Full degree students who are required to obtain a visa to study in the Czech Republic will need to renew their visa (residence permit) during their program. The process for applying for a long term residence permit in the Czech Republic may be different than applying for one outside of the Czech Republic. Please find specific information for your situation here.

Find a presentation on visa and residency here.

Insurance

All international students are required to be covered by health insurance while in the Czech Republic.

Unless exempt due to citizenship or special circumstances (see if you are exempt), students are required to have travel medical insurance. Starting 2 August, 2021 students will only have the option to purchase the travel medical insurance via PVZP according to a new Czech law.
The university has an advantageous contract with the Czech insurance company, PVZP Insurance. Please use this link to order the insurance, or you can contact this email if you have any questions or difficulties with the online form: tf@eurovalley.cz.

If you have not purchased your health insurance for the following year, and are required to have it because of your a visa/residence permit, please make sure to only use PVZP. If you have submitted your visa application, or purchased other insurance prior to August 2, with a different company, there should not be a problem. More information about visa application requirements can be found here.

Students coming from an EU member country (or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) are not required to purchase Czech health insurance, however it is recommended that understand what will and will not be covered and to determine if it is worthwhile to purchase Czech health insurance.

Health Care

There are many doctors, dentists, and psychologists in Brno that speak English (and otehr langauages). Students can find more information for English speaking doctors on the Centre for Internationa Cooperation website or the Brno Expat Centre.

Students should keep in mind that many nurses do not speak English.

Doctors office experience:

Many doctors offices have a small waiting room with a few chairs but no reception. A nurse will come out and call your name when they are ready for you. It is common for nurses to not speak English. FSS students are able to ask for a volunteer to attend doctors appointments, however please note that medical vocabulary may also be limited among our volunteer students. 

During studies

International Students, whether they are required to have a student visa or not to study here, or whether or not they are full degree or here for a semester or year, are able to work in the Czech Republic. 

Third country students (not EU/EEA OR SWITZERLAND CITIZENS)​ studying in the Czech Republic in a present (daily) form of studies in a degree programme accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports don’t need an employment permit. This means that students are able to work with their student visa/residence permit. However, there may be a limitation of the number of hours. Employeers should would with students to make sure the paperwork is properally filled out.

Students should keep in mind that their studies are the primary purpose of being in the Czech Republic and that a job should not get in the way. For all students, a job should not be the primary means of funding, but rather supplement additional funding for living in Brno. 

Students can use the following resources to find jobs in Brno:

• Jobs.cz
• Expats.cz
• Ministry of Labour Employment Database
• EURES – European Job Mobility Portal

After studies

Students who graduate from a Czech University are able to apply for a special visa to allow them to stay in the Czech Republic for up to 9 months after their graduation to find a job. Once students obtain a job, they will need to work with their employeer and apply for an employee card. 

Internships form an integral of gaining practical experience alongside your university studies. Students are encouraged to seek internships in their fields of interest and consult with study advisers on best prospects. 

There are two basic types of internship - domestic and abroad (the distinction follows regulations and only impacts the recognition process marginally).

Both types are awarded an approximate amount of 1 ECTS per 25 hours of direct field related work experience. 

Internships Abroad (outside CZK and SVK)

Students should search for internships independently and consult with thier study advisers or approach lecturers in the field of the perspective internship for guidance and planning of their schedule. 

Once accepted, students should enroll in FSSb1190 Placement abroad either during the course or after the completion of your internship. You may plan this as to support your credit load in optional courses for the given semester or the one immediately following the internship.

Credits are awarded through FSSb1190 Placement abroad which carries a variable credit allowance depending on your workload in the internship.

Recognition requires the submission of a letter of confirmation from the intern's supervisor stating the content, the extent and the duration of the internship, sent from the supervisor's e-mail or via standard paper letter delivered by mail or personally by the student to either the study advisers or the head of the program. 

The letter should be accompanied by an evaluation of the internship by the intern him/herself. It shall elaborate on strengths and weaknesses of the internship as well as a brief overview of the skills and knowledge that the internship develops.

Internships in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Students should search for internships independently and consult with their study advisers or approach lecturers in the field of the perspective internship for guidance and planning of their schedule. 

Once accepted, students should enroll in their department's internship course either during the course or after the completion of your internship. You may plan this as to support your credit load in optional courses for the given semester or the one immediately following the internship.

Credits are awarded through the department internship course which carries a variable credit allowance depending on your workload in the internship.

Recognition requires the submission of a letter of confirmation from the intern's supervisor stating the content, the extent and the duration of the internship, sent from the supervisor's e-mail or via standard paper letter delivered by mail or personally by the student to either the study advisers or the head of the program. 

The letter should be accompanied by an evaluation of the internship by the intern him/herself. It shall elaborate on strengths and weaknesses of the internship as well as a brief overview of the skills and knowledge that the internship develops.

FSS Mates

The Faculty of Social Studies has created a support system for students when they have appointments at governmental offices or doctors to provide translation services.

Find out more, including how to request help here. 

ESN Buddy Program

ESN - the International Student Network at Masaryk University encourages all incoming students to sign up for their 'Buddy Programme' which pairs incoming students with current students at Masaryk University. These buddies are able to help incoming students prepare for their arrival to Brno. Please note that students from Masaryk University are taking care of incoming students in their free time. They are all volunteers, and they are here to help you to answer all possible questions, but they are not specialists when it comes to Czech law and requirements.

It is possible to sign up for a buddy at any time here. 

International Relations Office

All of the colleagues in the International Relations office (Klára, Dagmar, Ludmila, and Michaela) are happy to help students with any questions. Students can feel free to stop by during office hours or to email. 

If you have been affected by the recent floods and are dealing with, among other things, a damaged computer that you need for your studies, or if you are socially disadvantaged, we are here to help.

The Faculty of Social Studies offers the loan of laptops, (graphic) tablets, webcams, and headphones to students who meet at least one of the following conditions:

1. Permanent residence in an area affected by the September 2024 floods. The student must provide an affidavit, which is part of the justification in the IS application.
2. Permanent residence in an area affected by another natural disaster, or if the student has been exposed to the effects of a natural disaster. The student must provide an affidavit, which is part of the justification in the IS application.
3. Social disadvantage. The student must provide proof of social disadvantage through a document from the Labor Office, the Department of State Social Support (e.g., confirmation of receiving social benefits), or another appropriate form. The condition is that the household's income for the 2023 calendar year does not exceed the product of the family’s subsistence minimum and a coefficient of 3.0. The subsistence minimum is determined by Act No. 110/2006 Coll. The confirmation must not be older than one month from the date of application submission.

If you meet at least one of the above conditions, you can apply for a loan of the mentioned equipment. The loan is always for one semester.

Submit your application through the “Document Office” application in IS MU (https://is.muni.cz/auth/uradovna/ukon?agenda=2580;znsn=1).

Once your application has been processed, you will be notified via IS about the next steps. The borrowed equipment can be picked up at the FSS library.

Applications are processed immediately until the equipment stock is depleted.

Tuition Costs

Bachelor:

• Spring 2022 enrollment or earlier: €1100/semester*
• Fall 2022 enrollment and later: €1500/semester*

Masters: €1500/semester
PhD: €750/semester

*Students who have already started their studies or will begin the to study  in Spring semester 2022 will pay €1100/semester for the duration of their bachelors studies. New students from Fall 2022 will pay €1500/semester. 

How to Pay

Students can pay online in the Shopping Centre using a card or bank transfer, or students can visit the cash office at the Rectors office to pay in Euros or Czech CZK.

Tuition fees for the Spring semester 2023 are due by 28 February. Failure to pay by the stated deadline will result in disciplinary action. For more information please contact Ludmila Polášková at lpolasko@fss.muni.cz.

Scholarships

Stipends and scholarships at Masaryk University

All degree students at Masaryk University can use the university stipends and scholarships. Each semester, there are accommodation subsidies available as a small contribution to living costs and it is available for all international students. The application round begins on 1st November and lasts until 30th November for the autumn semester, for the spring semester it begins on 1st April till 30th April.
Direct subsidy for meals can be used in the canteens. There is a wide range of study abroad scholarships to spend a semester at our European or overseas partner universities.

Faculty stipends and scholarships

The Faculty of Social Studies supports its best students by varied stipends - these are awarded for publications in impacted journals and activities contributing to the representation of the university. Besides, various mobility programs and scholarships to support study-abroad semesters and shorter periods are available. Students are informed about the scholarship programs regularly.

PhD students in full-time study mode receive a monthly scholarship of 12,000czk.

Departmental scholarships

Besides, departmental scholarships are available - at some departments as direct help towards the tuition fee costs, or as extraordinary stipends rewarding some special achievements.

More detailed information about FSS scholarships can be found here. 

Cost of living

Accommodation: EUR 750–1,550 per semester * (EUR 150–350 per month)
Meal Costs: EUR 600–1,000 per semester (EUR 120–200 per month)
Pocket Money: EUR 400 - 1,000 per semester (EUR 80 - 200 per month) 

Total: EUR 1,750–3,550 per semester (EUR 350–710 per month)
* 1 semester = 5 months

Please keep in mind that personal spending is highly individual. In case you are not experienced with budgeting, you can learn some tips on how to plan and follow your expenses and live on a tight budget. Remember that there are many universities and extra-university activities that are free.

The EXPATISTAN website shows you a more detailed overview of living costs in Brno which you may find useful.​

Czech courses for Full Degree Students

Full degree students can enroll in fee-paying Czech language courses either through the Language Centre or Faculty of Arts. Courses will show up on their transcripts. 

COURSES ORGANISED BY THE MASARYK UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE CENTRE

The Language Centre at Masaryk University offers various possibilities for learning the Czech language. For more information, visit the website of the Language Centre of Masaryk University.

COURSES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CZECH FOR FOREIGNERS, FACULTY OF ARTS

The Department of Czech for Foreigners at Faculty of Arts organises various courses and seminars in the Czech language as well as a Summer School of Slavonic (Czech) Studies. For more information please see the website of the Department of Czech for Foreigners at Masaryk University.

What is an ISIC card?

Students of full-time studies at MU are issued the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Combined studies students are issued a smart card which fully replaces all functions of the ISIC within MU.

In order to obtain an ISIC/student identity card, you need to:

• enrol in studies
• obtain an official photograph. Photos are taken during orientation, if you need a time outside of orientation, please visit their website. 
• order your identity card via the MU Information System (Czech only) and pay the associated fee

Please collect your card through your faculty's Office for Studies following the beginning of the autumn semester. In case your card is lost, stolen or damaged, please report this to the Office for Studies. Your card will be locked in order to prevent abuse and a new one will be issued.

Student Identity Cards within MU

Your student identity card has the following functions:

• student identification and MU affiliation
• access to buildings and classrooms
• access to university computer rooms
• access to libraries and library services
• access to copy and print services in libraries and computer rooms
• access to catering services in university canteens.

Your card is valid for the entire duration of your active studies at MU. Should you return after a period of interrupted or terminated studies, card validity will be automatically restored.

ISIC Usage outside MU

ISIC holders are eligible for a number of student discounts outside of the university, including discounts in restaurants, cafés, bakeries, outdoor sport shops, pharmacies, optical shops, museums, galleries, bookshops, copy centres, selected driving schools, transportation providers such as Student Agency, etc. The ISIC is valid in over 100 countries worldwide and may thus be used for discounts around the globe.

A full list of student discounts is available via the ISIC website.

An ISIC card issued by MU is only valid outside of the university until 31 December of the following year. In order to continue enjoying its benefits, it is necessary to acquire a revalidation sticker. The sticker may be ordered via the IS MU Shopping Centre. It is valid for 16 months, i.e. from 1 September to 31 December of the following year.

Where can I purchase my ISIC card?

First time students - Full degree

Students must purchase their ISIC card in the IS MU Shopping Centre* and obtain an official photograph. Identity card photographs are taken during orientation, but you may arrange an alternate time with the Institute of Computer Science

Exchange students

Exchange and visiting students should follow the information provided to them by their study coordiantor at either CZS or FSS regarding ISIC cards. Students should take their photos during orientation.

Revalidation Sticker - extending your ISIC card

An ISIC card issued by MU is only valid outside of the university until 31 December of the following year. In order to continue enjoying its benefits, it is necessary to acquire a revalidation sticker. The sticker may be ordered via the IS MU Shopping Centre*. It is valid for 16 months, i.e. from 1 September to 31 December of the following year.

*the Shopping Centre is currently only in Czech, you can use the translate option through Google Chrome.

Processing time

Please allow 2-3 weeks processing for cards. Students will receive an email to pick up the card when it is ready.

• Print services for students - Where to print, the price, how to charge the SUPO account
  Wifi connection - Eduroam and auxiliary network MUNI
  Connection from home (VPN) - To access paid information sources
  Microsoft Office 365 - The package of cloud services for communication and cooperation in a team
  Maps and plans of Masaryk University - Plans of buildings; geoportal

What is the IS System?

IS for students

Each MU student, teacher, and employee has his/her own personal IS account, including e-mail, web space, and access to numerous applications and data. You can enter your account (Personal Administration) by logging in at http://is.muni.cz.

On enrollment, new students receive their university ID number (UČO) and an automatically generated primary password. The primary password is used to access the IS system and also works for the INET system. It is recommended that you change this to a personalized password.

Most but not all pages in the IS are available in English, as well as Czech. Training for use of the IS is available for FSS students at the beginning of each semester. If you have any questions about how to use the IS, read its Help section, or contact the Study Administrator.

The Information System has been designed so that students can easily administer virtually all aspects of their studies online, including selecting courses, reading course materials, communicating with teachers and fellow students, and checking your progress in studies at any time. All records of your studies and grades are saved in the IS. A Transcript of Records for courses you have completed can be printed on request at any time. You can also use the IS for general communication and to get information about the University; for example, there are discussions and notice boards where you can place or reply to advertisements of various kinds, or engage in discussion with classmates in your courses. Listed below are some examples of the most important IS applications used in different phases of your studies. When using your account, check the top right corner to make sure you are managing your resources in the right semester.

Before the start of each semester, you can

• Browse the catalog for information about courses you may be interested in
• Register for courses, by which you express your intention to enroll in a course (usually before the period of enrollment)
• Enroll or cancel your enrollment in courses during the period for enrollment changes
• Enroll in seminar groups (if there are any in the course)
• Apply for special permission to enroll in a course (for students who do not meet the course enrollment prerequisites)

During the semester, you can

• Print your timetable and search others’ timetables
• View detailed syllabi of your courses and other related information
• Specify a paper topic or a topic of a thesis, a project, etc.
• Submit your paper, thesis, or project
• Share electronic materials with other students or teachers
• Receive information or comments from your teachers
• Evaluate courses that you are enrolled in
• Make comments about courses and share opinions with your peers

At any time, you can

• Send and receive e-mail
• Perform full-text IS database searches (for documents, people, courses, etc.)
• Search for information related to departments as well as people at the university
• Access some applications over the phone
• Display a wide range of statistical information
• Upload large files into the File Depository and store them there
• Post and read messages on the Notice Board
• Participate in university or faculty e-elections

You can choose from among many IS functions depending on your needs, using any computer connected to the Internet. You should check your IS mailbox regularly – this is the most important means of communication between you and your teachers or administrative staff!

Informational videos on how to use the IS.

Videos with tips on how to work in this IS system can be found here (with English subtitles).
Videos in English on specific topics are here:
Editing the Student Menu
Using Templates
Enrolling in Courses
Finding your Syllabus, Study Materials, and Notebook
Keeping track of your progress to finish your degree
Changing your term in the IS

The Library at the Faculty of Social Studies provides an excellent place for students to study individually, either on the couches, tables, or the computer rooms. There are also numerous study rooms that can be reserved for working on group projects. For more information on how to access electronic journals, take out books, reserve study rooms and the hours of the library, please visit their website. 

FSS students are also able to study at all other libraries at Masaryk University. For a list of all the libraries, please visit the MU Libraries website. 

Full degree students at FSS are encourage to consider mobility options during the academic year or during semester breaks. Summer schools, conferences, and internships during the summer are particularly encouraged for students that require a visa to study in the Czech Republic. For more information on mobility options for FSS students, please visit our website.