Study in Czech Republic
Study in the Czech Republic with guides on free tuition in Czech, affordable English-taught degrees at Charles University and CTU Prague, long-stay visas, proof of funds, and living costs.
At a glance
Quick facts
Why Study in the Czech Republic
Free tuition in Czech, English degrees from CZK 100,000/year, living costs of CZK 15,000-25,000/month, and a central-Europe location. Here is why Prague and Brno are worth it.
- Tuition is free at public universities if you study in Czech; English programs cost CZK 100,000-400,000/year.
- Living costs run CZK 15,000-25,000/month — far below Western Europe, with Prague the priciest city.
- Charles University dates to 1348; CTU, Masaryk and UCT Prague rank well in engineering, science and medicine.
- Students can work alongside studies, and the country sits in the heart of Schengen Europe.
Studying in the Czech Republic: The 10 Steps Guide
A clear roadmap for international students — from choosing your program to enrolment in Prague, Brno or Olomouc. Every step, in order, with realistic timelines and costs.
- Start about 12 months before your September intake — the visa and nostrifikace take time.
- Most public universities admit by entrance exam; nostrifikace (diploma recognition) is often required.
- Non-EU students need a long-stay visa via MV ČR (60-90 days) and ~CZK 124,500 proof of funds.
- Tuition is free in Czech, or CZK 100,000-400,000/year in English; living costs CZK 15,000-25,000/month.
Programs & Universities in the Czech Republic
Compare Charles University, CTU, Masaryk, UCT Prague and more — plus English-taught fields, the big intakes, and how to pick the right program for your field and budget.
- Charles University (1348) leads medicine, law and humanities; CTU leads engineering and computing.
- Hundreds of English-taught programs in medicine, business, IT and engineering — concentrated in Prague and Brno.
- Public universities are free in Czech; English programs cost CZK 100,000-400,000/year.
- Main intake is September; a few programs also admit in February.
Admissions & Application in the Czech Republic
Deadlines, entrance exams, nostrifikace, and documents for Czech universities. A step-by-step guide to applying to Charles, CTU, Masaryk and others for September 2026.
- Main intake is September; deadlines run roughly December to April, earlier for medicine.
- Most public universities use entrance exams; medicine tests biology, chemistry and physics.
- Nostrifikace — recognition of your prior diploma — is often required before enrolment.
- English programs need a language test (IELTS 6.0-6.5 / TOEFL 80+) unless prior study was in English.
Costs & Funding in the Czech Republic
Budget your studies: free Czech-taught tuition, English programs CZK 100,000-400,000/year, living costs CZK 15,000-25,000/month, proof of funds ~CZK 124,500, and scholarships.
- Tuition: free in Czech at public universities; CZK 100,000-400,000/year for English programs.
- Living costs: CZK 15,000-25,000/month; Prague priciest, Brno and Olomouc cheaper.
- Proof of funds for the long-stay visa: about CZK 124,500 for a year (non-EU).
- Erasmus+, government and university scholarships exist, plus cheap subsidised dorms (kolej).
Visa & Arrival in the Czech Republic
The long-stay study visa step by step: MV ČR process, proof of funds ~CZK 124,500, mandatory insurance, and what to do on arrival — registration, rodné číslo, and your residence card.
- Non-EU students need a long-stay study visa (over 90 days) via MV ČR, applied for at a Czech embassy.
- Proof of funds is about CZK 124,500 for a year; processing takes 60-90 days.
- Health insurance is mandatory — commercial cover (e.g. PVZP) for non-EU students before the visa.
- EU students just register their stay after arrival; everyone reports their address to the Foreign Police.
Living in the Czech Republic
Housing, transport, food, and daily life as a student in Prague, Brno or Olomouc. Real monthly numbers, the kolej dorm system, the rodné číslo, and how to settle in fast.
- Subsidised dorms (kolej) cost CZK 3,000-6,000/month; shared flats CZK 8,000-14,000.
- Public transport is cheap and excellent — student passes can cost under CZK 1,000 a year in some cities.
- Prague is priciest; Brno, Olomouc and Ostrava offer a similar student life for less.
- Daily life runs on the rodné číslo; English is common in Prague and Brno, less so elsewhere.
Work & Career in the Czech Republic
Work part-time without a separate permit as an accredited-program student, find jobs in Prague's growing economy, and understand your post-study options after a Czech degree.
- Accredited-program students can work without a separate work permit — a real advantage.
- EU students work freely; part-time jobs help offset CZK 15,000-25,000/month living costs.
- Prague and Brno have growing tech, business-services and startup scenes hiring in English.
- Graduates can transition to a work or business residence permit; the country needs skilled talent.