Scholarship opportunities offered by the Czech government can help international students fund their studies in the Czech Republic. This guide will explore the details of various scholarship programs and eligibility criteria to help you determine the best options.
Background on Higher Education in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has a long tradition of excellence in higher education that dates back several centuries. Today, the country is home to 77 universities and colleges that offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs taught in both Czech and English. Some of the top institutions include Charles University in Prague, Czech Technical University in Prague, Masaryk University, and Palacký University Olomouc.
Studying in the Czech Republic provides an affordable European education with tuition fees that are significantly lower than in other countries like the UK, Germany, or France. For the 2020-2021 academic year, annual tuition at public universities ranges from approximately 10,000 – 30,000 CZK (€350-1,050) for bachelor’s programs and 15,000 – 50,000 CZK (€525-1,750) for master’s programs. Living expenses are also reasonable, with students spending around 15,000 – 25,000 CZK (€525-875) per month on housing, food, transportation, and other living costs.
The Czech government aims to attract talented international students and support the growth of the higher education sector through various scholarship opportunities. These programs help offset the costs of studying in the Czech Republic for deserving applicants from around the world.
Government Scholarship Programs for Bachelor’s and Master’s Studies
Two of the primary scholarship programs managed by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports are the Scholarship Programme of the Government of the Czech Republic and Erasmus Mundus Action 2. Both provide full or partial support for bachelor’s and master’s degree studies at accredited public universities in the Czech Republic.
Scholarship Programme of the Government of the Czech Republic
- Eligible degrees: Bachelor’s, master’s, one-year master’s
- Study fields: All fields are eligible except theology, art, or architecture programs over three years
- Duration: normally follows the standard length of the degree program
- Value: tuition waiver + monthly stipend of 8,000 CZK for living costs
- Language requirements: proof of Czech or English proficiency
- Nationality requirements: applicants cannot be citizens or permanent residents of the EU or EEA
- Application deadlines: November 30th for the following academic year
To apply, you must submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of language ability, and a motivation letter. A selection committee evaluates applications based on academic merit, references, and personal qualities. Scholarship recipients commit to returning to their home country or permanent residence after graduation.
Erasmus Mundus Action 2
- Eligible degrees: Bachelor’s, integrated master’s, master’s
- Study fields: All fields are eligible if part of a joint/double degree program
- Duration: Duration of the joint degree program
- Value: Full waiver of tuition fees + monthly stipend
- Language requirements: Level of instruction language (usually English)
- Nationality requirements: No restrictions, open to all nationalities
- Application deadline: Varies by participating university consortium
To qualify, you must be accepted into an eligible joint/double degree program involving at least three universities from three different countries, one being a Czech university. Programs are very competitive, with only around 15-20 scholarships awarded each year.
Government Scholarships for Doctoral Studies
At the PhD level, the primary scholarship opportunities are administered by specific public universities rather than centrally by the Ministry of Education. Here are some top options:
Czech Higher Education Scholarship Trust (CHEST)
- Eligible degrees: Doctoral programs
- Study fields: All fields at participating universities
- Duration: 3 years for full-time PhD students
- Value: Monthly stipend of 14,000-25,000 CZK depending on university/field of study
- Language requirements: Vary, often B2 Czech or English required
- Nationality requirements: Must not be an EU/EEA citizen
- Application deadlines: Vary by university, typically November-January
CHEST scholarships are offered by the top research universities like Charles University and Czech Technical University in Prague. Selection is very competitive based on the applicant’s research proposal and qualifications.
Junior Researchers Scholarships
- Eligible degrees: Doctoral programs
- Study fields: All fields
- Duration: Up to 4 years
- Value: Living stipend of 16,000 CZK/month
- Language requirements: English or other language of instruction
- Nationality requirements: No restrictions, open internationally
- Application deadlines: Vary, typically early fall
These scholarships are awarded directly by individual public universities to support doctoral research. Top universities offering them include Masaryk University, Palacky University Olomouc, and the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen.
Important Eligibility Considerations
When exploring Czech scholarship opportunities, keep the following eligibility factors in mind:
- Citizenship: Most programs require you to not be an EU/EEA citizen for full funding support. Dual citizens may be ineligible.
- Previous education: Scholarships often have restrictions on prior degrees, like requiring no previous master’s degree for some master’s programs.
- Academic standing: You’ll need excellent grades equivalent to “Very Good” or higher on the European grading scale to be competitive.
- Language proficiency: Meeting the minimum language requirements is essential; be prepared to prove your ability through exams like TOEFL, IELTS, or certificates.
- Time commitment: Recipients commit to studying full-time in the selected program without interruptions or other jobs interfering.
Taking time to fully understand each scholarship’s terms and conditions upfront will help you determine your eligibility and competitiveness for the application process. Don’t hesitate to contact the scholarship administrators directly with any other questions.
The Application Process
For the majority of Czech government scholarship programs, the application process takes place entirely online. Here are the standard steps:
- Research opportunities: Carefully review all available scholarships and their eligibility criteria.
- Contact administrators: Reach out to program coordinators to verify your eligibility and ask questions before applying.
- Complete the online form: Applications require personal details, education history, references, language certificates, research proposal, motivation letter, and scanned supporting documents.
- Submit on time: Most deadlines are between November and January for the following academic year. Submit well before the listed deadline.
- Selection process: Admission committees review all qualified applications and select top candidates based on merit and requirements.
- Notification of decision: Candidates are notified by email whether their application was successful. This typically occurs from March to May.
- Acceptance and paperwork: Scholarship recipients must then formally accept and complete any additional institutional acceptance procedures.
Thoroughly preparing each application component and meeting all requirements greatly increases your chances of being selected. Do not leave the process to the last minute.
Adapting to Life as an International Student in the Czech Republic
Securing a scholarship opens the door to an amazing educational and cultural experience abroad. However, studying in a new country also presents certain challenges to consider:
Language barrier: While instruction is often in English, regular communication requires basic Czech skills. Consider a preparatory Czech language course.
Housing: On-campus accommodation is limited, so start your housing search early. Renting privately also requires paperwork like contracts.
Administration: Dealing with visas, residency permits, taxes, insurance and other documentation is significantly easier with the support of your university.
Loneliness: Arriving alone in an unfamiliar place can induce feelings of loneliness or isolation from friends and family back home. Proactively joining interest clubs and communities helps reduce these feelings.
Culture shock: Small cultural differences in daily life, such as transportation, food, academic systems, and social norms, may require some adjustment. Be patient with yourself during this transition period.
Finances: While stipends for living costs are provided, scholarships do not always cover additional expenses like books or entertainment. Have contingency savings.
Being open, flexible and resourceful during the initial period of settlement will help you successfully integrate into university life in the Czech Republic. Reach out for help from advisors, mentors and your fellow international students as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Czech government scholarships:
Can I apply for multiple scholarship programs at once?
Yes, you are allowed to submit applications for more than one Czech scholarship opportunity simultaneously as long as you meet all eligibility criteria. Just be aware that you can only officially accept one scholarship award if offered more than one.
What are my chances of being selected?
Selection is highly competitive, with typically only 5-15% of applicants successfully receiving scholarships each year. Strong candidates have an excellent academic record, proven language ability, and thoughtful research proposal and demonstrate real motivation and fit for the program in their application materials. Your likelihood increases with the overall competitiveness of your profile.
Can the scholarship be extended beyond the standard duration?
While scholarships are normally awarded only for the standard program length, it is possible to apply for extensions under certain circumstances like parental leave, illness, or changes to your research project. You must provide full justification for the extension request and obtain approval from the original scholarship administrators. Extensions are not guaranteed and are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the specific scholarship rules.
What are my obligations as a scholarship recipient?
All scholarship recipients are expected to actively study full-time and make satisfactory academic progress towards completing their degree. You also may need to submit progress reports to the scholarship program. Upon graduation, some scholarships require scholars to return to their home country or permanent residence for a set period of time. Be sure to thoroughly review any terms and conditions that accompany your scholarship award.
How can I gain experience or improve my chances of being selected?
Gaining relevant work or volunteer experience, especially internationally, is one way to strengthen your application profile. You could also take undergraduate coursework at a Czech university as a self-funded student before applying for a scholarship. Other tips include networking with academic advisors, job shadowing researchers, or participating in international conferences. Improving your language skills to an advanced level also significantly boosts competitiveness. Overall, demonstrating commitment to the field through extracurricular activities helps you stand out.
