How to Apply
Ready to apply to UPCES or IEF? You can follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete your online application. Please check with your study abroad office to learn about their specific application procedures.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as early as possible. There is no application fee!
Admission Requirements
UPCES seeks undergraduate students, currently enrolled at a university or college, with strong academic abilities. UPCES also values personal experiences outside of college, as well as future aspirations.
UPCES students should have at least four semesters of university-level education completed by the start of their study abroad term. If your home university encourages study abroad before the junior year, you may be considered for admission with a strong recommendation from your home university.
A GPA level of 3.0 is a minimum for admission to the UPCES program. Under certain circumstances, such as strong letters of recommendation, the UPCES admissions committee may decide to accept students with GPAs below the 3.0 minimum.
For IEF admission requirements, please visit the IEF page here.
Step-by-step Application Instructions
Step 1: Register to begin the UPCES Application
Prospective students will first register an account on the UPCES Online Application.
Step 2: Complete the UPCES Application Form
Step 3: Write a brief statement of purpose
The statement of purpose should describe your interest in spending a semester in Prague with UPCES, particularly in relation to your academic studies (completed and future), career goals, and/or any personal interest you have in Central Europe. The statement should be 1000-1500 words.
You may submit your statement of purpose by e-mail or by international mail.
Step 4: Prepare a copy of your résumé
Applicants should submit a standard résumé with details of relevant education, work, and extracurricular experiences.
You may submit your résumé by e-mail or by international mail.
Step 5: Prepare a scan of your main passport page
If your passport is not available when you apply, you may send a scanned copy by e-mail at a later date. For visa purposes, UPCES needs your passport information by the application deadline.
You may submit your passport copy by e-mail or by international mail.
Step 6: Arrange to have your official transcript sent to UPCES
All applicants should arrange to have an official transcript sent directly to UPCES. Your official transcript can be sent:
A. As a hard-copy by international mail (see mailing instructions below)
B. As an e-mail from a university staff member, or
C. Via a secure electronic transcript service (only available at some universities)
Step 7 (optional): Send an "unofficial" university transcript
While your official transcript is in transit, you can save time by e-mailing us your university grades (i.e. your “unofficial” transcript), which qualifies you for early UPCES admission review and a conditional admission decision. However, your official transcript also needs to be received by UPCES before the deadline (see Step 6).
You may submit your unofficial transcript by e-mail as a scan or screen shot.
Step 8: Click Submit!
Be sure to click submit once you've entered all of your required information. Please wait until you see the confirmation page. If you followed this step correctly, you will also receive a confirmation e-mail shortly.
Step 9: Mail or E-mail additional items
Any missing required items should be received by UPCES before the application deadline.
- To e-mail items, please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- To mail items, we recommend sending a Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope from your local post office to the following address:
Nicki Norris, UPCES Director
CERGE-EI
Politickych veznu 7
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic
Hard-copy Application
If you prefer to submit your application by international mail, you can download the hard-copy of the UPCES Application, print it, and submit it along with the required materials.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the application process, or if you are experiencing any technical difficulties, please contact us right away at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We're here to help!
Application Deadlines
We encourage students to apply as early as possible, as decisions are made on a rolling basis. The semester application deadlines are as follows: (Now Accepting Applications!)
- Fall Semester 2020: 25 May, 2020
- Spring Semester 2020: Application period closed
Meeting the application deadline is determined by the date of arrival of all digital and/or hard-copy application materials at the UPCES office in Prague.
Dates
The Fall Semester typically runs from early September through mid-December. The Spring Semester typically runs from early February through mid-May, with a one-week semester break. Please check our Academic Calendar for the actual dates of each upcoming semester.
