Studying in the Czech Republic provides ample opportunities. Czech universities are renowned for the quality of teaching, an innovative approach to the educational process and affordable tuition fees. Scholarships and grants in the Czech Republic also attract applicants to enroll in Czech universities.
Types of scholarships in the Czech Republic
All full-time students of a public university are eligible for financial support from the university.
There are different types of scholarships:
- Accommodation scholarship - available to foreign students, as well as nonresident students in the amount of 500 to 2000 CZK monthly from September to June.
- Excellent Study Scholarship - given to students with an average grade point average of 1-1.3 in the past year. It is charged monthly throughout the year in the amount of 1200 to 7000 kroons.
- One-time - credited for special merits in the process of studying at the university: participation in olympiads, competitions, conferences. A special commission determines its size for each student.
- Study Abroad Scholarship - Eligible for students who are pursuing exchange studies in one of the partner countries.
- Doctoral scholarship - for doctoral students. It ranges from 5 thousand to 12 thousand kroons per month.
- Social Scholarship - Paid to students who are in financial difficulty.
Government and Non-Governmental Scholarships
Students who come to study in the Czech Republic can apply for other types of scholarships, for example, payments from the Czech government and non-governmental organizations.
The main condition for obtaining a scholarship in the Czech Republic is to study according to the program in the Czech language.
The most common type of financial aid is a scholarship from the Czech Ministry of Education for foreign students. It covers all the costs of paying for university studies, language courses, and also includes monthly payments. The amount of the grant for undergraduate and graduate programs is 500 euros, for doctoral studies - 540 euros.
To receive such scholarships, a student must successfully pass the entrance exams and choose one of the specialties, which is included in the list of state funded ones. Information on how to obtain a grant from the Czech government, as well as a complete list of specialties, can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Education.
Another type of support for foreign students is a scholarship to study at the universities of the South Moravian Region, located in the city of Brno. It is intended for graduate and doctoral students who reside in non-EU countries. This payment does not apply to undergraduate studies. It covers the cost of tuition for the first year and the cost of language courses for students. The main condition for obtaining financial support is training in the Czech language. You can find out more about the procedure for awarding scholarships in Brno universities on the website of the South Moravian Region.
Students from Russia and the CIS can apply for financial assistance from the Visegrad Fund, a non-profit organization founded by the governments of four countries: Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. For many years, the Foundation has been providing assistance to masters and graduate students who wish to continue their studies or conduct scientific research. The scholarship compensates for the study expenses during the period of study, as well as expenses for living and transport. Detailed conditions for participation in the program are indicated on the website of the Visegrad Fund.
The European Union education program, Erasmus Mundus, is designed for students from non-EU countries. Students can receive financial support after graduate, graduate or undergraduate studies in their home country. To do this, they must have a higher education, good academic performance and know a foreign language - English or Czech.
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is provided in the amount of 24 thousand euros per year for masters, and from 60 thousand euros per year for graduate students. It is issued for study and internship in another country and fully covers the costs of insurance, study, room and board.
More about training programs and admission conditions can be found on the official EACEA website.
List of additional scholarships offered by universities
In addition to basic scholarships, students can receive additional support at Czech universities.
Charles University, as the most famous institution of higher education in the Czech Republic, encourages students to take any of the English-language programs at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Bachelors and masters receive a discount on tuition fees, as well as monthly financial support for 1 year.
PhD students at Charles University who are enrolled in an English-language program at the Faculty of Natural Sciences can expect to be fully reimbursed for tuition, room and board expenses, as well as a monthly allowance. To do this, they need to choose a relevant topic for doctoral research.
Masters of English-language study programs can receive a scholarship at the Czech Technical University, provided that they have high academic performance and do not receive support from other organizations and foundations. The amount of assistance is 370 euros per month for the entire period of study. Postgraduate students of English-language programs can also apply for financial assistance in the amount of 600 euros monthly for 1 year.
At the Palacky University, 18 doctoral students can receive an additional scholarship in the amount of 3,000 to 11,000 euros. To do this, they must have high academic performance and work on an important research project.
Masaryk University students receive scholarships from the rector of the university for high achievements in science or for participating in charitable projects. The amount of assistance is set by the rector personally.
You can also count on financial assistance in Czech universities that are not state-owned. Private universities give students a social stipend, and also provide material support in the form of a discount on tuition fees for high academic achievements.
Applying for a scholarship
Students who are looking for a scholarship must study in the Czech language. Also, the conditions for receiving the main types of material payments are full-time training, the absence of an extension of the training period and the absence of academic leave.
To receive financial support, you need to submit an application to the administration. The deadline for submitting an application depends on many factors. Excellent studies can be applied for during the entire period of study. An application for a scholarship to pay for accommodation is submitted immediately after admission and the start of studies.
Doctoral students also apply at the beginning of the year. Online applications for help from the government are issued by September 30, and for support from organizations by January 31 of each year.
In addition to the application, applicants for participation in the program must provide documents:
- diploma of education;
- certificates of knowledge of a foreign language (Czech / English);
- a document confirming the place of registration;
- bank account details.
As an additional support, Czech universities provide grants to their students. The most common are research grants. They are paid to students who are engaged in scientific activities and are willing to present a useful project. For those wishing to study at universities in other countries, there is a grant to study abroad. Such grant programs are offered by well-known universities.They pay for students not only within their walls, but also flights and accommodation.
In the Czech Republic, there are third-party organizations that are ready to help students who do not have the financial ability to study:
- The preparatory organization Prague Education Center provides one-time support to graduates of language courses who have distinguished themselves by high achievements and are preparing to enter prestigious universities in the Czech Republic. Such scholarships are available for graduates from the CIS countries, including Kazakhstanis.
- The Sophie Nadace Foundation provides grants in economics and law to institutions of higher learning and to those students who perform well in their studies.
- GFPS is an organization that supports students from Eastern and Central Europe and awards grants for active social life.
- The Kellner Family Foundation pays for the education of underprivileged students in medicine, economics and creative fields. Most often, their grants are received by children from orphanages.
Living expenses of students in the Czech Republic
In 2021, the cost of housing in different cities of the Czech Republic has increased significantly. The current cost of a dorm room is about 150 euros per month, and half of the rented apartment starts from 250 euros per month.
In addition, food, telephone calls and transport costs from 200 euros. As a result, the cost of living for a month in Prague is from 500 euros, and in Brno and Ostrava - 350-450 euros.
Find out more about student accommodation in the Czech Republic.
Conclusion
For foreign students, higher education in the Czech Republic is much more affordable than in other European countries. Students can count on free tuition and financial support from various foundations and organizations.
