FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES IN CZECHIA

Yes. The Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in Europe and an excellent destination for Turkish students. The country consistently ranks among the world's most peaceful nations and was 11th in the Global Peace Index 2025, which evaluates 163 countries based on safety, crime, political stability, and conflict levels.

Yes. Turkish students need a long-term student visa or residence permit to study in Czechia.

Apply as early as possible. The visa process may take several weeks or even months, which is why UJOP sets an application deadline of 31 July for visa applicants for November start and 31st May for September start.

The required level of English depends on whether students apply directly to a university degree programme or first join a foundation programme at UJOP Charles University. 

English requirements for university degree programmes 

Most Bachelor's programmes taught in English in the Czech Republic require B2+ CEFR (6.0-6.5 IELTS) level English, Medicine and Dentistry tends to have higher requirements e.g. C1 (6.5-7.0 IELTS). 

Typical accepted certificates include: 

• IELTS Academic  

• TOEFL iBT  

• Pearson PTE Academic  

• Cambridge English qualifications  

• Duolingo English Test (accepted by some universities)  

The exact requirements vary by university and programme. See Studycharles.cz for requirements of Charles University faculties. 

English requirements for UJOP foundation programmes 

One of the advantages of UJOP Foundation Programmes is that students can start preparing for university with a lower level of English. 

UJOP Charles University accepts the following English language certificates: 

• IELTS Academic  

• TOEFL  

• Pearson PTE  

• Cambridge English qualifications  

• Duolingo English Test  

Students must submit their language certificate no later than one month before the start of their programme.

You can still start your journey to university studies in Czechia. 

If your English level is A2, you can join our Online English for Foundation programme, designed to help students progress from A2 to B1 and continue to our English-taught foundation programmes in Engineering & IT or Economics, Business and Global Affairs. Online English for Foundation 

Key facts: 

• Online format – study from home before coming to Czechia.  

• Goal: reach B1 level required for foundation studies.  

• Perfect for non-native English speakers.  

• Application deadline for visa applicants: 31 July. 

Please note: the programme is only suitable for those who wish to study Economics, business and global affairs or Engineering and IT, that require minimum B1 level of English. Medicine from November requires minimum B2, for this reason it is not achievable.

A foundation programme is a preparatory course designed to help international students bridge the gap between secondary school and university studies, giving them the academic knowledge, language skills and confidence needed to succeed at Czech universities. 

At UJOP Charles University, foundation programmes combine: 

• Language preparation (English or Czech)  

• Academic subjects required for your future degree  

• Preparation for entrance exams and interviews  

• Guidance on university applications and diploma recognition  

• Support with choosing the right university and study programme  

Foundation programmes are especially useful for students who want to: 

• improve their language skills before starting university,  

• understand how the Czech higher education system works,  

• strengthen key subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics or Economics,  

• and increase their chances of admission to top universities.  

Yes — studying Medicine in English in the Czech Republic can be cheaper than studying at leading private medical universities in Turkey. 

Charles University QS #273, from €15,600/year 

Koç University QS #329, approximately $59,000/year 

Acıbadem University approximately $36,000/year 

For many Turkish families, Czechia offers a strong combination of high-quality European medical education, internationally recognised degrees, and lower tuition fees than many private medical options in Turkey.

Yes. Turkish students can study Medicine in Europe without taking the Turkish YKS exam, depending on the country and university. 

For Medicine in the Czech Republic, admission is usually based on: 

• completed secondary education,  

• recognition of previous education,  

• English proficiency for English-taught programmes,  

• entrance exams set by the medical faculty, usually in Biology, Chemistry and Physics,  

• sometimes an interview.  

This means that Turkish students applying to Czech medical faculties, including faculties of Charles University, generally do not apply through the Turkish YKS/ÖSYM system. They follow the admission process of the selected Czech university. 

For UJOP Foundation Programmes, Turkish students also do not need YKS to start their preparation. The foundation year helps them prepare for the entrance exams, academic subjects and university admission process in Czechia.

Turkish students generally do not need the YKS (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı) to start their university studies in Czechia. Instead, universities evaluate applicants based on their high school education, academic performance, language skills, and, in some cases, their own entrance examinations or interviews. 

What matters more than YKS? 

For most Czech universities, admissions focus on: 

• Your high school diploma and grades  

• English proficiency (for English-taught programmes)  

• Mathematics preparation (especially for Economics, Engineering, and IT)  

• Faculty-specific entrance exams or interviews when applicable  

What about UJOP Foundation Programmes? 

Students entering UJOP preparation programmes do not need YKS/ÖSYM results. The foundation year helps students: 

• strengthen academic subjects,  

• improve Czech or English,  

• understand the Czech university admission process,  

• prepare for faculty entrance examinations,  

• complete diploma recognition procedures,  

• and choose the right university and major.  

For most non-medical degrees, tuition fees are comparable between the two countries: 

• Czech public universities typically charge €3,000–€6,000 per year for English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programmes.  

• Private universities in Türkiye usually charge $4,000–$10,000 per year, depending on the institution and programme.  

The key difference is that Czech universities often offer: 

• stronger international rankings,  

• EU-recognised degrees,  

• easier access to the European labour market,  

• and the possibility of continuing into tuition-free Czech-language studies after improving language skills. 

During the UJOP Foundation Programme, students are not allowed to work.

Students can start working after they enter a Czech university as Bachelor's or Master's students. Even then, their main purpose of stay must remain study.

Yes. Czechia is a great place in Europe to start an international career. 

The country has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union—around 3.1% in 2026, compared with the EU average of 6.0%, Germany (4.0%), France (7.7%), and Spain (10.3%).  

After graduating from a Czech university: 

• Students have free access to the Czech labour market.  

• Graduates have a 9-month period to find a full-time job.  

• Many students gain work experience during their degree studies and continue with full-time employment after graduation.  

• Czech degrees are recognised throughout the European Union.  

In short: Czechia offers Turkish students excellent career opportunities, affordable living costs, and a smooth path from university studies to employment in Europe.

Typical gross annual earnings (approximate, based on national statistics and industry salary surveys, 2025–2026). 

These are rough averages based on 2026 salary benchmarks and converted using recent ECB exchange rates: €1 = 24.147 CZK / 53.686 TRY. 

Resources: Czechia 

1. Czech Statistical Office – Employees and Wages  

1. Czech Statistical Office – Healthcare Personnel and Their Wages  

1. Platy.cz – Salaries by Positions in Czech Republic  

1. Platy.cz – Software Engineer Salary  

1. Levels.fyi – Software Engineer Compensation in Czech Republic  

These sources provide official wage statistics and large-scale salary surveys for the Czech labour market.  

Resources Türkiye 

1. Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK)  

1. TÜİK Data Portal – Wages and Earnings  

1. Trading Economics – Turkey Wages (based on TÜİK data)  

1. IMF SDDS – Turkey Labour Market: Wages/Earnings  

1. Paylab Turkey – Salary Survey by Profession