Higher Education System in Czech Republic

Students from around the globe are drawn to the Czech Republic for its excellent education system. With approximately 311,000 students, 43,000 of which are international students, Czech universities are among some of the most popular in the world. The Czech University system also boasts some of the best education on offer in Europe with an emphasis on quality, diversity, accessibility, and relevance.

Depending on their educational background, students can choose from a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. On average, a bachelor’s degree program in the Czech Republic lasts from three to four years, while a master’s or a doctorate can vary between one and four years. With a diverse range of study programs, students are also offered the flexibility to choose from a long list of internationally recognized qualifications and specializations depending on their particular interests.

Considering the Czech Republic’s long tradition of quality education, it’s no surprise that universities in the Czech Republic draw amazing minds from around the world. The country is especially known for its programs in the sciences, engineering, and medicine. So, if you’re up for the challenge, study textile engineering at the Technical University of Liberec, environmental development at the Palacký University Olomouc, or general medicine at Masaryk University. No matter which program you pursue, quality is guaranteed. The Czech education system is based on a long tradition beginning in 1774, when compulsory school attendance was instituted. The current literacy rate in the country is above 99%.

Upper education System can be either general or vocational, is generally four years in length (grades 10-13), and is not considered mandatory. At this level, vocational education is much more common than the general secondary education. Students who graduate with a vocational certificate often do not continue in the classical education system, and instead pursue a career in their chosen area of study right away. The secondary level of education is not attended by a great number of students, since the majority attends 8-year gymnasiums after 5th grade, which leads them all the way up to their 13th year of education.

Tertiary or university education, includes all studies following the completion of primary and secondary education with a successful final examination. Final examinations consist of several smaller exams; an exam of the Czech language, several exams in the student’s area of specialization, as well as an exam on a topic of the student’s choice. After 2008, these exams consist of two parts: a common (state) exam and a profiling (specific for individual schools) exam. This measure was implemented in an effort to provide better comparability of the final examinations across different schools. University education is available to all applicants with a completed secondary education (i.e. final exam) who successfully pass the entrance exam. The system of entrance exams is designed specifically by each individual college, and serves for testing the knowledge and skills of applicants.

Most universities offer accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and engineering degrees. A bachelor’s degree is usually a three-year course of study in which students receive an elementary survey of highly specialized areas. Students can either leave their studies after these three years, or they can complete it by means of a final exam including the defense of a bachelor’s thesis, or may continue on to the master’s program, where they can achieve a narrower specialization.

A master’s degree consists of either a five or six-year study program, or as a two-year program following the completion of a bachelor’s degree. In obtaining a master’s degree, students gain both a basic survey of highly specialized subjects and a certain grade of specialization. The program culminates with students taking required state final exams and defending their thesis. Finally, an engineering degree can also be obtained, which pertains mainly to technical and economic fields.

After students pass these types of university studies, some continue their specialization through doctoral programs. Passing this program is often conditioned with certain published work and sometimes also by training. In college, students can study either in attendance form (formerly daily study), distance form (formerly extramural studies), or a combination of both (combined study).

Besides standard types of study, colleges also offer other form of education  including retraining study, university for seniors, studies oriented toward pedagogical qualification, and others. Study at public universities is free, provided that students qualify through entrance exams. However, after age 26 the attendant will no longer be eligible for student status under state social services and will not receive student benefits including health insurance while he/she studies.

Best Schools & Universities in Czech Republic 2019

• University of New York in Prague (UNYP)
• University of South Bohemia – Faculty of Science
• Technical University of Liberec
• University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague
• Palacky University
• University of Business in Prague
• MIAS School of Business
• Charles University Faculty of Science
• Newton College