Applicant FAQ
The purpose of this FAQ is, simply, to answer the questions that people ask most often. Searching for the right graduate program in economics is a difficult process, so we have tried to answer in a clear way the most commonly-asked questions about the program.
Information about the PhD Program is all centrally located in this section of the CERGE-EI site. For detailed information about the program requirements (for example, classes that students must take, examinations, dissertation-writing, etc.) you should also look through the course of study section. For a list of most frequently asked questions, you should look below (in other words, you’re in the right place now!).
About the CERGE-EI Admission Process
- Who may apply?
- What background do "typical" students have?
- How do I apply?
- What are the deadlines?
- What should be the level of my English ability?
- How many students enroll at the new academic year? What is my chance to be admitted to CERGE-EI?
- Can you tell me something more about recommendation letters?
- I am not able to manage some indentures in time. What should I do?
- Can applicants from developed countries receive the financial support?
- Can students ask for the travel grant to get to CERGE-EI?
- What if I will finish my M.A. studies only after the application deadline?
About the CERGE-EI Study Program
- What is the program, and what is it not?
- How much does it cost?
- What happens if I am accepted into the program?
| What if I still want more information? What if this FAQ doesn’t answer my question? What do I do now? |
What is the program, and what is it not?
The program is designed to offer a high level of academic education in the field of theoretical and applied economics. Although some CERGE-EI graduates move into management consultancy positions after graduation, the CERGE-EI MA or PhD in Economics should not be confused with an MBA degree.
Most applicants are required to hold a degree from a university or other institution of higher learning, although an exception is made in the case of a very small number of students who, due to individual circumstances, are allowed to attend CERGE-EI while finishing their undergraduate degree.
Who should apply? What background do "typical" students have?
There are no hard and fast rules here. Students have come from a number of academic backgrounds, most typically with a technical and/or mathematical focus.
How does my degree affect the admission?
Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor's degree. An applicant with a Master's or equivalent degree receives the full tuition waiver. An applicant without a Master's or equivalent degree is unlikely to receive the full tuition waiver.
Four-year Bachelor's or Specialist degree is generally considered as a Master's degree equivalent but it depends on the specific university and on the educational system of the country where the degree was earned.
What should the level of my English ability be?
Because it is an objective measure, the best proof of English ability is an official report of a recent standardized English exam, such as the TOEFL, Cambridge Proficiency Certificate, the British Council IELTS, etc. We strongly urge you to submit your results form any certified English exam.
All study at CERGE-EI occurs in English, so you will be expected to read, write, understand, and speak English almost as well as a native speaker from the beginning. Moreover, the language demands of a doctoral (Master's) program are higher than those that most native speakers of English face in their lifetimes. If you do not have at least an intermediate level of English ability when starting study, you either will not be accepted or will have the increased workload of improving your English while succeeding at the normal intensive study plan in Economics.
How many students enroll in each academic year? What is my chance of being admitted to CERGE-EI?
Usually we receive about 250 application forms, about 70 students enroll at the Preparatory semester, and approximately 35 of them begin the MA/Ph.D. program in September.
Can you tell me something more about the recommendation letters?
You need at least two letters of recommendation (available application form) from persons familiar with your academic background. These persons have to fill and sign the recommendation forms, then put them into the envelopes and finally sign across the stuck envelopes. You can send these wrapped recommendations together with your application form, or the professors can send them separately.
Can applicants from developed countries receive the financial support?
Yes, such applicants should apply for the financial support together with their application form. The request should be free-format explanation why he/she should receive the support. This request is not considered discriminatory.
Can students ask for the travel grant to get to CERGE-EI?
Students can request travel expenses coverage. The request for such grant should be attached to the application form and should clearly explain why such a grant is needed.
The tuition in 2011/2012 academic year is 12,000 EUR. However, all Master-level degree holders receive the full tuition waiver. In addition, Master-level degree holders receive stipends to cover living expenses. Bachelor-level degree holders may receive a partial tuition waiver and generally need to cover living expenses on their own. However, in exceptional cases stipends may be granted to Bachelor-level degree holders.
Please see the financial and admission information.
What happens if I am accepted into the program?
Letters of acceptance are usually sent by air mail during the middle of April.
The application process actually has two parts - the initial application (ie the paperwork as outlined above) and the summer Preparatory semester. Students who are accepted will be invited to attend a two-month competitive semester in July and August. Four classes will be offered - Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Mathematics, and English. Based on candidate’s performance in these four subjects, final admissions decisions will be made. This happens at the end of August, and the fall semester begins in early September.
Students who have completed a Master’s degree in Economics taught in English are sometimes accepted directly into the fall semester without taking part in the summer Preparatory semester. These students will be informed of this in their acceptance letters, sent out in mid-April.
Students accepted into the summer preparatory will be sent, along with their letter of acceptance, a "confirmation" ("potvrzeni" in Czech) form which will be used to obtain a Czech visa at student’s nearest Czech consulate. This visa should cover the entire time of the Preparatory semester plus an additional 15 days if possible. The reason for this is that many students will remain in Prague after the Preparatory semester and begin the fall semester without going home. So it is VERY important that students bring all required documents with them to the summer Preparatory semester.
Regulations on immigration change quite frequently, so it is advised that students check with this webpage often to see how changes affect them. One rule which was introduced in the summer of 1999 was the requirement of students to bring certain legal documents from their home countries with them to Prague. These include:
- An official extract from the criminal registry (usually through the Ministry of Interior)
- An official copy (original is best) of each student’s birth certificate
- An official copy of each student’s marriage certificate, if applicable
These documents will be officially translated into Czech by a state-authorized translator in Prague and submitted as part of the application for a residency permit. Without these documents it is impossible for a residency permit to be granted. It is also true that getting these documents can take a long time, so going home for one week is probably not enough time to get them
It is also important to check the expiration date on your passport. Renewing passports can be virtually impossible outside of the country where it was issued, so it is important to make sure that your passport will not expire in the next year or two years. If it will, it is highly recommended to get a new passport before leaving for Prague.
Where will I live after being admitted to the CERGE-EI?
Once you are admitted to the program, you can be sure that CERGE-EI manages an accommodation for you in some Prague dormitory. However, you are not allowed to take your family members with you. Only if both you and your wife (husband) are students of the Charles University, you can get an accommodation in a dormitory room for married couples. Obviously, you can arrange for private accommodation, but keep in mind this is more costly.
If there is a question pertaining to a question that we have not addressed, please send an e-mail to us - and we will get back to you as soon as possible. (Please note that especially in the time of the admissions deadline, we are not able to respond immediately due to very large number of mail we get.)
Graduate Studies Department
Email:
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Tel: +420 224 005 108 or +420 224 005 161
Fax: +420 224 005 247
Mailing Address:
Graduate Studies Department
CERGE-EI
P.O. Box 882
Politických vězňů 7
111 21 Praha 1
Czech Republic
