More and more students from all over the world are eager to find new opportunities and make lifelong experiences in new places abroad. One of the most interesting places to study is the Czech Republic. Lately, the interest in the options to study in the Czech Republic has been surging. In this article, you will find all you need to know about this intriguing destination. Below are facts andย tipsย on why you should consider studying in the Czech Republic.
Top universities in the Czech Republic
In this section, weโll take a look at a couple of the most notable universities in Czechia. The average tuition fees per semester are calculated without any additional scholarships with data from 2025.
1. Charles University
- Founded: 1348
- Notable programs: Medicine, Social Sciences, Law, Humanities
- QS ranking: #246
- Eastern Europe university ranking: #1
- Average tuition fees: $3,300 to $13,200
- International students: over 11,000
- One of Europeโs oldest and most prestigious universities with a broad range of disciplines and extensive global collaborations
- Itโs situated in Prague and has excellent public transportation and a diverse student body with students from 140+ countries in its English-taught programs. EU citizens even get a 40% discount on tuition fees for bachelorโs degrees
2. University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT Prague)
- Founded: 1952
- Notable programs: Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Chemistry
- QS ranking: #570
- Eastern Europe university ranking: #20
- Average tuition fees: $3,300 to $7,700
- International students: over 1,000
- UCT Prague has high academic standards combined with relatively affordable tuition compared to many Western institutions
- A leading institution in chemical engineering, materials science, and related fields with modern laboratories and strong industry partnerships
3. Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU)
- Founded: 1707
- Notable programs: Medicine, Dentistry, Social Sciences, Law
- QS ranking: #420
- Eastern Europe university ranking: #5
- Average tuition fees: $2,200 to $6,600
- International students: over 3,000
- CTU has strong bonds with global partners such as Bosch, BTL, Digiteq Automotive, Porsche Engineering, and Skoda
- It is the oldest technical university in Europe and many graduates become successful researchers and professors at foreign universities and partner laboratories
4. Masaryk University
- Founded: 1919
- Notable programs: Humanities, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Economics
- QS ranking: #408
- Eastern Europe university ranking: #4
- Average tuition fees: $3,300 to $8,800
- International students: over 8,000
- Situated in Brno, itโs the second-largest university in Czechia and offers a modern urban environment with lower living costs compared to Prague
- It is recognized for quality research and its wide array of programs across multiple disciplines
5. Palackรฝ University Olomouc
- Founded: 1573
- Notable programs: Law, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Education
- QS ranking: #651-660
- Eastern Europe university ranking: #8
- Average tuition fees: $2,200 to $5,500
- International students: over 2,000
- One of Central Europeโs oldest universities and situated in Olomouc, which is a charming city with a strong student community
- Its low tuition fees and living costs make it an attractive option for international students, especially since the university supports a more individualized learning approach with smaller class sizes
Note: Programs taught in Czech are tuitionโfree, but international students must meet specific language requirements (usually B1/B2 level) to join.
Why study in the Czech Republic?
Czechia is becoming more popular forย international studentsย year by year. One of their universities even placed in the top 10 of the 2016 Global Student Satisfaction Awards, and was one of the 21 finalist universities in 2023. So, letโs look at some of the top reasons why you should study in the Czech Republic.
- Theย Czech Republicย is the perfect location for further exploration of Europe. It is in the heart of the continent, so you are literally a few hours away from anything this continent has to offer. The Czech Republic is also part of the Schengen area with a common visa policy, which will make travelling even easier and faster if you choose to study in the Czech Republic.
- Living and studying in the Czech Republic is nothing you should be scared of. The Global Peace Index has ranked it on #12 out of 163 countries when it comes to peacefulness. The Czech people are also known for their hospitality and are considered to be very welcoming.
- If you decide to study in the Czech Republic, you will be surprised by how affordable it actually is. Even studying in the capital city, Prague, is cheap in comparison to other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, or Germany. As a student, you should also use your student benefits, such as discounts for culture or travel, to the fullest.
- The number of foreign students in the Czech Republic is increasing yearly, and so are the options ofย study programsย to choose from. You can go to an international private university, but even traditional Czech universities are now offering more programs taught in English than ever in an attempt to attract new students to study in the Czech Republic.
- One of the most important factors that make many international students autumn in love with Czechia is the various recreational activities. Beautiful nature, historical buildings, and monuments, cities breathing with culture and amazing food. You can find great job opportunities across all fields when studying in the Czech Republic. You may even decide to stay there as many foreign students do.
Living expenses
We touched on the living expenses in Czechia a bit, but letโs get into the numbers. How affordable is it actually, especially when it comes to student accommodations? According to the Cost of Living Index rankings by country, the Czech Republic is one of the most affordable European countries.
The living cost for students thatย study in the Czech Republic can be anywhere in the range of 350 to 750 USD a month. The cost, of course, varies depending on the city you live in and on your own money management. For reference, the average prices of common items and activities are included in the table below:
| Items | Price in Czech Crown | Price in USD |
| Restaurant meal | 200 CZK | $8.69 |
| McDonaldโs meal | 189 CZK | $8.21 |
| Beer (0.5L) | 21 CZK | $0.91 |
| Water bottle (1.5L) | 16 CZK | $0.72 |
| Loaf of bread | 32 CZK | $1.42 |
| Eggs (12, regular size) | 66 CZK | $2.86 |
| Student shared room (monthly) | 4,200 CZK | $182.47 |
| Student single room (monthly) | 7,000 CZK | $304.58 |
| Cinema ticket | 230 CZK | $9.99 |
| Public transport (monthly) | 550 CZK | $23.89 |
Student cities
The Czech Republic has many student cities and each one of them has something to offer. You should definitely look into them and choose the one that suits you the most. Here you will learn about four of the most popular cities international students consider when wanting to study in the Czech Republic.
Prague
Prague is the capital city, and it is well known as the cultural, economic, and educational center of Czechia. Beside other international students, you can find large expat communities โ people who reside outside their country of citizenship โ and many tourists in โThe golden city of one hundred spires.โ
It is also the home of most universities and colleges in the country, including the well-known Charles University, the University of Economics, or the Czech Technological University. That means you have the option to choose from any study program across all fields if you want to study in the Czech Republic.
The living expenses are obviously a little higher than in the other cities, but still very affordable in comparison to the rest of the European Union. You will autumn in love with the history of the city and the many beautiful green areas.
Brno
The second-largest city, Brno, is also a very popular destination for international students wanting to study abroad in the Czech Republic. It is the main city of the beautiful Morava region, famous for its wine and nature. Brno has much to offer, from history and architecture to recreational activities and cultural gatherings.
Brnoโs industry focus is mainly centred around software development, particularly when it comes to SaaS, A.I., or e-commerce. This is why many international tech companies, such as Honeywell, Red Hat, AT&T, and Siemens have R&D centers there. Brno offers a perfect environment for startups as well. You might remember the Brno-based antivirus company AVG that was later acquired by Avast โ another Czech company. Now, theyโre one of the top competitors next to Microsoft, McAfee, and Kaspersky Lab.
Hradec Krรกlovรฉ
Hradec Krรกlovรฉ is another popular student city with the modern University of Hradec Krรกlovรฉ. This city is located near the highest Czech mountains and right where the Elbe and Orlice rivers meet, making it a dreamy location for students wanting to study abroad. Also, the city provides great historical and architectural value, especially due to the East Bohemian Museum and The White Tower, as well as many other places to explore in your spare time.
Traveling to bigger cities like Prague and Brno is very simple and takes less than two hours. However, Hradec Krรกlovรฉ itself is perfect for when you want to relax and have fun on the weekends, whether that be sitting in cafรฉs, walking around parks, or biking through the city. Also, on New Yearโs Day, a firework show is held, which is one of the best attractions in the region beside other fun festivals in HK.
Plzeล
Plzeล, or Pilsen in English, is mostly known as the hometown of the world-famous Pilsner beer. The city has many beautiful landmarks to offer, such as the historical center with the over 100 meters high Church of St. Bartholomew. Your study options in Pilsen are, for example, the Charles Universityโs Faculty of Medicine or the University of West Bohemia with 9 faculties and a rich selection of study programs for students who decide to study in the Czech Republic.
Pilsen is surrounded by lots of nature; thus, you can check out the Bolevec Ponds or take a walk in the Borskรฝย Park. Other than that, you can travel to the Radynฤ Castle or the Zoological Garden that are also located in this affordable city.
Tips
Follow the instructions provided in the list down below, and youโll be on your way to studying in the Czech Republic in no time!
1. Choose the right study program for you
There are many options for foreign students to choose from in the Czech Republic. Find the program that suits you the most, whether that be short-term study programs, summer/winter schools, or degree programs. Watch out for the deadline โ usually between February and April โ so you donโt miss out on the one you like!
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2. Prepare for the entry requirements
The basic requirement for you to study in the Czech Republic is, of course, to have finished your previous studies. You will need to get your prior education recognized by the Czech authorities, which is also referred to as nostrification. The next thing you need to do is meet the requirements of the university you want to apply to. You will have to pay the application fee (approx. 30 โ 50 USD). Other requirements to study in the Czech Republic vary depending on the university. Some may require a letter of motivation, letter of recommendation, portfolio, English proficiency score, etc.
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3. Application and entry exam
Most universities use electronic application forms that will walk you through the process and track your status. It is required that you send a hard copy with the signed documents and application to the university or faculty. Oftentimes, you might be invited to an entrance exam, which can be held online or offline. You should check out the university websites to get to know the complete process of application and the entry exams to study in the Czech Republic.
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4. Wait for the results
When the university decides that you are eligible, you need to pay the tuition fees for the first semester if required. Look out for scholarship opportunities! You will then receive your official letter of admission and admission confirmation, which you will need for your Visa, study contracts, and accommodation. After that, youโre ready to study in the Czech Republic!
FAQs
Studying at public institutions in the Czech language is tuition-free when it comes to higher education programs. However, for other languages, fees can start from 50,000 CZK (approx. 2,180$) a year.
If you join higher education programs in the Czech language, then yes, studying is free. For most programs, you need at least a B2 level, while some programs require a C1 level.
Yes. Czechia offers a great variety of courses and research opportunities, and tuition fees and the cost of living tend to be lower than those in many other European countries. Additionally, international students can benefit from exploring another countryโs culture.
To study in the Czech Republic, students often need a B average or a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 grading scale. However, even if you donโt meet those requirements, you can still be considered for admission in some institutions.
