Studying at European Universities Internationally – Students from Czechia

You can find English-taught degree programmes, internationally recognised universities and opportunities to live abroad while still being relatively close to home in Europe. Once you start comparing universities, though, the questions can pile up: Will a Czech maturita be accepted? Do you need an English certificate? How much will it really cost? And how different is applying abroad from applying to a Czech university? Here are some of the key things Czech students and parents should know.

Your Czech Secondary Education Matters

Most Czech students applying for a bachelor's degree will apply with a maturita. International universities generally recognise Czech secondary qualifications, but the exact entry requirements vary between countries and programmes.

Universities may consider:

• Your maturita results

• Your overall secondary school grades

• The subjects you studied

• Whether you attended a gymnázium, lyceum, SOŠ or private secondary school

• Specific subjects required for your chosen degree

• Your predicted grades if you have not yet graduated

For example, a student applying for engineering or economics may need a strong background in mathematics, while science-related programmes may require particular biology, chemistry or physics courses.

Does it Matter if Your High School is Public or Private?

Not necessarily, as International universities are generally more interested in what you studied and how well you performed than simply whether your Czech secondary school was public or private.

What can matter is the curriculum:

• A standard Czech secondary curriculum

• A bilingual programme

• The IB Diploma

  
  

The important question is whether your educational background gives you the qualifications and subjects required for the degree you want to study.

Will You Need an English Certificate?

If you are applying for an English-taught programme, you may need to prove your English proficiency. Depending on the university, accepted qualifications can include:

• IELTS

• TOEFL

• ITACE

• Cambridge English

• Other recognised English-language tests

• In some cases, evidence of previous education in English

Your English maturita may or may not be sufficient. This depends on the university and programme. If an English certificate is required, it is worth finding this out early.

Choose the Right English Exam Provider for You

• Prepare for the test

• Take the examination

• Receive their results

• Retake it if necessary

Having a strong English level can also make the transition to studying abroad considerably easier, even when a formal certificate is not required. Certificates are usually valid for about two years, and earning one can help you apply for student internships or other work opportunities while abroad or in the future. Previously valid English certificates are usually helpful qualifications to attach to job applications.

How Much Does Studying in Europe Cost?

One of the biggest advantages of looking across Europe is the range of options available to Czech students. However, don't look only at tuition fees. Your real budget may also need to include:

• Accommodation

• Food

• Local public transport

• Health insurance (sometimes)

• Flights, trains, buses, or travel home to Czechia

• Student service fees

• Books and materials costs

• Other personal expenses

As an EU citizen, a Czech student may have different tuition and administrative arrangements from students coming from outside the EU. These rules vary by country and institution, so check the current requirements before making a decision.

Applying abroad is not the same everywhere, and there is no single European university application system, unlike in the UK. Depending on where you apply, you may need:

• School transcripts

• Maturita documentation

• Predicted or final grades

• English-language test results

• A personal statement or motivation letter

• Teacher references

• A portfolio

• An entrance examination

• An interview

• An application through a national or university-specific system

  
  

Deadlines can also be very different. This is why starting early matters. A student who waits until the final months of secondary school may discover that an important application deadline or English examination date has already passed.

Don't Choose a University Based Only on Its Ranking

Rankings can be useful, but they shouldn't be the only thing you consider. When comparing European universities, look at:

• The actual degree programme

• Modules and course content

• Teaching language

• Entry requirements

• Tuition and living costs

• Internship opportunities

• Career prospects

• Location and student life

• Accommodation

• International student support

A university that looks impressive on a ranking table may not necessarily be the best fit for your student's interests, academic background or budget. On the other hand, rankings do matter, and earning a degree from an internationally ranked university can boost the importance of your degree. It all comes down to how you want to spend your university experience and what you want to get out of it: do you need study programmes that are more specialised and tailored at smaller universities and colleges, or are you looking to build an elite academic profile?