Forum: European Medical School Forum Location: Czech Republic Year Founded: 1348 Loans: Federal Stafford and Private Time required for MD: 6 Years Tuition: $11,500 per year Email: Email Charles Survey: Charles Medical School Review

A Brief History of the Czech Republic by The World Factbook 2006

Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Read More

The First Faculty of Medicine has been a part of Charles University in Prague since its foundation, in 1348, by the Bohemian King and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Charles IV. From 1953 to 1990 it was called The Faculty of General Medicine, and its present name, which is derived from the Faculty's ancient tradition, has been in use since 1990. It is the oldest medical faculty in Central Europe, and the largest medical faculty in the Czech Republic. Prague, the city where the Faculty is located, was the capital of the former Czechoslovak Republic, founded in 1918 as one of the democratic states in Central Europe. Prague has also become the capital of the Czech Republic, established as an independent democratic state in 1993.

In the middle ages, the language of teaching at Charles University was Latin; later, during the Austrian Monarchy, it was German, and since 1882 the students have been taught in Czech. In 1992 instruction in English was introduced for students coming from abroad. However, admitting foreign students has always been the Faculty's policy. The students of medicine are selected on the basis of entrance examinations in physics, chemistry and biology. The required standard of knowledge corresponds to British A-levels and the number of enrolled students is limited.

Application for the English class of general medicine or dentistry for the pertinent academic year will be accepted till the 28th of May of the respective year. The net tuition fee for a student is 11,500 USD a year , without any obligations as far as lodging, meals, books etc. are concerned. Our curriculum in general medicine lasts 6 years and is finished with the degree MUDr. - "Medicinae Universae Doctor" (M.D.) = Doctor of General Medicine. Our curriculum in dentistry lasts 5 years, is fully compatible with EC directive 78/687 and is finished with the degree MDDr. - "Medicinae Dentalis Doctor" -Doctor of Dental Medicine.

• The degrees are fully recognized in the EU and most countries at least for a limited registration. The student should ask the authorities or professional bodies in the respective country for information about the conditions for a full registration and recognition of the degree required to practice medicine.
• The Faculty is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools published by WHO (7th edition, 2000, page 105)
• Faculty is also listed in the Directory of Postsecondary Institutions published by the US Department of Education
• The First Faculty of Medicine has qualified to participate in programmes under Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) and the Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs (Title IV, HEA programs) in the USA. Charles University in Prague - First Faculty of Medicine participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Stafford Program (OPE ID Number G33004).

The entrance examinations for the pertinent academic year will take place in Prague in June of the respective year, if not agreed at another place. The applicant must submit verification of high-school or college diploma. Students’ application for the recognition of his/her diploma together with his/her application for entrance examination should be addressed to the Dean's Office of the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská Str. 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic. The fee for entrance examinations represents 50 USD. The mode of payment will be included in the invitation letter to the entrance examinations.

Furthermore, after admission the non-EU applicant must apply for a Long Term Visa. This Visa is necessary for enrolment and will be extended for every academic year. For the entrance examination, the non-EU student may come on the basis of the short-term (tourist) visa, but for many countries such a visa is not required at all and the applicant should seek advice from the nearest representative office of the Czech Republic. For a non-EU student it is necessary to apply for the Long Term Visa as soon as possible (it takes about two months), so this Visa should be obtained before travelling to the Czech Republic. For the purpose of studies the Long Term Visa will be required for every admitted non-EU student.

We have to point out that the tuition fee does not include the cost of accommodation, books etc. However, the Faculty can facilitate the lodging for you in the University Halls of Residence. The preliminary cost of accommodation for 1 bed and 1 night in a unit consisting usually of 2 double-bed rooms with common facilities (small kitchen, shower and WC) is approximately 7 USD. The breakfast represents another 2.5 USD per meal (buffet). Bed and breakfast are to be paid for in advance usually every month to the administration of the Hall of Residence. Lunch or dinner in students cafeterias cost approximately 2 - 3 USD a meal. The Faculty can also help you to find an acommodation in private flats (rooms) at reasonable prices through specialized agencies.

There is no doubt that you will find Prague very attractive, easy to live in and still affordable. You might be interested in:

• Czech Language
  As for living, English will work for you perfectly, but in order to be able to communicate with the patients on the wards during the clinical rotations some basic skills in Czech will be necessary. During the first three years of medical studies the student will attend lessons and tutorials in Medical Czech. But there are plenty opportunities to practice Czech in the city.

• Accommodation
  Students can stay either in the Halls or it is currently very popular to rent a flat. It is quite common to get an apartment in the centre, few minutes away from the campus at around $200 per month if you share.

• Expenses
  can significantly vary depending on spending habits. Sample costs are introduced here.

accommodation		$ 200-300/month	shared double-bedded apartment or shared  room in halls
meals		$ 1-2 per meal	in students’ canteens
transportation		$ 10 / month $ 10	reduced-price students pass average taxi ride in the city

After enrolment the student will have to pass an entrance medical check at our Students Health Centre, to fill in a questionnaire about his/her health status and to pass an HIV-test. After this examination every student may sign a contract about his/her health insurance. During the first three years of medical studies the student will attend lessons and tutorials in Czech language (4 hours a week) in order to be able to communicate with the patients on the wards during the clinical years.

The Academic year is divided into two semesters, each followed by exam period.

• The winter semester starts at the end of September and lasts 15 weeks. It is interrupted by 2-week Christmas vacation and followed by a 4-week examination period.
• The summer semester lasts 15 weeks and is followed by an examination period and summer vacation.
• Starting from the 2nd year summer clerkships in clinical departments are included in the curriculum.