In recent years, we have been increasingly approached by applicants who would like to study in medical specialties: general medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc. The desire to study medicine in the Czech Republic is understandable: the quality of education is high, plus there is not enough medical care in the Czech Republic. workers, so finding a job after graduation is not a problem. Again, wages for medical personnel are significantly higher than in the former CIS countries.
What do applicants who plan to enroll in medical specialties need to know?
You need to have:
- high average score
- excellent knowledge in such specialties as physics, chemistry, biology, basic Latin
- knowledge of the Czech language at level B1 - C1
- realistic goals: choosing a university and specialty based on your strengths and knowledge (do not set yourself unattainable goals)
- character traits such as diligence, patience and independence
In addition, the future student will need to successfully pass the entrance exams.
In which Czech universities can you study medical specialties?
The best centers for the study of medicine are also considered. Charles University has 5 medical and 1 pharmaceutical faculties, Masaryk University has one medical faculty. There is also a prestigious one in Brno. In addition to these universities, you can study in medical specialties at the following universities in the Czech Republic:
Based on our many years of experience in applying to medical specialties in the Czech Republic, it is worth noting that only a few are admitted to their chosen specialties the first time. Most often, in the first year, students go to study for easier options of study (for example: nurses / nurses), there they understand the terminology and get used to the Czech language. If students cope successfully, it makes sense to re-enroll in more complex specialties (for example: general medicine).
For several years we have been developing a new system of preparation for admission to medicine. specialty so as not to lose a year. It includes additional training in special subjects (physics, chemistry, biology).
In the Czech Republic, training in the specialty “General Medicine” lasts for 6 years. A doctor's qualification can only be obtained through full-time study. The first three years, students study theoretical and preclinical subjects, the next three years - clinical subjects.
Graduates receive the title medicinae universae doctor (MUDr.) and can work in all specialties in the field of medicine.
We tell you how the 1st, 2nd and 3rd medical faculties of Charles University differ, where else you can study medicine and where it is easier to enroll.
1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University
Photo from the archives of the 1st Faculty of Medicine
The 1st Faculty of Medicine enrolls many more students in the specialty “General Medicine” than other medical faculties in the Czech Republic. For example, last year the department admitted 775 students.
Clinical classes take place in five Prague hospitals. The 1st Faculty of Medicine is a leader in terms of medical research. The faculty demonstrates significant success in research in the field of oncology, cardiovascular medicine, neurology and hereditary metabolic disorders.
The faculty is very popular among foreigners: there are now 800 students from 50 countries studying in English-language programs. Studying in English at the 1st Faculty of Medicine costs 12,000 euros per year. Russian-speaking students, as a rule, study for free in Czech.
“At the first medical faculty, all foreigners are required to study the Czech language for two years. The first year they study general vocabulary in depth, and the second year they study medical vocabulary.”
Victor Shorokhov, GoStudy graduate, student of the 1st Faculty of Medicine at Charles University
Entrance exams are held in one round in the form of written tests in chemistry, physics and biology. The Faculty publishes collections of standard tasks for entrance tests.
In 2015, the faculty received 3,555 applications from applicants, and 775 were accepted.
2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University
Photo from the archives of the 2nd Faculty of Medicine
In addition to the standard training program in general medicine, pediatric medicine is studied at the 2nd Faculty of Medicine.
The fact is that the 2nd Faculty of Medicine of Charles University arose on the basis of the Faculty of Pediatric Medicine of Charles University in Prague. Although the department today provides general medical education, the curriculum has maintained an expanded program of study in pediatric medicine. Unlike students of other medical faculties, students of the 2nd medical study in detail pediatric specializations, such as neurology, hematology, oncology, psychiatry, orthopedics, cardiology, dentistry, etc.
In 2015, 2,062 applications from applicants were submitted to the 2nd Faculty - this is the most popular medical faculty among applicants. The Faculty has a high-quality clinical base - Motol Faculty Hospital with a wide range of patients.
“My classmates are the most talented people I have ever met, with the most diverse interests. There are no ones among us who are lazy to study; we are all very ambitious. Healthy competition greatly stimulates interest in learning. At the same time, we have a very friendly atmosphere at the faculty. Senior students are willing to help freshmen, the principle of mutual assistance is very well established.”
Igor Odintsov, GoStudy graduate, student of the 2nd Faculty of Medicine at Charles University
The Faculty conducts rigorous entrance examinations. If the 1st Faculty of Medicine last year admitted 775 students to “General Medicine”, then the 2nd Faculty of Medicine accepted 231.
The exam takes place in two stages. The first round consists of a test in biology, physics and chemistry and a test on general prerequisites for the study of medicine. The General Premises Test tests logical thinking abilities, comprehension of voluminous scientific text, ability to interpret graph data, and spatial reasoning. The 400 best applicants advance to the second round. The second round is an oral interview before a committee, where the applicant asks two questions. The purpose of the exam is to test the applicant’s communication skills, the ability to substantiate his own opinion and demonstrate interest in the chosen specialty.
Applicants who successfully pass rigorous entrance exams show high results during their studies. If the 1st medical faculty expels a large number of students in the first year, then the 2nd medical faculty, according to statistics, very rarely expels students.
More than 200 foreign students study at the faculty.
The 2nd Faculty of Medicine belongs to small faculties, it is distinguished by the individual approach of teachers to students (4 students per teacher), students feel at home at the faculty. Faculty students have been working with patients since their first year. From the second year, talented students can participate in training junior colleagues.
In 2015, 2,062 applications from applicants were submitted to the faculty, 231 were accepted.
3rd Faculty of Medicine of Charles University
Photo from the archives of the 3rd Medical Faculty
Education at the 3rd Faculty of Medicine differs in its structure. The leadership of the faculty in the 90s made conceptual changes, dividing the training into three cycles, which are divided into modules.
The emphasis is on integrated problem-based learning and interdisciplinary learning. Training is conducted on specific clinical situations, thanks to which students develop logical thinking and learn to make independent decisions. The learning objectives are in line with the Euroskills program of European medical faculties, to which the 3rd Faculty of Medicine has joined.
Students are given the opportunity to understand the issues being studied in a broad context from the point of view of several interrelated specialties. Great importance is attached to the development of practical skills, an individual and independent approach to learning.
The 3rd Faculty of Medicine includes in its curriculum hygiene and prevention, occupational and tourism medicine, medical law, medical ethics, scientific methodology and offers a wide range of elective courses.
Students work with patients from their first year of study.
In 2015, the faculty received 1,963 applications from applicants, and 250 were accepted.
The entrance exam takes place in two rounds. The first round is a test in biology, physics and chemistry. The second round is an oral interview, in which the applicant must interpret a popular scientific text. Communication skills, independent thinking abilities and general knowledge are also assessed. That is, in the second round the commission evaluates not knowledge, but abilities.
Unlike the first and second medical faculties, the third faculty does not publish collections of standard tasks for entrance tests.
Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University
The first two years of study at the faculty are devoted to theoretical specialties - biology, biophysics, anatomy, histology, physiology and biochemistry. In the third and fourth years, preclinical subjects are studied - pathological anatomy, pathological physiology, microbiology, pharmacology and clinical training begins. Clinical specialties are studied in senior years.
Entrance exams also take the form of tests in physics, chemistry and biology. The faculty publishes collections of standard questions for applicants.
The faculty annually admits 200 students to “General Medicine”.
Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Hradec Králové
In the first two years of study, students of the faculty study basic theoretical disciplines and gain first experience working with patients. For the next two years, students study preclinical disciplines, therapy and surgical propaedeutics, and some clinical specialties. In the third year, students take a serious exam in English in the field of medicine. In the fifth year, clinical subjects are studied. During their final year of study, students work with patients.
In clinical subjects, students are practically introduced to the basic methods of examination, laboratory methods, principles of treatment and differential diagnosis. Great importance is attached to practical work with patients.
Upon admission, an exam is taken in biology, somatology, chemistry and physics.
In 2015, 1,667 applications from applicants were submitted for the specialty “General Medicine”, 319 were accepted.
Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University in Brno
Masaryk University campus building
The Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University includes 12 theoretical institutes, 54 clinics and 8 departments. The Faculty of Medicine is located on the new campus of Masaryk University, which is the most expensive in Central Europe. The lecture halls and laboratories of the faculty meet the latest educational formats.
The first two years of study include primarily theoretical subjects (biology, biophysics, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, histology, physiology). The third year of study is pre-clinical subjects and preparation for the study of clinical subjects. In the fourth and fifth years, the student undergoes an internship in various clinics. In the final year, students have a pre-graduation internship, during which the student works in clinics under the guidance of experienced doctors. Students gain practical experience during summer internships.
Students can join research projects as early as their first year. The specialty "General Medicine" has a special module, which, in addition to the standard general medicine program, offers expanded opportunities in the field of scientific training.
Upon admission, tests are taken in physics, chemistry, biology and somatology.
Last year, the faculty received 2,627 applications from applicants, and 642 were admitted.
Faculty of Medicine of Palacky University
Faculty students study theoretical subjects (anatomy, histology and embryology, medical biophysics, medical chemistry and biochemistry, biology, physiology), preclinical subjects (pathology, microbiology, pathological physiology, pharmacology) and undergo clinical practice (therapy, surgery, urology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, anesthesiology and resuscitation, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dermatovenerology, neurology, psychiatry). Students also study health subjects (preventive medicine, social medicine and health policy, forensic medicine and medical law).
Since 2015, telemedicine has been used in the training process - live broadcasts from operating rooms.
Every year 3,200 applicants enter here; 220 are admitted to General Medicine.
The entrance exam takes the form of a test in physics, chemistry and biology.
Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava
The main advantage of studying medicine in Ostrava is the opportunity to practice in clinics with the most modern equipment.
The Faculty of Medicine in Ostrava is the youngest medical faculty in the Czech Republic, opening in 2010. As follows from surveys, students are satisfied with the level of education, and every year more and more people want to study here.
When enrolling in General Medicine, standard subjects are taken - biology, chemistry, physics.
Being a specialist in the field of medicine is considered very prestigious - it is pride and respect, plus everything, this field is in demand and is well paid.Studying to become a doctor is quite difficult and takes a long time compared to other specialties, but this does not deter applicants, and the number of applicants remains high every year.
Every year, thousands of international students choose the Czech Republic to receive high-quality medical education.
The duration of training to become a practicing physician in the Czech Republic is usually 6 years. Training to become a specialist in the field of biomedicine and bioengineering usually takes 3 years (bachelor's program) and 2 years (master's program). Studying in Czech for all foreign students of any duration at public universities for free.
What is required for admission to the Faculty of Medicine at a Czech University?
First of all, you must successfully pass the exam in the introductory specialized disciplines: chemistry, foreign language and biology. You need to start preparing as early as possible, otherwise you may not pass the competition, because there are many applicants and the requirements for the knowledge of applicants are high.
The period of studying at the university to become a practicing doctor can be divided into 3 stages:
1-2 courses: subjects related to general medicine are studied: biology, physics, biochemistry, anatomy and others.
3-4 year: at this stage there is a study of subjects in the specialty and practical training in hospitals.
5-6 year: during this period, students will study in full the clinical direction they have chosen.
In our other articles we will talk about the advantages of receiving medical education in the Czech Republic, and in this article we will look at ranking of TOP-6 medical faculties in the Czech Republic.
1. Faculty of Biomedicine at the Czech Technical University
Of particular interest is the Faculty of Biomedicine at the Czech Technical University. This faculty has no analogues both in the Czech Republic and throughout the world. The faculty practices the introduction of nanotechnologies in the field of healthcare, developing new types of biocompatible thin layers (surfaces of implants, stents). The university's unique facilities include 30 state-of-the-art laboratories for experiential learning and research, including those that simulate the environment of hospital emergency departments and intensive care units.Graduates become real professionals in the field of medicine.
Training is possible in both Czech and English (in the following specialties:Biomedical and Clinical Engineering is a three-year undergraduate program and Biomedical and Clinical Engineering is a two-year graduate program).
Contest:
2. Third Faculty of Medicine of Charles University
The third medical faculty of Charles University in the Czech Republic is popular and a priority for many applicants. It trains specialists in the field of sanitation: Dental nurse, Physiotherapy, Public health.
The teaching staff includes teachers with extensive experience, using modern and proven methods. Students are given the opportunity to take exams in all subjects belonging to one block, for example, they need to open the question from the point of view of biochemistry, physiology and other disciplines that were studied in the semester. This faculty is the most popular among foreign applicants. Training is possible in Czech and English.
Contest:about 20% of all applicants pass tests and are enrolled in training.
3. Second Faculty of Medicine of Charles University
The Second Faculty of Medicine of Charles University is one of the oldest faculties in the Czech Republic. The faculty trains specialists in the field of health care and general medicine. Here it is also possible to throw pediatrics. The faculty works in close cooperation with the largest hospital in Prague, Motol.
Contest: about 15% of all applicants pass tests and are enrolled in training.
4. First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University
First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University. The duration of training in the specialty of general medicine is 6 years, in dentistry it is 5 years, in caring for sick people - 3 years, in the field of health care also 3 years. Students who graduate from the educational institution will be able to work as therapists in psychiatric, rehabilitation and other medical institutions.
Contest:about 35% of all applicants pass tests and are enrolled in training.
Medical training in the Czech Republic has a long tradition dating back to the 14th century. Students from all over the world are attracted to study medicine in Czech because various university-level medical programs are available in English at a competitive price. Czech medical schools are one of the best options for all those seeking medical education abroad.
Most medical schools in the Czech Republic have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal student financial aid programs and are listed in the Directory of Graduate Schools published by the U.S. Department of Education. They have also been approved by the Canadian Department of Education and Training in the same manner as in the United States.
For those who decide to become a doctor in the Czech Republic, there are several prestigious medical schools in the country. Foreign citizens can also study there and receive a sought-after medical diploma. All medical degrees obtained from local universities are internationally recognized.
Charles University, located in Prague, is recognized as the main university in the country. Teaching here is also conducted in English. This university offers programs in general medicine and dentistry. Second place goes to Masaryk University in Brno. It is located in the second most important city in the country, and also implements English-language programs.
Additional universities offering to study medicine in the Czech Republic in English are Palacky University, Pilsen University and Hradec Králové.
Why study medicine in the Czech Republic?
Rising tuition costs and increasingly competitive study requirements may pose barriers to students dreaming of becoming a doctor, prompting future medical students to take a closer look at the high-quality English programs available in the Czech Republic. Prague, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe (it is among the top most prestigious universities in the world), offers medical programs in English in a cultural and historical setting.
Top universities for clinical medicine have shown their strength in conducting research related to various medical and biomedical topics. These include anesthesia, cardiology, general and internal medicine, gastroenterology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, radiology and surgery.
Medical programs in the Czech Republic
Czech medical schools offer an excellent opportunity for students from all over the world who dream of studying medicine abroad and becoming doctors. Medical educational institutions in the Czech Republic are known to have the best English-language medical programs in the EU.
Most medical universities in the Czech Republic offer a 6-year general medicine program, a 5-year dental program and a 5-year pharmacy program in English along with Czech programs. The Bachelor's degree in Nursing and Master's degree in Optometry are also offered in English.
- General medicine: 4 and 6 year program
- Veterinary medicine: 6-year program
- Dentistry: program from 5 to 6 years
- Pharmaceuticals: program from 5 to 6 years
- Care: 3 to 4 years
- Physiotherapy: 3-4 year program
- Medical specialization: from 3 to 6 years
The majority of international students studying medicine in the Czech Republic come from the USA, Canada, UK, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Malaysia and Nigeria, but not only.
Popular medical universities in the Czech Republic
- Charles University in Prague, first faculty of Medicine(Charles University in Prague, First Faculty of Medicine)
- Charles University in Prague, second faculty of Medicine(Charles University in Prague, Second Faculty of Medicine)
- Charles University in Prague, third faculty of Medicine(Charles University in Prague, 3rd Faculty of Medicine)
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove(Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Hradec Králové)
- Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen(Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen)
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine(Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine)
- Palacký University of Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry(Palac University Olomouc, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry)
- University of Ostrava, Faculty of Medicine(University of Ostrava, Faculty of Medicine)
Why Charles University (Univerzita Karlova)
Branches of this university are represented all over the world. The first medical faculty was created in the 14th century and is one of the 4 original faculties of the university. The faculty is considered the most prestigious medical school in this European country and one of the most significant in Europe.
Today, more than 3,400 students study medicine at Prague's main university. They are taught by more than 650 teachers and scientific specialists. Medical studies in Prague not only provide the opportunity to study in one of Europe's most historic and beautiful cities, but also to obtain a medical degree from one of the world's leading medical schools.
The local faculty offers a 6-year program in general medicine. The first 3 years are taught at the university itself. However, from Year 4 onwards, international students have the opportunity to study one semester (12 clinical weeks) per year in their home countries. The ability to complete clinical rotations in the student's country is a great advantage. This allows students studying abroad to establish professional contacts in the local hospitals and health care systems where they will later intern.
Charles University is one of the leading research universities in Central Europe. Its goal is to integrate teaching and research, based on the premise that high-quality education is best achieved when teachers are also active internationally in their respective fields.
As an educational institution, the university (including its historical German branch) was the alma mater or temporary academic home of four Nobel laureates: Albert Einstein, Gertie and Carl Corey, and Jaroslav Heyrovsky.
The online database Web of Science ranks the university as the most productive research institution in the Czech Republic, together with the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Students' independent research, especially in doctoral programs, is funded by the university's own grant agency. Another important aspect of research work is the academic development of university staff.
International Program Offerings
- General Medicine: 6-year program with the degree “MUDr” - Doctor of General Medicine;
Requirements for candidates:
- For US applicants: full degree from college/university;
- For non-US applicants: high school diploma;
- For everyone: entrance exams: written and oral exams in the subjects of biology, chemistry, physiology and physics.
Cost of education
- General medicine: CZK 360,000 per year (approx. USD 14,500).
- Dentistry: CZK 360,000 per year (approx. USD 14,500).
Expenses
Approximately 600 euros per month (the university offers housing).
Masaryk University (Masarykova univerzita)
Masaryk University in Brno is the second most important university in the country. The school was founded in 1919. Today the university consists of 9 academic faculties, including their International Medical School.
Location
Masaryk University is located in Brno, which is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. The city has a rich history and offers a vibrant and exceptional cultural life, making its university one of the most popular medical schools in the Czech Republic.
International programs
- General Medicine: 6-year program with the degree "MUDr" - Doctor of General Medicine
- Dentistry: 5-year program with MDDr degree. - Doctor of Dental Medicine.
Requirements for candidates
- Complete secondary school education (certificate of secondary education);
- Entrance exams: written exams in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics.
Cost of education
- General medicine: CZK 280,000 per year.
- Dentistry: CZK 330,000 per year.
Living expenses
Approximately 500 euros per month (the university also has student housing).
The education system at leading Czech universities has been designed to maximize their integration into the international community of higher education institutions and to support student mobility.
The system consists of three levels: bachelor's programs, subsequent master's programs and PhD programs. Degree programs and areas of study at Charles University build on its long tradition in the humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and medicine.
The quality of education at Czech universities meets the highest European standards. All subsequent master's programs were accredited in accordance with the requirements of the Bologna System of European Education.
Participation in the international community of higher education institutions opens up wide opportunities for students to continue their studies in other countries, for example, within the framework of the EU Erasmus program.
What to do as a foreigner
Admission to medical schools in Czech is based on a certificate of secondary education (with a good grade preferably in biology, chemistry and physics), knowledge of the English language (can be demonstrated via Skype). Entrance exams are held at the university and in some representative offices abroad.
Application deadlines vary depending on each medical school. The latest is the end of May. Most medical schools require that the application be submitted online first and then hard copies be submitted after pre-approval and payment of an application processing fee.
In order for a foreign student to enter a Czech university, he needs to go through the procedure of confirming his diploma. He also needs to provide the university with an application and a copy of it, the results of the final exam at school or at a previous university, a certified translation of the diploma into Czech, as well as the amount required for accommodation and food in the country.
Consideration of the application
The review process begins on the basis of a written application from a graduate of a foreign university/college (applicant), submitted through the university administration. During the hearings, the content and scope of foreign studies are always compared with the corresponding study programs implemented at the Czech university. All faculties of medicine evaluate applications using the same criteria.
Career and income
Doctors are in high demand in Czech medical institutions, so a professional will not have problems finding employment either in the Czech Republic or abroad. The average salary of a doctor in the Czech Republic is almost 66 thousand crowns (about 2,580 euros).
In some regions they now earn 84 thousand crowns (about 3280 euros). Despite this, unions are still unhappy with the wages. It is important to understand that most of them work more than 8 hours a day. The basic tariff without bonuses and payment for off-hour work is almost half of a doctor’s real salary. The Czech Republic has a universal insurance system that provides care to all citizens.
The language school will never tell you the truth about admission to the medical faculties of Charles.The percentage of foreign applicants choosing this direction fluctuates in the range of 2-3%. Due to deception from intermediaries and often from the schools themselves, not everyone will succeed in the entrance exams. You must find out everything!
Schools don’t care what department you study in!
- Firstly, schools that are primarily interested in you getting into something will not give you much guidance when choosing this difficult and risky option.
- Some schools, taking advantage of students' ignorance, sell their preparation courses for admission to medical specialties, while being fully aware of the fact that the effectiveness of their specialization courses. objects is close to zero. Those. The student wastes time and energy in vain.
It is easy to prove the fact that none of the Czech courses will provide a good knowledge base in the specialty. subjects. All knowledge can be obtained at cheaper courses at medical faculties (see more below).
But schools or mediators will try to instill confidence that everything is quite simple. Everything will work out if you buy their course.
It’s easier to become a doctor in the Czech Republic than in your homeland
Is this true or not? Partly yes, partly no. Is it easier to do? - Not sure. Really? - definitely yes. Any statement must be followed by facts.
To begin with, I want to say: all the information given below is based on the stories of two groups of people: students currently studying at the medical faculties of Charles University, and applicants who have not been admitted, who have already tested their strength in the entrance exams at least once.
You can study to become a doctor in the Czech Republic only at state universities
Training to become a doctor in the Czech Republic takes place only in state universities that have medical faculties. Most Popular:
- Charles University in Prague(it has 3 medical faculties in Prague and several more scattered throughout the Czech Republic: faculty in the cities of Pilsen and Hradec Kralove)
- Masaryk University in Brno
- Palacky University in Olomouc
How to get a higher medical education at Charles University?
You can enroll in one of six faculties:
- First Faculty of Medicine. Conducts two bachelor's training programs: “General Medicine” and “Dentistry”. You must successfully pass exams in chemistry, physics and biology.
- Second Faculty of Medicine. You can study bachelor's programs in "Physiotherapy" and "Nursing", master's in "General Medicine", or complete doctoral studies in "Biomedicine". Upon admission, you must pass chemistry, biology, physics, and an oral test.
- Third Faculty of Medicine. Training takes place in the bachelor's program "General Medicine". For admission, in addition to 3 exams (chemistry, biology, physics), you need to pass an interview.
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové. Training in bachelor's programs "General Medicine" and "Dentistry". You need to pass three exams (+ “dentistry” for dentists).
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové. You can get a master's degree in Pharmacy or Medical Bioanalytics.
- Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen. You can study two master's programs - "General Medicine" and "Dentistry". Applications are always due by the end of February. Written exams must be passed in physics, chemistry and biology. For each subject you must answer 50 questions in a test format.
What is the passing score for medical specialties?
The number of accepted students for a certain specialty is agreed upon in advance (already at the time of application - the beginning of the calendar year). As such, the concept of a “passing score” does not exist in faculties, since it changes every year, depending on the overall result in the department.
All faculties require exams in biology, chemistry and physics, and in some places they also add a TSP or Latin exam. TSP (General Study Prerequisites) is an exam that tests your ability to remember and analyze information. It is impossible to prepare specifically for it, although there are examples from previous years (for example, on the website of Masaryk University in Brno). A separate exam in Latin is extremely rare and tests basic knowledge of grammar and terminology.
But we can safely say that it fluctuates at the level of 70-75% of correct answers for the specialty “General Medicine” and 90-95% of correct answers for the specialty “Dentistry”. These are the two most popular educational programs among future students, for which there is no “Bachelor” level and the training lasts continuously for 5 (for dentists) and 6 years, followed by an internship in a hospital.
Ways to prepare for admission
To enter any specialty, you must have material to prepare for. There is plenty of it in this area; I would even say that the problem of choosing between individual publications arises. Among the most popular printed materials are books like Odmaturuj z...! (translation: Pass the state exam in ...!), textbooks for senior classes of Czech gymnasiums, and collections of standard questions for entrance exams.
I would like to dwell specifically on these collections of questions. Almost all medical faculties publish such books on the three above-mentioned subjects. As a rule, they do not contain any theoretical material, but consist of sample questions. Some of them you may, but should not, encounter during the exam.
All faculties state that their entrance exams are based on the school curriculum of Czech gymnasiums. That is, they should not actually differ from our regular school curriculum, with the exception of one detail. Czechs are given 4 years to study the material that we study during grades 10-11. It follows that they simply explore each topic in a little more detail.
Tests from previous years will help you!
Let's return to our books with questions. They contain test questions with suggested answer options (from 4 to 5 with one or more correct options). The number of correct options depends on the faculty; I will say more about the differences in entrance exams at different faculties a little later. But there is something that unites them:
- there is always at least one correct answer option, you should always mark all correct answer options (at least one discrepancy will result in a score of zero for the whole question)
- There are no questions in which there will not be at least one correct option.
Each of these books contains from 800 to 1500 tasks with the correct option(s) marked. Experienced people say that if you learn them all by heart, then nothing else is needed for successful admission. And the physics teacher at the preparatory courses said that 95% of the exam questions will coincide with the model questions. The 5% difference is due to errors in the technical typing of tasks into the test and the elimination of typos in the source code.
At this point, I would like to mention that it is better to buy questions from the faculty you prefer, and not the cheapest ones. Although the school curriculum is regulated by state standards, the specifics of issues at each faculty are different.
The next option is preparatory courses at medical faculties
Such courses do not exist at every faculty, as well as model questions, which are not published everywhere. They also differ in length and number of lectures. They are divided into evening, weekend and electronic courses. The duration ranges from six months to 8 months.
Evening courses are held in a large auditorium, where material on a specific topic is read and sometimes model questions are discussed. The organization is as follows: classes are held twice a week, that is, a 1.5-hour lesson in each subject (biology, chemistry, physics, Latin) takes place every two weeks.
“Weekend courses” take a whole day off and take place once a month. Detailed information about the “zero course” at the first medical. Faculty can be found by following the link https://www.lf1.cuni.cz/pripravne-kurzy. (The same is the second faculty http://www.lf2.cuni.cz/Studium/pr/pripravny.htm and the third http://www.lf3.cuni.cz/cs/uchazec/pripravne-kurzy/)
How effective are they in this form? - Hard to tell. But they have one huge advantage: you listen to Czech professors, get used to their teaching style in lectures and get acquainted with Czech terminology. And the question of admission or non-admission depends only on you: whether you can memorize the required volume of questions and then give out all the material at the right time.
Admission to the medical faculties of Karlov are different
Exam structures may differ at different medical faculties. Let's look at the options that can await you when you come to take the exam.
So, the exam can consist either of only a written part, or of a written and oral part.
- The entire written part (actually, tests) is completed on one day. Sometimes there is a break between different subjects, sometimes not - and you write biology, chemistry and physics at once in a row. I will repeat about the correct answer options. Their number is agreed upon in advance at each faculty in the conditions of admission (přijímací řízení). There can be either only one correct answer, or from one to four. You have to guess everything and no more. Only then will you be awarded points. No points will be deducted for an incorrect answer. So, if you don’t know, guess your health! On the website of the third (Prague) Faculty of Medicine you can still find a sample from last year to replace the model questions (http://www.lf3.cuni.cz/cs/uchazec/testy-uchazec/). They are not published by this faculty.
- If the department has an oral part, it is held the next day or the day after the test is written. It takes place in the form of communication between the applicant and three teachers of this department, in which his general level of development and communication abilities are assessed. In some cases, a retelling of the text is also required (2 A4 pages of an unfamiliar scientific text, 15 minutes to read and then retelling without the source itself and any notes or plan).
Briefly about each subject
Biology test. The assignments require deeper knowledge than that acquired in regular high school. Attention should be paid to Czech terminology, translation of the names of individual body parts, organs and the names of animals. Genetics problems can be solved without a calculator. A preliminary analysis of model questions will definitely improve the final result.
Chemistry test. You will need knowledge of the original Czech names of some chemical compounds. Solving problems takes place without a calculator, pay attention to the periodic table in Czech sound. For the main elements, you need to know the serial number and mass by heart.
Physics test. The tasks are divided into two types: knowledge of definitions and problem solving. The calculator is prohibited. Any tables with formulas are excluded. You need to know everything by heart.
Why then do you need a language school?
Now let’s try to figure out what is the most rational way to use the year of preparation in order to maximize your chances of admission? Of course, almost all faculties will require you to have a certificate of knowledge of the Czech language. Although the policy of the third (Prague) honey. The fact is this: if you understand the tasks in the entrance exams, then your Czech is okay.
In other cases, you cannot do without a supporting piece of paper. There are no special requirements for the organization that issued the certificate. So choose the Czech course that suits you (or the cheapest one) and start studying hard.
The whole point of studying at a university is to independently study the bulk of the material, and entrance exams are no exception! As the guarantor of the preparatory courses of the 1st Medical Faculty of KU said, any tutors or courses are just a chance to prepare a little better for the exam and repeat the list of topics that you will encounter in the exam. So the language school is primarily designed to teach you Czech, and preparing for the exam is solely your task.
