Studying in Prague: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Prague

Prague is the capital of Czechia and one of the biggest student cities in Central Europe. The city combines a medieval old town, a modern tech and startup scene, and two research universities that rank among the strongest in the region.

Rent, food and transport cost less here than in Vienna, Munich or Berlin, and a wide range of English-taught bachelor and master programs means you do not need fluent Czech to study a full degree.

Winters run cold with short daylight hours, while spring and early autumn give the city its best weather for exploring on foot, so plan warm layers for the start and end of the academic year.

Universities in Prague

Two institutions anchor the city's academic life.

• Charles University (Univerzita Karlova), founded in 1348, is the oldest university in Central Europe and the largest in Czechia. It had 55,291 students in 2025, including 11,449 from abroad, studying across 17 faculties that cover medicine, law, arts, natural sciences, education and theology, according to the university's own figures .

• Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU, ČVUT) trains engineers, architects and IT specialists, with several bachelor and master programs taught fully in English across its faculties of civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and information technology.

Other options include the University of Economics Prague (VŠE) for business, finance and international relations, the Czech University of Life Sciences (ČZU) for agriculture, environmental science and forestry, and the Academy of Performing Arts (AMU) for film, theater and music.

Most faculties require an entrance exam or an assessment of your prior grades, and English-taught programs often ask for an interview or a written test in place of the Czech-language exam used for Czech-taught places. Check the exact requirement on your target faculty's admissions page, since it varies even between faculties at the same university.

Tuition and other study costs

Public universities in Czechia do not charge tuition for programs taught in Czech, and this rule applies equally to EU/EEA and non-EU students, provided you pass the Czech-language entry requirements. Programs taught in English charge tuition that varies by faculty and degree level, so check the fee schedule published on each faculty's admissions page before you apply.

Set money aside for a language test or a preparatory year if your Czech is not strong enough for a Czech-taught program. Non-EU applicants also budget for the visa application fee, mandatory health insurance and a residence permit.

Look into Erasmus+ exchange places and bilateral scholarship agreements between your home country and Czechia, which sometimes cover tuition, a stipend or both for a semester or a full degree, arranged through your home university's international office or the Czech embassy.

Cost of living in Prague

Prague costs noticeably less than Vienna or Munich, and rent makes up the largest part of a student budget, ahead of food and transport combined. Grocery shopping at Czech supermarket chains and eating at student canteens (menza) keeps weekly food costs down, while restaurants in tourist areas near the Old Town charge more than neighborhood spots.

Build a monthly budget around rent, food, a transport pass, phone, internet and course materials, then add a buffer for your first month, when a rental deposit and any dorm fees fall due before your first scholarship payment or income arrives.

Where students live

Charles University and CTU both run dormitories, called koleje, in several Prague districts. A dorm room costs less than a private room in the city, comes furnished, and includes shared kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Demand outstrips supply most years, so apply through the university housing portal as soon as it opens.

Students who miss out on a dorm room, or want more independence, rent privately. Žižkov, Vinohrady, Smíchov and Dejvice are popular student districts, all close to campus and linked to the center by metro or tram. Sharing a flat with two or three flatmates is standard practice and keeps the monthly bill manageable. Landlords normally ask for a deposit worth one or two months' rent plus the first month upfront, so budget for that before you sign a lease.

Getting around the city

Prague Integrated Transport, known as PID , runs the metro, trams, buses and some ferries on a single ticket system covering the city and its suburbs. Students buy long-term travel passes at a reduced student rate through the PID Lítačka card, and services run late enough to get you home after an evening out.

The historic center is compact and walkable, and cycling works well along the river and in flatter districts, though the hills near the castle keep most riders on the tram instead.

Banking, SIM cards and everyday admin

Open a Czech bank account soon after you arrive, since landlords and some university offices prefer local transfers over international ones. Bring your passport, proof of address and proof of enrollment to the branch, or book an appointment online in advance to skip the queue.

A prepaid Czech SIM card or eSIM from a local provider gets you connected within your first day, which helps immediately with public transport apps, university systems and the government portals you register with as a new resident.

Health insurance and residence formalities

EU/EEA students bring their European Health Insurance Card and register their stay with the local Foreign Police office if they plan to stay over 30 days. Non-EU students need public or private health insurance approved for their visa type, arranged before arrival, and must register their address in Prague within days of moving in.

A long-term student visa or residence permit for non-EU applicants goes through the Czech embassy in the home country, so start that process months before the semester begins to avoid delays.

Working while you study

EU/EEA students work without restriction alongside their studies. Non-EU students on a student visa are normally allowed to work part time, though the exact hour limit depends on your permit type, so confirm the current rule with your university's international office or the Czech Ministry of the Interior before you take a job.

Student life in Prague

Prague draws a large international student community, and Erasmus Student Network chapters, faculty clubs and student unions organize regular meetups, trips and language exchanges throughout the year. Cheap student lunch menus near every campus, cinemas that show films in their original language, and a strong beer hall culture keep the cost of a night out low compared to Western European capitals.

The city rewards walking. Castle grounds, river islands and parks like Letná give students free green space minutes from the center, and budget rail and bus tickets make weekend trips to Brno, Vienna or Dresden simple to plan.

Museums, galleries and concert halls offer a reduced student rate with a valid student card, so carry your university ID or an ISIC card whenever you plan a cultural outing.

Most faculties run their own sports clubs and student associations, covering everything from football and rowing to debate and drama, and joining one is a fast way to meet people outside your own course.

Applying to study in Prague

1. Pick your program and check the language of instruction, since Czech-taught programs are tuition-free for everyone but require a language certificate.

2. Submit your application and documents through the faculty's own admissions system, usually a year before you plan to start.

3. Sit any required entrance exam or interview, in person or online depending on the faculty.

4. Once accepted, apply for your visa or residence permit if you come from outside the EU, and arrange health insurance.

5. Apply for dorm housing as soon as the portal opens, or start looking for a private flat two to three months before arrival.