Czechia: Tuition fees & cost of living

Author: Claudia Civinini — Last update: 28 April 2023

Prague doesn’t need any introduction – if you haven’t visited yet, it’s probably on your travel list. But beyond the dreamy beauty of its capital, the Czech Republic has a lot more in store for international students.

Czechia, as the country now is also called, offers affordable tuition fees for its English-taught degrees, and a lower cost of living compared to other destinations.

Let’s see how much it costs to study and live in Czechia as an international student.

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💸 Tuition fees: How much does it cost to study in Czechia?

On average, tuition fees in Czechia for undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be between €2,000 and €10,000 – although some programmes will be outside that range, either much cheaper or more expensive. The table below will give you an idea of the fees at some universities in Czechia.

Fees for EU and non-EU students will generally be the same, but they also might differ in some instances.

For example, the University of New York in Prague and the Anglo-American University have different tuition fees for EU and non-EU students, but also other universities may at times charge different fees for specific courses – see, for example, Charles University.

University	Tuition fees for Bachelors per year	Tuition fees for Masters per year
Anglo-American University	Ca. 9,000 EUR for EU students, ca. 10,400 EUR for non-EU	Ca. 9,000 EUR for EU students, ca. 10,400 EUR for non-EU
Brno University of Technology	–	Ca. 3,000 EUR
Charles University	Ca. 6,300 EUR	Ca. 6,300 EUR
Czech Technical University in Prague	From 4,600 EUR to 5,700 EUR	From 4,600 EUR to 5,700 EUR
Masaryk University	From 3,000 to 7,000 EUR, up to 16,000 EUR for Medicine and Dentistry	–
Mendel University in Brno	Ca. 2,700 EUR	Ca. 2,700 EUR
Prague City University	6,000 EUR to 8,800 EUR	6,800 EUR to 8,800 EUR
Prague University of Economics and Business	Ca. 5,000 EUR	Ca. 5,000 EUR
University of New York in Prague	Ca. 10,000 EUR for European Bachelors, ca. 20,000 EUR for American Bachelors	Ca. 9,000 EUR
University of Ostrava	Ca. 4,000 EUR	Ca. 4,000 EUR
University of South Bohemia České Budějovice	–	Ca. 4,000 EUR, up to 10,000 EUR

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🏛️ Are there application fees at Czech universities?

Yes, there are application fees at Czech universities – but not at all of them.

Prague City University, for example, doesn’t have an application fee.

Most universities charge an application fee between €20 and €50, although the fee can increase to over €80 at the University of New York in Prague.

Other fees may be charged during the application process or later, depending on the university. At the University of New York in Prague, for example, there are Student Body Fees (€250 per semester for bachelor’s programmes).

Prague City University also has a UK student body fee for the British-accredited degree programmes: €800 per year for Bachelor’s degrees and €1,300 for Master’s.

🤔 Can you study in the Czech Republic for free?

International students can study in Czechia for free in state institutions – but only if they enrol in Czech language programmes. If you are able to study in Czech, congratulations! There may be some administrative fees to pay, but you won’t have to pay tuition fees.

Programmes in other languages, including English, usually require tuition fees – although it’s still possible to find programmes that don’t.

Thankfully, as the table above shows, fees are somewhat cheaper than in other European destinations.

While there is no government-sponsored loan system in Czechia, there are scholarships available for international students.

💰 Are there scholarships for international students?

Yes, there are scholarships available for international students in Czechia.

Some scholarships for international students are offered by the government, while others are provided by individual institutions.

Here are some opportunities as an example:

The Czech Government runs a scholarship programme providing financial support for students from the following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Zambia.
Charles University offers merit-based scholarships or tuition-fee reductions, in addition to scholarships and financial support programmes run by the individual faculties.
The Brno University of Technology has an accommodation scholarship programme and other opportunities for merit-based financial support.
The Anglo-American University has a variety of scholarship programmes depending on the course and the country of origin of the student.
Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus.

⌛ Application deadlines at Czech universities:

In general, application deadlines at Czech universities are between February and April.

It’s important to note that each university will have its own timeline when it comes to applications and deadlines, and that some universities operate on a rolling admissions policy and some don’t.

So, it’s crucial to czech check with your chosen university and mark all the important dates in your calendar before you get started.

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💳 What is the monthly cost of living in Czechia?

Czechia is still an affordable country for international students compared to other European destinations. For example, the cost of living in Prague is lower than in many other European capitals.

The cost of living will differ according to where you live and your lifestyle. In very general terms, expect to spend approximately the equivalent of €300 to €750 a month, including accommodation, food and perhaps some nights out.

Accommodation will range from about €150 to over €400 – and more, of course, depending on the size and the location.
University canteens can be quite cheap, but it’s also a good idea to bring your lunch from home.
Expect to spend around €150/200 a month for food, although students have reported spending as low as €110 or up to €290.
Don’t forget to use student discounts. With a student discount, a monthly travel pass in Prague will cost only about €5.50.

And remember that, although Czechia is part of the EU, its currency is not the Euro but the Czech Crown.

💪 Can I work while studying at university in the Czech Republic?

International students can work while studying in Czechia.

Students from the EU/EEA don’t have any restrictions on the number of hours and can access the labour market freely both during and after their studies.
Other international students (non-EU/EEA) also don’t have any legal restriction on the number of hours they work weekly either. If enrolled in a degree programme accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, they don’t even need a specific work permit to work while studying in Czechia.

As for after graduation, non-EU/EEA students can apply for a 9-month permit to look for employment or start a business. According to a survey by the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research (DZS), about half of international students stay and work in Czechia after graduation.

It is possible to find a job, especially in Prague, without speaking fluent Czech. However, speaking Czech will certainly broaden your opportunities – and it might be necessary when you look for a part-time job during your studies.

📚 Costs to obtain a study visa for Czechia:

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland don’t require a visa to live and study in Czechia. However, as is the case in other EU countries, they will need to register with the police.

International students from outside the EU/EEA will instead need to apply for a visa. There are two types of visas students can apply for. One is a long-term visa, which can be granted for up to a maximum of one year and can be gained through the embassy. At the end of the initial one-year period, students can switch to a long-term residency permit. Students can also apply for a long-term residency permit straight away, but the process is a little bit more complicated. Your university’s international office will be able to help you understand which option is best in your case.

When applying for your student visa or residence permit, you will need to provide confirmation of enrolment and accommodation, and proof that you can support yourself financially.

How much do you need to show you have in your bank account? Glad you asked! The formula is a little bit complicated, but there is no need to stress. Here’s an example:

You will need to show you have 15 times the amount the government calls ‘existential minimum’ for the first month you stay in Czechia, plus double the existential minimum for every month after that.

The existential minimum, as of 1st January 2023, is set at 3,130 CZK, or about €130.

So, if you plan to stay 12 months, you’ll need: (15 x €130) + (11 x 2 x €130) = €4810

Your university’s international office will help you with your visa application and its requirements. They’ll have calculators, too.

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Claudia has many years of experience as a reporter and writer on international education and student mobility. Originally from Italy, she holds a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Genova; a Graduate Diploma in Education, Secondary Education and Teaching from the Australian Catholic University; and a joint MSc in Educational Neuroscience from UCL and Birkbeck, University of London. Claudia has previously worked as Chief Reporter for the English Language Gazette, as Senior Reporter for the PIE News (Professionals in International Education), and as Reporter for Tes.