Secondary Education

Secondary education in Czech Republic typically begins at age 15 and lasts for four years, following the completion of compulsory basic education. Students apply to various types of secondary schools, with the main categories being grammar schools (gymnázia), which provide a broad academic education, and secondary vocational schools (střední odborná školy), which focus on specific trades and professions.

The culmination of secondary education is the school-leaving examination, known as the maturita. This standardized exam tests knowledge in Czech language and literature, a foreign language, and at least two other subjects. Successfully passing the maturita is essential, as it serves as the primary qualification for admission to higher education institutions and is highly valued by employers.

Higher Education

Higher education in Czech Republic is divided between university-type institutions, which offer Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees, and non-university professional colleges. The country has a long tradition of academic excellence, with historic institutions like Charles University in Prague and the Czech Technical University, which is among the oldest technical universities in the world.

Study programs at universities emphasize theoretical knowledge, research skills, and academic independence. A Bachelor's degree usually takes three to four years, followed by a one-to-three-year Master's program. A significant feature of Czech higher education is that many public and state universities offer programs free of charge for students studying in the Czech language, attracting both domestic and international students.