Central European Studies Programme (CESP)

The interdisciplinary programme is designed for students at the upper Bachelor's degree and Master's degree who are seeking a challenging educational experience in the heart of Europe.

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Overview

About CESP Programme

The Central European Studies Programme (CESP) at Masaryk University is an interdisciplinary programme designed for students at the upper Bachelor's degree and Master's degree levels who are seeking a challenging educational experience in the heart of Europe and wish to develop the global perspective they will need in the future and wish to study at Masaryk University outside of an exchange agreement.

Students are able to choose courses from any faculty at the university, however we encourage students to consider some of the highlighted ones that focus on the social, economic, political and cultural transformations that have shaped Central Europe and the Czech Republic in particular at the end of the 20th century, and the changes facing Europe in a broader perspective at the beginning of the 21st century. Courses, each of them semester-long, are taught in English.

Housing and meals

Students have access the university's dormitories sharing double rooms with Czech or other foreign students. They have access to university computer centres, sports facilities, canteens and laundries. Find more information about dormitories here (for pricing and room descriptions) or in the International Student Guide (on how to get MU accommodation, how to get to the residences,…).

Programme details

Course details

Please note that not all the courses are opened in every semester. Check the information in the IS system if the course is offered in the semester you are studying.

Students can choose from hundreds of courses offered in English, the full list can be found in the information system here.

Examples of courses are below. Please note final enrolment takes place once students arrive.

Autumn semester:

  • European Union Public Policy (credits: 6 ECTS)
  • Regional Security Complexes (credits: 6 ECTS)
  • Disinformation and Propaganda (credits: 6 ECTS)
  • European Union in European Politics since 1989 (credits: 5 ECTS)
  • Contemporary World Politics (credits: 7 ECTS)
  • The idea (and reality) of Central Europe (credits: 4 ECTS)
  • Britain and the European Union (credits: 5 ECTS)
  • Migration, Transnationalism and the City (credits: 10 ECTS)
  • Culture, Technology and Society (credits: 10 ECTS)
  • Colourful Czech (credits: 2 ECTS)

Spring semester:

  • Impacts of the Transformation on the Regional Development (credits: 4 ECTS)
  • Culture and Mass Media Economics (credits: 3 ECTS)
  • Economic, Political and Social Identity in the European Union (credits: 6 ECTS)
  • Inequality and Society (credits: 10 ECTS)
  • Transformation of Central and Eastern Europe (credits: 6 ECTS)
  • Humanitarian Intervention (credits: 4 ECTS)
  • EU Elections and Public Opinion (credits: 4 ECTS)
  • Colourful Czech (credits: 2 ECTS)

What are ECTS?

ECTS are the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, i.e. the way credits are awarded within Europe. The conversion from ECTS credits to your home institution's credit system is defined by your home institution. Please refer to your Study Abroad Advisor for detailed information.

Application & tuition fees

Application

The application form is available online

Requirements

  • Current enrolment at an institution of higher education
  • For US students, the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement is 2.75 overall.
  • Completion of a minimum of 2 semesters at undergraduate level
  • Minimum level B2 English language proficiency or above. Example of minimum requirements: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6, Cambridge B2 First (FCE), or comparable certification

Application requirements

Application deadline:

  • Autumn semester: April 1
  • Spring semester: October 1

Documents required for online application:

  • A passport sized picture
  • Scan of passport or other ID documents
  • The transcript of records
  • Motivation for studying in the programme
  • proof of current degree in English/Evidence of minimum level B2 English language proficiency or above for non native speakers

Tuition and fees:

Tuition and fees: home university pays

If you will be paying for your study abroad experience first to your home university, please consult with your home university how much your tuition costs will be. This varies by home university, and the cost is determined not by Masaryk University, but by your home university.

All students pay directly for the accommodation and meals - see estimated costs below.

Tuition and fees: student pays directly

If you will be paying for your study abroad experience directly to Masaryk University, the following tuition and fee rates applies. 

  • Tuition: €5,500
  • Other surcharges total: €200 (including Orientation Week fee, ISIC card fee, Czech language crash course)
  • TOTAL COST: €5,700

Estimated additional costs (per semester)

  • Room: €1,200
  • Meals: €1,200
  • Insurance: €450
  • Airfair round-trip: €1,400 (from USA/Canada)
  • Additional personal expenses: €500
  • TOTAL approximately: €4,750

Included in tuition and fees

  • Orientation Week (social and cultural activities and Czech Language course)
  • Czech Language course
  • ISIC card (required of all students)
  • International Student Club Membership (ESN)
  • Czech SIM Card
  • Cultural and Social activities
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Buddy Program
  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • Access to full university course offer (hundreds of courses)
Non-european students

Non-european students and information about visa

The Czech Republic requires non EU citizens to apply for a student visa for all studies over 90 days. Once the application deadline has closed, and students are accepted into the programme, Masaryk University sends the proof of accommodation and the document of the purpose of stay. Originals of these documents are required for applying for the visa. We encourage all students to research the visa requirements and understand the process and to apply as quickly as possible. 

Students must have valid passports at the time of applying for the visa, and in most cases submit their passport with the visa application, so the visa sticker can be added. 

The standard processing time for student visas is 60 days AFTER the application has been received. However, we encourage students to give themselves 90 days, so as to not be stressed waiting for their visa to arrive. 

For example:

  • Flying out 1 September? Apply by 1 June.
  • Flying out 1 February? Apply by 1 November. 
After acceptance

After acceptance

Students will be contacted by our Welcome Office regarding the following topics:

  • Visa application and process (if necessary - apply 60-90 days prior to planned arrival, information provided after acceptance)
  • Course registration (signup is roughly 1-2 months before the semester start)
  • Accommodation registration (signup is roughly 1-2 months before the semester start)
  • Student buddy sign up (signup is roughly 1 month before the semester start)
  • Orientation Week (signup is roughly 1 month before the semester start)

In the meantime students can review the International Student Guide for more information.

Programme dates

Application deadlines:

  • Autumn semester: April 1
  • Spring semester: October 1

Academic Calendar:

The official dates are below, however in most cases, students are able to take their exams before the Christmas holidays in the case of the fall semester, and by the end of May in the case of the spring semester. Please note - it is the students responsibility to confirm this with teachers during the first week of classes, if the exam dates are later in the syllabus.

THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025

Autumn semester 2024
Accommodation from 5 Sept 2024
Official arrival date 8 Sept 2024
ADMISSION (compulsory)
for new students
9 Sept 2024
Orientation Week 8 to 14 Sept 2024
Autumn semester 16 Sept to 22 Dec 2024
Exam period 2 Jan to 14 Feb 2025
Accommodation to 14 Feb 2025
Spring semester 2025
Accommodation from 6 Feb 2025
Official arrival date 9 Feb 2025
ADMISSION (compulsory)
for new students
10 Feb 2025
Orientation Week 9 to 15 Feb 2025
Spring semester 17 Feb to 23 May 2025
Exam period 26 May to 4 July 2025
Accommodation to 4 July 2025

* dates for 2025/2026 academic year will be released by early 2025.

More information can be found in our International Student Guide here

Samuel Handy

“I love history, languages, and culture. It was not easy to find a programme that focuses on so many topics close to my heart while allowing me to enrol in anything I want. That’s why I’m so excited about my study placement at MU – CESP was exactly what I was looking for. What's more, I was attracted to Brno itself. Not only because it is one of the safest places, but also because it lies at the heart of the rich history and culture of Central Europe, which I have read so much about. I am very glad that I ended up at MU. It was a very valuable experience. And the absolute best part was the different people I met, whether they were professors passionate about their teaching, students from all over the world, or strangers off the street.”

Samuel Handy
University of Vermont, USA

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