Even the university education in the Czech Republic is considered free of charge the reality is different. Universitites charge different fees for different operations.  This article describes what can happen to student's wallet when studying university.

As for fees connected with university study there are rules set by law being more accurate when considering public universities. 

Public universities

The basic limit to set different fees is 5% of average amount for one student of total non-investment expenses given to public universities by Ministry out of state budget for previous year. This amount being by law called "basis" the Ministry declares every January. This amount is the basis for e.g. fees connected with acceptance proceeding. The limit of this fee can be set by the public university itself but only up to 20% of the basis (according to Act No. 111/1998 Sb. §58). When applicant places the application form for study he/she must pay from 300 to 1000 Czech crowns.  The public school is obligated to set this amount before the date of application forms submitting.

When the student studies longer than the standard study period is, public school sets the amount he/she is obliged to pay up to 1,5 multiple of the basis.  Every period of previous study terminated in other ways than properly is included into the whole study period. If the student studies two study programmes the period of study is considered as just one programme is studied. The accurate amount of this fee is set by school statutes. To cross the standard study period does not pay off because the school charge for every 6 months fee in amount of 4500 to 34 000 Czech crowns. So when you consider studying longer beyond the standard study period inform about these fees in advance.

Graduates studying next level of study programme do not pay fees. E.g. bachelor graduates continuing study in magisterial study. And similarly there is no fee when studying more programmes at the same time when the study period is not longer than standard period of one programme. In the rest of cases the school is entitled to set the fee up to the basis for one year period which is much lower than for students studying long time and its amount is around 3000 Czech crowns.  The fee must always be set up 90 days before due date. There is the possibility the rector can review the fee and he can also according to the student's study results or social conditions lower the fee, postpone the payment or even mitigate it. The accurate rules can be found in school statutes. 

High fees are set for students who want to study at the public Czech university in foreign language. This is possible if the school enables it and the fee for study is from 25 to 370 000 Czech crowns.

School can ask for fee also when providing different administrative operations. E.g. when ISIC card is provided, acknowledgement of the subjects examined at other university, diploma copy, additional semester entrance, diploma supplement etc.   the amounts stays up to 700 Czech crowns, it depends on importance and administrative seriousness.

Private universities

According to the Act No. 111/1998 Sb. §59 the fees at private universities are set in internal rules of the school. All above mentioned information is not obligatory for private universities. Therefore there is a need to read these rules really carefully. 

Lifelong learning

According to the Act No. 111/1998 Sb. §60 this form of study can be charge of free. At some universities the fees are paid for every year of study. This fee is also set in internal rules of the school. The same situation is as for studying internationally recognized courses. The participants of lifelong learning and above mentioned courses must be informed about the conditions in advance. 

Source:

• Act on university education No.111/1998 Sb.
• Regulations of the universities on fees