🎓 Education in the Czech Republic: A Guide for Foreigners

Whether you're planning to move to the Czech Republic with your children or you're already here and thinking about their future, understanding the Czech education system is key. This guide will walk you through the basics of schooling in the Czech Republic — from mandatory education to high school and university options, including important information for English-speaking families.

📚 Is Education Mandatory?

Yes! In the Czech Republic, education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 15, typically covering grades 1 to 9.

Compulsory Schooling Includes:

• Základní škola (Basic School): Divided into two stages:

  • 1st stage (Grades 1–5): Usually from ages 6 to 11

  • 2nd stage (Grades 6–9): Ages 11 to 15

After finishing grade 9, students can move on to secondary education.

🏫 What Comes After Basic School?

Once compulsory education is completed, students can apply to secondary schools, which offer different paths depending on the student's interests and career goals:

1. Střední odborná škola (Secondary Vocational School – SOŠ)

• Duration: 4 years

• Focus: Combines general education with training for fields like business, healthcare, tourism, or IT

• Ends with a Maturita exam, allowing access to universities

2. Střední odborné učiliště (Vocational Training School – SOU)

• Duration: 2–3 years

• Focus: Hands-on training for skilled professions (e.g. mechanics, bakers, electricians)

• May or may not end with Maturita, depending on the program

3. Gymnázium (General Secondary School)

• Duration: 4, 6, or 8 years, depending on entry point

• Focus: Academic preparation for university, with subjects like languages, science, and math

• Ends with a Maturita exam

🏙️ English-Speaking High School Options

If your child does not speak Czech, don't worry — there are options for high school education in English. These are mostly private schools, including:

• International high schools offering the IB (International Baccalaureate), British, or American curriculum

• Bilingual programs in private Czech schools

Key Facts:

• These schools are tuition-based, typically ranging from 60,000 CZK to over 300,000 CZK/year

• Most are located in larger cities such as Prague, Brno, or Ostrava

• Admission usually includes academic transcripts, English proficiency, and an interview

These schools can be an excellent option if your family is planning to stay in the Czech Republic long-term or your child aims to study abroad later.

🎓 Higher Education (University & Colleges)

After high school, students can apply to universities and colleges. The Czech Republic has both public and private universities, with many offering English-language degree programs.

Types of Degrees:

• Bachelor's degree (Bc.) – 3 years

• Master's degree (Mgr./Ing.) – 2 years (or 5 in some fields like law or medicine)

• Doctorate (Ph.D.) – 3+ years

Tuition:

• Public universities are free in Czech for full-time students who study in the Czech language

• English-language programs charge tuition (often 1,500–10,000 EUR/year depending on the field and school)

Popular universities include Charles University (Prague), Masaryk University (Brno), and Czech Technical University (Prague).

✅ Final Tips for Foreign Parents

• Make sure to check whether your child needs recognition of previous education (called nostrifikace) if they studied outside the Czech Republic.

• If you're relocating with children, ask your local immigration advisor for help finding a suitable school — especially if language is a concern.

• Consider language support: free Czech language classes are often available for foreign children to help them integrate better.

💡 Need Help Navigating School Options?

At Czech In Together, we help families understand their options, translate documents for school enrollment, and even guide you through the family reunification process so your children can join you in the Czech Republic.

📩 Book a free consultation to learn more!