CS
How to Apply
Applying to a Czech university is easier when you know what to expect.
Applying to a Czech university is easier when you know what to expect. Each university sets its own admission requirements, deadlines and application process, so always check the details for your chosen programme. This guide takes you through the main steps.
Application timeline
Deadlines vary by university, faculty and programme. Many applications for programmes starting in September close between February and April, but some deadlines are earlier or later. Use this timeline as a general guide:
- 12 to 18 months before studies: explore programmes, cities, tuition fees and admission requirements
- 9 to 12 months before studies: check document and language requirements
- 6 to 9 months before studies: prepare your documents and start the recognition process if needed
- February to April: many application deadlines for the next academic year
- Spring or early summer: entrance exams, interviews or portfolio assessments, if required
- June and July: admission results are often announced
- After admission: confirm your place, arrange recognition documents, apply for a visa if needed and prepare for arrival
Some programmes may have a different intake, for example in the summer semester. Always follow the deadline listed by your chosen university.
Step-by-step application guide
1. Choose Your Study Programme
1. Choose Your Study Programme
Start by choosing the degree programme that fits your interests, previous education and career plans. You can study in Czech, English and, in some cases, another foreign language. When comparing programmes, check:
- study field and degree level
- language of instruction
- tuition fees
- admission requirements
- entrance exams or interviews
- application deadline
- location and student services
- contact details for the admissions or international office
2. Check Admission Requirements
2. Check Admission Requirements
Each university and faculty is responsible for its own admission procedure. Requirements can vary even between programmes at the same university. If anything is unclear, contact the admissions office, international office or programme coordinator. Admission requirements depend on your degree level and programme. You may need to prove:
- previous education
- language proficiency
- programme-specific knowledge or skills
- motivation for the programme
- portfolio or talent exam results
- research proposal for some doctoral programmes
Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes
You usually need completed secondary education that gives access to higher education in your country. If your certificate was issued outside Czechia, you may need recognition of your previous education.
Follow-up Master’s programmes
You usually need a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent previous higher education.
Doctoral programmes
You usually need a completed Master’s degree. Doctoral applications often include additional steps, such as choosing a research topic, contacting a supervisor or submitting a research proposal.
Language requirements
For English-taught programmes, universities usually require proof of English proficiency. For Czech-taught programmes, you may need to prove Czech language skills. The exact level and accepted documents are set by the university and programme.
3. Prepare Your Documents
3. Prepare Your Documents
Required documents depend on the university, programme and degree level. Always follow the instructions in the application system. You may be asked for:
- completed application form
- proof of payment of the application fee
- diploma or graduation certificate from your previous studies
- transcript of records
- recognition of previous education, if required
- language certificate
- copy of your passport or ID
- CV
- motivation letter
- recommendation letter
- portfolio, especially for arts or creative programmes
Some documents may need to be officially certified, translated or legalised. Check the requirements early, because preparing official documents can take time.
4. Check Recognition of Previous Education
4. Check Recognition of Previous Education
If you completed your previous education outside Czechia, you will usually need to prove that it is equivalent to the required Czech level of education. For Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes, this usually means recognition of your secondary education. For follow-up Master’s or Doctoral programmes, it means recognition of your previous higher education.There are different ways this can be handled:
- nostrification through the relevant Czech authority
- recognition within the admission procedure, if the university offers this option
Recognition within the admission procedure is usually valid only for that university or faculty. General nostrification is broader, but it may take more time.
5. Submit Your Application
5. Submit Your Application
Applications usually start online through the university application system. There is no single central application form for all Czech universities. The application deadline is usually between February and April. In the application system, you will usually:
- fill in your personal details
- choose your programme
- upload or list required documents
- pay the application fee
- follow the status of your application
Some universities may also ask you to send printed, signed or certified documents. Follow the instructions from your university carefully. You can apply to several programmes, faculties or universities. Each application is usually submitted and paid for separately.
6. Pay the Application Fee
6. Pay the Application Fee
Most universities charge an application fee. The amount is set by the university and can vary by programme. As a general guide, the fee is usually several hundred Czech crowns, up to around 1,000 CZK. You may need to pay separately for each application or programme.
7. Complete Entrance Exams or Interviews
7. Complete Entrance Exams or Interviews
Some programmes require an entrance exam, interview, portfolio assessment or talent exam. Others may assess your application based on your documents. The format depends on the university and programme. Wait for official instructions and check what you need to prepare. Entrance exams may take place:
- in Czechia
- online
- at partner institutions abroad
- through an interview or written test
8. Wait for the Admission Decision
8. Wait for the Admission Decision
After the application period and entrance exams, the university will make the final admission decision. Results are usually shared through the online application system, by e-mail or by official letter by the end of June. If you are admitted, the university will tell you what to do next. You may need to:
- confirm your place
- submit final or missing documents
- complete recognition of previous education
- pay tuition fees, if applicable
- apply for a visa or residence permit, if needed
- prepare for enrolment
Keep in touch with your study programme coordinator. Your host university can advise you best on the arrangement of all the practical details of your arrival to Czechia, including local student accommodation options and available student services.
Step-by-step application guide
1. Choose Your Study Programme
Start by choosing the degree programme that fits your interests, previous education and career plans. You can study in Czech, English and, in some cases, another foreign language. When comparing programmes, check:
- study field and degree level
- language of instruction
- tuition fees
- admission requirements
- entrance exams or interviews
- application deadline
- location and student services
- contact details for the admissions or international office
2. Check Admission Requirements
Each university and faculty is responsible for its own admission procedure. Requirements can vary even between programmes at the same university. If anything is unclear, contact the admissions office, international office or programme coordinator. Admission requirements depend on your degree level and programme. You may need to prove:
- previous education
- language proficiency
- programme-specific knowledge or skills
- motivation for the programme
- portfolio or talent exam results
- research proposal for some doctoral programmes
Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes
You usually need completed secondary education that gives access to higher education in your country. If your certificate was issued outside Czechia, you may need recognition of your previous education.
Follow-up Master’s programmes
You usually need a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent previous higher education.
Doctoral programmes
You usually need a completed Master’s degree. Doctoral applications often include additional steps, such as choosing a research topic, contacting a supervisor or submitting a research proposal.
Language requirements
For English-taught programmes, universities usually require proof of English proficiency. For Czech-taught programmes, you may need to prove Czech language skills. The exact level and accepted documents are set by the university and programme.
3. Prepare Your Documents
Required documents depend on the university, programme and degree level. Always follow the instructions in the application system. You may be asked for:
- completed application form
- proof of payment of the application fee
- diploma or graduation certificate from your previous studies
- transcript of records
- recognition of previous education, if required
- language certificate
- copy of your passport or ID
- CV
- motivation letter
- recommendation letter
- portfolio, especially for arts or creative programmes
Some documents may need to be officially certified, translated or legalised. Check the requirements early, because preparing official documents can take time.
4. Check Recognition of Previous Education
If you completed your previous education outside Czechia, you will usually need to prove that it is equivalent to the required Czech level of education. For Bachelor’s and long-cycle Master’s programmes, this usually means recognition of your secondary education. For follow-up Master’s or Doctoral programmes, it means recognition of your previous higher education.There are different ways this can be handled:
- nostrification through the relevant Czech authority
- recognition within the admission procedure, if the university offers this option
Recognition within the admission procedure is usually valid only for that university or faculty. General nostrification is broader, but it may take more time.
5. Submit Your Application
Applications usually start online through the university application system. There is no single central application form for all Czech universities. The application deadline is usually between February and April. In the application system, you will usually:
- fill in your personal details
- choose your programme
- upload or list required documents
- pay the application fee
- follow the status of your application
Some universities may also ask you to send printed, signed or certified documents. Follow the instructions from your university carefully. You can apply to several programmes, faculties or universities. Each application is usually submitted and paid for separately.
6. Pay the Application Fee
Most universities charge an application fee. The amount is set by the university and can vary by programme. As a general guide, the fee is usually several hundred Czech crowns, up to around 1,000 CZK. You may need to pay separately for each application or programme.
7. Complete Entrance Exams or Interviews
Some programmes require an entrance exam, interview, portfolio assessment or talent exam. Others may assess your application based on your documents. The format depends on the university and programme. Wait for official instructions and check what you need to prepare. Entrance exams may take place:
- in Czechia
- online
- at partner institutions abroad
- through an interview or written test
8. Wait for the Admission Decision
After the application period and entrance exams, the university will make the final admission decision. Results are usually shared through the online application system, by e-mail or by official letter by the end of June. If you are admitted, the university will tell you what to do next. You may need to:
- confirm your place
- submit final or missing documents
- complete recognition of previous education
- pay tuition fees, if applicable
- apply for a visa or residence permit, if needed
- prepare for enrolment
Keep in touch with your study programme coordinator. Your host university can advise you best on the arrangement of all the practical details of your arrival to Czechia, including local student accommodation options and available student services.
Accepted to study in Czechia?
Apply for your visa as early as possible after receiving your official admission letter. The application process can take up to 60 days.
If you are not admitted
If you are not admitted, read the decision and instructions carefully. You may still have options. You can:
- submit an appeal within the stated deadline, if the rules allow it
- apply in a second admission round, if places are available
- choose another programme or university
- take a foundation programme and apply again later
