself lacks beautiful landscapes for international students to visit, but students have the opportunity to cross the border after having visited Czech Republic’s treasures.
The country has a rich history and cultural heritage. People you may know that come from the Czech Republic are Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, Martina Navrátilová. One thing that adds to the rich cultural history of the Czech Republic is its many castles. Each packed with history waiting to be learned and explored.
The Czech Republic is an ideal place for international students when it comes to safety. The country has been ranked in the top 10 safest countries in the world. The crime rates are low and Czechs do not tend to be aggressive physically or verbally. In fact, they are quite friendly with foreigners.
The Czech Republic has adopted the Bologna Process in its higher education system, same as many other European countries. The Bologna Process introduces a three-cycle system consisting of bachelor, master and doctoral studies. Degree programs can either take place in the universities, or students can learn remotely (which is a rare form), or their studies can be a combination of both (which is a common form).
In total, there are around 60 higher education institutions in the Czech Republic. From these institutions, there are around 18 universities that have scored high in global rankings. The best-ranked universities are Charles University, Masaryk University, Palacký University, Brno University of Technology and the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Normally, requirements differ depending on the university and the field of study that the student chooses. So, it is important that students check the website of the university they are thinking of applying to. Usually, students find all the requirements on the website.
However, to begin your studies in the Czech Republic you should meet the financial requirements (for self-funding students), gain admission to a university, and lastly, if you are a student coming from a third country you will need a visa to enter the Czech Republic. Depending on which language you are going to study, proof of language proficiency is also needed.
One great thing about higher education in the Czech Republic is that by its laws, all citizens who wish to continue their studies in the Czech language at a public or state institution are exempt from paying tuition fees. However, there are some exceptions, including fees for studying in a foreign language, administration fees, or fees for extending the duration of study without a set limit. Note that private universities can set their own fees.
Living costs in the Czech Republic are considered to be quite affordable. They do depend on the city you are going to live in and of course, your lifestyle and spending habits, nonetheless international students can expect to pay from Kč 7,506 ($350) to Kč 16,086 ($750) per month including meals, accommodation, cultural activities and public transport.
If you already know what study program you wish to pursue, your application process begins with step two, and that is choosing a university that delivers the program of your interest. After choosing the university the procedure gets more simple since you can now refer to the university website or contact them directly for more details about the application procedure.
Usually, you can find all the necessary information on the website however, the main basic documents that are required when applying are a filled-in application form, certified copies of previous educational qualifications, proof of administration fee payment, language proficiency certificate, your CV as well as a motivation letter.
Accommodation is probably one of the primary concerns for students who want to continue their studies abroad. Fortunately, Czech Republic Universities offer their students opportunities for student accommodation in their dormitories. This type of accommodation includes a shared room which may cost around Kč 2,574 ($120). Other types of accommodation include private rooms in a flat and they typically cost around Kč 5,363 ($250).
Except for student dormitories and private rooms in a flat, international students can also choose to accommodate in a private apartment. This option is more costly. You can expect to pay from Kč 9,656($450) to Kč 17,164 ($800) for a private apartment. Note that these prices are not fixed and may vary depending on the city you have decided to live in.