Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Hradec Králové: prestigious education without excessive costs

If you are a reader of our blog, you are probably familiar with Charles University and its specialties, as well as the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen. As you know, the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic has five medical faculties: 3 of them in Prague, 1 in Pilsen, and 1 in Hradec Králové.

In the beginning this faculty was a branch of the Prague Faculty of General Medicine. In 1945 it became an independent faculty. Throughout its existence, the Faculty has achieved tremendous success in training medical personnel and research workers who specialize in clinical and preventive medicine.

It is about the latter that we will tell in today's article.

History of the Faculty

King Charles IV of Bohemia was an educated man. And this is not a very common phenomenon in the Middle Ages, even among monarchs. So Charles was one of the most intelligent and well-read people in Europe, so he believed in the power of education. And in 1348 he founded the first university of classical education in Bohemia - Charles University.

This university consists of seventeen faculties. Five of them are medical faculties, and they are located in different Czech cities. One of these five is located in the town of Hradec Králové, whose name literally translates as "Royal Town".

The Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové was founded immediately after the end of World War II, on October 13, 1945. At that time, several other faculties were established in different cities, including the faculty in Plzeň, which we have already written about.

The main idea was both to decentralize higher education in the Czech Republic and to increase the number of educational institutions, i.e. to establish several more faculties of Charles University in the regions. The Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové was the first such institution.

Why Hradec Králové?

The main motivation was the location of a well-equipped hospital in Hradec Králové, where talented specialists were already working. Thus, it was not difficult to find a medical institution for the practice of future medics, as well as to find teachers with extensive experience in medicine.

Science and research, along with educational activities, are the main priority of the faculty. Research activities include all major areas of biomedicine. In addition to basic research, the faculty develops applied research, including the transfer of knowledge and technology to the commercial sphere.

What is taught at the Faculty:

• General Medicine (Všeobecné lékařství)
• Dentistry (Zubní lékařství)
• Nursing (Ošetřovatelství).

In 2015, the famous Scientific American, which has been published since 1845, dedicated an article to the 70th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Hradec Králové. This is a great honor for the institution, as the journal is respected among scientific figures from all over the world.

Studying at the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové

To begin with, let's understand how difficult it is to get into this faculty.

In 2019, out of 1249 applicants who applied to the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, 405 were admitted. Consequently, the chance of admission was 32.43%. From this we can conclude that not every applicant can enter the Faculty of Medicine. A high level of knowledge is required from the entrants.

Obtaining medical education today is considered one of the most difficult types of training. The training of doctors lasts much longer than specialists in other areas, in addition, they have to master a huge amount of educational material.

Getting medical education in the Czech Republic has quite a few advantages. Medical training programs in local universities differ significantly from the programs of post-Soviet educational institutions and meet the world standards. Students get acquainted with the advanced achievements of world medicine, application of the latest diagnostic methods, study international protocols of treatment of various diseases.

At the moment this faculty has about 10,000 graduates, and annually 1900 students of bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs are trained there.

Most classes are conducted in Czech, but for foreigners it is possible to study in English for a fee.

You can study at this faculty at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. During their studies, students learn not only the theory of medicine, but also learn how to work in this field in practice under the guidance of experienced specialists and teachers.

Theoretical and preclinical subjects aim to study physiological and pathological processes in the body. Clinical subjects familiarize students with basic examination techniques, laboratory methods and principles of treatment, including differential diagnosis. Much attention is paid to practical training "at the bedside of the patient".

Important information! There is no continuing master's program at this faculty. That is, if you enter the bachelor's program, you will complete your studies after 3 years of study, having received the education of a nurse/nurse practitioner. If you want to become a doctor, you should immediately choose the master's program, it lasts 5/6 years from the first year at this faculty. It is also worth noting that you will not be able to enroll in the Master's program at the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové to continue your studies after completing a medical bachelor's degree in CIS. You will have to start from the 1st year.

Doctoral studies

Although there are not many specialties at the bachelor's and master's level, there are 41 specialties at the doctoral level, from "Anatomy" to "Psychiatry".

You can study for a doctorate after completing one of the master's specialties "General Medicine" or "Dentistry" at the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové or after completing a similar specialty at another institution.

The duration of all doctoral training programs is 4 years. You can study either full-time or in a combined form of study.
There is no standardized exam for admission to doctoral studies. Everything depends on your specialty, so before applying, check the admission requirements on the official website.

In doctoral studies you can study both in Czech and in English

You can prepare for admission to the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Hradec Králové by taking courses at the Prague Education Center. Applicants who choose this institution are required to have a C1 level knowledge of Czech as well as high-quality preparation in the specialized subjects. For this reason, Prague Education Center offers a program designed specifically for students who choose medical education. It differs from the standard program in that it lasts 1 year and 2 months instead of a year's study. This allows future medical students to prepare for the entrance exams and to master the Czech language to the required level. Courses with medical training take place in Prague and Brno.

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The advantages of studying in Hradec Králové

An important part of choosing a university is finding the ideal city to study in. Hradec Králové is good for medical students because it has many well-equipped clinics. But this is not its only advantage:

1. The beauty of the city

Hradec Králové is a historic town with many architectural sights. It is located not far from Prague, only 110 kilometers and about 1.5 hours drive. In fact, the historical center of Hradec Kralove is not much different from the capital. But it is much less touristy and therefore much quieter and freer.

Hradec Kralove is located in Bohemia at the picturesque confluence of the Laba and Orlice rivers. This town is not only the capital of Hradec Kralovec, but also one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the region. The first mention of it in history can be found in the 10th century. At that time, this trading settlement belonged to the glorious Slavinkovic family. After the victory of the Přemyslović dynasty, the town came under their rule, and during the reign of King Otokar, it became the royal residence. A castle was built in Hradec and even the monarch himself often visited the town.

2. It is cheaper to live in Hradec Králové than in Prague

Today, Hradec is one of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Republic, but at the same time, it is not overcrowded with crowds of sightseeing-hungry tourists. The historical center of the city, thanks to its compactness, is very convenient for sightseeing. The main points from which it is most convenient to start walking along the cobbled streets of Hradec are the Big Square and the Small Square.

Prices in Hradec Králové will surprise any Prague resident. Rent a two-bedroom apartment for 12000 crowns? You can hardly rent a one-room apartment in Prague for that kind of money! Everything is cheaper here - food, transportation, accommodation. It's perfect for students.

3. Immersion in the environment - both linguistic and cultural

Hradec Králové is a small town. It is quite popular with tourists, but none of them live here for a long time. There are not many migrants here either. So you can really live and socialize with the Czechs, learning both their language and the unique culture of a tiny European town.

4. ideal place to study

The Faculty of Medicine allows students to intern at the university clinic. This clinic not only has state-of-the-art facilities, but also a large medical library that houses a collection of medical literature, from new publications to time-honored classics. Students can also read online editions of leading scientific journals.

The Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove cooperates closely with the MAYO Clinic in Rochester, USA. Its students also have the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus program and conduct joint research with students and professors of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove.

The medical profession is not the easiest profession in the world. The current year has shown us how important it is. At the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, you can learn the basics of medicine and practice at one of the best hospitals in the Czech Republic - the Hradec Králové Teaching Hospital. It is also a great opportunity to live in a quiet European town!