Scholarships for study in Czechia: the government and university routes

Here is a number you will not find on this page: a headline figure for how much a degree in Prague costs. It would be wrong by the time you read it. What is stable is the structure, and the structure has a surprise in it. Many public universities do not charge tuition at all, as long as you study in Czech.

The language rule that changes the budget

Public universities in Czechia generally teach degree programmes in Czech without tuition fees, for Czech and foreign students alike (as of 2026; check the official source). Programmes taught in a foreign language, mainly English, usually charge fees, and the amount is set by each university. Private universities set their own prices.

That means a student who can pass a Czech language entrance requirement, often after a preparatory year, has a very different financial picture from one who enrols directly in an English programme. Our piece on learning Czech as an adult is a realistic place to start if that route appeals.

Fees are only part of it. You still need to cover rent, food, insurance and visa costs, so a tuition-free place does not mean a free year. The student budget guide shows how the rest is built.

Government scholarship routes

The Czech state runs scholarship programmes through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, with applications handled in many cases by DZS, the Czech Centre for International Cooperation in Education. Some target students from specific countries, others support doctoral or postgraduate study, and some come from development cooperation programmes.

Rules differ from call to call: who can apply, which levels of study, whether the scholarship covers a stipend, accommodation or the Czech language preparatory year. Read the current call on the DZS site and, where relevant, via the Czech embassy in your country, since many applications go through diplomatic channels.

University and faculty schemes

Universities run their own money. Merit awards for strong applicants, fee waivers or reductions for English programmes, funding for doctoral students through research positions, and hardship funds are all common types. Each university's international office page is the place to look, and the office will answer email.

Doctoral students are often treated as junior researchers with a stipend rather than as ordinary tuition payers, though arrangements differ by faculty. Ask the department directly what is funded.

Exchange and regional funding

If you study in another EU country and want a semester in Prague, Erasmus+ is the best-known route, run through your home university. Other programmes support study in the Visegrad region, which includes Czechia, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. The International Visegrad Fund publishes its own scholarship calls.

The rule for exchange funding: talk to your home university's international office first. They hold the agreements, and they know which deadlines are real.

How to avoid wasting a year

Deadlines for the autumn start often fall earlier in the year than people expect, and some schemes want documents translated and certified, which takes weeks. Build a simple calendar: application deadline, document deadline, visa appointment, accommodation. Our first-week checklist is for after you arrive; before, the order of the day is paperwork.

Beware offers that arrive uninvited. A real scholarship does not ask for an advance payment, a "processing fee" or your bank PIN. If an email looks too good, go to the official portal yourself and check whether the scheme exists.

Money you can earn alongside

Part-time work can help (as can student discounts on the spending side), but check your visa and permit conditions first, because rules for working while studying depend on your status and the type of work. Our guide to student part-time jobs in Prague explains what is usually possible, and internships in Prague covers placements.

A simple application plan

The preparatory year

Many international applicants who want to study in Czech spend a preparatory year first, learning the language and preparing for entrance exams. Some scholarship schemes fund that year, and others do not, so ask when you apply. Universities and language schools publish information about their preparatory courses, including fees, so compare before you commit.

Doctoral and research funding

Doctoral study works differently from a bachelor's or master's degree. Many doctoral students are paid a stipend or work as junior researchers, and funding may come from the university, a research project or a grant. If you are interested in a PhD, contact the department or the supervisor directly and ask what is funded, for how long and under which conditions. Do this before the formal application deadline.

Do not forget the rest of the bill

A scholarship that covers fees may leave rent, insurance and travel to you. Health insurance for foreign students is a requirement for many permits; see our guide to Czech health insurance for how it works. Add the cost of the visa application, certified translations and the trip itself to your budget at the start.

Frequently asked questions

Is university really free in Czechia?

At public universities, degree programmes in Czech are generally tuition-free. Programmes in English usually charge fees, and living costs still apply.

Where do I find government scholarships?

Start with DZS, the Study in Czechia portal and the Czech embassy in your country.

Do scholarships cover living costs?

Some include a stipend, others cover only fees or a language year. Read the terms of each call.

Can I apply for several scholarships?

Usually yes, but check each scheme's rules about combining funding.

Today: choose one programme you like and open its international office page. Note the deadline in your calendar, then read the funding section line by line.