When leaving to study abroad, it is very important to understand the cost of living outside of school. Of course, all costs are individual and depend on the needs, tastes, material capabilities, but having information about the price range, you can effectively adjust the budget. In comparison with other European countries, student accommodation in the Czech Republic is quite budgetary. In addition, students can actively take advantage of discounts and expect to receive various scholarships.
Study in the Czech Republic
Czech higher education institutions provide quality European education. Inexpensive training programs, the opportunity to take part in student exchange programs between European universities and thus travel attract more than 40,000 foreign applicants a year.
The main advantage of studying in the Czech Republic is the opportunity to get free higher education in one of the state universities in the Czech language - more than 70% of foreign students study for free every year.
Diplomas of many universities are recognized in all European countries. There are many prospects for graduates for further successful employment and realization of their opportunities both in the Czech Republic and in any country of the European Union.
How much does it cost to stay for students in the Czech Republic
The main question when planning student expenses in a new country is how much it will cost to live. Budget housing options are student dormitories in Prague and other cities of the country at universities. It is quite easy to get a place there - you just need to apply on time and be a student. By the way, you don't have to pay for a place in a hostel during the absence of a student on summer holidays.
For a comfortable stay, taking into account the possibilities and preferences, you can choose one of the popular options:
- Rent a room in a shared apartment. The price will depend on the location, size and comfort of the apartment. But in any case, renting an apartment with other students is profitable and budgetary.
- To rent an apartment.
- Settle in a modern private hostel. For example, a new-style dormitory that meets modern European standards Domino Centrum Rezidence (Domino, located in the green area of Prague 4 - Lhotka), offers all the necessary conditions for comfortable accommodation, study and recreation. Accommodation in a double room will cost 220 euros / month, in a single room - 290 euros / month.
Please note that in the Czech Republic, upon concluding a residence agreement, a refundable deposit is required. Usually its size is the cost of rent per month. The deposit guarantees compliance with the terms of the contract, and is returned at the end of the stay.
A modern solution when choosing housing can be a student residence of an apartment type. Here you can choose a single or double cozy room with everything you need. Each room of the complex has a separate bathroom, kitchen, refrigerator.
You can save on living costs with the help of the “accommodation scholarship” (ubytovací stipendium), the decision on the appointment of which is made once a year - this is about 2000 kroons in three months. To get it, you need to be a full-time student at one of the state universities.
The amount of the scholarship depends on the presence of a permanent residence permit in the city of study or in another city:
- full scholarships are received by foreign students;
- students with a residence permit in the city of study receive two times less than students who study and are registered in different cities.
In July and August, undergraduate and graduate students do not receive a scholarship, but for doctoral students it is provided throughout the year.
Detailed information on the cost of living in different cities of the Czech Republic is presented in the table:
| Town | Accommodation type | Cost (CZK) |
|---|---|---|
| Prague | University hostels: multi-bed room with shared facilities; single room | from 4500 from 7000 |
| Private hostels | from 4200 | |
| 1-room apartment rental | from 9000 | |
| Rent a 2-room apartment | from 14000 | |
| A room in a shared apartment | from 4500 | |
| Single room in student residence | from 250 euros | |
| Own real estate (2-room apartment) | About 70,000 euros | |
| Brno | University dormitory | from 2730 |
| Double room in a private hostel with free internet | from 3500 | |
| Double room in an apartment building | from 4500 | |
| Rent 1-, 2-room apartment | From 7500 | |
| Liberec | University dormitory | from 4000 |
| Rent 1-, 2-room apartment | from 8000 | |
| Ostrav | University dormitory | from 1200 |
| Rent 1-, 2-room apartment | from 6000 | |
| Private hostels | from 2000 |
Where and for how much can a student eat in the Czech Republic
When planning a budget, one of the important positions is occupied by the cost of food. The Czech Republic is a country with quite democratic prices. But the approach to the issue of nutrition is very individual, because you can cook on your own, and this will be the most financially profitable option, or eat in special establishments, which will be more expensive:
- student canteens - soup, a plate of vegetables with the main course will cost 100 CZK;
- healthy food cafe - lunch costs 120-150 kroons;
- pizzerias - with an ISIC card you can take 2 pizzas or 2 salads for the price of one;
- restaurants - for "denny nabidke" or a business lunch of soup, main course, dessert, you will have to pay from 150-200 kroons.
As in any other country, there are fast food restaurant chains in the Czech Republic - McDonald’s, BurgerKing and KFC. Lunch in one of them will cost about 100 CZK.
Street food is inexpensive and is good for a snack, but not a substitute for a nutritious meal. For example, for fried sausages, they ask for from 70 CZK, bramborak (a traditional dish, reminiscent of our potato pancakes) costs from 70 CZK, smazhak (a sandwich with fried cheese) - from 50 CZK, trdlo (yeast dough roll with powdered sugar and nuts) - from 60 CZK.
The prices for groceries in stores in the Czech Republic are considered affordable when compared with other EU countries:
| Name | Price for 1 kg / CZK |
|---|---|
| Potato | 17,62 |
| Carrot | 14,21 |
| Onion | 13,09 |
| Apples | 29,75 |
| Pasta | 25,81 |
| Rice | 34,86 |
| Meat (beef) | 142,84 |
| Meat (pork) | 65,64 |
| Tomatoes | 39,25 |
| Bread | 22,79 |
| Meat (chicken) | 75,87 |
| Butter | 171,21 |
| Eggs | 4,29 |
| Milk | 15,80 |
| Sunflower oil | 41,91 |
| Sugar | 20,31 |
The minimum monthly expenses for groceries will be around 3000 CZK.
Transport costs for students of Czech universities
It is very convenient to use public transport, as there are discounted fares for students under 26 years old (if you have an ISIC card):
- one-time trip - the ticket is purchased taking into account the time without limiting the number of transfers between different types of transport (30 minutes for 24 kroons and 90 minutes for 32 kroons);
- a monthly pass for all types of transport - 260 kroons, for 3 months - 720 kroons, for 5 months - 1200 kroons and for 10 months - 2400 kroons.
Additional student expenses in the Czech Republic
The life of a student in a new country is not only study, but also entertainment, sports, acquaintance with the sights, history of the country. Therefore, the organization of interesting leisure time in picturesque Czech cities also requires costs, which cannot be avoided. At the same time, some cultural events can be visited completely free of charge or at an affordable price:
- to keep abreast of daily free events in major cities of the country, just subscribe to the Prague TV, GO to BRNO groups on Facebook or follow the news on the Kudy z Nudy website;
- open doors are held annually in state museums;
- to save on tickets to the National Theater, it is enough to reserve tickets on the official website in time;
- discount portal Slevomat offers a huge amount of entertainment at an affordable price;
- for students of the Prague Education Center, various entertainment events are held, trips to other cities and countries, sports days, master classes free of charge.
Let us consider in more detail the possible additional costs of the student, excluding those described above (rental housing, food and transport):
| Category | Peculiarities | Cost (CZK) |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | at the largest universities thanks to the eduroam Wi-Fi infrastructure | is free |
| Mobile connection: - student tariffs with the condition of concluding a contract for at least a year (offers of unlimited calls, SMS and a certain amount of Internet traffic); | Vodafone T-mobile O2 | 499 per month 399 per month 299 per month |
| - a package of services with more Internet or calls | from 100 per month | |
| Sport | one-time visit to the gym | 70 |
| subscription for a month | 400-500 | |
| Medicine: | ||
| annual compulsory insurance | covers most of the costs | from 4900 |
| dentist | from 1000 | |
| Fee for consideration of an application for a residence permit | 1500 | |
| Issuance of a biometric card | 1000 | |
| Visits: | ||
| cinema | 100-200 | |
| theatre | 90-300 | |
| Museum | 50-200 | |
| Educational materials | 2000 per semester | |
| Clothing (significant discounts apply) | complete wardrobe including shoes and outerwear | 10000 |
Do not forget about such essential household items as powders, sponges, detergents and hygiene products, which, although they do not require daily expenses, should be taken into account when drawing up a budget.
An ISIC card, which is issued upon arrival, will be a pleasant bonus for any student.
Paying only 10 euros per year for the card, you get a lot of discounts: 50% on most cultural events, 5–20% on various goods and services, on the purchase of tickets for travel in the Czech Republic or Europe.
ISIC operates in 124 countries of the world, and students can use it up to 26 years old.
Scholarship programs and grants for studies in the Czech Republic
In addition to the opportunity to study for free, full-time students at state universities in the Czech Republic can receive several scholarships at once:
- State scholarship from the Czech Ministry of Education for foreign students. The main condition is education in the state language.
- Scholarships and grants from the Visegrad Fund, organized by the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia to support foreign students and specialists (mainly from Russia, CIS countries).
- Scholarships from Czech universities for excellent study, accommodation, academic achievement, research, Olympiads, creative and sports events, doctoral scholarship for postgraduate students.
Part-time work for students during the period of study
Finding a part-time job in the Czech Republic as a source of income during studies is quite easy for any student, the main thing is to have the desire and the necessary abilities. After all, a study visa in this country gives employers the right to legally attract students to work. The peak of job offers falls on the summer period.
They are quite popular for part-time work in the field of tourism, restaurant business, sales, where income can be from 100 to 500 euros per month.
Student brigades for work in the service sector are also common, where one student can earn on average CZK 90 per hour. Some young people give foreign language lessons as a part-time job. And if you are a senior student, then you can start working in your specialty in the chosen company.
Conclusion
To summarize the information about how much a student's life costs in the Czech Republic, based on basic expenses per month, we suggest considering the table:
| Category | Costs (average), CZK |
|---|---|
| Accommodation in a hostel | 4000 |
| Food and household goods | 5000 |
| Transport | 260 |
| Internet, mobile communications | 500 |
| Sport | 400 |
| Leisure | 1000 |
| TOTAL | 11160 |
