Studying abroad is a great opportunity to get an excellent education and a diploma, which is recognized in most developed countries, which means that you can find a job anywhere in the world and take the first step in building your own career. The prospect is tempting, so more and more of our compatriots are considering the possibility of studying at foreign universities. There are quite a few universities that accept foreigners for study, and it is not easy to navigate the information available about them. Let's try to figure out in what areas it prepares specialists and how you can enroll in the Technical University in Brno.
University history and modernity
The Technical University in Brno (Vysoké učení technické v Brně, abbreviated as VUT) is the oldest institution of higher education in the city. Most sources call the date of its creation 1849. It was then that a German-Czech technical school appeared in this city, created on the basis of the Noble Academy, which dates back to 1725 and was moved to Brno from Olomouc.
In 1899, the technical school received the status of a building institute, the list of its specialties gradually expanded. In 1956 the university was given the status of a university.
Currently, more than 22 thousand students study at the university at eight faculties, and not only in technical areas. There are bachelor's, master's and doctoral training programs with various periods of study.
At the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, you can complete the MBA (Master of Business Administration) course and receive a Master of Business Administration degree. The University has the Institute of Forensic Engineering and the Center for Sports Activity.
In 2021, the university entered the list of 600 best universities in the world. The official website of the university can be found at the link.
Among the famous teachers of the institute, one should name Viktor Kaplan, the inventor of the Kaplan turbine of his own name, and Bohuslav Fuchs, the famous Czech modernist architect, and among the graduates - Mirek Topolanek, the future Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and the President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi.
Features of the university infrastructure
Most of the university buildings are located in the historic district of Brno called Kralovo Pole. There are the buildings of the faculties of mechanical engineering, chemistry, entrepreneurship, the new building of the faculty of electrical engineering and communications, as well as two campuses.
- The Faculty of Information Technology is housed in the former Carthusian monastery on Bozestova Street and in a new building across the street from it.
- The Faculty of Civil Engineering is housed in a carefully restored old building on Veveri Street, while the Faculty of Architecture is located on Porici Street.
- The main building of the Faculty of Fine Arts is located on Rybarska Street, in addition to it, buildings on Udolny Street and in the third university town on Konikova Street are also used.
The university administration is located in a recently renovated Baroque building on Antoninska Street.
What faculties and specialties are represented at the university
The university prepares bachelors - the term of study, depending on the specialty, is 3-4 years; masters - they are taught in different programs from 2 to 5 years; in addition, it is possible to obtain a doctorate in 3-5 years. Specific training conditions for each specialty can be viewed on the English-language websites of the university faculties, given in the table:
| Faculties | Training of specialists in the field: |
|---|---|
| Building | Geodesy and cartography Ground construction Building Material Engineering Structures and road construction Construction of water structures and water management Economics and management in construction |
| Machine engineering | Machine technology and industrial management Fine mechanics and optics; Structural and Process Engineering Equipment for thermal and nuclear power plants Hydraulic and pneumatic equipment Construction equipment for agriculture Aircraft and piloting Welding technology Transport equipment Industrial design in construction Applied Mechanics Applied Technical Ecology Engineering Informatics and Automation Quality management Teaching Mathematics and Mechanics in High School Technical cybernetics Mathematical engineering |
| Information technologies | Information technologies Computing Engineering and Informatics Information systems Intelligent systems Computer systems and networks Computer graphics and multimedia Cybernetics and Informatics |
| Architecture | Architecture Urban studies |
| Fine arts | Painting Sculptures Charts Graphic design Conceptual trends Video and multimedia performance Industrial design |
| Entrepreneurship | Taxation Management and economics of enterprises Finance and trade in entrepreneurship |
| Chemical | Technical chemistry Household chemicals Chemistry of materials Chemistry and technology of environmental protection Food Chemistry and Biotechnology Macromolecular chemistry Material Engineering Environmental chemistry Physical chemistry |
Education at the Technical University in Brno can be obtained free of charge. Training courses are taught in Czech or English.
How to apply to university in Brno
In theory, everything is quite simple: you need to submit an application, document your knowledge of the Czech language at the B2 level and pass the entrance exams. However, it should be borne in mind that there are more than enough people who want to get a prestigious education, which is free in public universities in the Czech Republic, so not everyone can immediately enter the chosen specialty.
Depending on the specialty, the dropout rate of applicants ranges from 80 to 95%, which is equivalent to a competition of 15.5 people per place.
However, one should not be upset - there is about the same competition for the most prestigious universities in the CIS countries. You just need to carefully prepare and pass the exams successfully.
How to enter the university for a foreigner
Before entering the Technical University in Brno, you first need to get a complete secondary education, and then choose a specialty. You can apply for several specialties at once. To do this, you must submit an application on the university website and pay an entrance fee of 23 euros for each specialty.
Applications for a bachelor's degree run from early November to late March. After receiving your application, the university will send you an invitation.
Please note: if a decision is made on your admission to the university, you will need a study multivisa. It is issued for a period of one year.
The Czech embassies are overwhelmed with visa applications, so you should contact them in advance. The minimum visa processing time is 60 days.
To do this, you will need the following documents:
- passport, valid for at least 11 months from the date of application;
- visa application;
- 2 photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
- confirmation that you are accepted to study at the university;
- documents confirming that you have the means to live in the Czech Republic. Proof of at least CZK 85,800 (€ 3,324) per year will be required.
How is the introductory campaign going?
Entrance exams at the university are held in accordance with the rules that each faculty sets for admission to their specialties. In general, they are of the same type: for most specialties you need to pass tests, and for some - a creative exam.
- Architecture faculty
Competitive selection consists of 2 stages. First, the portfolio of the applicant is analyzed, then a creative selection is carried out. You don't have to take tests.
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technology
The applicant will have one exam in two disciplines. You will have to take mathematics without fail, as the second subject you can choose physics or computer science.
Samples of tests in mathematics, computer science, physics:
If you choose to specialize in biomedicine in this department, you will have to take mathematics and a biology exam. Biology Test Sample:
If at the same faculty you have chosen to specialize in English in Electrical Engineering, the language will be the additional exam.
Sample English test:
- Faculty of Chemistry
One exam in chemistry.
Chemistry test sample:
- Faculty of Information Technology
One exam in mathematics.
Sample math test:
- Faculty of Entrepreneurship
An English language test and a TSP test are passed, which determines the future student's ability to learn.
Sample tests:
- Faculty of Civil Engineering
Physics and Mathematics Test.
Sample Physics and Mathematics Test:
If you have a good certificate, there is a chance to be exempted from passing the exam. To do this, you should write a letter to the university.
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Two exams - in physics and mathematics.
Sample tests:
- Faculty of Fine Arts
The creative competition takes place in two stages, as at the Faculty of Architecture. Of course, the interview will be conducted in the chosen specialty. You don't have to take tests.
Scholarships and grants for studying in the Czech Republic
Despite the fact that education at the Technical University in Brno is free, the student will need money to live in the Czech Republic. Moreover, if you are not from a wealthy family, you also have a chance to get a good higher education. To do this, you should look for various scholarship programs or grants to study in the Czech Republic.
Such programs are usually implemented by the Czech government or non-governmental organizations. After learning about their conditions in more detail, you can apply for participation in one of them.
Applicants who have certain achievements are more likely to receive a scholarship or grant. It can be victories in various scientific olympiads, a medal for graduating from high school, victories in sports competitions and other evidence of a student's originality.
It should be noted that programs are constantly changing, information about this can be found on the Internet.
The Technical University in Brno takes an active part in interuniversity exchange programs. Students and teachers regularly undergo internships at the best American and European universities.
The university has the following student exchange programs:
- TEMPUS;
- Socrates / Erasmus;
- Socrates / Grundtvig;
- Leonardo;
- CEEPUS.
University partners
The partners of the university are such industrial giants as:
- Flextronics;
- Škoda Auto;
- Philips;
- ABB;
- IBM.
In addition, the university's association for biomedicine and bionics and many different research centers should be named among the partners of the university.
Such a partnership not only allows students to complete the necessary internships, but also to count on lucrative job offers for the best of them upon graduation.
Cost of living in Brno
Living in a foreign city is always quite expensive. And although prices in the Czech Republic are slightly lower than in Germany, it is still worth preparing for them in advance. The table shows prices for some food items, as well as other costs.
| Expenses | Amount in Euro |
|---|---|
| Accommodation in a hostel (per month) | from 100 |
| Dinner in a restaurant for 1 person | 6 |
| Complex lunch | 3 |
| Spending on buying food in stores (per month) | 100-130 |
| Loaf of bread | 1,2 |
| Milk (1 liter) | 0,8 |
| Hot Dog | 0,8 |
| Beer in a cafe (0.5 l) | 1,2 |
| Juice in a cafe (0.2 l) | 1,2 |
| Coffee in a cafe | 1,2-1,6 |
| Student pass for a month for students under 26 years old | 11 |
| Student pass for a month for students over 26 years old | 22 |
| Cinema ticket | 4-6 |
Finally
The Technical University in Brno is one of the leading Czech universities, which is well known far beyond the borders of the country. The diploma of this university is recognized in all European countries and makes it possible to get a high-paying job both in the CIS countries and abroad.
The Czech language belongs to the Slavic group and is quite easily mastered by the speakers of other Slavic languages. Education at the university is free for all students, regardless of their citizenship.
