At the moment there are 28 states and more than 40 private higher educational institutions in Czech republic.
The Czech high schools are sub-divide into universities, institutes and academies. As universities are called only those higher educational institutions which have the right to teach to doctors for science. Academies give higher education in areas of the literature, culture and arts. Other high schools are institutes.
Besides the existences of higher educational institutions into state and commercial (private).
The state high schools are recognized as a solid and prestigious educational institution, with good materials on a scientific base and a skilled teaching faculty They prepare students on the bachelor degree (Bc., 3-4 years of studying), master degree (Mgr., 5-6 years of studying), and some on doctors of sciences (Ph. D. – the academic title "doctor", 2-3 years of studying). At a natural engineering science faculty the diploma of "engineering " (Ing.) is hold , equivalent to "mile" degrees "MSc."
Almost each big city in the Czech republic has the state high school, and all of them famous has a high level of classical European education.
Due to introduction of the Czech republic into the European Union, there are changes within educational program structure. The majority of the high schools replace a five years master programs with the so-called structured educational programs which consist of two parts – baccalaureate/bachelors and further degrees.
In connection with similar orientation to the Western Europe there is an active modern structure and the maintenance of teaching the subjects, taking into account the all-European requirements. The important difference of Czech higher education from CIS countries , where changes in educational programs are organized not so actively and cardinally, is existing.
The biggest advantage of the Czech state high schools education is that since 1999 it has become free for all students, including foreigners. There was a plan to introduce an educational fee in the nearest future, but this amount will be symbolical.
Commercial high schools has started to appear in Czech republic in the late nineties. Educational process here has basically ended by the bachelor level, further educational programs (master degree) are offered by less, than a half of private high schools.
Higher education in commercial high schools is paid. Cost fluctuates within 850 - 2200 Euros for one semester. Fee amount depends on: prestige and location, offered specialties, teaching staff and other parameters.
The commercial high schools, having the right to expose diplomas of the state sample, are passed obligatory certification in the Czech republic Ministry of Education works under the co-ordinate curriculums. Quality of education and value of diplomas cannot be compared with CIS commercial high schools, also it is not seldom comparable to the state high schools. It is not difficult for commercial high schools graduates to be employed. There is a significant shortage of high degree specialist, which effects on Czech labor market.
Czech commercial high schools are constantly been developing, modernized and improved, improving not only the education quality, but also the image among the population. It has probably causes a steady growing interest in these high schools among modern youth.
