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Meta title: Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) 2026 | StudyU
Meta description: Charles University (Univerzita Karlova), Prague: programs, tuition from free in Czech, requirements and admission. Program selection, discounts up.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-04

# Charles University (Univerzita Karlova)

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Contents

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## About the university

Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) is the oldest university in Central Europe, founded in 1348 in Prague. It's the largest and most prestigious university in the Czech Republic, strong in medicine, law, pharmacy, the humanities and natural sciences.

Tuition in Czech is free; there are also paid English-taught programs. A Charles University degree is highly valued across Europe.

## Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) in rankings

Charles University - the flagship of Czech education:

- The oldest university in Central Europe (1348)
- The largest and most prestigious university in the Czech Republic
- Strong medicine, law and pharmacy

## Campus and infrastructure

The university spans faculties across Prague and other cities, with historic buildings, clinics and research institutes.

## Faculties and programs

Charles University covers virtually every field:

- Medicine
- Law
- Pharmacy
- Psychology & Humanities
- Natural Sciences

Not sure which field to choose?

We'll match a program to your goals and help you apply - in a free consultation.

- [Consultation](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## How to apply

Admission is based on your diploma (with recognition) and language: Czech for free programs or English for paid ones. Some fields have entrance exams.

Admission to Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) takes six months or more; here are the key stages:

1. Choose a program (9–12 months ahead). Decide on the field — Law, medicine, pharmacy and psychology — and the level: bachelor’s or master’s. Programs differ in requirements, deadlines and fees.
2. Language certificate. For free programs, yes. Many students first take a year-long Czech course. English-taught programs require IELTS/TOEFL.
3. Application. Applications are submitted online; once reviewed, the university sends an offer — with it you can plan finances and housing.
4. Student visa and relocation. After the offer, a student visa or residence permit for the Czech Republic is arranged. We handle this stage end to end. Note: the Czech Republic currently issues virtually no student visas to Russian citizens — the route works for passports of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and other CIS countries.

After 11 years of school. Yes, but with nostrification: your school certificate must be recognized in the Czech Republic, sometimes with additional subject exams. For free Czech-taught study, a language year up to B2 level is usually added.

## Documents for admission

- Passport
- A diploma and transcript (with recognition)
- A language certificate (Czech B2 or IELTS/TOEFL)
- A motivation letter - for certain programs

Exact requirements depend on the faculty - we'll help you prepare.

## Tuition and living costs

Tuition in Czech is free; English-taught programs are paid but affordable. You see tuition, required extras and scholarship options before the application.

Country benchmark for the Czech Republic. No - the cost of living in the Czech Republic is among the lowest in the EU, especially outside central Prague.

Scholarships and grants. Yes - tuition in Czech at public universities is free. You must prove language proficiency (usually B2). English-taught programs are paid but inexpensive.

When planning the budget, add housing, insurance, visa fees and flights on top of tuition; we map the full route before the application.

## Accommodation and student life

Prague is a compact, safe and - by European standards - affordable capital with a large student community.

Once there, you will sort out registration, a bank account and a travel pass — we guide you through these steps after enrollment.

## Career after graduation

After graduation. Whether you can work after getting your degree depends on the current visa rules of the Czech Republic — we will help you review the up-to-date options before graduation.

The strong fields of Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) are Law, medicine, pharmacy and psychology. As at most universities in the Czech Republic, students have access to a career centre, job fairs and internships — use them from the first semesters: hands-on experience is decisive for the first job.

Another path is a master’s degree: with a bachelor’s from the Czech Republic you can apply to programs and scholarships worldwide.

## Student reviews

Admission went smoothly: StudyU helped me gather the documents and not miss the deadlines. I arrived at Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) already knowing what to expect.

We applied to several universities at once - I got offers and calmly made my choice. Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) has a strong program and a convenient campus.

My parents worried more than I did, but the StudyU team explained everything to them. Now I study at Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) and am getting to know the city of Prague.

## FAQ

### Can I study for free?

Yes, tuition in Czech is free. A Czech certificate (B2) is required.

### Is it a prestigious university?

Yes - it's the oldest and most prestigious university in the Czech Republic.

### Can I enter Charles University (Univerzita Karlova) after 11 years of school?

Yes, but with nostrification: your school certificate must be recognized in the Czech Republic, sometimes with additional subject exams. For free Czech-taught study, a language year up to B2 level is usually added. Note: the Czech Republic currently issues virtually no student visas to Russian citizens — the route works for passports of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and other CIS countries.

### How much does it cost to study at Charles University (Univerzita Karlova)?

Country benchmark for the Czech Republic: No - the cost of living in the Czech Republic is among the lowest in the EU, especially outside central Prague. StudyU calculates the intake-year university fee, available discount and living budget during the free consultation.

### Are there scholarships?

Yes - tuition in Czech at public universities is free. You must prove language proficiency (usually B2). English-taught programs are paid but inexpensive.

Want to study at Charles University (Univerzita Karlova)?

We'll help with admission: from choosing a program to submitting documents and the student visa.

Other universities - studying in the Czech Republic: [Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-vysshaja-shkola-ekonomiki) · [ŠKODA AUTO University (ŠAVŠ)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-skoda-auto-university). All options are on the page [studying in the Czech Republic](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-czech).

## Get a free consultation

Talk to a real consultant - we'll explain admission in the Czech Republic and match a program to you.

- Program selection and admission preparation
- Help with scholarships and university discounts
- Documents, translations and student visa
- A personal consultant from the first message to enrollment

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## Similar universities - studying in the Czech Republic

Compare your options - we'll help you choose and get admitted to any of them.

### Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE)

### ŠKODA AUTO University (ŠAVŠ)

- [All universities - Czech Republic](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-czech)
