Czech Republic Education System Explained for International Students | Qogent Global

Academic Structure

Understanding the Czech Republic Education System

Gain insights into the Czech Republic higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.

Czech Degree Levels

Bachelor's (Bc.)

3 to 4 years

First degree, after secondary school.

Master's (Mgr., Ing.)

1 to 3 years

A master's after a bachelor's.

Long-cycle master's

4 to 6 years

One long master's degree with no bachelor's first, for fields such as medicine.

Doctoral (Ph.D.)

3 to 4 years

Research degree after a master's.

Czech higher education follows three cycles: bachelor's, master's and doctoral.

Higher Education Framework

Types of Degrees and Institutions

There are public, state and private universities and colleges.

Types of Higher Education Institutions

Public

The largest group. Degrees taught in the Czech language are free.

•Wide range of programmes

State

For special jobs, mainly defence and security.

Private

Set their own fees and rules for who gets in.

•Often specialised or professional programmes

Academic Degree Structure

Bachelor's

3 to 4 years

Titles you get: Bc. (BcA. for arts)

Ends with a final state examination and a bachelor's thesis defence.

Key Characteristics:

Needs completed secondary education

Follow-up master's

1 to 3 years

Titles you get: Mgr., MgA., Ing. (engineer), Ing. arch. (architect)

Ends with a final state examination and a master's thesis defence.

Key Characteristics:

Needs a bachelor's degree

Long-cycle master's

4 to 6 years

Title for medicine: MUDr.

One long master's degree, not split into bachelor's and master's.

Key Characteristics:

Starts after secondary education

Doctoral

3 to 4 years

Ph.D.

Research, ending with a state doctoral exam and a dissertation defence.

Key Characteristics:

Needs a master's degree

Academic Experience

Courses and Teaching

Some courses you must take. For some you choose from a short list. Others you pick freely. Some courses need you to pass another course first.

Czech Republic Academic Culture

Where to Find the Rules

Course requirements are usually in the course outline or on the university's student website.

Grading System

How You Are Assessed

Assessment differs by university, by faculty (the part of a university that teaches your subject) and by programme.

Example:

Total Grade Points: 20

Total Credits: 10

Semester GPA: 2

Forms of Assessment

You may have written or oral exams, projects, presentations, seminar papers, or tests and work during the term.

Credit: you pass or fail

Graded credit: you get a grade

Written or oral exam

Portfolio or practical assessment

Final state examination: a big exam at the end of your degree

Thesis defence: you present your final paper and answer questions

Academic Calendar

The Academic Year

The academic year is usually divided into two semesters. A semester is half of the school year.

Key Academic Dates

Application Deadlines

•Most programmes starting in September: Usually February to April, before the September start.

Major Academic Events

•Winter semester starts: September or October
•Winter exams: January or early February
•Summer semester starts: February
•Summer exams: May and June

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) Credits

Most Czech universities use the European credit system (ECTS). Each course has credits (points) that show how much work it is. You get the credits when you pass the course.

Typical Course Credits

•One academic year: About 60 ECTS

Plan for Exams

Each semester ends with an exam period. Plan your time around it. The dates are in the list below.

Institutional Quality

Quality and Accreditation

Czech universities follow a national law, the Higher Education Act. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) runs the system. The National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education approves (accredits) universities or programmes and checks quality.