In November 2022 I was invited by the Study in Prague consortium to visit the Czech capital and experience student life at six of the leading universities for international students. Not only was I blown away by the beauty and elegance of Prague itself, but also by the high quality of educational experience on offer across the six very different institutions.
CTU is one of the oldest technical universities in Europe. It was founded in 1707 and over the years has built up strong bonds with industry partners – including NASA, IBM, AVAST, Skanska, and Skoda-Volkswagen.
- Public research university focused solely on technology and engineering
- The oldest technical university in Central Europe
- Around 17,500 students
- 3,700+ foreign students
- 100+ countries represented
- More than 50 programmes in English
- Lots of emphasis is placed on building industry collaborations
Location
- Located in the very heart of Europe
- Excellent public transport system – very easy to travel around the city by bus, metro and tram.
- Prague ranks highly in terms of safety and is a stunning city filled with cultural attractions, major museums, and abundant green spaces.
- High standard of living, but costs are generally lower for living, food and leisure than many European capitals
- Seasonal weather: warm summers, rainy and crisp autumns, cold winters
Academic
- 8 academic faculties: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Architecture, Transportation Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Information Technology
- The School of Business also offers an undergraduate programme in Economics and Management
- The academic year runs from October to June – two semesters
- Bachelor degrees are 3 years apart from Civil Engineering which is 4 years
- The Faculty of Transportation Sciences offers a professional pilot programme – one of the cheapest in Europe and allows graduates to apply for an EU pilot licence.
- A member of the EuroTeQ Campus – 6 leading universities of science and technology who have partnered to offer students a shared virtual learning platform where they can take classes across institutions and earn credits.
- The Career Centre offers many resources and workshops in English, help with finding internships and jobs, a part-time job portal, and a mentoring programme that partners students with a professional outside of the university
Application
- It is important to know that there is no central admissions office – each faculty has its own specific requirements and application procedures
- Students should first choose the study programme they wish to apply for, then check the requirements and procedures on the individual faculty website
- Online application form
- Application fee is around 32 euro
- Some courses will require students to take an entrance exam or interview – an important factor in determining admission (April to June)
- Other applicants will be assessed based on their submitted documents – performance in degree-relevant subjects is of more importance than overall GPA.
- Application deadlines run from February through to August. Students who require a visa will need to ensure they apply early enough for this to be processed
- Online and in person Faculty Open Days are available
Finances
- Bachelors programmes are 4,300 euro per year – can pay in instalments
- Cost of living could be as low as per year €5,100
- Health insurance per year €320 and Visa, admin fee and ID card €200
Accommodation
- Eight dormitories – including one that is dedicated to international students and is the newest in Prague
- Accommodation is guaranteed for international students
- Single/double/triple rooms
- Shared and private bathroom facilities
- It is recommended that students live in dorms in their first year as it makes the documentation required for visas much easier
- There are 12 canteens, cafes, buffets and snack bars – meals from 2.50/2.75 euros
- Students can also stay in the dorms over the summer but they do have to reapply for these two months and possibly change rooms
Activities
- International Student Clubs are clubs of Czech student volunteers who help international students settle into their new home. They organise cultural events, courses and trips throughout the year.
- Welcome to the Czech Republic are free integration programmes for newcomers and are beneficial for those coming from non-EU countries who plan to stay for a while. Courses are in English – take place each year on the university campus in September/October.
- Over 50 popular sports courses are offered by the CTU Institute of Physical Education and Sport – summer/winter sports and some are offered all year round.
- Students can get credits for participating in individual and team sports
- There are trips to the mountains to go skiing in winter
Other
- CTU in Prague would be a good fit for highly motivated and independent students who want to attend a well regarded research-focused institution whilst experiencing an excellent quality of life in the very heart of Europe.
- Students should know exactly what they want to do and are ready to get started on their path from day one.
- After being accepted for studies, non-EU students must apply to their local Czech embassy for a visa. This can take 60-90 days so it is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance.
Visit the CTU website
Email: cvut@cvut.cz
