IB: International Baccalaureate in Czech Republic for international students

Secondary specialized education in the Czech Republic can be obtained in 4 main types of schools: gymnasiums, conservatories, secondary specialized schools and colleges. Gymnasiums are selective Czech schools where children are prepared for admission to universities. Preparation, depending on the direction, can take from 4 years or more. Every fifth graduate of primary school in the country enters a gymnasium or lyceum – its full analogue with the only difference in specialization. For admission to gymnasiums and lyceums, they usually take exams or undergo an oral interview with a representative of the school for the student's compliance with the requirements of the educational institution.

Education in the Czech Republic is quite strictly standardized, so the quality of knowledge delivery and control of its assimilation will be equally high both in gymnasiums and in specialized schools.

Below the advantages of studying in Czech schools are provided:

• A wide choice of educational institutions;
• The opportunity to obtain a profession after graduation from a gymnasium or vocational school;
• Studying of Czech and English;
• The possibility of admission to the university of the country with good academic preparation in the chosen specialty;
• There is a high probability of avoiding problems with integration into local society, since it is easier at an early age.

The International Baccalaureate is a recognized leader in international educational programs. It is represented by three coordinated programs for students from 3 to 19 years old:

• Primary School Program (PYP) for children aged 5 to 11 years;
• The Middle Years Program (MYP) for children aged 11 to 16 years;
• The High school program (Diploma Program, IB) for students aged 16-19 years.

The Diploma program includes the following blocks:

• Six subjects for compulsory studying;
• Detailed essay (scientific thesis) up to 4000 words;
• A mandatory subject for study is the Theory of Cognition (a combined course of various disciplines and skills for the practical application of theoretical knowledge in life).

Each student enrolled in the Diploma program is recommended to spend 150 hours developing creative skills, developing physical fitness and charitable activities.

Each subject is evaluated according to a seven-point system, where 7 is the highest score. An additional three points can be obtained for an excellent thesis and for a project on the Theory of Cognition. 45 points is the maximum possible result that a student can get while studying for a Diploma program. To obtain an International Baccalaureate Diploma, a student must score at least 24 points.

A 9th grade student can try to enter only two schools for IB in the Czech Republic. By March 1, he must fill out a special application on the form of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic. In this application, the applicant can specify two specialties (for example, one specialty in one school and a second specialty in another school).

The completed application will need to be sent to the address of the director of the selected schools. For underage applicants, the application is submitted by his legal representative (at the same time, the applicant himself must necessarily sign the application).

Together with the application to the school, the foreign students need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Notarized copy of the birth certificate
• Certificate with grades from school for 6th, 7th, 8th grade and the first half of the 9th grade.

Upon admission to the schools in the Czech Republic, all applicants take a single exam consisting of two tests:

• A test in Czech language and literature (60 minutes);
• A test in mathematics (70 minutes).

CERMAT, the Center for Determining the Results of Education of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic, is responsible for the preparation of the unified exam tests and their evaluation. The dates of the unified exam are set by the Ministry of Education – it is always mid-April. The results of the unified examination are known by April 28 at the latest.

In addition to a single exam, the school principal can set additional exams and admission criteria. At the same time, the results of the unified exam should weigh at least 60% of the total score.

Foreign applicants to schools, as well as applicants with Czech citizenship who have received a previous level of education at a school outside the Czech Republic, can write an application for exemption from the unified examination in Czech language and literature. In this case, the school is obliged to check the knowledge of the Czech language for foreign applicants at the level necessary for studying in the specialty at an interview with the commission.

• Nový Porg

• Jana Nerudy

• Arcibiskupské gymnázium

• Alej

• Cyrilometodějské gymnázium

• Mladá Boleslav

• Dašická.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What advice would you give to potential students before applying to an university?

Be proactive and start your application early, ideally almost a year in advance. Seek recommendations from your teachers and academic advisors. The earlier you apply, the more time universities have to consider your application, and the more time you have to explore your options and make an informed decision.