Study and find schools in Czech Republic

Studying in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic (Czechia) is a Central European member of the European Union, with Prague as its capital and Brno, Olomouc, Pilsen and České Budějovice among its other university cities. According to Study in Czechia, the official portal for international students, the country has more than 50 universities and higher education institutions.

It is a popular destination for international students: around 55,000 international degree students studied in Czechia in 2023, 18% of all university students, according to Ministry of Education data quoted by Study in Czechia. More than 1,000 degree programmes are taught in English, and programmes taught in Czech are free of tuition at public universities for students of any nationality.

The education system

Higher education is offered by public, state and private institutions. Public universities make up most of the system; state institutions focus mainly on defence and security; private institutions set their own fees and admission conditions. Degrees follow the three-cycle structure, with about 60 ECTS credits per academic year:

• Bachelor's programmes: usually 3 to 4 years, leading to the title Bc. (BcA. in the arts)
• Follow-up Master's programmes: usually 1 to 3 years after a bachelor's degree, leading to titles such as Mgr. or Ing.
• Long-cycle Master's programmes: 4 to 6 years straight after secondary school, typical in medicine, veterinary medicine and law (titles such as MUDr. or MVDr.)
• Doctoral programmes: usually 3 to 4 years, leading to the Ph.D.

The National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education accredits institutions and programmes. The academic year has a winter semester starting in September or October and a summer semester starting in February.

Admission and recognition

There is no central application system: each university and faculty sets its own requirements and deadlines. For programmes starting in September, many applications close between February and April, entrance exams or interviews take place in spring or early summer, and results usually arrive by the end of June. Application fees are usually a few hundred Czech crowns, up to around 1,000 CZK.

Applicants with a foreign secondary school certificate usually need it recognised, either through general recognition (nostrification) by the competent Czech authority or, where the university offers it, within its own admission procedure, which is valid only for that university. Many Czech-taught programmes require at least B2 level Czech; several universities run one-year foundation programmes that prepare international students for degree study in Czech.

Student visa and residence

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland need no visa and can enter with a passport or national ID card; they must register their address with the Foreign Police within 30 working days if they stay longer than 30 days, unless their dormitory does it for them. Non-EU students, including students from Latin America, follow these steps (checked on Study in Czechia in October 2026):

• For stays of up to 90 days, such as summer schools, a short-term visa
• For a full degree, a long-term visa or long-term residence permit for study, applied for at a Czech embassy or consulate after admission; processing usually takes up to 60 days
• Typical documents include the acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, travel health insurance and, if required, a criminal record certificate
• Some universities nominate students for the Student Facilitation Programme, which gives students from selected non-EU countries a faster embassy appointment
• Within 3 working days of arrival, non-EU students register with the Foreign Police, unless their accommodation provider does it

A long-term study visa is valid for at most one year; students who stay longer apply for a long-term residence permit. Details are on the Ministry of the Interior's information portal for foreigners.

Costs

Czechia uses the Czech crown (CZK). Programmes taught in Czech at public and state institutions are tuition-free; programmes in English usually charge fees set by each faculty. At Masaryk University, for example, English-taught General Medicine costs 380,000 CZK a year and programmes at the Faculty of Informatics 4,500 EUR.

Study in Czechia estimates basic living costs at around €500 to €800 a month, more in Prague or Brno or in a private flat. A shared room in a student dormitory costs €160 to €330 a month and a room in a shared flat €250 to €500; a student canteen meal costs about €4, and a yearly student public transport pass €50 to €100.

Where to study

• Prague: the capital and one of the major student cities; AEP Academic Experience in Prague, the undergraduate study abroad programme of Charles University and CERGE-EI, teaches all its courses in English to students with a 3.0 GPA and three completed college semesters. The city also has Prague Film School
• Brno: another major student city, home to Masaryk University
• Olomouc: Palacký University, founded on 22 December 1573, is the second-oldest university in the country and the oldest in Moravia; in 2025 it had 2,677 international students from 88 countries and 180 programmes taught in foreign languages
• Pilsen: the University of West Bohemia, founded in 1991, has 9 faculties, 130 study programmes and about 12,000 students
• České Budějovice: the University of South Bohemia, established in 1991, has about 9,000 students in 8 faculties and more than 200 programmes

Working and practical life

Non-EU students on a full-time accredited degree programme do not need a separate work permit, although the employer must report the job. A common contract for regular part-time work during the semester allows up to an average of 20 hours a week. The national minimum wage was 134.40 CZK per hour in May 2026. After graduating, non-EU students can apply for a residence permit of up to 9 months to look for work or start a business.

Students from the EU can usually use their European Health Insurance Card; non-EU students staying more than 90 days usually need travel medical insurance covering comprehensive care for the whole stay. Trains link the main cities: a one-way ticket from Prague to Brno costs about €16.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to study in the Czech Republic?

Programmes taught in Czech at public and state universities are tuition-free for students of any nationality. Programmes in English usually charge tuition set by each faculty.

Do I need a visa to study in the Czech Republic?

EU citizens do not. Non-EU students need a short-term visa for stays of up to 90 days and a long-term visa or residence permit for a full degree.

How much does it cost to live in the Czech Republic as a student?

Study in Czechia estimates around €500 to €800 a month, more in Prague or Brno.

Can I work while studying?

Yes. Students on a full-time accredited degree do not need a separate work permit; part-time work is usually limited to an average of 20 hours a week under the common student contract.

When do I apply?

For programmes starting in September, many deadlines fall between February and April. Check each university's own deadline.