How to become a teacher in the Czech Republic: faculties and entry requirements

A teacher is one of the most demanded professions in the Czech Republic and in Europe in general.

Czech pedagogical faculties are popular with students. This is because teachers in the Czech Republic have good salaries. According to research, this is one of the most respected jobs in the Czech society.

Being a teacher brings professional satisfaction as you can see that the pupils are interested in the lesson and they are learning new things.

Another big advantage of working as a teacher is a long holiday. In any other job, you only have 20 days off, and teachers get to have their summer break, a break in the autumn, Christmas break and Easter break.

If you are interested, here’s how you can become a teacher in the Czech Republic.

Faculties of Education in the Czech Republic

There are nine Faculties of Education where you can train to become a teacher. Two of the best are considered to be the Faculty of Education at Charles University in Prague and the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University in Brno. Admission rate is between 30% to 50%.

The task of the Faculties of Education is to train teachers for all types and levels of schools, to train specialists and researchers in education science, educational psychology and didactics.

Education science specialties at other faculties

Teacher training in the Czech Republic can be obtained not only at the faculties of education. Thus, the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics and the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport are engaged in the training of teachers within the framework of Charles University.

For example, at the Faculty of Philosophy, you can study English Philology and pass the pedagogical minimum, thus becoming a qualified English teacher. This is an option for those who are more interested in the subject itself (or if you are not sure if you want to become a teacher).

If you are primarily interested in teaching methods, then, of course, focus on the Faculties of Education.

How to become a qualified teacher in the Czech Republic

As a rule, education at the Faculties of Education in the Czech Republic is carried out in two subjects at once within the same program – for example, Teaching English & Teaching Maths. Teachers of two subjects are more in demand.

The Bachelor’s program is designed for 3 years of study. The Bachelor’s program trains kindergarten teachers, teachers for special needs children, psychologists and secondary school teachers. A Bachelor’s degree does not provide a teaching qualification.

To qualify as a teacher, you must continue your education in a two-year Master’s program. The graduate student is a fully qualified as a general education teacher in secondary school.

If you want to become a primary school teacher, then in the Czech Republic you must study continuously for 5 years before receiving the Master’s title.

Here is a list of subjects you can specialise in during your Bachelor’s program at the Faculty of Education at the Charles University:

• English Teacher – Czech Teacher
• English Teacher – French Teacher
• English Teacher – Music Teacher
• English Teacher – IT Teacher
• English Teacher – Mathematics Teacher
• English Teacher – German Teacher
• English Teacher – Education Science
• English Teacher – Russian Teacher
• English Teacher – Fine Arts Teacher
• English Teacher – Social Science Fundamentals Teacher
• Biology, Geology and Environmental Studies Teacher – Chemistry Teacher
• Biology, Geology and Environmental Science Teacher – History Teacher
• Biology, Geology and Environmental Studies Teacher – Physical Education and Sport Teacher
• Biology, Geology and Environmental Studies Teacher – Healthy Lifestyle Teacher
• Chemistry Teacher – IT Teacher
• Chemistry Teacher – Mathematics Teacher
• Chemistry teacher – Healthy Lifestyle Teacher
• Czech Teacher – History Teacher
• Czech Teacher – French Teacher
• Czech Teacher – Music Teacher
• Czech Teacher – German Teacher
• Czech Teacher – Russian Teacher
• Czech Teacher – Special Pedagogic Teacher
• Czech Teacher – Fine Arts Teacher
• History Teacher – French Teacher
• History Teacher – Geography Teacher
• History Teacher – Music Teacher
• History Teacher – German Teacher
• History Teacher – Social Science Fundamentals Teacher
• French Teacher – Education Science
• French Teacher – Social Science Fundamentals Teacher
• Music Teacher – Instrument Teacher
• Music Teacher – Choral Singing Teacher
• IT Teacher – Mathematics Teacher
• IT Teacher – Education Science
• IT Teacher – Physical Education and Sport Teacher
• IT Teacher – Healthy Lifestyle Teacher
• Mathematics Teacher
• Mathematics Teacher – Education Science
• Mathematics Teacher – Physical Education and Sport Teacher
• German Teacher – Social Science Fundamentals Teacher
• Education Science – Fine Arts Teacher
• Psychology and Special Pedagogic
• Special pedagogic
• Special Pedagogic Teacher – Fine Arts Teacher
• Physical Education and Sport Teacher – Healthy Lifestyle Teacher
• Physical Education and Sport Teacher – Social Science Fundamentals Teacher
• Kindergarten Teacher

What do you do if you want to study at the Faculty of Education?

The entrance exams can consist of one part or several parts and take place in one or two rounds depending on the your chosen specialisation.

These can be tests for general prerequisites for learning, knowledge of certain subjects or knowledge of social sciences. If you want to become a PE teacher or a sports coach you will have to pass a practical exam, and if you want to be a teacher of fine arts or music, you will have to pass a creative exam to show your abilities and skills. Your motivation and general prerequisites for learning will be assessed during an interview.

To study at Masaryk University you just have to pass a test for the prerequisites for studying.

For the Faculty of Education at Charles University you are asked to pass tests in your chosen specialisation subjects.

Foreign applicants coming to study at the Faculty of Education at Charles University or Masaryk University do not need to take an additional exam in the Czech language or provide a certificate of knowledge of the Czech language. It is enough to successfully pass the entrance exams in Czech.  

How much do teachers earn in the Czech Republic?

The demand for maths and physics teachers is always high, as well as for teachers of foreign languages.

The minimum wage for a teacher is calculated according to the national standard and depends on the level of education and work experience.

A graduate with a Master’s degree working as a teacher can expect to have a starting salary of 32,850 CZK. The standard working time for a teacher with a salary like this is 40 hours per week (this includes both teaching hours and lesson preparation time). If a teacher works longer hours (for example, to substitute a colleague), then they receive additional compensation. Also, if a teacher acts as a class teacher, they also receive an additional reward. There is also a system of individual assessment and bonuses for teachers in the Czech schools.