The Czech school is characterized by a teaching which is severe and of good quality Children learn knowledge as much as good manners - Czech Universities enjoy a good reputation but their teaching programs, their educational means, their teaching bodies and the integrity of their frameworks are degraded

The Czechs have the most mature nation among the Slavic ones, and this is because their education system is much different from those in the East. L. N. Tolstoy (1829-1910)

 

Children begin elementary school at the age of six (many also attend kindergarten or preschool beforehand). Upon completing nine years of study, they can choose to continue their education at either a secondary or high school (called gymnázium) for four years; a vocational school for two to four years; or through apprenticeship training. After passing their "maturita" (comprehensive exams), select students can go to university, the highest level of education available. Entrance requirements to Czech universities are quite strict and very competitive. All applicants must successfully complete discipline-related entrance exams.

Most major cities in the Czech Republic have a university. Prague is the home of Charles University, the largest and most prestigious university in the country and one of the oldest in the world being founded in 1348. Other top Czech universities include Masaryk University in Brno, Palacký University in Olomouc, West Bohemian University in Pilsen, and South Bohemian University in Ceske Budejovice. Other higher education establishments are South Bohemian University in Ceske Budejovice, Silesian University in Opava, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Technical University in Brno and many others - for complete list of the Czech Universities - please click here (in Czech only).

 

Other useful sections of the website

 

Practical life and expatriation in the Czech Republic

 

To go further

ec.europa.eu/ploteus - Ploteus: Portal on Learning Opportunities Throughout the European Space