Erasmus guide Charles University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
City
PragueCountry
Czech RepublicInternational
Large international community, including roughly 3,000 incoming exchange students per year
Enrollment
Approx. 51,000 students
Study abroad at Charles University: overview
Study abroad at Charles University means joining Central Europe's oldest university: founded in 1348, QS ~270, around 51,000 students and 500+ Erasmus partners across Prague. It is strongest for students who want academic prestige, medicine, law, humanities, social sciences or natural sciences, but you need to choose the right faculty early because exchange rules and course lists are not fully centralised.
Enrollment
Approx. 51,000 students
International Mix
Large international community, including roughly 3,000 incoming exchange students per year
Why students choose it
Best for students who want classic Prague university life with real academic breadth: faculty-level choice across medicine, law, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, plus a strong Erasmus support network. The trade-off is decentralisation, so course choice, contacts and deadlines depend heavily on your faculty.
Language of instruction: Czech (primary); English widely available for exchange students and in dedicated English-medium programmes
Exchange & application at Charles University
The exchange process starts with partner nomination and then moves through faculty-level confirmation. Non-EU students should treat the Czech long-stay visa timeline as part of the application, not an afterthought.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, faculty online application, academic transcript, learning agreement, language proof, and Czech long-stay visa (if non-EU).
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator or international office nominates you to the relevant Charles University faculty. Each faculty handles exchange separately — confirm which faculty manages your subject area.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students do not 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. Charles University provides admission documents for the visa application.
👥Buddy System
Charles University International Student Club (CISC) and Erasmus Student Network (ESN Prague) run buddy matching, welcome trips, and social events throughout the semester.
🧭Orientation Week
Charles University runs faculty-specific orientation days plus ESN Prague welcome events — essential for registration, ID card, and social on-ramp.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | May 31 | June 30 |
| 2nd semester | November 30 | December 31 |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm which Charles University faculty owns your exchange.
- Book dorm or verified housing before the September rush.
- Prepare visa/residence documents early if you are non-EU.
- Set up Litacka and attend faculty orientation plus CISC/ESN events.
Academics & courses at Charles University
Academics are strong but decentralised across 17 faculties. Expect ECTS, faculty course catalogues, some oral exams and different levels of English availability depending on your subject.
📝Course Registration
Course registration managed at faculty level — each of 17 faculties has its own system and course catalogue. Confirm your host faculty and use its specific course registration platform.
🎓Credit System
Czech Republic uses ECTS. Full-time semester = 30 ECTS. Charles University maps directly to European credit standards.
💯Grading System
Czech 1–4 scale: 1 (výborně — excellent/A), 2 (velmi dobře — very good/B), 3 (dobře — good/C), 4 (nevyhověl/a — fail). Grade conversion tables provided by faculty.
✍️Exam Culture
Oral exams are more common than in Western Europe, especially in law, medicine, and humanities. Written exams and coursework also used. Expect direct academic discussion.
📚Library Access
Charles University central and faculty libraries — excellent historical and academic collections. UKAŽ library system gives full digital access across all faculties.
Tuition & fees at Charles University
Exchange students do not pay Charles University tuition, while full-degree costs depend heavily on language. Czech-language public degrees are usually free; English-medium degrees can carry programme fees.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | CZK 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Charles University. Living costs in Prague: CZK 18,000–30,000/month (~€720–1,200) — one of Europe's most affordab… |
| Full degree – Czech-language programmes | CZK 0 (free for Czech-language degrees) | Czech-language degree programmes at Czech public universities are free. EU students who study in Czech qualify. |
| Full degree – English-language programmes | CZK 90,000–220,000/year (~€3,600–8,800) | English-medium programmes charge fees regardless of nationality. Medicine, Law, and Social Sciences English tracks at higher end. Still very competitive vs W… |
CZK 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Charles University. Living costs in Prague: CZK 18,000–30,000/month (~€720–1,200) — one of Europe's most affordab…
CZK 0 (free for Czech-language degrees)
Czech-language degree programmes at Czech public universities are free. EU students who study in Czech qualify.
CZK 90,000–220,000/year (~€3,600–8,800)
English-medium programmes charge fees regardless of nationality. Medicine, Law, and Social Sciences English tracks at higher end. Still very competitive vs W…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Charles University
Housing is the practical bottleneck in Prague. Apply early for dorms, compare private rooms carefully, and do not let a pretty central address hide a bad contract or commute.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Prague
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Charles University
International support is split between central services, faculty coordinators, CISC and ESN Prague. Use all of them in week one so registration, student card and course changes do not pile up.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EHIC for EU (supplement recommended) or private insurance for non-EU.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
Charles University Central Health Centre — basic medical care. Faculty-specific health services also available.
🧠Mental Health
Psychological counselling available through the university student support centre. ESN Prague also signposts mental health resources for exchange students.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Covers emergency care in Czech Republic for EU/EEA students.
Czech private health insurance (VZP or Slavia)
~CZK 3,000–6,000/semester
Required for non-EU students as part of Czech D-visa; recommended as supplement for EU students.
Campus services
International Office (Rector's Office)
Coordinates incoming exchange nominations and provides general guidance on Charles University as a whole.
Faculty International Offices
Each of the 17 faculties has its own international office handling course registration, learning agreements, and day-to-day exchange support.
ESN Prague
Erasmus Student Network Prague — social events, cultural trips, buddy matching, and city orientation for exchange students.
Charles University Dormitories (ISKAM)
Official accommodation booking system for Charles University halls across Prague.
Student life at Charles University
Campus life spreads across Prague, which is brilliant but can feel fragmented. Build routine around your faculty, canteen, tram route and one or two recurring student groups.
Student Clubs
- ESN Prague
- International Student Club (CISC)
- Faculty student associations
Buddy Program
ESN Prague and CISC buddy programmes pair exchange students with Czech and international student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- Charles University Sport Centre — gym, sports halls, pools across multiple campuses
- Cycling along the Vltava River
- Recreational sports in Stromovka Park
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend faculty orientation and ESN Prague Welcome Event — registration, student card, and first social connections.
- Apply for Lítačka 30-day tram/metro pass (Roční coupon is best value for full year).
- Register with Czech foreign police if non-EU (within 3 days of arrival at accommodation).
- Explore Žižkov and Vinohrady neighbourhoods — authentic Prague student life beyond tourist zones.
Key exchange dates at Charles University
Nomination and application windows differ by semester, and exam scheduling can vary by faculty. Confirm dates before booking travel, especially if oral exams are involved.
-
1
Nomination and faculty application
May-June / November-December
Home university nominates; student completes faculty-level application and learning agreement.
-
2
Arrival and orientation
Early September / early February
Faculty orientation, student card, transport pass and housing registration.
-
3
Exam period and transcript
January / June
Oral and written exams vary by faculty; confirm dates before booking return travel.