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(Last updated: 3 Mar 2011)
Trends and opportunities
The market
Education in the Czech Republic is undergoing long-term restructuring. While primary education is almost entirely state-run (only 2.4 per cent of all institutions are privately run), secondary education is also privately owned with 25.7 per cent of institutions operated by private entities, concentrating 15.8 per cent of secondary students.
In the higher education sector, 63.4 per cent from the total number of 49 universities are established by private entities and concentrate 14.5 per cent of all university students. Private education institutions fill the gap in modern sectors of education such as foreign trade, business, finance and administration plus social sciences and environmental sciences, etc. where traditional universities are not flexible enough to cope with economic and community demands (Source: Institution for Information in Education).
Primary education
School attendance is compulsory for nine years, usually from the ages of 6 to 15. All pupils start in a comprehensive single structure institution – elementary school, where – during the second stage – it is possible to proceed to gymnasium – secondary school providing general education – or to eight-year dance conservatoire.
Secondary education
Secondary schools provide secondary education that culminates in a ‘maturita’ (certified leaving examination). There are three types of upper secondary schools in which the state and private sector participate:
- Gymnasia (grammar schools) provide students with general education and prepare them for university studies. A number of bilingual eight-year gymnasia have appeared with intensive studies of English, German or French in the first year. Classic four-year gymnasia are focused either on humanities or technical sciences.
- Specialised secondary schools and conservatories consist of technical schools (such as engineering, building, electro-technical, surveying, etc.), commercial academies, agricultural, forestry and art schools plus domestic schools for girls. They conduct four-year courses. Commercial academies require students to learn two foreign languages. The ‘maturita’ from all specialised secondary schools is equally acknowledged and is an essential prerequisite for students pursuing university studies.
- Secondary vocational schools provide three or four year secondary education courses, culminating in an apprenticeship examination or both an apprenticeship and the ‘maturita’ exam.
Further education
Further education colleges focus on technical subjects (such as computer technology, business management, marketing, accounting, etc.) or specialised language courses (eg. business English). These colleges, both state and private, offer re-qualification or further specialisation courses and have no student age restrictions.
University education
Universities are the highest level of the Czech education system. There are 23 state and 26 private universities throughout the country. The duration of degrees is usually five years. English and one other language are usually the core subjects. About 850 foreign students graduate from local universities each year. Universities also offer ‘sandwich’ or part-time courses, evening and/or external classes. To be competitive, most universities enter bilateral co-operations with foreign universities.
There are an increasing number of private schools, particularly at tertiary level, offering language, business management, business administration, financial management and specific technical specialisation courses.
Student population
In 2010, 521,200 students studied in secondary education (including vocational training), and 372,314 students participated in higher education, including PhD programs. For the same school year, there were 796,823 pupils participating in compulsory nine-year education. Another 30,749 students attend higher special/vocational institutions (Source: Institution for Information in Education). For comparison with 2009, there were 519,861 secondary education students studying at secondary and secondary vocational schools, 369,211 students participated at university studies and 28,027 students at higher special/vocational institutions. Elementary schools were attended by 794,233 pupils.
The gender split at secondary school level is 49 per cent male to 51 per cent female, similarly as at tertiary education (48 per cent male, 52 per cent female).
As a result of expected downturn in numbers of applicants, the government is considering merging or closing chosen secondary schools from 2012, to cut costs and provide effective education.
International engagement and outlook in education
The Czech Republic tries hard to internationalise its education, which is quite difficult because of the imbalance of its combined state and private make-up and subsequent inconsistent plans and activities. In general, however, institutions focus on exchange programs. Meanwhile the government provides no funding to encourage students to study overseas. Some international or supernational companies with their businesses located in the Czech Republic target talented students and sponsor their studies abroad and then employ them after graduation.
The new government is, again, negotiating providing monetary incentives to young people who are willing to study but cannot afford it financially with the understanding that implementation of directed financial loans to students should encourage wider population to studying.
In the future, it can be expected that a number of higher education institutions will make efforts to develop mutual student programs with foreign institutions. Such bilateral agreements will create a greater two-way flow of students, providing more opportunities for domestic students, as well as a larger international student presence in the Czech Republic.
Much effort is currently spent on exchange programs for students and teachers within the framework of the Erasmus Program. Eleven Czech universities offer study opportunities for international students and accept students participating in research and science projects.
Existing levels of student mobility
Statistics on Czech students who study outside the EU are not always verified, depending on the type of visa and level of student’s engagement. Unverified figures mention mostly USA, Australia and New Zealand as countries where a significant number of Czech students (about 8,500) study. Of this, 2,658 Czechs enrolled in Australia in 2009 (57 per cent in ELICOS, 37 per cent in VET courses, and 3 per cent in higher education). (Source: Hospodarske noviny - local economic paper, October 2010).
The main reasons why Czech students decide to study in Australia:
- It is a safe and friendly country with a multinational community
- It has excellent opportunities of combining studies with a unique lifestyle
- It provides the possibility to legally work part-time, enabling the extension of studies, or exploring the country after completion of study Czech university students also target foreign countries including Australia because Czech universities do not have enough capacity to satisfy all university applicants. In 2010, almost 18 per cent of applicants were rejected due to the low capacity at the universities.
Governance and funding of education
Czech students at state institutions do not pay tuition fees as yet; however, the government intends to introduce student fees to help modernise facilities and teaching equipment as well as motivate staff (this effort is now under discussion with the heads of universities). Foreign students pay tuition fees at Czech universities – private institutions require full tuition fee from all students.
Student visa issues
According to the DIAC Assessment Level Ranking, the Czech Republic is ranked as Level 1, except for VET which is ranked as Level 2. Visas are usually obtained without complication; however, it is still somewhat of a lengthy process requiring a number of supporting documents to be presented. For detailed information about the visa process, please visit www.austria.embassy.gov.au.
According to feedback from students and education agents, implementation of electronic visa for ELICOS courses has resulted in significant increase of interest in studying English in Australia and also particular enrolments for ELICOS courses.
Opportunities
The strong Czech currency has made studying in Australia more attractive. Surprisingly, economic uncertainty resulted in increased interest of Czech students in studying in Australia. In general, studying in Australia is cheaper than in the USA or UK (even after the dramatic fall of the British pound 24 months ago). This advantage needs to be highlighted more (along with competitive packages; the friendly, reliable and safe environment; and the possibility of part-time work) in promotional literature and by visiting institutions.
While recognition of degrees between the two countries is still not fully settled, there are a growing number of bilateral agreements between individual institutions regarding mutual acknowledgment of degrees. Widespread qualification recognition agreements would further encourage Czech students to undertake study in Australia.
The Czech market is extremely competitive. Students are seeking high quality courses at competitive prices. There are about 25 agencies in the Czech Republic representing Australian education entities. Most of them represent a portfolio of education opportunities (ie. different levels of courses – certificates, diplomas, degrees) in institutions located throughout Australia.
Positive information about Australia as a study destination is spread by word-of-mouth among student communities and also promoted by numerous education agencies.
ELICOS: An active knowledge of English is important in almost all business sectors. Students still prefer to study English abroad as they can combine language learning with the experience of living in a different community. Since 2004, the number of Czech enrolments in the ELICOS sector has grown in more recent years predominantly due to a simplification of the visa process, requiring less paperwork and supporting documents, and finally, by implementation of electronic student visa for ELICOS courses (within a framework of upgrading the Czech Republic in Risk Level 1).
Vocational: VET courses offered by Australian providers are subject of constant popularity in the Czech Republic. Education agents have recorded an increase in requests for information within the last two years. The preferred areas of interest are tourism, hospitality and hotel management, information technology and business administration and more recently wellbeing, health and creative arts. Interest in courses combining VET and ELICOS has been constantly growing for the last five years.
Czech students are also predominantly seeking in Australia, postgraduate studies of medicine, economics, arts, environment and Asian cultures. In 2010, this interest has become evident and indicates maturing of the Czech education market.
Competitive environment
Australia’s main competitors in the Czech Republic are the UK and the USA. Both countries emphasise ongoing marketing and constant visibility on the market, creating demand among student community.
UK and the USA are very active through institutions such as The British Council, British Chamber of Commerce, or University of New York in Prague. It is fair to say, though, that Australia has the most positive perception because of its quality of life and education, safety and friendliness.
Ireland and New Zealand have also become popular study destinations, offering (along with the UK) non-visa entry and unlimited time for doing a paid job.
The Czech government does not actively support study abroad, which means there has been no systematic grant or funding program available to students. However; EU accession has given the Czech government an extra incentive to complete its education reforms. As mentioned above, this has resulted in a recent government plan to implement guaranteed loans to university students from 2011. According to the proposal, the loans place no restriction on the country of study.
Czech institutions cannot compete with the quality and facilities provided by Australian education institutions. Australian qualifications are valued and widely accepted in the Czech Republic and often help graduates to find more attractive and better-paid jobs.
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