Studying in the Czech Republic for Ukrainians

Admission to a Czech university is not some abstract “mission for the chosen few”. In fact, the algorithm is quite clear: you choose a program, prepare documents, submit an application, and take entrance exams (if required). But there are nuances in each step that you should know about right away.

What documents to prepare

The first thing a university checks is your level of education. For a bachelor's degree, you will need a Ukrainian certificate with an appendix of grades. For a master's or PhD program, you will need a bachelor's or master's degree. All documents must be translated into Czech by an official translator.

And this is where nostrification comes into play - a procedure that confirms that your certificate or diploma meets Czech standards. For secondary education, this is done by municipal authorities (for example, the Prague City Hall), and for higher education, by the university you are applying to. Documents will not be accepted without nostrification.

In addition to educational papers, universities usually ask for a motivation letter explaining why you chose this particular program and a resume. If the program is in English, an IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required. To study in Czech, it is enough to pass an internal language test, but sometimes certificates from language schools are also accepted.

Entrance exams or preparatory year

Not all majors have entrance exams, but prestigious faculties require them. For example, future doctors take biology and chemistry, architects take a creative drawing competition, and IT professionals take math or logic.

If you are not yet confident in Czech, universities and language centers offer preparatory courses. This is a year of intensive study, after which you reach the B1-B2 level and have a real chance to enter a free program.

How to apply

The Czech Republic does not have a unified application system like the German Uni-Assist. Here, you always apply directly to a specific university. Each faculty has its own online application form on its website.

The process looks like this: you register in the university's electronic system, upload scans of your documents, pay an administrative fee (usually 600-900 CZK, i.e. 20-40 euros) and wait for confirmation. Then you will be invited to an exam or interview.

Deadlines

The biggest risk for foreigners is to miss the deadlines. Usually, the application process starts in November-December and lasts until March-April. But medical and creative faculties often close the application process in January. Some universities have spring admission (starting in February), but this is rather an exception.

Where to find official information

The most convenient place to start is with the Study in Czechia portal, where you can search for programs by language, level, and city. And then be sure to go to the faculty's website: it sets the final requirements and deadlines.

Once you have received an invitation letter from a Czech university, the next step is to apply for a student visa. And it is important not to get lost in the bureaucracy: without the right visa, you simply cannot legally stay in the country for more than three months.

What type of visa is needed

To study for more than 90 days, you will need a long-term visa (type D) or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of study. In practice, most students start with a D visa and apply for a “long-term residence” upon arrival.

Where to apply

The application is submitted only in person at the Czech embassy or consulate at the place of residence. As a rule, these are consular offices in Kyiv, Lviv, or Uzhhorod. It is important to make an appointment in advance, as the queues can be several weeks long.

What documents will be needed

• A completed application for a long-term visa.
• A letter of acceptance from the university.
• Proof of accommodation: a dormitory or apartment rental agreement.
• Financial guarantees: bank statement or scholarship certificate. The calculation is simple: you need to show the amount that will cover your accommodation for several months in advance.
• Health insurance for the entire period of the visa.
• Passport, photo, receipt of payment of the consular fee.
• Sometimes a police clearance certificate from Ukraine, translated and certified, is required.

All documents must be translated into Czech by an official translator.

How long to wait

The application process can take 60-90 days, sometimes longer. Therefore, it is better to submit your documents immediately after receiving confirmation from the university.

You can read more about visa requirements here.

After arriving in the Czech Republic

Getting a visa is not the end of the story. In the first 3 days after entry, you need to register your place of residence with the Foreign Police. If you came on a long-term visa, you will later have to apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studying, which is a residence permit that can be extended from year to year.

About insurance

This is one of the key points. Without a valid health insurance policy, you simply will not be granted a visa. The policy should cover emergency care, hospitalization, and transportation.

👉 On Visit Ukraine, you can take out insurance that meets the requirements of the Czech consulate. The document is sent immediately to your email, and you can immediately submit it with your visa application package.

After “congratulations, you're enrolled!” the first practical question is where to live. There are two realistic options in the Czech Republic: a university dormitory (koleje) or renting a room/apartment. Ideally, you should book before applying for a visa, because confirmation of housing is included in the package of documents (dormitory agreement, lease agreement, or “confirmation from the owner”). The format of the confirmation is described on the state portal for foreigners(IPC).

Dormitories. Most public universities keep prices affordable, but conditions vary. In Prague (Charles University), the official price list provides a rate per bed/day depending on the type of room - approximately from ~130 to 210 CZK/day (double/single with/without a bathroom). In terms of money, this is approximately 4,000-6,500 CZK per month (it really depends on the specific dormitory and length of stay). In Brno (Masaryk University), typical prices are similar: ~145-206 CZK/day per place (i.e. approximately 4,300-6,200 CZK/month).

Dormitories go fast, especially in Prague, so make your reservation immediately after the offer list (the university sends instructions and a contract that can be used as proof of residence for a visa). On the official page of UK dormitories, there is a useful service of housing assistants (older students who help you settle in, solve everyday life and even translate something from Czech).

For language/preparatory programs (UJOP), there are separate options with a fixed monthly price (approximately from ~€234 to €435/month depending on the building and standard).

Renting. If a dormitory is not enough or you want more space, check out rooms/apartments on Sreality.cz and Bezrealitky.cz. A room in Prague usually costs ~8-12 thousand CZK/month, a studio/1k - from ~16-23 thousand CZK/month (regional cities are 20-35% cheaper than Prague). The final price depends on the neighborhood, the condition of the housing, and whether the monthly payment includes utilities.

About the deposit (kauce): in the Czech Republic, the law limits the maximum to three months' rent (in practice, 1-2 are often asked). It is returned after you leave, so be sure to record the condition of the accommodation in the acceptance certificate.

What is expected of you upon arrival. Even if you are staying in a dormitory, you are required to register your place of residence within 3 working days in the Czech Republic. In hotels and most dormitories, this is done by the administrator, but if you rent an apartment, you have to register yourself with the Foreign Police.

A residence permit (“pink card”) for studying. If you come on a long-term D visa and stay on, you apply to the Ministry of the Interior (OAMP) for a long-term stay for the purpose of studying - this is a plastic card with biometrics. You can apply for an extension/transition no earlier than 120 days before the expiration of the current document and no later than the last day of its validity; during the consideration, the “legal fiction” of legal stay is valid. Biometrics are submitted at the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The most frequently asked question by Ukrainians: “Is it really possible to study in the Czech Republic for free?” The answer is yes, but only if you are ready to study in Czech at a public university. All other options - English-language programs or private institutions - require serious financial investments.

Free education

All public universities in the Czech Republic provide free education for foreigners if the program is taught in Czech. This also applies to Ukrainians applying for a bachelor's, master's, or PhD program. There is only one condition: you have to prove your language skills by passing a test or showing a certificate.

But “free” does not mean “pay nothing at all.” Universities can charge small administrative fees (20-40 euros per application), as well as “fines” for exceeding the standard period of study (if the bachelor's degree is not 3 but 6 years).

Paid programs

If you want to study in English, French, or German, get ready to pay:

• humanities and technical programs cost from €2,000-4,000 per year;
• business, management, medicine, and art programs - in the range of €8,000-15,000 per year;
• at private universities, the cost is determined independently and can be even higher.

English-language master's and PhD programs are often more expensive, but there are scholarships and grants that cover part of the cost (more about them in the next section).

Living and additional expenses

Even if you study for free, you still have to plan a budget:

• Dormitory: 4,000-6,500 CZK per month;
• room rental: from 8,000 CZK;
• food: on average 200-300 € per month (depending on the city);
• transportation: student pass in Prague ~10-12 € per month;
• books and materials: 20-50 € per semester.

Thus, even on a “free” program, a student spends from 500 to 800 € per month.

Insurance: a mandatory item

Most often, newcomers forget about another expense item - health insurance. Without it, you won't get a visa and won't be able to extend your stay in the Czech Republic.

• If you are from an EU country, an EHIC card is enough.
• If you are a Ukrainian, you need to take out private comprehensive insurance for the entire period of your stay.

Starting in 2024, children under 18 with long-term stays will be connected to the state system, but for students over 18, insurance remains paid and mandatory.

How to avoid overpaying?

An insurance policy for a student visa can be purchased directly from Visit Ukraine. This is a two-in-one solution:

- meets the requirements of the Czech consulate;

- covers emergency care, hospitalization, and even repatriation;

- takes 5 minutes online, and the PDF policy is immediately sent to your email;

The main advantage of the Czech Republic over most European countries is the opportunity to study for free at public universities if the program is taught in Czech. And this option is available to foreigners without exception, including Ukrainians. All costs in this case are reduced to accommodation, food, textbooks, and insurance. But what about those who want an English-language program or rely on financial support?

Free programs in Czech

Studying in Czech at state universities is completely free at all levels: bachelor's, master's, and PhD. Universities do not charge fees for the fact of studying if you meet the standard timeframe (3-4 years for a bachelor's degree, 1-3 years for a master's degree). Only the following will be charged:

• programs in other languages;
• repeated study in another specialty;
• continuing your studies beyond the standard period.

State scholarships

The Czech government offers an annual state scholarship program for students from developing countries. Ukrainians can participate. The scholarships cover master's and PhD studies and sometimes include monthly living allowances. Applications are usually accepted until September 30 of the previous year. Details are available on the Study in Czechia website.

European and international programs

• Erasmus+: most Czech universities are part of the program. This is an opportunity to spend a semester or a year at a partner university with a living grant.

• International Visegrad Fund: provides scholarships for master's and post-master's programs in Central Europe (including the Czech Republic). The program is open to Ukrainians.

• Fulbright, Horizon Europe, Erasmus Mundus - point options for PhD and research programs.

Scholarships from universities

In addition to government programs, each university has its own support system:

• Merit scholarships - for students with high academic results.
• Social scholarships - for those with financial difficulties.
• Accommodation scholarships - help with housing costs (often 100-300 € per semester).

How to apply

1. For government programs - through Study in Czechia or directly on the website of the Ministry of Education.

2. For Erasmus+ - through the international relations department of your university.

3. For university scholarships - through the internal system of the faculty after enrollment.