University in Czech Republic for International Students 2 Paths

Getting into a university in Czech Republic for international students takes five steps: choose the language of study, confirm your language level, recognize your school certificate, apply and pass the entrance exams. Can you study for free in English? No. Free tuition applies only to Czech-taught programs at public universities, while English-taught programs are paid.

The order of steps depends on the path you choose, so the first decision concerns the language of study. Below you will find a short answer to each question and links to detailed articles.

This guide is for applicants after secondary school and for those who already hold a foreign diploma. Most EdVista students come from Ukraine, but the admission rules apply to all international applicants. All EdVista classes run online, so you can prepare from any country. If you are just starting, open the section on the two paths first, since your plan depends on it.

Mgr. Oksana Stupak, PhD. DrS, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, founded EdVista. She teaches at Masaryk University in Brno. According to EdVista, 95% of its graduates entered Czech universities.

Two paths: free Czech-taught and paid English-taught programs

The first decision in your admission plan concerns the language of study. It defines the cost, the preparation time and the list of exams. In both cases the same university issues the diploma, and the difference lies in the language and the price.

Czech-taught programs at public universities are free regardless of the student’s citizenship. However, they require Czech at the B2 level. For this reason, most applicants start preparing about a year before admission. If you need the language, EdVista offers preparation for admission to Czech universities. The online program combines Czech up to B2 with entrance exam training.

English-taught programs charge tuition, and each university sets its own fee. Czech is not required, but the university checks your English level. We cover requirements and deadlines in the article on English programs at Czech universities.

If you already speak Czech at B2 or choose an English-taught program, consider admission support to a Czech university. In this format, a personal coordinator helps with choosing a university, applications and nostrification.

Some applicants apply to both types of programs to keep a backup option. Also think about life after graduation. You will need Czech in daily life and on the job market, even if you study in English.

The official study portal Study in the Czech Republic lists programs of both types.

Requirements to study in the Czech Republic: language and documents

Admission to a Czech-taught program requires two confirmations: your language level and your previous education.

Most Czech-taught programs require B2. Each language level takes about 3 months of regular study. As a result, the path from zero to B2 takes roughly a year.

At the same time, some programs accept a lower level, so check the requirements of your faculty in advance. Applicants usually confirm their level with a language certificate or the university’s own Czech exam. Our article explains which Czech level you need for your program.

The second requirement concerns education. Your school certificate needs recognition in the Czech Republic through a procedure called nostrification. It takes time, so start it alongside your language course. We explain the steps, deadlines and common mistakes in the guide to nostrification in the Czech Republic.

Each university sets its own deadline for the nostrification decision, usually no later than enrollment day.

You will also need a passport, translations of your documents and an application to the chosen university. Documents in other languages usually need an official Czech translation.

For a master’s program, you need a recognized bachelor’s diploma instead of a school certificate. Some faculties also ask for a motivation letter or a portfolio. The earlier you confirm both requirements, the more universities you can consider when applying. General rules for recognizing foreign education appear on the website of the Czech Ministry of Education.

Admission steps and deadlines: from application to student visa

Admission follows a clear sequence, and each stage has its own deadlines. The general order looks like this:

1. Choosing a university and major. Our article explains how to choose a university in the Czech Republic 9 months before admission.
2. Language preparation and nostrification, which run in parallel.
3. Application. Universities accept applications mostly in late winter or early spring, and exact dates depend on the university.
4. Entrance exams. Applicants pay a fee to take them, and each faculty sets the format.
5. Letter of admission from the university.
6. Long-term student visa. Processing can take up to several months, so submit your documents right after the admission letter.

The key principle is parallel work: language, nostrification and university choice happen at the same time. If you start nostrification only after the language course, you may miss application deadlines. That is why it makes sense to plan admission at least a year before your studies begin.

The academic year at Czech universities starts in late September or early October. This leaves a few months between the admission letter and the first semester for the visa and the move. Missing one university’s deadline does not end your admission, since deadlines differ between universities.

For a month by month schedule, see the step-by-step applicant calendar. If you plan to start next year, read our guide to entry to the Czech Republic in 2027.

Entrance exams OSP and TSP

Many Czech universities assess applicants through general study aptitude tests. Two formats appear most often in the requirements: OSP and TSP.

The OSP test is a national comparative exam that SCIO holds several times a year. It checks verbal, logical, argumentative and quantitative skills. Applicants can take it more than once and submit the higher score.

TSP is the study aptitude test of Masaryk University in Brno. Almost everyone applying to this university takes it, except applicants to the Faculty of Medicine. Unlike OSP, it includes critical thinking and cultural sections, so it also checks general knowledge.

Each test has its own task logic, and knowing these patterns saves time during the exam. For this reason, EdVista includes OSP and TSP preparation in its program alongside Czech. In class, students work through typical tasks in each section and learn to manage their time. This matters because both tests have strict time limits, and untrained applicants often run out of time. Knowing the format in advance also reduces stress on exam day.

Before you start, check which test your faculty requires. Many universities accept OSP results, while only Masaryk University requires TSP. Your choice of test therefore depends on the list of universities you apply to. Some faculties hold their own subject exams instead of general tests or alongside them. Applicants who already speak Czech at B2 can choose a separate entrance exam preparation course on this page.

Which university in Czech Republic is best for international students

There is no single answer, because the right choice depends on your field, language of study and city. Choosing a university in Czech Republic for international students means comparing faculties, teaching language and entrance exams. Below are three public universities that admit applicants from abroad.

Charles University is located in Prague and is the oldest university in the country. It offers study programs in both Czech and English.

Masaryk University is based in Brno, the second largest city in the country. Its programs are available in Czech and English, and applicants to most faculties take the TSP test.

The Czech Technical University in Prague focuses on engineering and technical fields. It also runs programs in Czech and English.

All three are public Czech universities for international students, so their Czech-taught programs are free of charge. Meanwhile, English-taught programs at these universities charge tuition set by each faculty. The city also matters, since Prague and Brno differ in living costs and student life.

Before you apply, compare the admission requirements of several faculties at once. We explain this process step by step in the guide on choosing a university and major.

University in Czech Republic for international students: how much it costs

Your budget depends mainly on the language of study. Tuition in Czech at public universities is free, so a Czech-taught program mainly involves preparation and living costs.

The main expenses are:

• language preparation up to B2;
• nostrification, translations and certified copies of documents;
• application fees and entrance exam fees;
• student visa and health insurance;
• living in the Czech Republic: a dormitory or apartment, food, transport.

Free tuition applies within the standard length of the program. If a student studies longer, the university may charge a fee.

Living costs depend on the city: Prague is usually more expensive than Brno or Olomouc. Plan a reserve for the first month after the move, when one-time costs for housing and documents appear.

Each university charges its own application and exam fees. Therefore, the number of applications directly affects your total budget. You can also spread some costs over time: language courses are paid monthly, while nostrification and the visa come in stages.

For English-taught programs, add tuition fees set by each university to this list.

The article on how much it costs to enter a Czech university compares applying alone and with EdVista. For monthly living expenses, see our breakdown of the cost of studying in the Czech Republic. Check EdVista program prices in the package table on this page.

Choose your path and book a free trial lesson to start preparing now.