Study Prague offers a variety of universities and programs for foreign nationals who wish to pursue higher education in the Czech Republic – some better than others. Another option to keep in mind is the distance learning programs of the UK’s Open University (www.open.ac.uk) – all you need is a high-speed Internet connection to complete degree work in a variety of offered subjects. Charles University (www.cuni.cz) Founded in 1348 by King Charles IV, Charles University is the oldest university in Central Europe. Its dusty halls offer prospective foreign students many lessons in Czech bureaucracy – and usually before even stepping foot inside the classroom. Feeling brave? Many cash-hungry departments have started offering programs in English, but unlike the Czechs, you’ll probably have to pay for it. The university’s buildings are scattered throughout the city. The most prominent ones are the Philosophy Faculty building, across the street from the Rudolfinum, and the Carolinum, a Gothic building on Ovocný trh near the Estates Theatre. Charles University also administers the Summer School of Slavonic Studies (http://lsss.ff.cuni.cz/english/), which features intensive courses in Czech language and culture, supplemented by field trips and extracurricular activities. During the year, the university offers Czech courses for students of all levels; check http://www.sfservis.com/en/kurzycestiny.html for more information. The university’s Institute of Czech Studies (http://ubs.ff.cuni.cz/english/) offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Czech language and literature for foreigners – just make sure your Czech is up to par, as all classes are taught in Czech. Prague College (www.praguecollege.cz) The newest expat-run college to open its doors, Prague College offers several diplomas and bachelor degree programs in business, computers & IT, interactive media, and graphic design. Anglo-American College (www.aac.cz) This western-accredited private college offers degree courses in business, economics, the humanities, and law. All of the courses are in English, but the student body is a diverse mixture of Czechs, Slovaks, and foreign nationals. University of New York-Prague (www.unyp.cz) Run by the State University of New York (not NYU), the confusingly named University of New York in Prague offers students a two-year general program which they can then apply towards the further pursuit of a B.A. at either SUNY-New Paltz in the States or by continuing at UNYP, depending on the student’s choice of major. They also offer several Master’s programs, including a one-year weekend M.B.A. FAMU (http://www.amu.cz/?r_id=610) Widely regarded as one of the best filmmaking schools in Europe, Prague’s school of film, TV, and photography is famous for churning out directors like Milos Forman, Vera Chytilova, and Jiri Menzel. They offer several programs for foreigners, usually arranged as a study abroad program to supplement students’ education in their home countries. They also offer English-language B.A. and M.A. degree programs in Still Photography. PCFE Film School (www.prague-center.cz) The Prague Center for Further Education started out as a small continuing education program for adults, with classes in subjects ranging from Czech language to sculpture to wine tasting and beyond. Their most successful program, however, was their filmmaking school, and apparently the Prague Center is now exclusively a school for aspiring filmmakers, providing FAMU with a run for its money. The school has received good reviews from its former students, but is strictly a program for practicalities – they don’t offer any degrees at this point.
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