The Czech Republic — officially Czechia since 2016 — is Central Europe’s most culturally rich and academically underrated study destination. Home to Charles University (one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1348), the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), Masaryk University in Brno, and several other internationally recognized research institutions — the Czech Republic offers world-class education at living costs dramatically lower than Western Europe.
In 2027-2028, ten major scholarship programs make Czech university education genuinely accessible to international students from every corner of the world — from the Czech Government’s comprehensive Foreign Development Scholarship to Charles University’s prestigious STARS Doctoral Fellowship and the unique Václav Havel Bursary for students from non-democratic regimes.
This guide covers every scholarship, what it covers, who can apply, deadlines, and official application links.
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Why Study in the Czech Republic in 2027?
Affordable European education with world-class quality. Czech public universities charge zero tuition for programs taught in Czech — and even English-taught programs have fees significantly lower than Western European equivalents. Combined with scholarship support, the Czech Republic offers exceptional academic value.
Charles University’s global reputation. Charles University in Prague is consistently ranked among the world’s top 200 universities and among Europe’s top 50 — older than Oxford’s oldest college and home to some of Central Europe’s most distinguished research.
Central European strategic location. Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful and most visited cities — with direct connections to Vienna, Berlin, Budapest, and Warsaw. The Czech Republic’s EU membership gives graduates access to the full European labor market.
Affordable living costs. Monthly living costs for students in Prague range from CZK 15,000–22,000 ($680–$1,000 USD) — approximately 40–60% lower than comparable Western European capitals. Brno (Masaryk University’s city) is even more affordable.
Growing English-taught program portfolio. Czech universities have significantly expanded English-taught programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, particularly in engineering, sciences, and social sciences.
The Top 10 Czech Republic Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Czech Government Foreign Development Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: 100% tuition + CZK 16,000–17,000/month stipend + Accommodation + Health insurance + Czech language course Eligibility: Citizens of specified developing nations
The Czech Government Foreign Development Scholarship — administered by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — is the Czech Republic’s flagship international scholarship program, specifically designed for students from developing partner countries.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition fee coverage at Czech public universities
- Monthly stipend of CZK 16,000–17,000 (~$730–$775 USD) — sufficient for comfortable living in Brno and adequate for Prague
- Accommodation support — subsidized student dormitory accommodation
- Health insurance for the full scholarship duration
- Free 1-year Czech language course before degree program begins — enabling students to participate in Czech-taught programs and daily life
Who can apply: Citizens of Czech Republic’s official development partner countries including Georgia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Zambia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Mongolia, and other specified nations. Check the current eligible country list as it is updated periodically.
Why this scholarship is comprehensive: The combination of full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, AND a free language course makes this one of the most complete government scholarship packages in Central Europe.
Deadline: Typically September–November for the following academic year — applications submitted through Czech Embassies or Consulates in eligible countries
👉 Official Website: dzs.cz/en/scholarships/czech-government-scholarships-for-developing-countries
🏆 2. International Visegrad Fund Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral Coverage: CZK 60,000–100,000/semester living stipend + Host institution grant support Eligibility: Students from Visegrad countries (V4), Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership
The International Visegrad Fund — the common scholarship fund of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary — provides substantial semester-based scholarships for students and researchers from the V4 region, Western Balkans, and Eastern Partnership countries (including Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus).
What it covers:
- Living stipend of CZK 60,000–100,000 per semester (~$2,730–$4,550 USD per semester — approximately $1,365–$2,275/month)
- Host institution grant support — contribution toward institutional fees and research costs
- Available for study or research mobility at any V4 country institution (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary)
Who can apply: Citizens of V4 countries studying at non-V4 institutions; citizens of Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries for study/research at V4 universities.
Key programs:
- Visegrad+ Scholarships: For Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans students
- Visegrad Scholarship Program: For V4 country mobility
- University Studies Grants: For full degree programs at V4 universities
Deadline: Typically January–February for autumn semester and June–July for spring semester
👉 Official Website: visegradfund.org/apply/grants/visegrad-scholarships
🏆 3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: 100% tuition + €1,400/month living stipend + Airfare + Relocation + Insurance Eligibility: EU-funded consortium programs with Czech university study tracks
Several Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — funded by the European Commission — include Czech universities as consortium partners, making the Czech Republic a destination within some of Europe’s most prestigious and financially generous joint Master’s programs.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition fees across all consortium universities
- €1,400/month living allowance for non-EU students for full program duration (up to 24 months)
- Airfare and relocation grant (€1,000–€3,000)
- Mandatory health insurance included
Czech institutions participating in EMJMD programs:
- Charles University — social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences programs
- Czech Technical University — engineering and technology programs
- Masaryk University — law, social sciences, and sciences programs
- Palacký University Olomouc — sciences and humanities programs
Deadline: Program-specific — typically October–January
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
4. South Moravian Centre for International Mobility (JCMM)
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD Coverage: Monthly stipend of CZK 7,000 for the first year of study Eligibility: Non-EU students in technical and natural science programs in South Moravia
The South Moravian Centre for International Mobility (JCMM) provides monthly financial support specifically for non-EU international students enrolling in technical or natural science programs at universities in the South Moravian region — including Masaryk University, Brno University of Technology, and Mendel University in Brno.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend of CZK 7,000 (~$320 USD) for the first year of study
- Available for technical and natural science Master’s and PhD programs
Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA international students newly enrolled in eligible technical or natural science programs at South Moravian universities.
Why South Moravia: Brno — South Moravia’s capital — is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city and its technology hub, hosting the European headquarters of companies including IBM, Red Hat, AT&T, and dozens of other technology firms alongside Masaryk University and Brno University of Technology.
Deadline: Typically aligned with semester enrollment — September–October for autumn semester
👉 Official Website: jcmm.cz/en/scholarship-programmes
🏆 5. Charles University FSV UK Scholars and Merit Awards
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Partial to full tuition fee waivers (up to CZK 100,000/year) Eligibility: Merit-based assistance for outstanding international students at Faculty of Social Sciences
Charles University — Central Europe’s most prestigious university, ranked among the world’s top 200 — offers merit-based scholarship assistance for outstanding international students applying to its Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV UK).
What it covers:
- Tuition fee waivers ranging from partial to full coverage
- Up to CZK 100,000/year (~$4,550 USD) for the highest merit tier
- Available for both undergraduate and postgraduate social sciences programs
FSV UK’s strengths: Political science, international relations, sociology, economics, media studies, and social research methodology. FSV UK’s programs are internationally recognized and conducted in both Czech and English.
Charles University’s overall scholarship portfolio: Beyond FSV UK, Charles University’s individual faculties — Medicine, Law, Mathematics and Physics, Natural Sciences, and others — all maintain their own scholarship and fee waiver programs. Check with each specific faculty.
Deadline: Aligned with Charles University admissions — typically February–March and October–November
👉 Official Website: fsv.cuni.cz/en/scholarships
🏆 6. STARS Doctoral Fellowships (Charles University)
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: Full tuition coverage + Guaranteed monthly stipend (~CZK 25,000+) Eligibility: Competitive research candidates in Faculty of Science
The STARS (Supporting Talented and Researchers in Science) Doctoral Fellowship is Charles University’s most prestigious PhD scholarship — specifically designed to attract exceptional international researchers to its Faculty of Science.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee coverage for the entire PhD duration
- Guaranteed monthly stipend of approximately CZK 25,000+ (~$1,140 USD) — among the highest stipends at any Czech university
- Access to Charles University’s world-class scientific infrastructure
- Research mobility support for international collaborations
Who can apply: Exceptional international candidates applying for PhD programs in the Faculty of Science — covering biology, chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics, physics, and related disciplines. Highly competitive — only the strongest research candidates are selected.
Why STARS is significant: The CZK 25,000/month guaranteed stipend significantly exceeds Prague’s minimum comfortable living cost of approximately CZK 15,000–18,000/month — meaning STARS fellows can live comfortably while saving a portion of their stipend.
Deadline: Typically March–April annually — check Charles University’s STARS programme portal
👉 Official Website: natur.cuni.cz/en/stars-programme
7. Czech Technical University (CTU) Merit Scholarships
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee reductions (20% to 50%) Eligibility: High-performing engineering and computer science students based on GPA
Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) — one of Central Europe’s oldest and most respected technical universities (founded 1707), consistently ranked among the world’s top 500 for engineering — offers merit-based tuition reductions for high-performing international students.
What it covers:
- Tuition fee reduction of 20% to 50% based on academic merit and GPA
- Higher academic achievement = higher percentage reduction
- Available for engineering and computer science bachelor’s and master’s programs
CTU’s strengths: Civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, nuclear science, and transportation. CTU’s location in Prague provides extraordinary access to Central Europe’s growing technology ecosystem.
How scholarship is determined: CTU evaluates GPA and academic standing automatically — no separate scholarship application in most cases. The highest GPA applicants receive the highest reductions.
Deadline: Aligned with CTU admissions — typically February–March and September–October
👉 Official Website: cvut.cz/en/scholarships
8. Masaryk University (MUNI) Faculty Grants and Stipends
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Partial tuition waivers + Departmental monthly stipends Eligibility: Merit and research-based funding at specific Masaryk faculties
Masaryk University (MUNI) in Brno — Czech Republic’s second-largest university and one of its most internationally oriented, with over 7,500 international students — administers scholarship programs through its individual faculties rather than a central university fund.
What it covers:
- Partial tuition waivers at participating faculties
- Departmental monthly stipends for research-oriented students
- Funding amounts and availability vary by faculty and research group
Key faculties with strong international scholarship provision:
- Faculty of Informatics: Strong research group stipends for international computer science PhD students
- Faculty of Science: Research fellowships in biology, chemistry, and physics
- Faculty of Economics and Administration: Merit awards for outstanding international business students
Contact supervisor first: For research degrees at MUNI, the most effective pathway is contacting your target supervisor directly — most research stipends are distributed through research group budgets managed by individual professors.
Deadline: Varies by faculty — check MUNI’s faculty-specific scholarship portals
👉 Official Website: muni.cz/en/applicants/scholarships
9. Ministry of Education (MEYS) Bilateral Agreements
Degree Level: Exchange, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Full tuition exemption + Monthly living allowance + Accommodation support Eligibility: Citizens of bilateral partner countries
The Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) administers bilateral government scholarship agreements with numerous countries — providing comprehensive support for exchange and degree students from partner nations.
What it covers:
- Full tuition exemption at Czech host institutions
- Monthly living allowance toward daily expenses
- Accommodation support — subsidized student housing
How it works: Each bilateral agreement has specific terms, eligible student numbers, and application processes. Applications are typically submitted through your home country’s Ministry of Education or equivalent authority — not directly to Czech institutions.
Partner countries include: Countries across Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East with established Czech education agreements. Contact the Czech Embassy in your country to verify whether a bilateral scholarship agreement exists for your nationality.
Deadline: Varies by country and agreement — typically October–February for the following academic year
👉 Official Website: dzs.cz/en/scholarships/bilateral-agreements
🏆 10. Václav Havel Bursary (Charles University)
Degree Level: Foundation, Bachelor’s, Master’s Coverage: Full tuition waiver + Living stipend support Eligibility: International students facing political repression under non-democratic regimes
The Václav Havel Bursary — named after the Czech playwright, dissident, and President who led the Velvet Revolution — is one of the most distinctive and humanistically important scholarship programs in European higher education.
What it covers:
- Full tuition waiver at Charles University
- Living stipend support toward accommodation and daily expenses
- Access to Charles University’s extraordinary academic environment in one of Europe’s most intellectually vibrant cities
Who can apply: International students from countries governed by non-democratic regimes who face political repression due to their political views, activism, journalism, human rights work, or membership in persecuted groups. This scholarship explicitly extends education access to individuals whose study opportunities have been blocked by their home government.
Why it matters: The Václav Havel Bursary reflects Charles University’s and the Czech Republic’s deep commitment to academic freedom — values that defined Havel’s life and the Velvet Revolution’s meaning. Recipients include students from Belarus, Iran, Russia, Myanmar, Venezuela, and other countries experiencing political repression.
Application: Through Charles University’s international office with documentation of the student’s situation — handled with appropriate confidentiality and sensitivity.
Deadline: Ongoing — applications reviewed on a rolling basis given the urgent circumstances many applicants face
👉 Official Website: cuni.cz/UKEN-1137.html
Quick Reference — All 10 Czech Republic Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Czech Govt Foreign Development | Masters/PhD | Full tuition + CZK 16-17k/mo | Sep–Nov |
| 2 | Visegrad Fund | Masters/PhD/Postdoc | CZK 60-100k/semester | Jan–Feb / Jun–Jul |
| 3 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | Full tuition + €1,400/mo | Oct–Jan |
| 4 | JCMM South Moravian | Masters/PhD | CZK 7,000/mo (year 1) | Sep–Oct |
| 5 | Charles University FSV Merit | Bachelors/Masters | Up to CZK 100,000/yr | Feb–Mar / Oct–Nov |
| 6 | STARS Doctoral (Charles Univ) | PhD | Full tuition + CZK 25,000+/mo | Mar–Apr |
| 7 | CTU Merit Scholarships | Bachelors/Masters | 20%–50% tuition reduction | Feb–Mar / Sep–Oct |
| 8 | Masaryk University (MUNI) | All levels | Partial tuition + stipends | Varies by faculty |
| 9 | MEYS Bilateral Agreements | Exchange/Masters/PhD | Full tuition + allowance | Oct–Feb |
| 10 | Václav Havel Bursary | Foundation/Bachelors/Masters | Full tuition + stipend | Rolling |
Health Insurance in Czech Republic — What International Students Need
Every international student in the Czech Republic must have health insurance — and the system varies based on your residency status.
Public health insurance (for employed or long-term residents): Students who are employed (including PhD students with employment contracts) can access Czech public health insurance through their employer enrollment. Monthly contributions approximately CZK 2,336/month (~$107 USD).
Commercial health insurance (most common for international students): Most international students purchase commercial health insurance that meets Czech visa requirements.
Best options for international students:
VZP (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna) — Czech Republic’s Largest Insurer The most widely used health insurer among international students. Czech public insurance with comprehensive coverage. 👉 vzp.cz/en
Maxima Insurance (Commercial) Popular commercial insurance for international students on study visas — accepted for Czech student residence permit applications. 👉 maxima-insurance.com
Slavia Insurance Widely used student commercial health insurance with good coverage for Czech Republic student visa requirements. 👉 slavia-pojistovna.cz/en
Czech Government scholarship recipients: Czech Government Foreign Development Scholarship includes health insurance — no separate purchase needed. Confirm exact coverage details in your scholarship award documentation.
Banking in Czech Republic — Complete Setup Guide
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Czech Crown (CZK) account accessible from your home country. Scholarship stipends received from day one. Excellent exchange rates. 👉 wise.com
Česká spořitelna — Largest Czech Bank Most widely used bank among students in Prague and across the Czech Republic. Student account available with simplified documentation. English-language online banking. 👉 csas.cz/en
ČSOB (Československá obchodní banka) — Strong Student Account Competitive student account with good digital banking. Popular among Masaryk University students in Brno. 👉 csob.cz/en
Moneta Money Bank — Best Digital Option Fully digital Czech bank with English interface. No monthly fees for basic account. 👉 moneta.cz/en
Revolut — Good Pre-Arrival Supplement Excellent for daily spending and international transfers. Use alongside a traditional Czech bank account. 👉 revolut.com
Czech ID (Residence Permit) required: You need your Czech residence permit to open a traditional Czech bank account. Apply for your long-term residence permit at the Czech Foreign Police office within 3 days of arrival (for stays over 30 days).
Czech Student Visa (Long-Term Visa for Study) — Requirements
Non-EU students studying in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days need a Long-Term Visa for Study (Type D) or a Long-Term Residence Permit for Study.
Key requirements:
- Acceptance letter from a Czech university
- Proof of accommodation (university dormitory confirmation or rental agreement)
- Financial proof — scholarship award letter or bank statements showing sufficient funds (approximately CZK 95,000–115,000 for 12 months)
- Health insurance valid for Czech Republic
- Clean criminal record certificate from home country
Processing time: Typically 60–90 days — apply well in advance of your program start date
Application: Through the Czech Embassy or Consulate in your home country
5 Tips to Maximize Your Czech Republic Scholarship Success
Apply to Czech Government Foreign Development Scholarship first. If your country is on the eligible list, this is the most comprehensive scholarship available — full tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and language course in a single package. Contact the Czech Embassy in your country immediately.
STARS Doctoral Fellowship at Charles University is your PhD priority. The CZK 25,000+/month guaranteed stipend makes STARS one of Europe’s most financially competitive doctoral programs for science PhD researchers. Contact potential supervisors in Charles University’s Faculty of Science before applying.
Visegrad Fund is exceptional for eligible regions. If you are from V4, Western Balkans, or Eastern Partnership countries, the Visegrad Fund provides one of the highest per-semester allowances (CZK 60,000–100,000) of any Central European scholarship — significantly more than most national government programs.
Contact Masaryk University faculties individually. MUNI’s scholarship provision is faculty-specific — contact the international office of your target faculty directly rather than applying centrally. Research group-based stipends are often the primary funding source for international PhD students.
The Václav Havel Bursary is available year-round. If you are from a country experiencing political repression and face barriers to education as a result, apply immediately — this rolling application scholarship was created precisely for urgent situations.
Final Thoughts — Czechia Awaits Your Academic Journey
The Czech Republic in 2027 offers something genuinely rare in European higher education: a country where one of Europe’s oldest universities (Charles University, founded 1348) sits in one of Europe’s most beautiful and affordable capital cities, offering scholarship programs ranging from the comprehensive Czech Government Foreign Development Scholarship to the unique Václav Havel Bursary — a scholarship program that literally exists to protect academic freedom.
The Czech Government scholarship’s full package including CZK 16,000–17,000/month. STARS doctoral’s guaranteed CZK 25,000+/month at Charles University. Visegrad Fund’s CZK 60,000–100,000/semester for eligible regions. Erasmus Mundus’s €1,400/month at Czech consortium universities.
Applications for the Czech Government scholarship open September–November. Visegrad Fund: January–February. STARS: March–April. Charles University FSV: February–March.
Your future in Czechia awaits.
👉 Czech Government Scholarships: dzs.cz/en/scholarships 👉 Visegrad Fund: visegradfund.org 👉 Charles University: cuni.cz/UKEN-1.html 👉 Study in Czech Republic: studyin.cz/en 👉 Masaryk University: muni.cz/en
