Medical universities in the Czech Republic are held in high regard globally. With programs offered in English, multinational categories of students apply to complete their higher education here. However, despite being home to some of Europe’s most esteemed medical faculties, scholarships to study medicine in the Czech Republic are limited for international students.
The tuition cost of studying medicine and dentistry in the Czech Republic averages around $15,000 USD per year. Other popular medical studies destinations like the UK, Australia, and the US charge double or triple the amount for the same programs. Therefore, what Czech universities lack in scholarships, they make up for with affordability and quality of education.
Although scholarship sources are scarce, some of the top medical universities in the Czech Republic offer merit awards to international students after they have finished their first year of study.
To look at possible scholarship options, we must first understand the various categories of financial aid provided. These include
- Pre Admission Scholarships
- Post Admission Awards
Scholarships to Study Medicine in the Czech Republic
Pre Admission Scholarships
Pre-admission scholarships for medical studies are those scholarships that can be obtained before starting the chosen study program in Czech medical universities. These scholarships are generally offered via government collaborations for international students.
Bilateral International Agreement Scholarships
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MEYS) awards annual scholarships through intergovernmental exchange programs for international students. These scholarships are available to students from eligible countries (including India) who want to avail themselves of the benefits of studying in the Czech Republic.
The modified 2023/24 provisions include
- Up to 10 months of research/study stay at a Czech public higher education institution in the country free of charge,
- 9,000 CZK (approx. 400 USD) per month for graduate students,
- 9,500 CZK (approx. 420 USD) per month for postgraduate students,
- Accommodation at the student dormitory for a discounted price,
- Meals will be provided at the student dormitory for a discounted price,
- No visa application fee
The application deadline for availing of this scholarship is 15th February. The required list of documents comprises
- A correctly filled-out application form
- An acceptance letter from the university or department you intend to enroll in the Czech Republic
- Your academic CV
- List of publications (if any published)
- A detailed plan outlining your study or research
- Two letters of recommendation (LORs) from supervisors who can vouch for your academic credibility
- A photocopy of any diplomas received (if applicable, should be verified by a notary)
- Certified transcripts of records that must be certified by the respective department or university concerned
- A copy of your passport
Post-Admission Awards
The term post-admission awards refer to scholarship awards offered by specific universities in the Czech Republic after the admission of students.
These scholarships are generally awarded in the second year of the study program on the basis of the candidate’s academic performance in the first year of their course.
Charles University Scholarships
| Name of the Scholarship | Offered By | Scholarship Amount |
| Scholarships and Bursaries for Outstanding Academic Achievement | First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University
and Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen |
Amount decided by the Dean based on the average grades received by the best students |
| Best International Medical Student Award | Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University | 142,500 CZK or 6,306 USD |
| Top Student Faculty Award for Foreign Students | Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University | 70,000 CZK or 3,098 USD |
Eligibility for the Outstanding Student Scholarship and Bursary:
- Awarded to those students who have achieved the best average grade in the previous unit of study
- The amount of compensation offered may be differentiated according to the average grade achieved.
This scholarship or bursary will be awarded by 31st December of the year of study following the year in which the outstanding academic results were obtained.
Eligibility for the Best International Medical Student Award:
- The student’s study program average should fall in the 90th to 100th percentile.
- The student should have successfully completed most of the required exams at the 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague.
The scholarship amount will be allocated by the Dean. However, students should note that the recipients of the award will not be granted a scholarship in the concurrent academic year.
Eligibility for the Top Student Faculty Award:
- Applicants must be in the top 10% of their average class grades (90 to 100 percentile)
- The candidate must have completed their first year of studies and completed all the courses
- The candidate must have paid all first-year fees in time and must meet the credit completion requirement (60 ECTS)
- The candidate must have completed all courses taken up in the stipulated time
The Dean of the faculty is responsible for selecting scholarship candidates based on the factors mentioned above.
Merit Scholarship, Palacky University
The dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at Palacky University awards merit scholarships to candidates with exceptional academic grades. Students that are pursuing full-time master’s or doctoral programs at the university are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The amount of the award varies from program to program.
Masaryk University Scholarships
Masaryk University’s Faculty of Medicine has a handful of scholarship and bursary awards for their medical students.
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- Newcomer’s Scholarship: Awarded to students from developing countries that are pursuing a full-time program that is taught in English at the university. The scholarship awards 4348 USD (100 000 CZK) to help with the first-year studies. The application window to avail of this scholarship lies between 30 November to 30 April.
- Merit Scholarship & Bursary Program: Designed to motivate the students of the faculty to excel in academics, this scholarship awards monetary rewards on the basis of academic excellence during the study.
- Accommodation Grant: Only for those students who are enrolled in a full-time program at Masaryk University and have not availed of the MEYS Scholarship.
Conclusion
Merit scholarships to enroll in medical studies in the Czech Republic are rare. Students can look for funding options through third-party sources and government organizations too. However, the return on investment is huge as the medical universities here are relatively affordable. The cost of studying medicine and dentistry in the Czech Republic is approximately $15,000 USD per year. Moreover, they unlock a plethora of future opportunities after medical studies in the Czech Republic. To get more information regarding scholarships to study medicine in the Czech Republic, contact Gyanberry.
