Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové

The Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové is part of Charles University and was founded in 1945, the same year as its sister faculty in Pilsen. It is situated in East Bohemia, approximately 110 kilometres east of Prague, and is one of two medical faculties of Charles University located outside the capital. The English-language General Medicine programme lasts six years and culminates in the MUDr. degree. Choosing to study here is a conscious decision to step away from the bustle of a major city: Hradec Králové is a manageable regional capital in which the university and the university hospital shape a significant part of public life.

A small faculty, close supervision

The faculty is considerably smaller than the Prague institutions, and this is reflected in day-to-day study life. Teaching takes place in small groups, lecturers and students know one another, and access to department heads is straightforward. When it comes to the selection process, Hradec Králové takes its own approach: in addition to the written test, there is an interview that carries substantial weight in the overall assessment. A candidate who performs well in the test but is uncertain in the interview may fail here, whereas the same performance would have sufficed at other Czech faculties. Conversely, you have the opportunity to show more than multiple-choice scores, and the process rewards applicants who can articulate their motivation rather than simply assert it.

The hospital and the new campus

Clinical training takes place at the University Hospital Hradec Králové, one of the largest maximum-care centres in the Czech Republic. The faculty has long operated across several sites throughout the city and is in the process of moving into a new teaching and research centre directly adjacent to the hospital, shared with the Faculty of Pharmacy, which is also based in Hradec Králové. For you, this means more modern teaching facilities and shorter distances between lectures and the wards — though it also means that information about addresses and buildings is currently subject to change. Always verify logistical details directly with the faculty.

Honest about the demands

The faculty's reputation is strong, and the programme is correspondingly demanding. The pre-clinical years — anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology — serve as the real filter, and failure rates in these subjects are high. In addition, tuition fees are charged anew each academic year. Withdrawing after two or three years is therefore not only academically painful but financially so as well. Those who bear this in mind and begin preparing for the entrance examination early enough will find a quiet, well-supported institution with an EU-wide recognised degree. Medschool Experts advises on NC-free pathways into medical study in Germany and abroad, including Czech procedures.

Entrance examination and interview

The selection process consists of two parts. The written multiple-choice test covers biology (25 points), chemistry (25 points), and either physics or mathematics (10 points). Dictionaries and formula sheets are not permitted, but a calculator is allowed. In addition, there is an interview worth 40 points, half of which relates to scientific reasoning and decision-making, and half to your personal profile and communication skills. The interview therefore accounts for a substantial proportion of the overall score.

Deadlines and process

Applications are submitted online. The deadline for the main intake has most recently fallen at the end of April, with the examination itself held in May. It can be taken online or at examination centres abroad, so travelling to the Czech Republic is not necessarily required. The application processing fee was most recently 2,500 CZK. The faculty sets exact dates afresh each year — do not rely on the previous year's dates.

Fees and cost of living

Tuition fees for the English-language programme are 400,000 CZK per academic year (as of the 2026/2027 academic year) and are non-refundable. Hradec Králové, as a medium-sized city, is noticeably less expensive than Prague; the faculty does not publish reliable average figures for living costs, so budget based on specific halls of residence and rental listings.

Programme structure

The programme lasts six years and is divided into three phases. The first two years focus on the structure and function of the human body, accompanied by simulation training. The third and fourth years cover pre-clinical subjects along with the fundamentals of internal medicine and surgery. The final two years consist of clinical rotations through internal medicine, surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, and preventive medicine.

Language of instruction and clinical training

Teaching is conducted entirely in English. Clinical training takes place at the University Hospital Hradec Králové, supplemented by simulation technology, microscopy, and imaging methods in the curriculum. Czech runs alongside your studies throughout, as patients on the wards do not speak English.

Degree and recognition

The degree awarded is the MUDr., the Czech equivalent of the medical qualification recognised under EU standards. As the Czech Republic is an EU member state, automatic recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC applies. You then apply for a licence to practise medicine through the relevant state authority in Germany. This requires proof of German language proficiency, typically at C1 level, along with a specialist language examination in most cases. Allow several months for the process.

The city

Hradec Králové lies at the confluence of the Elbe and the Orlice rivers and is regarded as one of the architecturally most interesting cities in the Czech Republic: the modern city centre was laid out in the 1920s and 1930s to plans by Josef Gočár, which earned the city the nickname the Salon of the Republic. Everything is reachable on foot or by bicycle, and the cycling infrastructure is exceptionally well developed.

Accommodation and everyday life

Alongside the Faculty of Medicine, the city is home to the Faculty of Pharmacy of Charles University and the University of Hradec Králové, so there are halls of residence, canteens, and a genuine student atmosphere. Rents and living costs are below Prague levels. The German-speaking cohort within the English programme is small, but you tend to get to know one another quickly.

Getting there

Prague takes roughly two hours by coach or train, from where there are good connections to Germany. There is no direct link to German cities; the journey home typically runs via Prague or Dresden.

How does Hradec Králové differ from the Prague faculties?

It is the same university, but an independent faculty with its own selection process and its own fees. Hradec Králové is smaller, group sizes are more manageable, and the city is considerably quieter and less expensive than Prague. If you are looking for a big-city experience, this is not the place for you.

How does the entrance examination work?

It consists of a written multiple-choice test in biology, chemistry, and either physics or mathematics, as well as an interview. The interview carries 40 points and assesses both scientific thinking and motivation and communication. A calculator is permitted; formula sheets and dictionaries are not.

Can I sit the examination from Germany?

The faculty offers the examination online as well as at examination centres abroad, so travelling is not strictly necessary. The specific options and dates are set annually. Clarify this well in advance of the application deadline.

What does the programme cost?

Tuition fees for the English-language programme are 400,000 CZK per academic year (as of the 2026/2027 academic year) and are non-refundable. They are charged again for each of the six years. Accommodation, living costs, and textbooks are additional expenses.

Is the degree recognised in Germany?

Yes, the Czech Republic is an EU member state and the MUDr. is automatically recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC. You must still apply for a licence to practise medicine in Germany. This includes proof of German language proficiency, usually at C1 level, and typically a specialist language examination.