Do You Need a Czech Language Course Before University? A Guide for Asian Students

You only need a Czech language course if you plan to study in a Czech-taught programme, which is completely free of tuition at public universities — even for international students. If you choose an English-taught degree instead, you do not need to learn a word of Czech to apply, study, or graduate. The real question is not whether Czech is required, but whether spending a year and roughly €7,000–8,000 learning it is worth it compared to paying tuition in English from day one.

The Short Answer: It Depends on Which Programme You Choose

Czech public universities offer the same degree in two versions at most faculties: an English-taught version that charges tuition, and a Czech-taught version that is free. Which one you can join depends entirely on your Czech language level.

• English-taught programmes: no Czech required at all, at any point. This is the route most Asian students choose, and it is why our other guides to Charles University and Masaryk University focus on English-taught fees.

• Czech-taught programmes: you generally need a B1 to B2 level of Czech and must usually pass an entrance exam conducted in Czech. Very few international applicants arrive with this level already, so almost everyone who goes this route spends a year in a preparatory course first.

How Much Does a Czech Language Preparatory Course Cost

The best-known provider is ÚJOP, the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies run by Charles University, with campuses in Prague and the smaller town of Poděbrady. Here is what a full preparatory year and its extras cost, based on ÚJOP's published 2025–26 fees:

• One-year Foundation Programme in Czech (level 0 to B2, plus entrance exam preparation): €7,167

• Typical range across other providers in the Czech Republic: roughly €5,000 to €7,200 for a full academic year, excluding accommodation

• Dormitory reservation deposit: €300

• Comprehensive health insurance for the year: about €611

• Shorter alternative: a six-to-eight week intensive summer course, from around $6,238 plus a $300 study fee — fast, but rarely enough on its own to reach entrance-exam level from zero

These are official published figures, but course fees are reviewed most years — always confirm the current price directly with the provider before you commit.

Is It Worth It? Comparing the Two Paths

Run the numbers before you decide. For a full breakdown of what English-taught tuition actually costs by university, see our guide to tuition fees and living costs in Czech Republic.

• Path A — English-taught programme directly: tuition typically runs from about €2,000 up to €12,000 a year depending on the faculty and programme. You start your degree immediately, with no extra year.

• Path B — one year of Czech, then a free Czech-taught degree: roughly €7,000–8,000 total for the preparatory year (course, insurance, dormitory deposit), then zero tuition for the rest of a three-to-six-year degree.

For a one-year Master's, Path A almost always wins on both cost and speed. For a longer degree — a six-year Medicine programme especially — the maths tips the other way: one prep year can save tens of thousands of euros in tuition over the full degree. The trade-off is time, and the risk of studying an entire degree in your second language.

Where to Take a Czech Language Preparatory Course

• ÚJOP, Charles University — the largest and most established provider, with campuses in Prague and Poděbrady. Poděbrady is noticeably cheaper to live in than Prague, which is worth factoring into your budget for the year.

• Masaryk University, Brno — runs its own Czech language courses alongside its English-taught programmes. Read our full guide to Masaryk University Brno for why the city itself is around 20% cheaper to live in than Prague.

• Czech Technical University's Masaryk Institute of Higher Studies — language preparation aimed at students heading into technical and engineering programmes.

• Private language schools, such as the ICJ language institute — usually more flexible on start dates, though less integrated with a specific university's entrance exam.

What the Course Actually Covers

• Grammar and vocabulary building from complete beginner (level 0) through to B2, the level most Czech-taught entrance exams require

• Academic Czech specific to your intended field — medical terminology for future medicine students, technical vocabulary for engineering students, and so on

• Direct preparation for your target faculty's entrance exam, not just general conversational Czech

• A placement test at the start, so students who already know some Czech can skip the earliest levels

Practical Tips for Asian Students Considering This Route

• Confirm with your target faculty, in writing, that they accept the specific foundation programme's completion certificate before you enrol and pay

• Budget for a full extra year of living costs — around €500 to €750 a month in Prague, less if you study in a smaller town like Poděbrady

• If you are unsure whether you will enjoy learning Czech, try a shorter summer intensive course first before committing a full year and several thousand euros

• Check the confirmed 2026–27 application deadlines for your target university so your language course finishes in time for your entrance exam.

Not sure which path makes sense for your budget and timeline? Book a free 30-minute consultation with our advisors and get a personalised university shortlist based on your budget and goals.