Have you studied or obtained your qualification abroad? Do you wish to continue with your studies in Czechia? If yes, it is necessary to obtain an official document verifying that your education, which you have completed, is equal to the education in Czechia. The process of recognition of completed education differs according to the level of education which you need to have recognized.
NOSTRIFICATION OR RECOGNITION? WHAT DO I NEED?
The process of recognition of elementary, secondary, and higher (not university) education is called "nostrifikace". The documentation of completed elementary, secondary, or higher education is called "vysvědčení" (certificate). Nostrification is provided by the regional authorities. The regional authority also represents the contact place where you will get answers to your questions about the legalization process of your documents.
Another possibility of recognition is, in addition to nostrification, also recognition within the admission procedure at a university that has an institutional accreditation. Such a recognized education applies only to that particular university and faculty. It is not generally valid and cannot be used for admission procedures to other institutions.
On the other hand, the process of recognition of university education is called the "recognition of foreign higher education and qualification in Czechia". The documentation of completed university education is called "diplom" (diploma). The recognition of university diplomas is commonly provided by universities that provide a similar study programme.
NOSTRIFICATION
Below you can find the list of required documents as mentioned on official websites of regional authorities and on the application form. The period given by law for processing the request is 30 days. In difficult and complex cases, the period can be extended to 60 days.
The attachments submitted along with the application:
- Certified copy of legalized foreign school report/diploma prepared by a Czech notary ("notář") and translated by the Czech court interpreter ("soudní tlumočník")
- Certified copy of the legalized list of school subjects (Mathematics, Physics, English language, etc.) with the number of hours prepared by the Czech notary and translated by the Czech court interpreter.
- Proof that the school which issued your diploma/school report is integrated into the education system of your country.
- Proof of payment of administrative fee
- Identity document of the applicant
- Proof of a place of stay in Czechia
recognition within the admission procedure
The universities that have received institutional accreditation, may also recognize foreign secondary education as part of their admission process. However, this recognition is valid only for the particular university and faculty.
The universities with the institutional accreditation are:
- Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
- Brno University of Technology
- Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
- Charles University
- Jan Evangelista Purkyně University
- Masaryk University
- Mendel University in Brno
- Palacký University Olomouc
- Prague University of Economics and Business
- Tomas Bata University in Zlín
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague
- University of Ostrava
- University of Pardubice
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
- University of Veterinary Sciences Brno
- University of West Bohemia
- VSB - Technical University of Ostrava
RECOGNITION of higher education studies
Graduates of Bachelor’s, Master’s degree programmes and/or doctoral degree programme graduates from foreign universities wishing to obtain recognition of their foreign diplomas are required to submit a written Application along with other documents to the Rector’s Office of a public university. The period given by law for processing the request is 30 days. In difficult and complex cases, the period can be extended to 60 days.
The attachments submitted along with the Application:
- Legally attested copy of a Diploma or similar proof of completion of studies issued by a foreign university
- Legally attested copy of a Diploma Supplement or copy of a list of completed courses
- Certified translations of both documents into Czech or English (documents issued in English are exempt from this clause)
- Proof of payment of administrative fee
- Ruling on grant refugee status, if submitted by the person who has been granted this status
Exception for Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Slovenia
Higher education qualifications from the above countries of origin may be used in Czechia directly, without a certificate on the recognition of foreign higher education.
Comprehensive information about the process of recognition is available on the website of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.
Besides, you can find more in the brochure "Recognition of Foreign Education and Qualifications in the Czech Republic" which provides a complex guide about the process of the recognition of foreign education and/or qualification. In this brochure, you can find relevant contacts in case of any further questions.
You can also receive support and advice from the Czech ENIC - NARIC Centre (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) functioning under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.