Erasmus guide Masaryk University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic.
City
BrnoCountry
Czech RepublicInternational
Large exchange intake, with roughly 3,000 incoming exchange students per year
Enrollment
Approx. 33,000 students
Study abroad at Masaryk University: overview
Study abroad at Masaryk University puts you in the Czech Republic's second-largest university: founded in 1919, QS ~651-700, around 33,000 students and a strong exchange intake in Brno. It is best for students who want law, social sciences, natural sciences, informatics or medicine with a lower-cost, more local student city than Prague.
Enrollment
Approx. 33,000 students
International Mix
Large exchange intake, with roughly 3,000 incoming exchange students per year
Why students choose it
Best for students who want a serious Czech university without Prague's housing pressure. Brno gives Masaryk exchange students a cheaper, more local rhythm, strong social life, useful tech and research links, and easy rail trips to Vienna or Bratislava; choose housing by campus route, not only by central location.
Language of instruction: Czech (primary); broad English-taught course catalogue for exchange students
Exchange & application at Masaryk University
The process runs through partner nomination, MU's Information System and faculty approval. It is structured, but you should keep backup courses and watch the visa timeline if you are non-EU.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, MU IS application, academic transcript, learning agreement, language proof, and valid health insurance.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates to MU's Centre for International Cooperation (CIC). MU CIC contacts the student directly with IS application instructions.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students don't need a Czech visa. Non-EU students need a Czech long-stay visa (Type D) — apply at Czech consulate at least 10 weeks before arrival. MU provides the admission letter for the application.
👥Buddy System
ESN Brno (multiple chapters) and MU Buddy Programme pair exchange students with Czech student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
MU International Student Orientation and ESN Brno Welcome Week run at semester start — registration, student card, city orientation, and social events.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | May 31 | June 30 |
| 2nd semester | November 30 | December 31 |
Arrival Checklist
- Complete MU IS application and learning agreement after nomination.
- Book dormitory or verified room before autumn demand peaks.
- Prepare Czech visa and insurance documents early if non-EU.
- Attend MU orientation, activate IS and join ESN Brno welcome events.
Academics & courses at Masaryk University
MU uses ECTS and the central IS platform, which makes course planning clearer than many decentralised universities. Expect English-taught exchange options, seminars, oral exams in some fields and faculty-specific rules.
📝Course Registration
Course registration via MU Information System (IS) — same portal as application. English-taught course catalogue published each semester. Build backup list for oversubscribed courses.
🎓Credit System
Czech Republic uses ECTS. Full-time semester = 30 ECTS.
💯Grading System
Czech 1–4 scale: 1 = výborně (A/excellent), 2 = velmi dobře (B/very good), 3 = dobře (C/good), 4 = nevyhověl (fail). Numerical and letter equivalents on transcripts.
✍️Exam Culture
Mix of written exams, oral exams (common in Law, Humanities), and coursework. Exam dates in January (winter) and June–July (summer). Oral exams directly with professor are standard in many faculties.
📚Library Access
MU Library System (Masarykova Univerzita Knihovny) — central and faculty libraries with strong digital collections. Open during extended hours around exam periods.
Tuition & fees at Masaryk University
Exchange students normally pay no tuition at MU, and Brno living costs are the real advantage. Full-degree tuition depends on programme language: Czech-language public degrees are usually free, while English tracks charge fees.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | CZK 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Masaryk University. Brno living costs: CZK 15,000–22,000/month (~€600–880) — one of Central Europe's most afforda… |
| Full degree – Czech-language programmes | CZK 0 (free in Czech language) | Czech public university education in Czech language is free for EU students. |
| Full degree – English-language programmes | CZK 80,000–180,000/year (~€3,200–7,200) | English-medium degrees attract programme fees. Medicine (English track) at higher end. Very competitive vs Western Europe. |
CZK 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Masaryk University. Brno living costs: CZK 15,000–22,000/month (~€600–880) — one of Central Europe's most afforda…
CZK 0 (free in Czech language)
Czech public university education in Czech language is free for EU students.
CZK 80,000–180,000/year (~€3,200–7,200)
English-medium degrees attract programme fees. Medicine (English track) at higher end. Very competitive vs Western Europe.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Masaryk University
Dorms and student housing are easier than Prague but still need early action for autumn. Choose by tram route to Bohunice or your city-centre faculty, not just by central location.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Brno
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Masaryk University
MU's Centre for International Cooperation, IS support, ESN Brno and buddy programmes make the arrival smoother. Use orientation week to solve admin, transport, student card and social entry at once.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EHIC for EU (VZP supplement recommended); private insurance mandatory for non-EU.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
MU Faculty health centres — basic medical care. Bohunice University Hospital adjacent to main science campus is strong for specialist care.
🧠Mental Health
MU Student Psychological and Social Counselling Centre — free confidential support for all MU students.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Emergency coverage for EU students. Supplement with VZP for comprehensive care.
VZP (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna)
~CZK 2,500–5,000/semester
Main Czech health insurer — mandatory for non-EU student visa, strongly recommended as supplement for EU students.
Campus services
Centre for International Cooperation (CIC)
Central contact for all Erasmus exchange matters — nominations, IS application, learning agreements, and arrival.
MU Dormitories (Student Houses)
Apply via MU IS portal immediately after exchange admission — allocation competitive for autumn.
ESN Brno
Multiple active ESN chapters in Brno running welcome events, trips to Vienna and the Moravian wine region, buddy matching.
MU Student Welfare Centre
Psychological counselling, social support, disability services, and academic adjustment help.
Student life at Masaryk University
Brno is compact enough to feel like a real student city quickly. The semester works best through ESN, dorms, faculty events, cheap cafes, parks and weekend trains to Vienna or Bratislava.
Student Clubs
- ESN Brno
- MU Sports Centre
- Faculty student organisations
Buddy Program
ESN Brno buddy programme and MU Buddy scheme pair exchange students with Czech student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- CSMU Sport Centre (gym, pool, courts across campuses)
- Brno dam (Brněnská přehrada) — swimming, cycling, kayaking in summer
- Day-trips to Lednice-Valtice UNESCO wine estate
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend MU International Orientation and ESN Brno Welcome Week — IS registration, student card, and social on-ramp.
- Buy Brno tram/bus monthly pass (Dopravní podnik Brno) — very affordable, essential for cross-campus travel.
- Register with Czech foreign police within 3 working days if non-EU.
- Take the train to Vienna for a weekend — 90 min, ~CZK 400 return — an incredible bonus living in Brno.
Key exchange dates at Masaryk University
Nomination and application deadlines are clear, but course registration and exams still need faculty attention. Keep January and June flexible until your exam dates are confirmed.
-
1
Nomination and MU IS application
May-June / November-December
Home coordinator nominates; MU sends IS application instructions and faculty review follows.
-
2
Orientation and student setup
September / February
Orientation, student card, IS activation, tram pass and ESN welcome events.
-
3
Exam period and transcript
January / June-July
Written and oral exams vary by faculty; keep travel flexible until dates are fixed.