Charles University Prague: A Complete Guide for International Students

Charles University is the oldest university in Central Europe, founded in 1348, and one of the most respected research universities on the continent. For students from Singapore, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia, it offers something rare: a globally recognised degree, a beautiful European capital city, and tuition fees that are a fraction of what UK or Australian universities charge — or, if you study in Czech, no fees at all.

What Is Charles University Prague?

Charles University was founded in 1348 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. Today it has 17 faculties — 14 based in Prague — and enrols around 50,000 students, including approximately 10,000 international students from over 100 countries. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings it placed in the top 200 globally, making it the highest-ranked university in the Czech Republic.

• Founded: 1348 — one of Europe's oldest universities

• Location: Prague (14 faculties), Hradec Kralove (2 faculties), Plzen (1 faculty)

• Total students: approximately 50,000 including around 10,000 international

• Teaching languages: Czech (free of charge) and English (tuition fees apply)

• Rankings: Top 200 globally, QS World University Rankings 2026

English-Taught Programmes: What Can You Study?

If you do not speak Czech, you can still study at Charles University — provided you are willing to pay tuition fees. Many faculties offer complete degree programmes taught entirely in English, from bachelor's level through to doctoral research. Below are the most popular options for international students.

Medicine and Health Sciences

• General Medicine — 6-year programme taught in English at the First, Second, and Third Faculty of Medicine. The most sought-after programme for international students at Charles University.

• Dentistry — available in English at select faculties; check each faculty's admissions page for current availability.

Natural Sciences and Technology

• Computer Science — bachelor's and master's programmes, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics

• Mathematics and Physics — bachelor's and master's, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Economics

• International Economic and Political Studies (IEPS) — Faculty of Social Sciences

• Media Studies — Faculty of Social Sciences

• Selected master's programmes in Humanities — Faculty of Arts

Check the full catalogue of English-taught programmes at studycharles.cz — the list is updated each year and new programmes are added regularly.

Tuition Fees for International Students (2025-26)

Fees depend entirely on which faculty and programme you choose. Czech-taught programmes are free of charge for all students regardless of nationality — but they require B2 to C1 Czech language proficiency. For English-taught programmes, the 2025-26 fees are:

• Computer Science (Faculty of Mathematics and Physics): EUR 7,100 per year from 2026/27

• Social Sciences programmes (Faculty of Social Sciences): approximately EUR 6,000 per year

• Economics and Finance: approximately EUR 7,000 per year

• General Medicine in English, 6-year programme: approximately EUR 16,000 per year — check directly with the faculty as fees are updated annually

• Full range across all English-taught programmes: approximately EUR 1,000 to EUR 24,000 per year depending on field

For comparison: a medical degree in the UK costs GBP 38,000 or more per year for international students. At Charles University, the same qualification costs approximately EUR 16,000 — less than half the price, with the degree fully recognised across Europe.

How to Apply from Singapore or Southeast Asia

Each of Charles University's 17 faculties runs its own admissions process — there is no central application portal. You apply directly to the faculty that offers your chosen programme. The process differs by faculty but the core steps are the same.

General Requirements for Bachelor's Programmes

• Completed secondary school — your Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level, IB Diploma, or equivalent qualifies

• Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates

• English language proficiency proof (see section below)

• Entrance examination — required by most faculties, especially Medicine, where biology, chemistry, and physics are tested

Key deadline: most faculties require non-EU applicants to submit by 30 April for a September start. Apply well before this date — after your admission decision you will still need several weeks to prepare and submit your Czech student visa or long-term residence permit application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Browse English-taught programmes at studycharles.cz and choose your faculty

2. Check the specific admissions requirements page for that faculty

3. Submit your application through the faculty's own online portal — each has a separate system

4. Pay the application fee, typically EUR 30 to EUR 60 depending on faculty

5. Sit any required entrance examination — in person in Prague or online, depending on faculty

6. Receive your admission decision — typically in June or July for a September start

7. Apply for your Czech long-term student visa or residence permit — do not wait until you have your offer letter, start preparing your documents immediately

For a detailed walkthrough of the visa and document process, see our step-by-step guide on how to apply to a Czech university from Singapore.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5 overall

• TOEFL iBT: minimum 85

• Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

• Exemption: if you completed at least two years of prior education entirely in English — in Singapore, the UK, Australia, Canada, or similar — most faculties will waive the test requirement

Most students from Singapore and Malaysia who attended English-medium secondary schools qualify for the exemption. Confirm this with your specific faculty's admissions office before registering for an English test.

Living Costs in Prague: Monthly Budget Breakdown

Prague is significantly cheaper than London, Amsterdam, or Paris for students. Here is what you can realistically expect to spend each month:

• University dormitory (shared room): EUR 150 to EUR 250 per month — the most affordable option and close to campus

• Private shared apartment: EUR 350 to EUR 500 per month, plus EUR 120 to EUR 170 for utilities

• Food — self-catering plus occasional eating out: EUR 150 to EUR 200 per month; university canteen meals cost EUR 3 to EUR 5

• Transport — student Litacka monthly card: approximately EUR 5 per month, covering unlimited metro, tram, and bus across Prague

• Total monthly budget: EUR 450 to EUR 550 living in a dormitory, or EUR 650 to EUR 850 in a private apartment

For a full 10-month academic year, budget between EUR 4,500 and EUR 8,500 for living costs alone, not including tuition. For a detailed breakdown of Czech Republic student budgets, see our guide on tuition fees and living costs in Czech Republic.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Charles University does not have a large centralised scholarship fund for international students, but there are several options worth pursuing before paying full tuition fees.

• Faculty of Mathematics and Physics tuition fee scholarships: Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics scholarships available from 2026/27 for outstanding applicants

• FSV UK Scholars Program (Faculty of Social Sciences): partial tuition fee waiver — deadline 30 April each year

• Czech Government scholarships: the Ministry of Education runs scholarship programmes for students from certain countries — check whether Singapore or your home country is included

• Erasmus+ exchange: if your home university has an Erasmus+ partnership with Charles University, you may study a semester here without paying Charles University tuition fees

For the full picture of funding options across Czech universities — including government grants and university-specific awards — see our guide to scholarships for international students in Czech Republic.

Is Charles University the Right Choice for You?

Charles University is a strong fit for students who want a top-ranked research university at European prices, and who are ready to live and study in a city that is genuinely affordable by Asian-family standards. Consider it seriously if you meet any of these criteria:

• You are targeting Medicine, Computer Science, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, or Humanities

• You want a globally ranked university degree that is recognised across Europe and beyond

• You want to live in a safe, beautiful, and affordable European capital city

• You are open to learning some Czech alongside your degree — it opens up career and social opportunities across Central Europe

If you need a broader range of English-taught programmes or a stronger engineering or business focus, Czech Technical University Prague and the Prague University of Economics are worth comparing alongside Charles University.

Book a free 30-minute consultation with our advisors and get a personalised university shortlist based on your budget and goals. We will help you compare Charles University with other European options and identify exactly which faculty and programme is the right fit for you.