Is it a good idea to study in Czech Republic? : Learn various aspects about studying in the Czech Republic, such as cost of living, student visa, free degrees and university options.
Have you considered the Czech Republic as a potential study destination in Europe? If not, perhaps you will consider this option after this text. Located in Central Europe, it is a developed country of just 78,800 km² and approximately 10 million inhabitants.
Is it a good idea to study in Czech Republic?
University of the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has some of the oldest universities on the continent and in the world, such as the Carolina University of Prague (Charles University), founded in 1348.
Cost of living in Prague
Life in Prague, the capital and also the largest city in the country, is significantly cheaper than several of the most popular metropolises in Europe, such as London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona and even Lisbon, a city with a cost of recognizably accessible life.
The Numbeo website stipulates that a person spends an average of R$2,426.72 monthly in Prague, not counting renting a property. In London, this estimate rises to R$4,169.10.
Furthermore, its official currency is the Czech crown (CZK), devalued in relation to the real, unlike the pound sterling and the euro. One crown is equivalent to approximately R$0.17, depending on the price.
Life as a university student is also cheaper in the country than in other major study destinations. According to the Study in Czech Republic website, a student dormitory costs just US$150 per month and bus tickets cost just US$1.
Where is the Czech Republic?
Thanks to its central location in Europe, the Czech Republic finds itself at the intersection of different cultures, mainly thanks to its neighbors Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia, with Slavic, German and Jewish historical influences. The result is a country with a culturally rich heritage and lifestyle. Furthermore, the Czech Republic is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, an area of “freedom, security and justice” for the immigration and asylum policies of member countries.
The list of important Czech figures around the world is impressive: Freud, the creator of psychoanalysis; Gregor Mendel, founder of modern genetic science; John Amoz Comenius, father of modern didactics; writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera; and many, many others.
The icing on the cake are its 12 historic sites protected by Unesco, including Kromeriz Castle and the historic center of Prague.
Curiosities: The Czech Republic was the birthplace of countless revolutionary inventions, such as contact lenses, fingerprints, cell theory, blood type classification, the word “robot”, polarography, lightning rods, ship propellers, among others.
Where to live in the Czech Republic?
Most Czech universities offer some form of academic dormitory to their students, from shared to individual rooms, although these are much scarcer. The options tend to be similar to apartments, with two or more bedrooms and a shared bathroom and kitchen. Communal spaces are generally already furnished and have basic items such as a stove, refrigerator and kitchen utensils. Additional utensils are the student’s responsibility, for example, pillows and bedding, cleaning equipment, dishes, among others.
As usual, there is also the possibility of renting private accommodation, be it an apartment, a house, a studio, etc. When living outside the university campus, you have more freedom to choose the region and your roommates , in addition to being able to adopt a more independent lifestyle.
Due to the cost of €500 to €800 per month to rent a flat with two or three bedrooms, the most common option is to share a property with other students. A room in a shared flat costs approximately €250 per month.
Study options in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has a long history of high-quality teaching and research, especially in the areas of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Its higher education is part of the 20 best educational systems in the world, made up of more than 70 higher education institutions in more than 20 cities.
Currently, there are more than 44,000 international students enrolled in the country on courses of all types, from undergraduate and postgraduate courses to exchange programs, summer programs, Czech courses and continuing education.
Czech institutions are divided between 26 public universities, 35 private universities and two state institutions. The most famous among them are:
- Carolina University in Prague
- Masaryk University
- Palacký University Olomouc
- Brno University of Technology
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague
Higher education in the Czech Republic
The academic year in the Czech Republic is divided into two semesters (or terms, as they are often called abroad): autumn, from September to February; and spring, from February to June. So classes always start in the middle of the year.
Traditional academic courses have the following durations:
- Bachelor’s degrees: three to four years
- Masters: from one to three years
- Doctorates: normally three years
At Czech universities, students can combine a bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree and complete both levels in four to six years, as is the case in the area of Medicine. MBAs are also popular in the country and can be studied in different areas of specialization, such as Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and Statistics.
Czech Republic: language
Higher education in the Czech Republic has more than 1,000 accredited academic programs taught in the English language. This means that, depending on your course of interest, you can study at a Czech university without having to learn the very difficult national language.
Just like in Germany, degrees in public and state institutions are completely free for all citizens of any nationality! Foreign students only pay some standard fees for enrollment or when they exceed the limit for the duration of their stay for studies in a foreign language. The only problem is that to be free the course must be studied in Czech.
If you want to take an academic course in English in the Czech Republic, the experience will be paid; Still, prices are much more affordable than in other destinations. Tuition fees vary widely between institutions, from free options to $22,000 per year, depending on your field of study.
According to the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Brasilia, all of the following universities have some type of bachelor’s degree programs taught in English:
- Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
- Brno University of Technology
- Charles University in Prague – Faculties of Charles University
- CERGE-EI
- CMC Graduate School of Business (MBA)
- College of Public Administration and International Relations
- Czech Technical University
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
- Institute of Finance and Administration (MBA)
- Institute for Industrial and Financial Management (MBA)
- Masaryk University
- New Anglo-American College in Prague
- Palacky University in Olomouc
- Silesian University in Opava
- Technical University of Liberec
- University of Economics, Prague
- University of Hradec Kralove
- University of New York in Prague
- University of Pardubice
- University of Pittsburg EMBA Prague
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice
- University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
- US Business School Prague (MBA)
- VSB – Technical University of Ostrava
Working while studying in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, international students enrolled in academic courses have the right to work part-time during their studies. However, the offer of places is limited due to the requirement to be fluent in Czech, although there are places for those who are fluent in English. Even if you get an opportunity, it is always advisable to know at least the basics of the national language.
The minimum wage for full-time jobs (40 hours per week) is CZK 11,000 per month or CZK 66 per hour. Part-time positions usually pay an average of CZK 100 per hour.
Student visa for the Czech Republic
You will need a student visa to study in the Czech Republic. The request must be made at an embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic, with the presentation of the following documents:
- Application form
- Admission letter
- Valid passport and photos
- Proof of financial resources for your stay
- Confirmation of accommodation in the Czech Republic
- International health insurance
- Criminal Record Certificate
There are two types of visa: short-term for 90 days and long-term for stays of more than 90 days. Anyone who intends to stay for more than a year must apply for a long -term residence permit for study purposes .