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Czech Republic

Study Master in Czech Republic 2024

Study in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic's central European landscape is dominated by the Bohemian Massif, which rises to heights of 3,000 ft (900 m) above sea level. This ring of mountains encircles a large elevated basin, the Bohemian Plateau. The principal rivers are the Elbe and the Vltava. The country has the highest human development in Central and Eastern Europe, ranking as a "Very High Human Development" nation. It is also ranked as the third most peaceful country in Europe and the most democratic and healthy country in the region.

The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe and has a rich cultural history and lifestyle. The country is landlocked and has borders with Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. Although the Czech Republic is an EU member, the currency is the Czech Crown (CZK). The country is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Czech Republic is particularly well known for a long history of producing high-quality musical instruments including wind instruments, pianos, pipe organs and string instruments; famous brands include Amati, Petrof, Reiger-Kloss, and Strunal.

The Czech Republic has a rich culture of the arts, including opera, films, dance, and theater. Students will also find many fascinating museums and beautiful gardens and parks to visit during their leisure time. Famous Czech cuisine specialties include noodle soup with liver dumplings, roast sirloin with cream sauce, goulash, and fried cheese.

Climate
The overall climate is moderate and all four seasons occur in the Czech Republic. Average temperatures run from a low of -4 degrees C in January to a high of 24 degrees C in July. Locations near the border mountain ranges are much colder.

Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Czech Republic is much lower than in most of Western Europe. Monthly expenses, excluding any tuition or fees, will be about $US 350 to $US 750. International students should get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) before departing from their home country; this card can be used for a wide variety of discounts at restaurants, theaters, museums, concerts, and transportation services.

International students may work to supplement their income, but must have a job permit. The job permit is not required if the student is under 26 years of age and works fewer than 7 consecutive calendar days or 30 days total in one year.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    405
  • Share of utilities

    94
  • Internet subscription

    22
  • Local transportation

    21

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    7
  • Cinema ticket

    8
  • Pint of local beer

    2

About Czech Republic

The Czech Republic boasts the oldest institution of higher education in Central Europe, the Charles University. Located in Prague, the school was founded in 1348.

Modern Czech higher education uses the three-cycle structure of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Higher education institutions are divided into universities and non-universities. Non-universities usually provide only bachelor’s degrees, while universities provide programs of study across all degree levels and academic disciplines.

The Czech Republic has 26 public, 2 state, and 44 private institutions of higher education. The two state institutions are specialized schools run by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior. Taken together, the schools offer master’s degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, art history, sculpture, theatre, theological studies, engineering, information technology, chemistry, physics, natural sciences, business, social sciences, forestry, education, and many others. Many private institutions focus on specific areas of study such as business.

Why Study in the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic has a long tradition of high-quality education and research, particularly in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine. International students will find a welcoming environment; currently more than 37,000 foreign students are studying at Czech schools.

Many programs are now offered in English and other languages besides Czech. In addition, Mater of Business Administration (MBA) degrees are growing in popularity; most MBA programs use a case-study approach.

Tuition and Program Duration
By law, tuition is free for all nationalities at all public institutions of higher learning in the Czech Republic. Some fees do apply, such as admissions, extension of studies beyond the original date, studies undertaken in addition to a student’s original plan, and fees for studying in a language other than Czech.

Private institutions set their own tuition and fees, and these typically range from $US 2,000 to $US 15,000 each year.

Master’s degree programs can last anywhere from one to three years. Master’s programs are very theoretical and students are required to take a final state exam and defend a thesis in a public forum.

Academic Year
Exact start dates are established by individual institutions, but most begin the academic year in October. In addition, most institutions divide the academic year into two 20-week winter and summer semesters, each including a 15-week instructional period, five weeks of exams, and a holiday. A two-month holiday is usually taken in July and August.

Post-Graduate Opportunities
There are many opportunities for employment in the Czech Republic after obtaining a master’s degree for all students, regardless of nationality. One-third of company directors in the Czech Republic are foreigners. Although business is increasingly conducted in English, students who have undertaken studies in Czech or are already proficient in Czech will find an advantage in obtaining employment.

Visa Requirements
All international students require long-term visas for studying in the Czech Republic. Additional information is available at the website for the Ministry of the Interior. Long-term student visas can take 3-4 months to obtain, so students should plan accordingly. Health Insurance Students from EU-member countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may use the European Health Insurance Card provided by their home country to obtain medical services.

Students from other countries are not entitled to public health insurance and must purchase commercial health insurance that covers at least €30,000 worth of care. Students on long-term stays are required to present proof of premium payment. In addition to health insurance, all major hospitals accept major credit cards or cash as payment for treatment.

Tips
There are many student organizations in the Czech Republic dedicated to helping international students. These organizations include the Erasmus Student Network and The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE).

Students not proficient in Czech will find many courses in the Czech Republic to assist them. Although these courses typically require an additional fee, some are covered by scholarships. The Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies provides multiple courses for students with language deficiencies, including intensive courses and online courses.

Visa Requirements

  1. Short-term visa - for stays up to 90 days
  2. Long-term visa - for stays over 90 days.
  3. Long-term residence permit for study purposes - for students arriving for a period longer than one year.

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Visa

Price and currency

CZK 2500

The current visa fee for a student visa to the Czech Republic is CZK 2.500 (around 98 EUR). The fee may be subject to change.

Who can apply for the visa?

Students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not need a visa to study in the Czech Republic. EU students have, however, a reporting duty after their arrival if the intended stay in the Czech Republic is longer than 30 days. In this situation, within 30 days of entering the Czech Republic, you need to declare your presence to the Foreign Police Department.

Students from countries outside the EU have to apply for a student visa.

Where can you make the application?

Embassy/Consulate of the Czech Republic

You apply for your student visa at the Embassy/Consulate of the Czech Republic in your country of residence.

Website:https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/diplomatic_missions/czech_missions_abroad/index.html

How to make the application?

You will first need to be accepted to an educational institution in the Czech Republic. The school/program has to be accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic. If it is not accredited, then you have to apply for the visa for other purposes.

First-time visas must be applied for (and obtained) before their arrival to the Czech Republic – it is forbidden to travel to the Czech Republic without it

The following documents are mainly required for receiving a student visa or a residence permit:

  • application form
  • letter of acceptance for studies
  • valid passport and passport photos
  • proof of financial resources for the stay (e.g. in the form of a bank account statement or confirmation of being beneficiary of a grant)
  • confirmation of guaranteed accommodation
  • valid international health insurance
  • abstract from the Register of Criminal Records

All documents (except the travel document and bank statement) must be in the Czech language. Translations into the Czech language must be officially verified.

While lodging the application, an interview with the applicant can be conducted. A written record of the interview can be a part of the application. A record will be written down in the Czech language and will be signed by the applicant and the officer of the Consulate who will conduct the interview. In case you don't understand Czech you can bring an interpreter with you to translate the written record.

When should you apply?

The whole procedure for obtaining a visa for study purposes can take up to 60–90 days, so it is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance.

The long-term visa lasts up to 6 months. Extensions can be made. The long-term residence permit for the purpose of the study is valid for one year.

Processing time

90 Days

Work opportunities

There are no restrictions on the employment of students coming from the EU or EEA countries. There is no work permit needed and these workers have the same legal status as citizens of the Czech Republic.

Students from outside EU/EEA are obligated to get an employment permit. There are some exceptions though:

  • they do not need an employment permit in case they pursue activities in the territory of the Czech Republic as part of exchange traineeships for students and young graduates from higher education institutions
  • they do not need an employment permit if they are students up to the age of 26 and they do not work for more than 7 consecutive calendar days or a total of 30 days within a calendar year
  • they do not need an employment permit if they have obtained secondary or tertiary professional education or tertiary professional education in a conservatoire under the Czech Education Act.

In other cases, you need to apply for an employment permit. It can be submitted personally or by another person on the basis of a written power of attorney at any locally appropriate regional office of the Public Employment Service. The permit issued is subject to the administrative fee of 500 CZK.

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.