Choosing a university is a major decision for international students. The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, offers accredited degree programs through public, state, and private higher education institutions.
Czech is the main language of instruction, while a growing number of programs are taught in foreign languages, primarily English. Language requirements are not uniform nationwide; each university, faculty, or degree program determines which forms of evidence it accepts, the required proficiency level, and any available exemptions.
To help prospective students understand these requirements, this article explains the standardized Czech and English language tests commonly accepted from international applicants who want to study in the Czech Republic.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed in the Czech Republic
Czech is the country’s main language of instruction, although many programs for international students are taught in English. Applicants may be required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their chosen program. Accepted tests, minimum scores, and exemptions vary by university, faculty, and program, so applicants should always consult the current admissions requirements for their intended course of study.
Czech Language Test for International Students
Applicants to Czech-taught programs may be required to demonstrate their Czech proficiency at a level specified by the relevant faculty. The Czech Language Certificate Exam is one accepted option at some universities, but it is not accepted universally, and there is no single minimum level that applies to every Czech-taught degree program.
Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE)
The Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE) is administered by the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University. It assesses Czech proficiency at the A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The examination carries the Association of Language Testers in Europe’s Q-mark.
The examination structure depends on the level. Under the format in effect from January 2026, candidates taking the A1, A2, or B1 examination complete all subtests on one day, while the B2 and C1 examinations are held over two days. The examination includes written and oral components, with breaks between the written subtests.
The examination fee varies by level. Registration deadlines are published for each examination date, and the fee must generally be paid within three days after submitting the application. Results are normally issued within 30 days, and successful candidates receive a certificate. The examination is offered at centers in the Czech Republic and other countries.
The required Czech level depends on the university, faculty, and program. Applicants should not assume that B1 is sufficient for every Czech university. Some faculties require B2 or another form of evidence, while individual programs may impose different conditions.
Examples of current faculty-level Czech language requirements include the following:
English Language Tests for International Students
International applicants to English-taught degree programs may be asked to submit an approved English language test. IELTS and TOEFL are widely accepted, but minimum scores and exemption rules are determined by the individual university, faculty, or program.
1. IELTS – International English Language Testing System
The International English Language Testing System has operated under its current international partnership since 1989. IELTS Academic is designed for people applying for higher education, while IELTS General Training is primarily intended for other study, work, and migration purposes. Both versions assess listening, reading, writing, and speaking, although the Reading and Writing sections differ between the two tests.
The IELTS Academic test takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed on the same day without breaks. Depending on local arrangements, the Speaking test may be held on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other sections.
Applicants to English-taught university programs will generally need IELTS Academic rather than IELTS General Training. However, universities may also accept other tests or alternative evidence, such as previous education completed in English.
There is no nationwide IELTS score of 5.5 that guarantees admission to every bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program in the Czech Republic. Each faculty or program sets its own score requirement. Examples include the following:
2. TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is another test accepted by many Czech universities for admission to English-taught programs. The TOEFL iBT assesses a candidate’s ability to use English in an academic environment through Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking sections.
The current TOEFL iBT takes approximately two hours and can be taken at an authorized test center or, where available, as the Home Edition. The former TOEFL iBT Paper Edition was discontinued after January 20, 2024.
Beginning January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT score reports use a 1–6 scale in half-point increments. During a two-year transition period, score reports also include a comparable overall score on the former 0–120 scale. Consequently, current university admissions pages may temporarily express their requirements using either scale.
There is no nationwide TOEFL minimum of 500 on a paper-based test or 80 on the TOEFL iBT for admission to every Czech university program. Requirements are program-specific. Examples include the following:
- The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague currently lists a TOEFL iBT score of at least 80 as one way for non-native English speakers to demonstrate the B2-level English proficiency required for admission to its English-taught degree programs.
- For the Business Management master’s program at Masaryk University, the required TOEFL iBT score is at least 87 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or at least 4.5 on the new scale for tests taken on or after that date. The program also accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
International applicants may need to submit a language test result before enrolling in a Czech university, although some programs accept alternative evidence or provide exemptions. IELTS, TOEFL, and the CCE are among the tests used by Czech institutions, but accepted tests and minimum results differ by faculty, degree level, and language of instruction. Applicants should therefore verify the latest requirements directly with their chosen program.
We hope that this article on the language tests needed in the Czech Republic for international students was helpful in explaining why international applicants may be required to demonstrate their language proficiency. If you are interested, check out the available courses for international students!
