Higher education in the Czech Republic is the choice of those who want to achieve a lot in life: find a decent job, travel around Europe, have connections and friends around the world. Czech universities, of which there are over 70 in the country, provide high-quality education, train highly qualified specialists who are in demand in prestigious international companies. Already during their studies, students have the opportunity to undergo internships in foreign organizations, participate in exchange programs with world famous universities and visit the EU countries without a visa.
Organization of higher education in the Czech Republic
The system of higher education (HE) in the Czech Republic consists of three stages:
- Bachelor's degree - completed HE, confirmed by a diploma. A graduate can immediately start employment or continue his studies.
- Master's degree. Students have the opportunity to change their specialization, move to another faculty or even to another university.
- Doctorate. After 2-3 years, if the applicant has prepared and successfully defended his doctoral work, he will receive a Doctor of Science (PhD) degree.
The exact number of years that a student will have to study at the university depends on the specialization he has chosen. For example, the profession of a teacher can be obtained in 4 years, a lawyer - in 5 years, a doctor - at least 6 years. All universities also offer a second higher education.
The following forms of education are practiced in higher educational institutions of the Czech Republic:
- daytime;
- remote;
- combined.
A feature of studying at a Czech university is the independent organization of the educational process: each student himself determines the courses he needs and distributes the academic load.
Admission to a Czech university
A Russian applicant should start preparing for admission to a Czech university at least a year in advance. During this time, you will need to learn the Czech language, prepare the necessary documents and officially confirm the previous education received in the Czech Republic.
Subject to knowledge of the state language, the stages of admission to the university are as follows:
- choosing a university and a suitable specialty;
- applying for admission on the university website;
- nostrification, that is, recognition, of a diploma (certificate);
- passing entrance exams - compulsory in the Czech language at the B2 level, as well as others depending on the specialty.
In case of successful completion of the entrance examinations, the applicant will receive confirmation of admission to the university.
In order to pass the entrance exams in the Czech Republic, foreign applicants will need a short-term tourist visa of category C. However, for full-fledged study at a university, it will be necessary to obtain a long-term visa of type D. You need to start this immediately after receiving a notification of admission to the university.
The best universities in the Czech Republic
The Czech state funds 26 universities. In addition, there are 44 private universities in the country. At the same time, the following are considered the best Czech higher education institutions:
- Charles University. Leading research center in Prague that successfully combines science with quality education. The university trains specialists in the field of humanitarian, natural, social and medical sciences at 17 faculties. For students there is a comfortable hostel, a dining room, a library. International cooperation is developed.
- Czech Technical University in Prague, CVUT. The largest state technical university in the country and Europe. At 8 faculties, over 20 thousand students study engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biomedicine, architecture, information technology. This year it offers 128 programs and 453 specializations. He actively supports the scientific activities of students, closely cooperates with the world concerns "Bosch", "Toyota", "Siemens". Provides a variety of student financial support programs.
- Masaryk University in Brno. A public educational institution offering the widest range of industries and specializations, as well as a large scientific center with well-equipped laboratories with modern technology. All conveniences have been created for students, there is even its own campus. 9 faculties, 300 specializations, an almost unlimited choice of subjects.
- Technical University in Brno, VUT. The largest state university in the Czech Republic that teaches engineering specialties. University degrees are valued by employers around the world. 9 faculties, dormitory, campus, library. Possibility of internships for students in international concerns Vodafone, IBM, Red Hat, Zebra Technologies. Student and faculty exchange programs.
- Palacky University in Olomouc. It is the second oldest higher school in the Czech Republic, founded in the 16th century. Today it is a prestigious modern state higher educational institution. Focus: natural, medical, social, humanities. It includes 8 faculties, 3-stage education for all age categories, active research work is underway. The widest range of specialties - from theology to medicine. The ECTS credit system has been introduced. Active international cooperation, exchange programs. Day, combined and distance learning is possible.
- Higher School of Economics in Prague, VSE. State educational institution, one of the most prestigious and popular in the Czech Republic in the field of economic sciences. Advantages: strong teaching staff, membership in world scientific alliances, cooperation with major international corporations such as Boeing, Siemens, Coca-Cola, American Scientific Organization. 6 faculties, ECTS credit assessment system, comfortable conditions for study and student living. Possibility of profitable employment immediately after graduation.
- Ostrava Technical University. State university with more than 165 years of history. 7 faculties, full-time and combined programs, large scientific projects, foreign cooperation and interaction with government organizations, local authorities. Focus: mining, technical and economic specialties. 122 educational programs, of which 77 are in foreign languages. First-class conditions for teaching students: high-tech laboratories, modern classrooms. Possibility of recognition of foreign education.
- University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. University of technical orientation. State institution, includes 9 faculties, 60 departments, 2 institutes. Along with academic education, it provides an opportunity for scientific research. International cooperation is actively developed, the exchange of students and teachers is practiced. Students are provided with scholarships: accommodation, social. Day, combined and distance learning is possible.
- University of South Bohemia. State university in Ceske Budejovice. He specializes in academic education and research in the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. It includes 8 faculties, offering 240 specialties for training. Interacts with 300 universities around the world. It offers students a large campus with places for sports, cultural recreation and entertainment. Provides an opportunity for comfortable living for visiting students.
- University named after Mendel in Brno. State accredited university specializing in the training of specialists in the agricultural industry.Faculties: Agronomy, Forestry and Woodworking, Horticulture, Business and Economics, Regional Development and International Studies. The university has a lifelong learning institute. 3 levels of education, ECTS credit system, special emphasis on scientific research. More than 300 international partners.
The first five of the above educational institutions in 2021 entered the list of the best universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings.
Price and duration of higher education in the Czech Republic
All of the above universities are state-owned and provide free higher education in the Czech language to both local and visiting applicants. As for the English-language programs, all of them are paid, but studying in them in the Czech Republic is much cheaper than in other EU countries, while the quality is in no way inferior to Western European educational institutions.
Brief information about the duration of training, the availability of language programs is presented in the table (the cost is indicated for courses in a foreign language):
| University | Duration of training | Program language | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles University | for a bachelor's degree - 3-4 years, for a master's degree - 2-3 years, for Doctor of Science - 2-3 years | czech, english | 6,000 - 15,000 euros |
| Czech Technical University in Prague | education - 3-stage, total duration - 8-9 years | czech, english | from 3000 euros per semester |
| Masaryk University in Brno | 3-4 years bachelor's degree, 2-3 years master's degree, 2-3 years doctoral studies | czech, english | bachelor's degree - from 2000 euros per year, Master's degree - from 3000 euros per year |
| Technical University in Brno | 3-4 years for a bachelor's degree, 2 years for a master's degree, 2-4 years for a doctoral degree | czech, english | from 800 euros per year |
| Palacky University in Olomouc | bachelor's degree - 3-4 years, master's degree - 2-3 years, doctoral studies - 3-4 years | Czech, English, Russian | from 2500 euros per year |
| Higher School of Economics in Prague | Bachelor's Degree - 3 years, Master's Degree - 2 years, Doctoral Degree - 2 years | czech, english, Russian | from 1800 euros per year |
| Ostrava University of Technology | bachelor's degree - 3-4 years, master's degree - 1.5-2 years, doctoral studies - 3-4 years | czech, english | from 4200 euros per year |
| University of West Bohemia | bachelor's degree - 3-4 years, master's degree - 2-3 years, doctoral studies - 3-4 years | czech, english | about 6200 euros |
| University of South Bohemia | bachelor - 3 years, master - 2 years, doctor - 4 years | czech, english | no more than 2500 euros per year |
| University named after Mendel in Brno | bachelor's degree - 3 years, master's degree - 2 years, doctoral studies - 3-4 years. | czech, english | 1600-3700 euros per year |
Scholarship Programs for Students
In the Czech Republic, there are quite a few programs that enable applicants entering public higher education institutions to study for free. Scholarships and grants can fully cover the cost of training up to receiving a diploma, while additional payments for living are also possible.
In particular, such incentives are offered to foreigners by the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic. It is also possible to receive educational grants for visitors from the CIS countries from the Visegrad Fund or from the universities themselves.
As a rule, students are encouraged who constantly demonstrate academic success, receiving high scores, have certain achievements in any area, or need material assistance in connection with their social status.
Living expenses in the Czech Republic
Long-term residence in the Czech Republic implies fixed costs for various needs. To visually assess how much money and what a student of a Czech university will need, the table will help:
| Type of expenses | Minimum amount, euro | Average euro |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 145 | 225 |
| Nutrition | 127 | 350 |
| Travel | 18 | 43 |
| Utilities | 58 | 96 |
| Buying clothes | 20 | 76 |
| Sports and leisure | 17 | 59 |
| Total | 385 | 849 |
A separate table shows the cost of various accommodation options averaged over Czech cities:
| Accommodation options in the Czech Republic | Average cost, euro |
|---|---|
| Room in a residential area | 123 |
| Room in the city center | 170 |
| 1-room apartment in a residential area | 230 |
| 1-room apartment in the center | 311 |
Russian students studying at Czech universities note the many benefits of staying in the country. This is a friendly attitude from local youth, comfortable hostels, and relatively small monthly spending on various needs.
In all cities, not only in Prague, the transport network is well developed, so you can get home or to the university without any problems at any time of the day. Another great advantage for our compatriots is the ability to travel freely around the EU countries on a student visa.
Student life in the Czech Republic, like in any other country, involves parties, discos, bowling or music clubs. However, Czech students are calmer and more balanced, moreover, it should be borne in mind that by the time of entering the university, an applicant from the Czech Republic is 19-20 years old, and not 16-17, as a visitor from the Russian Federation, due to the difference in the education system.
FAQ
Having opted for a Czech university, you should find out more details about the peculiarities of studying in this country. First, let's try to answer the most common questions about admission to Czech universities.
Can I enter a Czech university immediately after graduating from school in Russia?
It is quite possible to enter a university in the Czech Republic after graduating from a Russian school. For admission to the budget at a state university, you will need:
- nostrification of the certificate (carried out in the Czech Republic - at the university itself or at the administration at the place of residence. It should be borne in mind that in some cases, a graduate of a Russian school may be assigned additional exams according to the school curriculum);
- knowledge of the Czech language at a level not lower than B2.
If a Russian is willing to pay for education, there is an opportunity to study in English or Russian at public universities in the Czech Republic, and you can also enroll in a private university. In many of them, entrance exams are very easy or nonexistent.
There are Russian-language programs at the Higher School of Economics (specialty "Economics and Management", cost from 3600 euros / year), the Institute of Banking in Prague ("Banking Management", from 2100 euros / year), CTU ("Biomedical Technician", "Biomedical engineer "," System integration of processes in health care ", 4000 euros / year), Palacky University (" Special pedagogy ", 2500 euros / year).
Is it possible to transfer from a Russian university to a Czech university, what exams are taken and what documents are needed?
Transfer from a Russian university to a Czech university implies that the applicant enters the university on a general basis, moreover, for the first year. It does not matter how many years he studied at a domestic educational institution. That is, it is impossible to transfer from the 2nd year of the Russian university to the 2nd year of the Czech university.
Having entered the 1st year of a university in the Czech Republic, you can try to re-enroll those subjects for which "excellent" marks were obtained in the previous university. In this case, the mark will change to "satisfactory", but the student will not have to study these subjects again.
When transferring to a master's program at a Czech university after completing a bachelor's degree in Russia, the applicant must, as in the case of entering the first year, be sure to nostrify the diploma, provide a certificate of intermediate-advanced knowledge of the Czech language (B2) and pass the entrance tests.
Documents required for admission to the 1st year:
- certificate of education with a statement of grades (original or notarized copy);
- passport (photocopy of the first page);
- photo 3.5x4.5 cm (3 pcs.);
- power of attorney from parents, if the applicant is a minor (required for nostrification of a diploma in the Czech Republic);
- list of subjects studied at school for the last 3 years;
- scanned version of the certificate of state registration of a Russian secondary educational institution (school).
Some Czech universities may also require a resume or CV (in Czech żivotopis, biography), in which you need to briefly state biographical information, information about the education, skills and abilities of the applicant.
In order to properly prepare all the necessary documents, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements of a particular university in advance on the institution's official website.
Is free higher education available to foreign applicants in the Czech Republic?
It is possible to get a HE in the Czech Republic free of charge only in the case of training in the Czech language. Therefore, it is recommended for Russian applicants to study for a year or a year and a half at language courses in the Czech Republic.
Finally
Studying at a Czech university is, first of all, an opportunity to receive high-quality, often free, higher education of the European level. Universities in the Czech Republic have a developed infrastructure and a high level of technical equipment, provide students with ample opportunities in terms of obtaining scholarships, grants and discounts on tuition fees, as well as international cooperation, participation in exchange programs with renowned universities around the world.
Despite the fact that there are no concessions for admission for foreigners and they have to prepare for exams several times more intensively than Czech applicants, time and effort will not be wasted: a diploma from a Czech university will allow in the future to get a prestigious and well-paid job in any European country ...
