Studying in Brno: universities, costs, housing and student life
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Dec 31, 2023 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Student Housing
Brno is Czechia's second largest student city, home to Masaryk University and Brno University of Technology, with lower costs than Prague and no tuition for Czech-taught public degrees.
🎓 Masaryk University is Czechia's second largest university after Charles University
💶 Czech-taught public programs charge no tuition for EU and non-EU students who meet the language requirement
🏠 University dorms (koleje) cost less than private rooms but fill up fast
🚋 IDS JMK covers trams, buses and regional transport on one ticket
Why study in Brno
Brno is the second largest city in Czechia and one of its main student hubs, with a student population that reshapes the city every autumn. Compared with Prague, rent and daily costs run lower, while the two main universities cover almost every subject from medicine to robotics.
The city center stays walkable, the surrounding countryside sits a short bus ride away, and a strong tech and startup scene gives graduates in IT and engineering local job options after graduation.
Brno sits on the same national academic calendar as the rest of Czechia, with a winter semester starting in autumn and a summer semester starting in February, so plan your arrival around whichever term your program begins.
Czechia sits in the EU and the Schengen area but keeps its own currency, the koruna, so budget with a small buffer if your income or scholarship arrives in euros. Winters run cold, so pack warm layers for the winter semester, while spring and early autumn give the city its best conditions for walking to lectures.
Universities in Brno
Masaryk University (MUNI), founded in 1919, is the second largest university in Czechia after Charles University, with faculties covering medicine, law, science, social studies, arts, education, economics and sport science. Several bachelor and master programs run fully in English.
Brno University of Technology (VUT/BUT) focuses on engineering, IT, architecture and business, and its English-taught programs attract a large share of the city's international students.
Mendel University specializes in agriculture, forestry and environmental science, the University of Veterinary Sciences trains vets across Central Europe, and the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts (JAMU) covers music, theater and film.
Most faculties at Masaryk University and VUT require an entrance exam or review of your prior grades, and English-taught programs often substitute an interview or written test for the Czech-language exam. Check the exact requirement on your target faculty's admissions page, since it differs between faculties even within the same university.
Tuition and other study costs
The same national rule applies here as across Czechia: public universities charge no tuition for programs taught in Czech, open to EU/EEA and non-EU students alike who meet the language requirement. English-taught programs charge tuition that varies by faculty, so check the fee page for your specific program before applying.
Non-EU students should also budget for the visa fee, mandatory health insurance and residence permit costs on top of tuition and living expenses.
Look into Erasmus+ exchange places and bilateral scholarship agreements between your home country and Czechia, which sometimes cover tuition, a stipend or both, arranged through your home university's international office or the Czech embassy.
Cost of living in Brno
Brno costs less than Prague for rent, food and going out, which is one reason the city keeps a loyal student population that stays for a masters degree after finishing a bachelor elsewhere. Supermarket groceries and the student canteens (menza) run by both universities keep the weekly food bill low, and student discounts apply widely at cinemas, museums and cafes near campus.
Set a monthly budget covering rent, food, a transport pass, phone and internet, and course materials, then add a buffer for your first month to cover a rental deposit or dorm fees before any scholarship or income arrives.
Where students live
Both Masaryk University and VUT run dormitories (koleje) across several city districts, including areas near Kraví hora and Královo Pole. A dorm room costs less than renting privately and includes basic furniture and shared facilities, though popular buildings fill up fast, so apply through the university housing office as soon as the portal opens.
Students who prefer more space or privacy rent in the private market, often sharing a flat with two or three others to split the cost. Veveří, Černá Pole and the area around the main train station are common student neighborhoods, all within easy reach of both universities by tram or bus.
| Neighborhood | Why students choose it |
|---|---|
| Veveří | Close to Masaryk University's main faculties, lively student scene |
| Královo Pole | Near VUT's technical campuses, quieter and more affordable |
| Černá Pole | Short tram ride to the center, popular with shared households |
| Old Town | Walking distance to most faculties, higher rent |
Getting around the city
The South Moravian Integrated Transport System (IDS JMK) covers Brno's trams, buses and trolleybuses along with regional trains and buses across the wider South Moravian region on a single ticket. Students buy discounted long-term passes, and the compact city means most students walk or cycle to lectures held in the city center.
Banking, SIM cards and everyday admin
Open a Czech bank account soon after you arrive, bringing your passport, proof of address and proof of enrollment to the branch, since some landlords and offices prefer local transfers over international payments. A prepaid Czech SIM card or eSIM connects you within your first day and helps with transport apps, university systems and government registration.
Health insurance and residence formalities
EU/EEA students bring their European Health Insurance Card and register their address with the Foreign Police if staying over 30 days. Non-EU students arrange approved health insurance before arrival and apply for a long-term student visa through the Czech embassy in their home country well ahead of the semester.
Working while you study
EU/EEA students work without restriction during their studies. Non-EU students on a student visa normally work part time too, though the exact hour limit depends on the permit, so check the current rule with the university's international office before accepting a job.
Student life in Brno
Brno has one of the highest shares of students in its population of any Czech city, which keeps bars, cafes and cultural venues busy through the week, not only on weekends. The Erasmus Student Network and faculty clubs run regular meetups, trips and language tandems, and cheap student canteens near every campus keep food costs down.
Špilberk Castle, the cathedral on Petrov hill and the parks along the river give students green space close to the center, and cheap train and bus connections make weekend trips to Vienna, Prague or Bratislava easy to fit around lectures.
A valid student card gets you reduced entry to museums, theaters and concert venues across the city, so carry it whenever you plan a cultural outing or a trip on regional transport.
Both universities run sports clubs and student associations covering everything from football and climbing to debate and student media, and joining one is a fast way to meet people outside your own faculty.
Brno sits at the edge of the Moravian wine region, and wine bars, food markets and seasonal wine festivals give the city a social scene distinct from Prague's beer-focused nightlife.
Applying to study in Brno
Choose your program and check the language of instruction and any entrance exam requirements.
Submit your application through the faculty's admissions system, typically the year before you plan to start.
Complete any entrance exam or interview required by your faculty.
Once accepted, apply for your visa or residence permit if you come from outside the EU, and arrange health insurance.
Apply for a dorm room as soon as housing applications open, or start flat hunting two to three months before you arrive.