Charles University Prague: The Complete Guide for International Students

Charles University Prague is ranked #265 in the world and is the oldest and most prestigious university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it offers programs across 17 faculties — and for international students from Singapore, Malaysia, and SE Asia, it combines a strong global reputation with costs that are a fraction of what you would pay in the UK, Australia, or the US. This guide covers everything: programs taught in English, tuition fees, living costs, scholarships, and how to apply.

What Is Charles University?

Charles University was founded by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1348, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. Today it has 17 faculties — 14 of them in Prague, two in Hradec Králové, and one in Plzeň. It enrolls around 50,000 students, of whom roughly 20 percent are international. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, it placed #265 globally — the highest-ranked university in the Czech Republic.

Which Programs Are Taught in English?

This is the first question most families from Singapore and SE Asia ask. The good news: Charles University offers degree programs fully taught in English across several of its faculties.

Medicine and Dentistry

The First, Second, and Third Faculties of Medicine all offer General Medicine and Dentistry as six-year programs taught in English. These are among the most popular choices in Europe for Indian, Malaysian, and Vietnamese students pursuing medicine. Graduates receive an MD degree recognised across the EU and in many countries worldwide.

Science and Technology

The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics offers bachelor's and master's programs in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics in English. These are rigorous, research-focused programs with strong placement into European and global technology industries.

Social Sciences and Humanities

The Faculty of Social Sciences offers several programs in English at bachelor's and master's level. The Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Humanities also have English-taught master's programs. Check the current study catalogue for the latest offerings, as programs are updated each academic year.

Law

The Faculty of Law offers an LL.M. (Master of Laws) program in English for international students who already hold a law degree. This is a one-year postgraduate qualification.

For the complete and current list of English-taught programs, check the official Charles University study programme catalogue on cuni.cz — it is updated each academic year.

Tuition Fees: What You Actually Pay

Charles University charges tuition only for programs taught in a language other than Czech. Study in Czech and you pay nothing — the same as Czech students. For English-taught programs, fees differ significantly by faculty and program.

• Medicine and Dentistry in English (First Faculty of Medicine): €24,250 per year — confirmed for the 2025/2026 academic year

• Social Sciences in English: approximately €3,800–€5,600 per year depending on program and student origin (EU versus non-EU)

• Law LL.M. in English: approximately USD 6,000 per year — check with the Faculty of Law for the exact current figure

• Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science in English: contact the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics directly for 2026/27 rates, as tuition fee scholarships may apply

• Czech-taught programs across all 17 faculties: free of charge for all students, including international students

One important note: medicine at €24,250 per year is the highest-fee program at Charles University. Most other English-taught programs cost significantly less. If medicine is your goal, it is worth comparing fees across medical universities in Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria before you decide — costs vary considerably.

Living Costs in Prague

• Dormitory room: €250–€300 per month — Charles University operates its own affordable dormitory network across Prague

• Private room in a shared flat: €400–€600 per month depending on location and distance from the city centre

• Food: €150–€200 per month cooking at home; more if you eat out regularly

• Public transport student pass: approximately €5.50 per month — one of the cheapest student passes in any European capital

• Other expenses — books, phone, social activities: €100–€150 per month

Budget €700–€900 per month for a comfortable student life in Prague. If you live in a university dormitory and cook most of your meals, €550–€650 per month is realistic. Over a 10-month academic year, plan for approximately €7,000–€9,000 in living expenses, separate from tuition.

How to Apply to Charles University

Charles University has 17 independent faculties and each runs its own admissions process. There is no single central application covering the whole university — you apply to a specific faculty for a specific program. The process generally works as follows:

1. Browse the study catalogue at cuni.cz to find your faculty and program

2. Register on the Charles University application portal (SIS — Student Information System) using your email address

3. Complete the online application and pay the application fee (CZK 690, approximately €28)

4. Submit your documents: secondary school leaving certificate, academic transcripts, and proof of English proficiency

5. Attend the entrance examination in Prague (typically May or June) — medicine faculties require biology and chemistry exams; other faculties have their own formats

6. Receive your admission decision and begin student visa paperwork if accepted

Key application deadlines for the 2026/27 academic year:

• General Medicine and Dentistry: November 30, 2025 — this is earlier than most European medical schools, so plan well ahead

• Most other faculties: February to April 2026 — check the specific faculty page for the exact date

• Apply well before the deadline if you are outside the EU — the Czech long-stay student visa takes additional time to obtain

English Language Requirements

• Medicine programs: English proficiency is assessed during the entrance examination — no separate IELTS certificate required for most medicine faculties

• Faculty of Mathematics and Physics: entrance exams are the primary filter — no minimum IELTS score specified

• Exchange students and some other programs: B2 level English minimum — equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL IBT 72

• Students from Singapore and Malaysia where English is a primary language of instruction are typically exempt from submitting a language certificate — confirm with your specific faculty

Scholarships at Charles University

Charles University does not offer a single central scholarship open to all international students. Funding is handled at the faculty level, and what is available depends on your faculty and program.

• Faculty of Mathematics and Physics — from 2026/27, tuition fee scholarships are available for admitted students in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Computational Linguistics, awarded on merit

• Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV UK SCHOLARS Program) — a one-time payment of approximately CZK 75,000 (around €3,000) toward living costs, with the deadline aligned to general faculty admissions

• Czech Government Scholarships — the Czech Ministry of Education offers scholarships for students from developing countries, covering tuition and a monthly stipend; contact the Czech embassy in Singapore or Malaysia for the current application cycle

For a full overview of scholarship options across Czech universities, read our guide: Scholarships for International Students in Czech Republic.

Is Charles University Right for You?

Charles University is a strong choice for families from Singapore, Malaysia, and SE Asia if:

• You want a degree from one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe, ranked #265 globally in 2026

• You are targeting medicine or dentistry — the English-taught programs here are EU-recognised and attract students from across Asia

• You are open to learning Czech, which unlocks free tuition across all 17 faculties — a significant financial advantage over the full degree

• You want big-city student life in a safe, affordable, and internationally connected European capital

It may not be the best fit if:

• You want the lowest possible English-taught tuition without learning Czech — other Czech universities offer lower fees for some programs

• The program you want is not available in English and you do not want to commit to Czech language preparation first

If you are still deciding between countries, our guide Czech Republic vs Poland vs Germany: Which Is Cheapest for Asian Students? compares tuition and living costs across the three most popular study destinations in Central Europe.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with our advisors and get a personalised university shortlist based on your budget and goals. We work with students from Singapore, Malaysia, and across SE Asia every day — and we know exactly what Charles University's admissions teams are looking for.