Premedical Courses in the Czech Republic

Premedical Courses in the Czech Republic: Universities, Cost, and Eligibility for International Students 

The Czech Republic is a leading European study destination. Every year about 50,100 students enter the Czech Republic for their higher education. And more than 10,000 students choose to study medicine.

Students can receive world-class medical education in several disciplines and specializations, owing to the presence of top-ranking medical universities. Students can enroll in direct-entry master’s programs and doctoral programs. General Medicine is a popular choice among international students. Other medical programs like dentistry are also available. 

Universities also offer premedical courses to prepare students for general medicine programs. This article highlights all the premedical programs in Czechia that international students can enroll in, along with their cost and eligibility criteria

Premedical courses for international students in the Czech Republic

This table provides an overview of the available premedical courses for international students. Read further to know more about each program in detail.

Third Faculty of Medicine in Prague, Charles University

Program Duration: 5 months

Program Cost: CZK 110,000

The Third Faculty of Medicine in Prague offers international students an intensive five-month course to prepare students for the medical entrance exams at Charles University.

The course is taught in English and includes topics from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, the subjects tested in the entrance exams.

In addition to the core subjects, two additional subjects of Communication in Czech and Medical English are taught.

The tuition fee of CZK 110,000 does not cover accommodation, books, meals, and health insurance. Students must arrange their accommodation and health insurance during the study period.

Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies in Mariánské Lázně, Charles University

Program Duration: 35 weeks

Program Cost: EUR 5,940

The Medicine and Natural Science COMPLEX preparatory program helps students reach the B2 level of Czech. The program curriculum also includes some specialized subjects. The classes are conducted at the Mariánské Lázně center.

Lessons are spread over 35 hours per week for 35 weeks. The program starts with a two-week adaptation-orientation course. From the third week onwards, classes in specialized subjects begin. The subjects include

• General biology
• Medical biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

Tests are conducted at regular intervals to assess students’ progress. The entire duration is divided into winter and summer semesters, with each semester ending with semester exams.

Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies in Poděbrady, Charles University (h3)

Program Duration: 35 weeks

Program Cost: EUR 6,560

The Medicine in English COMPLEX preparatory program is conducted at the Poděbrady center. This 35-week-long intensive program trains students in the Czech language and some specialized subjects at 35 classes per week. Subjects include 

• Biology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• English
• Medical Ethics
• Czech (basic course)
• Latin (basic course)

Apart from academics, the ILPS CU also helps students develop skills necessary for university life. Students learn the qualities of independence, responsibility, and time management.

Students take tests and exams regularly between and at the end of two semesters: winter and summer. Upon completion, students are awarded a certificate. 

Foundation Program, Masaryk University

Program Duration: 20 weeks

Program Cost: CZK 200,000

The in-person foundation program at Masaryk University is specifically designed for international students. The program helps students prepare for the entrance exams for General Medicine or Dentistry. Subjects include Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and the Czech language.

The curriculum is spread over 25 teaching hours per week for 20 weeks. Classes are conducted at the Masaryk University campus.

Online Foundation Course, Masaryk University

Program Duration: 10 weeks

Program Cost: CZK 15,000

Masaryk University’s online foundation course is a condensed form of the in-person program.

Biology, Physics, and Chemistry classes are taught on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 19:00 Central European Time. The course spans ten weeks, with six hours of teaching each week.

Czech language classes are not included in this course. The course is for students who wish to prepare for the university’s General Medicine or Dentistry entrance exams. After applying online, students will receive the password to the university’s online system. Classes are conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Pre-med Course in Prague, King Charles Medical College

Program Duration: 22 weeks

Program Cost: EUR 10,285

King Charles Medical College in Prague was established to prepare students to enter medical universities. The college aims to make acceptance into Czech medical schools easier for international students by training them for entrance exams.

The premedical course at King Charles Medical College is supervised by Charles University’s First Faculty of Medicine. The course helps students to gain admission into two of the best medical universities in Czechia: Charles University’s First Faculty of Medicine and Palacky University.

The duration is 22 weeks, with two weeks of orientation before the course commencement. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects

• Medical English
• Czech language A1 level
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Physiology & Anatomy

The 22-week program lets students apply to only English-taught medicine and dentistry programs. 

An alternative 38-week program is also available that trains students in the Czech language up to the B2/C1 level. This extended program can help students apply to Czech-taught programs (which are tuition-free) besides the English-taught programs.

An online version of the pre-medical course is also available with 100 hours of training. Czech language lessons are not included in the online course.

Cost of premedical courses in the Czech Republic

The entire cost of premedical courses in the Czech Republic is roughly half of the annual cost of medical studies. 

The average program fee is approximately USD 6,087. 

Online programs are much more affordable than in-person courses as the latter provide Czech language classes as well.

The costs listed in the table only relate to the program fee. Additional charges for accommodation, food, insurance, etc., are not included.

* Amounts in CZK have been converted from EUR at 1 EUR = 24.27 CZK.

** Amounts in USD have been converted from CZK or EUR at the exchange rates of 1 CZK = 0.0042 USD and 1 EUR = 1.04 USD.

Please note that exchange rates are subject to change periodically.

Admission requirements for premedical courses in the Czech Republic

The eligibility requirements for premedical courses in the Czech Republic are basic. Students are required to have completed their high school education.

• Secondary School Diploma
• Academic Transcripts (Academic documents should be nostrified or officially issued)
• Curriculum Vitae

Applications are made online through the institutes’ websites. Students will receive details and access to their online study portal for applications to online premedical programs.