Von Bakalář, Magistr and Doktor: The study system of the Czech Republic
The Czech academic year is divided into winter and summer semesters, which run from February to June and October to February, respectively. The new, consecutive courses of study have existed in the study system in the Czech Republic since 1990
- Bakalář (Bachelor)
- Magistr (Master)
- Doctor (doctor).
At almost all universities, the performance is calculated using the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and is accordingly internationally recognized.
1st stage of study: the bakalář
The undergraduate bakalář (Bc.) Comprises three to a maximum of four years of study. The course is made up of various courses in elective and compulsory subjects, exams and practical work times. These are weighted differently depending on the subject. The bakalář course in the Czech Republic ends with a short written and an oral exam.
2nd stage of study: The magistr
Following that is in the humanities and science subjects in law, pedagogy and theology a deepening magistr -Studies possible. It corresponds to a master’s degree and takes one to two years of study, depending on whether the bachelor’s degree was three or four years old. The oral defense of the written thesis is part of the final state examination.
3rd stage of study: the doctor
The Czech postgraduate studies usually results after three years to the academic degree doctor. This course consists of lectures and seminars as well as a dissertation. At least one year of independent research flows into this written work. It is defended orally at the final state examination.
Professional Doctorates and Ph.D. – A demarcation
According to ebizdir, students can enroll in doctoral programs at a university in the Czech Republic and acquire foreign doctoral degrees. The so-called professional doctorates and doctoral degrees such as the Ph.D. or Dr. to keep apart.
So-called professional doctorates are common in medicine. There, students receive the final diploma without a separate doctoral achievement. Depending on the subject, other conditions apply:
- General medicine: Doctorate or Doktorka Medicíny (MUDr) degree after six years (comparable to a Doctor of Medicine)
- Dentistry: Doctorate Zubní Medicíny graduation after five years
These degrees correspond to a state examination in medicine and are recognized in Germany.
After completing studies in human medicine or dentistry, there is the option of studying for three more years in the Czech Republic and obtaining a scientific research doctorate. The Ph.D. degree covers all theoretical and clinical areas of medicine and focuses on research and independent work. The conclusion is a state examination and the successful defense of a doctoral thesis.
The Czech equivalent to the graduate engineer
In addition, there are inženýr undergraduate courses in engineering, economics, technical, agriculture, forestry and military subjects.
The course lasts five to six years and ends with a written paper and its oral defense. The title inženýr (Ing.) Is on a par with the magistr and corresponds to a diploma or master’s degree.
Studying in the Czech Republic: the application
With the general university entrance qualification, students gain access to study in the Czech Republic. The same admission criteria apply to domestic and foreign applicants for a full course.
In addition to the university application form, the following documents are part of the usual application documents:
- the university certificate in English translation
- any proof of achievement from the course in translation
- a résumé.
In addition, there is usually a written entrance test and a personal interview. The application deadlines are mostly in spring. It is advisable to inquire about the exact application modalities at the selected university.
Admission criteria for studying in the Czech Republic
In order to get a place on a course in the Czech Republic, it is necessary to pass an entrance examination. The successfully completed bakalář offers access to a consecutive magistr degree.
Depending on which course of study the students are interested in, different language skills are required. This can be knowledge of Czech, which must be proven in university entrance tests.
Proof of functional English skills is usually based on a certain minimum number of points in a standardized test such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
Costs and funding channels for studying in the Czech Republic
The cost of studying in the Czech Republic are very different. The amount of tuition fees in the Czech Republic depends on the type of university chosen and the linguistic orientation of the study program. The choice of subject and the type of degree are also decisive.
Semesters abroad are free of charge as part of exchange programs. A full course in Czech is also free of charge. For all other courses there are usually tuition fees. Full-time English-language courses such as human medicine or dentistry, for example, cost around EUR 10,000-12,000 annually.
Cost of living in the Czech Republic
The cost of living in the Czech Republic is lower than in Germany. However, it makes a difference whether students have accommodation in the capital Prague or in Brno, for example. The cost of food and public transport are quite low.
A popular form of accommodation for students in the Czech Republic are student residences. It depends on whether the students come to the Czech Republic as exchange students or for full-time study. The dormitory places for international full-time students are more comfortable, but also more expensive. It is generally advisable to apply for dormitory places well in advance due to the high number of visitors.
Another option is rooms in shared apartments or host families or privately rented single apartments.
Studying in the Czech Republic: financing options
There are various financing options to make studying abroad in the Czech Republic affordable:
- Foreign BAföG of the federal government: This is also relevant for students who are not eligible for funding in Germany.
- Partial or full scholarships from various organizations
- Scholarship programs of individual universities
- Education and student loans and education funds
Information about visas and entry into the Czech Republic
Entry into the Czech Republic is not a problem for citizens of an EU member state. Students only need a valid identity card or passport as part of a planned course of study in the Czech Republic.
With a more than 90 days continuous residence is required to report within 30 days with the foreign police and state his Aufenthatsort.