Whether you’re a student about to embark on a study abroad program, or a family with children which is going to be staying in the Czechia for a few months, you’re surely wondering what the school system is like there (and also where to get an accommodation for that time). Getting to grips with the education system of another country can be confusing, but Flatio is here to help. This brief overview will clue you in on all the important, basic facts!
The Czech school system
Need to know what the school system is like in Czechia? Familiarizing yourself with another country’s education system can seem like a chore, but we promise it won’t take you long to catch on – the Czech education system is pretty straightforward.
How does the Czech school system work?
One of the education system advantages in Czechia is that most schools (including universities!) are state funded but nevertheless manage to provide a well-rounded education. However, private schools and universities, where tuition is paid, are also an option should you prefer them.
As for how many school days there are in Czech Republic, that’s pretty standard. Children go to school from Monday to Friday, and they get weekends off. At university, however, one might find that they have some weekdays free, too, because the number of contact hours is less for some programmes.
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Czech education levels
One of the main things you might want to know about the Czech school system is that there are three main education levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary. However, before children enter the school system, they are also entitled to pre-primary education (kindergarten) from September following their fourth birthday.
When does school start in Czech Republic?
The school year starts in September for all education levels, but the exact date differs. At primary and secondary schools, school starts on September 1st or the first day of September that falls on a Monday, whereas at universities the academic year begins a bit later, usually about halfway through September.
When does school end in Czech republic?
For primary and secondary schools, the school year ends with the end of June. For universities, it’s a bit more complex: while the spring semester generally ends at the end of May, it is followed by the exam period, which usually goes on until July. If you manage to pass all your exams quickly, however, it’s possible that you’ll already be done in the first week of June! For more information, take a peek at the school system calendar.
Primary education in Czech Republic
Primary education in this country lasts for nine years. Children have to start school when they’re six years old, and the legal school-leaving age is fifteen years old. Schools are required to accept children which live within their district, but it is also possible for parents to send their children to a school which is outside their school district, though in this case enrolment is not guaranteed.
Secondary education in Czech Republic
For those wishing to continue their education beyond what is legally required, there is a wealth of options, and frequently these are also state-funded. The most typical are grammar schools. These schools may be more closely focused on either natural sciences, humanities, or languages, but generally their aim is to prepare their students for university. Most students study here for four years, but usually it is also possible to enrol earlier and study a grammar school for six or eight years.
Besides grammar schools, there are also more specialized secondary schools. These include secondary agriculture schools, business schools, and conservatoires, where those inclined towards the arts can study music or acting, for example. Or, if one is leaning more towards the trade professions, they can go to a vocational school; depending on the type, these train students for jobs such as mechanic, carpenter, waiter, bricklayer, etc.
Foreign students in Czechia
Currently, there are over 40,000 international students studying at a university in Czechia. Thinking of joining them? In that case, you’ll definitely want to know that while the higher education system in this country prides itself in providing high-quality education, tuition is completely free if you choose to study in Czech, no matter your nationality! However, if that sounds like too much trouble, don’t worry – there’s plenty of programs that are taught in English and other foreign languages, too. For these you do have to pay tuition, but it’s usually not too high – generally around 1,000-3,500 EUR per academic year.
Feeling a little bit more confident about your knowledge of the Czech education system now? Good! If you’d like to dig even deeper now that you’ve got the basics down, the Studyin.cz website has some great resources which are worth checking out. And if you ever wanted to know where to meet some people in Prague, you can also check this article where we bring you some great tips. Happy learning!
Do you still need accommodation while studying in Czech Republic? Take a look at our offers at Flatio.com! We have plenty of available apartments, rooms and also some co-living alternatives! All of our apartments and rooms are fully furnished in Prague and kinda luxurious (but still with the acceptable prices compared with the length of stay). But we can also help you with your Erasmus accommodation in Vienna, Berlin, Budapest, or other European cities and countries. Just take a look at our wide offer!
