Pharmaceutical education in the Czech Republic

Pharmaceutical education in the Czech Republic

You can get a pharmaceutical education in the Czech Republic immediately after high school or college. To enroll, you will need to validate your secondary education diploma, learn Czech or English, and pass the entrance exams of the university you choose. The pharmaceutical education program is called Farmacie, lasts five years, and ends with obtaining a master's degree (Mgr.). Admission requirements, the list of exams, and language requirements depend on the specific faculty.

Where to study pharmacy in the Czech Republic

Pharmacy studies in the Czech Republic are offered by Charles University in Hradec Králové and Masaryk University in Brno. Both offer a five-year Farmacie program, which can be entered after finishing school. At the same time, they differ in language options for education and specific admission requirements.

What future pharmacists study

A pharmacist must understand the chemical composition of a drug and how the active ingredient interacts with the body, what its contraindications and side effects are. Therefore, the curriculum combines several areas:

• Chemistry: general, inorganic, organic, and pharmaceutical chemistry. Students study the composition of substances, their properties, and methods of analysis.
• Biology and biochemistry: the structure of the human body, physiological processes, cells, and mechanisms of interaction of substances with the body.
• Botany and pharmacognosy: medicinal plants and natural substances that are used in the creation of drugs.
• Pharmacology: the action of drugs, their effectiveness, dosages, and possible adverse reactions.
• Pharmaceutical technology: methods of manufacturing dosage forms, such as tablets, solutions, ointments, and capsules.
• Toxicology: the effect of potentially hazardous substances on the body.
• Social pharmacy: rules for handling medicines, legislation, and organization of pharmaceutical care.

Where to get an education

In the Pharmacy program at Charles University, students pay great attention to natural sciences, laboratory research, and the development of practical skills necessary for working with medicines. Pharmacy at Masaryk University begins with the study of the basics of chemistry, biology, and medicine. Gradually, students move on to pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and drug manufacturing technology. Both universities combine theoretical training with practical experience, but there are differences: Charles University's pharmacy program offers a choice of additional courses, while Masaryk University pays more attention to mandatory specialized subjects.

How to enroll in the Faculty of Pharmacy

Pharmacy studies abroad begin with submitting an application and confirming secondary education. Applicants also need to be proficient in Czech or English, as well as pass entrance exams in relevant subjects, primarily chemistry and biology. The exact list of tests and documents depends on the chosen university.

Documents and entrance examinations

When applying for pharmacy in the Czech Republic, it is important to have completed secondary education. A foreign certificate must be nostrified, that is, its recognition in the Czech Republic must be confirmed. More about the nostrification of a diploma in the Czech Republic.

For free education in the Czech language, it is desirable to have a language proficiency at the B2 level. However, neither Charles University nor Masaryk University lists this level as a mandatory requirement. If you choose a paid English-language Pharmacy program at Charles University, English proficiency is tested in the entrance exam — for this, a 40-question grammar test is provided.

The main selection criterion remains entrance exams. In the 2027/2028 academic year, to enter the pharmacy program at Charles University, it is necessary to take written tests in chemistry and biology, including botany: 50 questions in each. At Masaryk University, the exam is also written and consists of three parts: biology — 40 points, chemistry — 40 points, and general academic abilities — 20 points.

It is also possible to enroll without an exam. At Charles University, this is provided for applicants with high Scio test results, excellent school performance, achievements in chemistry or biology Olympiads, participation in SOČ, or Advanced Placement exam results. At Masaryk University, certain stages of biology and chemistry Olympiad winners, as well as SOČ competition participants, may be exempted from the exam.

Preparation in specialized subjects

Chemistry and biology are the main entrance subjects. The programs of Ukrainian and Czech schools may differ, so it is important for foreign applicants who plan to enter pharmaceutical faculties in the Czech Republic to prepare taking into account the requirements of local universities. Medstudy preparatory courses can help with this. More about us.

First, we conduct a knowledge assessment according to the official program of the chosen faculty. Then we go over difficult topics, solve chemistry problems, and study biological terminology in Czech. This helps to review school material, master the topics included in the Czech program, and also learn how to solve entrance exam tasks.

The study week depends on the chosen format of training. In online learning, students work on the educational platform and join online classes, while in offline training they attend lessons at the training center in Prague. In both cases, the program includes chemistry, biology, assignments, and knowledge testing. Before exams, you can take practice tests in the format of real entrance exams. How the Medstudy educational platform works.

How training takes place and what professional directions are available

The Master's program in Pharmacy lasts 5 years. In the first two years, students study organic chemistry, botany, biochemistry, human anatomy and physiology. In the third and fourth years, the number of specialized subjects increases: pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, drug manufacturing technology. In the fifth year, pharmaceutical practice takes place, after which you will write a thesis and take exams. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate receives a master's degree — Mgr., and the opportunity to work in various directions:

• Pharmacies: patient counseling, sale of medicines
• Pharmaceutical companies: development, production, and quality control of drugs
• Laboratories: study of the composition, properties, and safety of medicines
• Scientific institutions: research on new compounds, dosage forms, and effects
• Government and regulatory organizations: working on issues of quality, safety, and drug handling

The procedures for recognizing qualifications and registration for working as a pharmacist differ in different countries. If a prospective student plans to return to Ukraine or move to another country after graduating from university, the requirements for professional admission may vary, so this nuance should be studied in advance.

How much does training and preparation cost

If you enroll in pharmacy in the Czech Republic, studying in the Czech language is free. But when planning a budget, it is important to consider expenses for housing, food, transportation, medical insurance, document processing, and basic expenses of a prospective student. You can read a detailed calculation of living and studying expenses in the Czech Republic in this article. A separate category of first-year expenses is preparation for entrance exams.

Medstudy offers various preparation programs for admission to different universities in the Czech Republic. The cost of the program depends on the chosen course, the format of study, and any active promotions. The payment format is also considered: whether to pay the full amount in one payment or to pay for the study in stages. As of the beginning of November 2026, there is a promotion for preparation for admission to Czech universities — 4300 euros. You can view Medstudy's programs and current prices on our website.

FAQ

Is it possible to enroll in pharmacy after school?

To enroll in the Pharmacy program, a completed secondary education is required.

Which universities offer a specialized program?

There are two pharmaceutical faculties in the Czech Republic. They are Charles University in Hradec Králové and Masaryk University in Brno.

How does Farmacie differ from industrial pharmacy?

Farmacie is a program that you can enter after school and that trains pharmacists. Průmyslová farmacie is a master's program, for admission to which a higher education degree is required. It studies the industrial production of pharmaceuticals.

Which subjects should be taken for admission?

It depends on the university. For the 2027/2028 intake, Masaryk University has set exams in chemistry, biology, and general study prerequisites.

How to confirm language proficiency?

There is no single certificate suitable for all pharmacy faculties.

What areas of work are available to graduates?

Graduates can work in pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, research organizations related to drug quality control.