Masters degree - Postgraduate in English in Czech Republic for international students

Uniqueness and Originality  
Some programs in Czech higher education can remind you of Jaroslav Hašek’s humor: sometimes it's hard to understand what the program designers had in mind. For example, at Charles University, you can pursue a master's degree in "Socio-Cultural Studies in Central and Southeastern Europe" within the Department of Socio-Cultural Ecology or study Romanian memes in the Department of Electronic Culture and Semiotic Relations.

Affordable Education 
Czech public university programs are free for all students. Additionally, there are English, Russian, French, and German language programs. While education in France or the UK can cost tens of thousands of dollars, in the Czech Republic, tuition averages around $4,000 per year. There are also bilingual programs and joint degrees available.

Age Restrictions
The benefits and perks offered to students in this country, such as student health insurance programs, travel discounts, etc., have age limits. Individuals over the age of 26 cannot take advantage of these benefits.

University Autonomy
In some cases, university autonomy can be a competitive advantage. In others, it can be the opposite. Prospective students should thoroughly research program brochures before submitting their documents, as courses with the same title can differ significantly in content. The same applies to entrance exams.

The Czech higher education system includes three types of higher education institutions:

1. Higher vocational schools - tertiary or colleges (vyššší odborná škola)
They offer specialized vocational education and the DiS degree. Programs are subject and vocationally oriented, lacking an academic component and much of the interdisciplinary knowledge. It is assumed that after graduation the student will be able to immediately start looking for a job in his/her field of study. They do not offer master's programs in English.

2. Universities (vysoká škola)
A traditional higher education institution integrated into the Bologna process and offering three levels of qualifications, from bachelor's to doctoral studies. Also many universities can offer retraining and further education courses. They are reminiscent of classical universities in any European country: theory and research are emphasized. Charles University in Prague, for example, is considered one of the best in Europe and is in the top 200 according to QS.

3. Art academies
Specialized universities providing creative education. There are not so many of them in the country, only 4. One of the most affordable options for foreigners to study for a Master's degree in the Czech Republic, provided they are taught in Czech; programs in English and German are also available.

Czech universities can be roughly divided into 3 types:

Governmental
This category includes the University of Defense and the Police Academy, which have no autonomous status and are associated with the relevant ministries. Unlike most other European countries, these universities are open to foreigners and allow for employment after graduation.

Public
The source of funding is the state budget. It is here that free programs in Czech and relatively affordable English-language programs are available. Universities in this category have autonomous status and self-governance. Activities are generally regulated by the National Act on Higher Education of the Czech Republic of 1999. There are a total of 26 state-funded universities in the country; they enroll 80% of students.

Private
Non-state universities must be accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Despite their independent status, they receive a small amount of support from the budget, which is intended to equalize conditions for students of public and private universities. There are 34 of them in total. Most often they are small organizations: only 11% of the total number of students study in non-state universities.

Studying here is paid even on Czech programs, theoretical training is given much less attention and time than in state universities, relying instead on practical training and internships. The most popular fields of study include law, economics and management, social sciences and journalism.

The academic year consists of two blocks; each block consists of a semester of study, a vacation and an examination period. The semesters start in the last decade of September and February respectively. The winter vacation is around Christmas and lasts for a week, while the summer vacation is longer. Dates may vary slightly depending on the university; the latest information can be found on the institution's website.

In general, the system of higher education in the country corresponds to the Bologna process and includes three levels. However, there is a number of nuances that distinguish the system adopted here from other European countries. First of all, there are two types of Master's degree: structured and unstructured.

Structured Master's program

Available in 70-75% of higher education institutions. It is a classical academic program lasting from one to three years. Due to the availability and high quality of training, it can be said that this is an ideal Master's program in the Czech Republic.

Unstructured Master's degree

A combination of an undergraduate and graduate degree. Lasts 8 to 12 semesters: usually in law, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine or art.

The admission procedure is identical to that for undergraduate programs, except for programs in the arts, where entrance examinations are competitive. Upon completion of their studies, Master's graduates may continue their studies for a doctoral degree.

A separate category is the practically-oriented business MBA, organized in CAMBAS, the Czech Association of MBA Schools. Entry is possible after obtaining a bachelor's degree and with at least 2-3 years of work experience in the field. 60% of Master's programs are available in English; in addition, it is possible to study in German, Czech or French.

The procedure for defending the Master's thesis is also different: it takes place in an oral examination.

A number of universities offer one-year preparatory programs: they are aimed at expatriate students who wish to study for a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree but do not have sufficient language skills. Classes may include only Czech courses or be supplemented with courses in the field of the future specialization. Classes are taught in English, rarely in Czech or German.

The application must be submitted electronically on the official university portal. Along with the application form, it is necessary to submit:

• a motivational essay in English or Czech;
• a copy of passport;
• copies of documents on previous education with translation into Czech or English and apostille;
• a receipt for payment of the course fee.

After the completion of the course, examinations are taken and a document is issued confirming that the student has a sufficient command of the national language for higher education (B1-B2).

Preparatory courses give their participants another significant advantage: many universities exempt them from taking exams for admission.

The admission process for Czech universities typically concludes by February or March, with applications opening in December or even November (creative universities may start accepting applications even earlier). Entrance exams are held in May and consist of two parts: written and oral. Applications are submitted directly to the higher education institution where the applicant intends to study.

There are no limits on the number of applications that can be submitted at the same time, either in terms of universities or programs.

The admission process includes four main stages:

1. Filling out the application,
2. Entrance exams,
3. Nostrification,
4. Submission of documents.

To apply for a structured master's program, a bachelor's degree diploma is required. For unstructured programs, secondary education and successful completion of exams are sufficient, along with any certificates or diplomas relevant to the chosen field. However, some traditional universities may still require entrance exams for international students.

After passing the exams, the prospective student must provide all necessary documentation to the university administration. Additionally, the student must undergo a nostrification process, which is handled by local government authorities. Typically, the following documents are required for nostrification (additional requirements may apply depending on the applicant's country, so it is advisable to check with the local Czech authorities):

- Application for validation,
- Proof of payment for the fee (~$120),
- Valid international passport,
- Valid visa.

After nostrification, the applicant’s educational documents may be fully or partially recognized (in the latter case, the student may need to take a specialized test). An interesting detail: the testing is conducted in the national language, but students are allowed to hire a translator, as the exam does not assess Czech language proficiency.

For the application stage, the following documents are typically required:

- Educational documents and academic transcripts,
- Birth certificate,
- International passport,
- Medical certificate from doctors accredited by the Czech embassy,
- Motivation essay,
- Certificate of language proficiency,
- Bank receipt for the administrative fee.

The educational documents and birth certificate should be accompanied by notarized translations into Czech.

The law states that education in the national language at state universities is free of charge. At the same time, programs in other languages, including English, are paid: their cost can be up to $20-25 thousand/year, the final cost depends on the university and the direction of training.

Along with the tuition fee, applicants need to pay the application fee and exams. In addition, if two years of undergraduate study is not enough to earn a degree, additional tuition fees (from $800 to $10,200/year) will be required to complete the course.

Private universities always charge tuition fees regardless of the language of instruction: they range from $3500 to $19,000/year.

EU Citizens, as well as of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland do not need a visa to study on a Master's program in the Czech Republic. Other students will need a residence permit.

To study in the Czech Republic, you need a long-term visa for more than 3 months. It can take up to 2 months to obtain, and applicants must first confirm their enrollment before applying.Usually universities provide consulting services for the visa documentation procedure, but as a general rule, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Czech Republic.

A number of documents are required for processing:

• passport;
• application form;
• 2 color photos 3*4;
• invitation from the university and confirmation of the fact of enrollment, as well as a document naming and certifying the purpose of the visit to the country;
• certificate of absence of criminal record;
• medical policy for the whole period of stay in the Czech Republic;
• proof of residence in the Czech Republic;
• documents confirming financial solvency.

After arrival in the country, it is necessary to apply to the Czech Police Foreign Affairs Office within three days to register and obtain a residence permit.

Citizens of the EU, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, do not need a visa to study in master's programs in the Czech Republic. Other students will require a residence permit.

For studying in the Czech Republic, a long-term visa (for more than 3 months) is required. Obtaining this visa can take up to 2 months, and applicants must first confirm their enrollment before applying. Universities usually provide consulting services for the visa documentation process, but in general, applications for the visa should be submitted to the Czech Republic's embassy.

The following documents are typically required for the visa application:

• International passport,
• Application form,
• Two color photos (3x4 cm),
• Invitation from the university and confirmation of enrollment, as well as a document stating the purpose of the visit,
• Criminal record certificate,
• Health insurance for the entire stay in the Czech Republic,
• Proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic,
• Documents proving financial solvency.

After arriving in the country, students must register with the Czech Republic’s Foreign Police within three days and obtain a residence permit.

Czech laws allow students to work without restrictions, and full-time students at universities accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports can work without a permit—provided they maintain good attendance and academic performance. The minimum wage is approximately $3 per hour. Employment opportunities are often facilitated by university or municipal employment centers.

Master's students typically work at the university (with job opportunities available in libraries, academic departments, and laboratories) or in the service sector (such as cafes, restaurants, and other facilities on campus). They may also engage in teaching or tutoring. Internships are also possible, although they are usually unpaid and offered as part of unstructured master's programs, with durations of up to 3-4 months.