Structure of Czech Republic Education System
The Czech school education encompasses primary and secondary education. Primary education is of 9 years that split up into two cycles of 5 years (grades 1-5) and 4 years (grades 6-9) respectively. Secondary education consists of three kinds of schools: general schools (gymnasium), secondary technical schools and conservatories. General secondary schools prepare students for higher education studies and for a particular vocation as well. The technical school is of 4 years in duration and conservatories offer art studies of 6-8 years in duration. There are vocational programmes of 2-3 years that prepare pupils for professional activities. All these studies conclude with passing of the school leaving examination-Maturitni zkouska/Maturita.
Czech Higher/Tertiary Education
- Tertiary professional schools: These schools provide diplomas
- University-type: These institutions offer bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.
- Non-university higher education institutions: These institutions offer bachelor degree programmes.
In Czech Republic, there are public, private and state higher education institutions.
Structure of Czech Republic Education
Period of Compulsory Education
- Entry Age: 6 years old
- Exit Age: 15 years old
Primary/Basic Education
- School Type: Basic School
- Stages: Two
- Duration: 9
- Age group: 6 to: 15
- Credential Awarded: Primary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni)
First Stage:
Second Stage:
Secondary Education
General Secondary
- School Type: General School (Gymnasium) (Admittance after 5th year of basic school)
- Duration: 8 years
- Age group: 11 to 19
- Grades: 6-12
- Credential Awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni o maturitni zkousce)
General Secondary
- School Type: General school (Gymnasium) (Admittance after 7th year of basic school)
- Duration: 6 years
- Age group: 13 to 19
- Grades: 7-12
- Credential Awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni o maturitni zkousce)
Academic Secondary Education
- School Type: General Secondary School (Gymnazium)
- Duration: 4 years
- Age group: 15 to 19
- Credential Awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni o maturitni zkousce)
Technical Secondary Education
- School Type: Secondary technical school (Středni odborna skola)
- Duration: 4 years
- Ages: 15 to 19
- Credential Awarded: Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni o maturitni zkousce)
Technical Secondary
- School Type: Conservatory (Konzervatoř) – For dance
- Duration: 8 years
- Ages: 11 to 19
- Credential: Final certificate "absolutorium" (Vysvědčeni o absolutoriu) Diploma (diplom) or Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni o maturitni zkousce)
Technical Secondary
- School Type: Conservatory (Konzervatoř)- For Music, drama
- Duration: 6 years
- Ages: 15 to 21
- Credential: Final certificate "absolutorium" (Vysvědčeni o absolutoriu) Diploma (diplom) or Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Vysvědčeni o maturitni zkousce)
Vocational Secondary Education
- School Type: Secondary Vocational Schools (Středni odborne učilistě)
- Duration: 2-3 years
- Ages: 15-17/18
- Credential: Vocational Certificate or Certificate of Apprenticeship (Vyučni list)
Tertiary Education
Tertiary Professional Education
- School Type: Tertiary Professional Schools (Vyssi odborne skoly)
- Duration: 3-3.5 years
- Ages: 19 to 21/22
- Credential: Graduates receive graduate examination certificates (vysvědčeni o absolutoriu), a diploma (diplom absolventa vyssi odborne skoly) and the title specialist with a diploma (diplomovany specialista–DiS).
University-Type Higher Education Institution
Type of Education: Bachelor
- Duration: 3- 4 years
- Ages: 19 to 22/23
Type of Education: Master
- Duration: 1-3 years
- Ages: 22/23 to 23/26
Type of Education: Master (Non-structured study)
- Duration: 4-6 years
- Ages: 19-23/25
Type of Education: Doctoral
Non- University Higher Education Institution
Type of Education: Bachelor
- Duration: 3- 4 years
- Ages: 19 to 22/23
Tertiary Education Credentials
- Associate degree (Absolutorium)
- Bachelor or Bachelor of Arts (Bakalar)
- Master's (Magistr)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Doktor Filozofie)
- Doctorate (Doktor)