The close proximity to Germany, the impressive natural landscapes, the cultural and historical wealth of the cities, the traditional university landscape with its modern study system – there are many reasons that speak for studying in the Czech Republic. Many international students are drawn to the Central European landlocked country, especially for one or two semesters abroad. The cosmopolitan capital of Prague is certainly at the top of the list for most. The semester students of various subjects want to gain international experience, discover the diverse culture of the Czech Republic and learn the language.

For another group of international students, however, there is a very special reason why they decided to study in the Czech Republic: They are fulfilling their dream of studying medicine there because they fail in Germany because of the extremely high numerus clausus. Medicine and dentistry are particularly popular subjects in the Czech Republic, because some medical faculties also offer them in English. On the following pages you will find all information about a successful application for a degree in human medicine or dentistry at one of the universities in the Czech Republic. Also to your questions about the subject of the study structure, costs and financing as well as the topicRecognition in Germany can be found here.

Study human medicine in the Czech Republic

According to top-mba-universities, there is no Numerus Clausus at universities in the Czech Republic. This is also the case in such a popular subject as human medicine. If you want to study human medicine in the Czech Republic, you of course also need the Abitur, but the average grade is irrelevant. The only thing that counts is the result of a special written entrance examination in the subjects of biology, chemistry and math / physics. Depending on the university, applicants may still have to take an oral exam.

However, those who have mastered this first step cannot sit back and relax. The six-year study of human medicine in the Czech Republic is demanding and requires discipline and perseverance, especially since Czech lessons are also on the curriculum. However, the students benefit from small study groups and intensive support from the teachers. The practical relevance plays an important role right from the start and certainly makes it easier for students to learn the complex theory.

The course ends with the Czech state examination, after which the students receive the academic degree MUDr. (Medicinae Universae Doctor) and be able to practice as general practitioners. The course content fully complies with European standards, which enables uncomplicated professional recognition in Germany.

Study dentistry in the Czech Republic

Dentistry is also one of the popular subjects in the Czech Republic. The application process does not differ from that for a degree in human medicine. Applicants for both courses take the same entrance exam. The prospective students of dentistry in the Czech Republic must also prove that they have a basic knowledge of the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics / math.

Although the students also receive lessons in general medicine, the focus is on the dental and oral areas of the human body from the start. And here, too, clinical references are made in the pre-clinical stage. The medical faculties in the Czech Republic are well equipped and enable early hands-on training in the so-called “Phantom Laboratories” with the help of head dummies. Language teaching in Czech is also part of the curriculum, because international students have to communicate with “real” patients in the clinical section at the latest.

The intensive five-year course, which is very demanding in terms of content, also ends with final state examinations. If the students have successfully mastered this, they receive the academic degree MDDr. (Medicinae Dentium Doctor), with which you can easily apply for a license to practice medicine in Germany.

GRADING SYSTEM IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Understanding the grading system of another country and transferring it adequately to the German grading system is not always easy. But if you have spent a semester abroad in the Czech Republic, for example, you naturally want your academic achievements to be recognized accordingly. The main “difficulty” with the grading system in the Czech Republic is that there are fewer gradations in the assessment of performance than in the German grading system.

Czech notes

Most universities in the Czech Republic use a grading system with numerical information from 1 to 4, with 1 (výborně) being the best possible grade and 4 (neprospěl) being “failed”. However, some institutions prefer a point system from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best possible rating. Some universities in the Czech Republic award ECTS grades (A to F) in addition to the usual ECTS points. However, the award of ECTS grades is generally no longer recommended.

The following scheme shows the approximate relationship between the various grades. It should be noted that not all Czech universities use 1 to 4 half intermediate grades in the grading system. The scheme only provides orientation values ! Anyone doing a semester abroad in the Czech Republic should find out from their home university whether there is a conversion table for Czech grades into German grades. The universities each have their own conversion tables.

Conversion using the modified Bavarian formula

To convert Czech grades into German grades, most universities use the so-called modified Bavarian formula:

X = 1 + 3 ((N _max -N _d) / (N _max -N _min))

• N _max: achievable highest grade (in Czech Republic 1)
• N _min: minimum grade for passing (in the Czech Republic 3)
• N _d: Czech note to be converted