Study in Canada

ABOUT CZECH REPUBLIC

Landlocked in Central Europe, the Czech Republic is bordered by Austria in the South, Germany in the west, Poland in the north east and Slovakia to the east. Covering only 78871 square kilometers, its geographical location is in the transition zone between the oceanic and continental climate. Therefore, it often experiences warm summers and snowy winters in its territories. While Prague is the capital and the largest city in the country, Brno, Ostrava and Plzen have also been preferred by most students to stay and study in the country. Czech Republic’s unitary parliamentary structure has made it become one of the finest developed countries with an advanced and very high income economy. Its adoption of a welfare state model with European social mode, provision to universal health care and tuition free universities have made it rank 12th in the UN human development rankings and 24th in the World Bank Human Capital Index. Its contribution to the international community mostly comes from its role in the UN, NATO, EU, OECD, OSCE and the CoE.

 

HIGHER EDUCATION STRUCTURE 

The Study in Czech Republic can be best described as a combination of three different cycles. They are:

 

The Bachelor’s or the first cycle: Czech Republic provides a variety of programs for a bachelor’s degree which include agriculture, applied sciences, arts, design, business management, IT, education, engineering, environmental sciences, hospitality, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, natural sciences, social sciences. The degree may usually take upto 3-4 years to complete depending on the course. 

Requirement to study Bachelor’s in Czech Republic: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • A TOEFL exam score of 87 and above

Master’s or the second cycle: After the successful completion of their bachelor’s degree, students may avail a variety of master’s courses that country provides based on their subject of interest. These include agriculture, applied sciences, arts, design, business management, IT, education, engineering, environmental sciences, hospitality, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, natural sciences, social sciences.. While the degree may take upto 1-3 years to complete depending on the course, students are often taught through seminars, exercises, practical workshops, field trips and research. These help them to not only prepare for a professional career but also an academic career if they choose to. 

Requirement to study Master’s in Czech Republic: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of bachelor’s with 60% and above
  • A TOEFL exam score of 87 and above 

Doctoral degree or the third cycle: After the successful completion of their master’s, students can also apply for a doctoral degree which all public and private universities offer in the country. Students are given the opportunity to conduct independent research under academic supervision which later they will have to defend in front of a panel of experts appointed by the university. While the degree may take upto 5-6 years to complete, students are also given financial grants that will help them sustain themselves in the country. 

Requirement to study PhD in Czech Republic: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of bachelor’s with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of master’s with 60% and above
  • Independent research idea 
  • A TOEFL exam score of 87 and above

Cost of study

While degrees taught in public universities may range from no tuition fees to upto EUR 18500 (around INR 1570000) per year, private universities are free to set their own higher education’s fees and limits. Therefore, students may find private universities a lot more expensive. However, unlike most countries in the region, Czech Republic is rather affordable to live in. Because of its currency difference with the Euro, students may be able to find a comfortable accommodation within EUR 300-650 per month (INR 25000 – 55000) in any city.

EMPLOYMENT IN CZECH REPUBLIC 

The Czech Republic Student visa allows international students to work upto 20 hours a week while pursuing their higher education. Students are likely to find jobs in the service sector which include cafes, restaurants, offices, etc. However, they are advised to be acquainted with the Czech language since it would make it a lot easier to communicate in the country. In addition, they are also required to apply for an employment card at the local Employment Office to be hired at any place.

When it comes to finding a job after graduation, the country’s growing economy has seen very high employment opportunities in the field of trade, IT and tourism. After the successful completion of their degree, they may apply for a long term residence permit of 9 months to look for a job in the country. Once they do, they may apply for an Employee card or a Blue Card which allows them to stay and work in the country for a maximum of 2 years that is subject to an indefinite number of renewals. 

VISA REQUIREMENTS 

For availing a student visa to the Czech Republic, an applicant must furnish:

  • A passport that does expire within twelve months beyond your agreed stay period.
  • A letter of acceptance from a Czech higher education institute  
  • Proof of sufficient funds to sustain stay
  • Proof of accommodation in the country 

SCHOLARSHIP

While universities have their own set of scholarships, the government of Czech Republic has multiple bilateral arrangements with countries to provide their nationalities to study in the former. In addition, the country also provides scholarships under the Erasmus+ program which many students continue to avail.