In today’s cutthroat educational environment, each student has the ambitious target of attending an elite university. Numerous international students opt to complete their degrees in the Czech Republic because its universities are perennially regarded as some of the best in the world. To enroll, however, you must demonstrate proficiency in the chosen language.
There are a number of top-tier institutions in the entire country, bringing the overall count of prestigious institutions to 70. Nonetheless, most of them are willing to take overseas students who have completed and completed English or Czech language competence exams.
To help you grasp this concept, we have included comprehensive information on the standardized language tests needed by international students wanting to study in the Czech Republic.
What are the Basic Language Requirements Needed in the Czech Republic for International Students?
Foreign students must meet language criteria that have been imposed by the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Education. According to these regulations, international students are allowed to participate in the core curriculum if they have an overall rating on the English Language Competency Test or the Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE) that is higher than the minimum threshold set by the university. It is suggested that overseas candidates have achieved a minimum of a B2 level of Czech language proficiency before enrolling in a Czech university.
Both English and Czech are required courses at all levels of education in the nation. Universities in the Czech Republic require foreign students from the Middle East, Europe, and various other regions with a large spoken language barrier to take a language competency test.
Language Tests in the Czech Republic for International Students
The ethnically and linguistically varied population of the Czech Republic is responsible for its widespread proficiency in languages other than Czech, which include, English. Polish, Slovak. Still, numerous institutions primarily use English and Czech as teaching languages. They go outside the confines of the classroom and help with things like dissertations, apprenticeships, and interacting with the local community.
Therefore, it will be necessary for you to display proficiency in the languages. Some of the most well-known exams in this category are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE).
Czech Language Test for International Students
Students requesting admission to a school with a Czech curriculum and language should complete this test.
Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE)
The Czech Certificate Exam (or CCE) is a licensed accreditation test for Czech language abilities. There are a few different sections to this test. Exam sections and their respective intensities are level-specific. Exams consisting of both a written and spoken portion are often given on the same day. The sections of the written exam are separated by intervals.
The cost of the test varies according to level. A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 are the names of these levels. An applicant needs B1 level language competence according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in order to successfully complete the test of communication abilities in both spoken and written form. The CCE is offered in Prague and Brno, as well as over 15 additional locations across the globe.
The minimum amount of time between enrolling and taking the test is 3 weeks. The fee is due 2 weeks prior to the test date. A certificate attesting to the candidate’s proficiency in the Czech language will be issued upon successful completion of the examination. This certificate proves proficiency in the Czech language and is accepted worldwide. The minimum CCE requirement is B1 to gain admission to Czech Universities.
We’ve compiled a list of Czech universities below and their respective CCE prerequisites.
- The minimum CCE requirement for undergraduate study at the University of Hradec Králové is B1, and the minimum for graduate study is B2.
- Both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Charles University in Prague need a CCE proficiency level of B2.
English Language Tests for International Students
For international students planning to study in the Czech Republic, we have included information on the most generally approved English Language exams in the given list.
1. IELTS – International English Language Testing System
Since its inception 30 years ago, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has served as a gold standard for evaluating non-native speakers’ abilities to use and comprehend written and spoken educational English. Both the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General Training tests have four parts: speaking, listening, writing, and reading.
The total time allotted for the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests is 2 hours and 40 minutes, with no breaks in between. There is some flexibility in when the Speaking test is scheduled; it might happen on the same day as the other sections, or up to a week before or after.
Studying in the Czech Republic often necessitates the IELTS Academic. To obtain entry to universities in the Czech Republic, which require students to have a proficient grip of English, students must first show their ability to do so by completing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.
To enroll in any bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program at a Czech university, an applicant must have an IELTS score of 5.5 or above. Listed below are some of the Czech universities that recognize this exam.
- The minimum required total IELTS score to enroll in any undergraduate program at Charles University in the Czech Republic is 6.5.
- Masaryk University requires a score of 6.5 or above on the IELTS Academic for admission to its graduate programs.
2. TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
In addition to IELTS, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is also an alternative for admission to top Czech colleges. This test is meant to gauge how well an individual can communicate in an academic setting using English. The results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are thus taken into account by many educational institutions.
There are two versions available: the computer-based TOEFL iBT Test and the paper-based, revised TOEFL Test. Taking the TOEFL iBT, which may be done in about 2 hours, is often required by Czech universities. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are the four components.
A passing score of 500 and above on the Paper-based TOEFL exam and 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL test is required for admission to any course of study at a Czech institution. Universities in the Czech Republic that accept this test are listed below.
- To enroll in the Bachelor of Science program at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, a TOEFL iBT score of 80 is required.
- Charles University requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 83 for undergraduate admission
Students from outside the Czech Republic who want to enroll in a university with an excellent reputation must first pass a language test. Many different international and national standardized language tests are recognized by Czech universities. Tests like the IELTS, TOEFL, and CCE are common examples; different levels of education have different minimum score requirements.
We hope that this article on the language tests needed in the Czech Republic for international students was helpful in clarifying why international students are required to take language exams. You can also find more information on different European universities and scholarship opportunities on the Europe Scholarships Page!
