Facts & figures
Philologist in Czech Language and Literature
Czech
Program
The ELTE Master’s Program in Czech Language and Literature is suitable for you if you already have a solid foundational knowledge of Czech language and literature, and wish to deepen your expertise in the written and spoken genres characteristic of Czech, including academic, public, and popular forms of communication.
Sample Course Offerings
• Modern Czech culture, language, and literature
• History of the Czech language
• Modernism and postmodernism in Czech literature
• The structure of contemporary Czech language
Interesting Facts About the Program
Over its more than 60-year history, the Czech Studies program has helped many graduates find excellent career opportunities. This success has been supported by opportunities for study abroad in the Czech Republic, where students can spend one or more semesters at universities in Prague, Brno, Olomouc, and other cities. These international partnerships, along with the rich program offerings of the Czech Cultural Center in Budapest – such as events, concerts, and professional excursions-provide valuable support and experiences for students.
Program Details
Graduates of the program possess appropriate academic and applied knowledge in the study and use of the Czech language, taking into account the diverse practical and theoretical challenges of our changing times. They are able to independently perform research and applied professional tasks in Czech language teaching and research. They are also capable of contributing to systemic operational tasks, carrying out work in research and development, and presenting Hungarian achievements in Czech language and literature-and more broadly in Slavic studies-at both national and international professional forums.
The program also prepares students for continuing their studies at the doctoral level.
Students graduating from our university with an MA degree in Czech Studies have broad knowledge of philology with specialization in Czech literature and linguistics. The structure of our MA program is flexible and meets the needs of students with various interests. The strength of the course is also indicated by the scholarly achievements of the department staff (eg. regular participation in national and international conferences, regularly organized international conferences on Slavonic Studies, numerous books and other national and international publications.)
Structure
Career
Students graduating from our university with an MA degree in Czech Studies have an opportunity to work for Czech or/and Hungarian joint companies, in the field of culture or the educational sector, in the tourist industry, or to find employment related to the cooperation between the Czech Republic and Hungary in a broader context. Our graduates can also engage in an academic career and after completing the doctoral training and the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation obtain a PhD degree.
- Scholar in Czech Studies
- Organizer in various fields of Czech culture
- Expert on Czech culture
- Journalist
- Literary translator
- Specialist in diplomacy
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | 2,500 EUR | 2,500 EUR |
| Application fee |
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2026 - 30/11/2026 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2027;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2027-31/05/2027
|
The application fee is discounted for Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2026 - 30/11/2026 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2027;
The regular application fee is: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2027-31/05/2027
|
| Entrance exam fee | 100 EUR (non-refundable) | 100 EUR (non-refundable) |
| Other cost |
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) in the fields listed below. Full credit acknowledgement is only given for a bachelor’s degree in Slavonic Studies, Specialized in Czech Studies.
In the case of any other degree, each diploma will be considered individually. The applicant must have 30 credits in the field of Czech language, linguistics, literature or culture studies which might be acquired during the MA studies according to the Academic Regulations of the university.
Transcripts from your bachelor's degree as well as course descriptions will be requested.
The educational and outcome requirements are defined by the Ministry of Human Capacities, Regulation No. 18/2016. (VIII. 5.). Details of the application and admission process are defined by the Organisational and Operational Regulations of ELTE.
Language requirements
Admission to the Master’s program requires a state-recognized intermediate-level (B2), complex-type language examination in Czech, or an equivalent secondary school leaving certificate or university degree.
English is the language of administration for all international courses at ELTE Faculty of Humanities. All communication in administrative matters will be conducted in English. It is therefore recommended that all applicants speak a minimum of A2 level of English, even if it is not the language of tuition of their chosen programme.
| Document | Comment |
|---|---|
| Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate) | Notarized copy only on request. |
| Bachelor-level degree | An official copy of your completed Bachelor degree |
| Transcript of records | |
| CV | |
| Motivation letter | A maximum of 500 words |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid) | Scanned, in colour all personal details and expiry date must be shown. Passport must be valid. |
| Copy of application fee payment receipt | |
| Copy of the Entrance exam fee payment receipt | |
| Language certificate | Official test result or certificate must be provided; see program specific proficiency requirements |
Optional documents for admissions
Curriculum Vitae in English
In MS Word format with one low resolution photoResearch Proposal
Please consult the coordinating department for more informationLetter of Reference
Also called "Letter of recommendation." From a former instructor and/or employer.
The format of the entrance exam is an online interview
Application deadlines
The deadline for application means the deadline of submission of the full and complete application package in the online system.
Period 1 (with Early Bird discount): 01/10-30/11/2026 23:59 (CET)
Period 2 (with Early Bird discount): 01/02-31/03/2027 23:59 (CET)
Period 3: 01/04-31/05/2027 23:59 (CET)
The application procedure includes 3 periods in order to give the applicants the freedom to submit their application when it’s most suitable for them. The applicants of each period have the same chance to get admittance for the programme. However, please note, that the Faculty of Humanities ELTE reserves the right to cancel the entrance periods in case the number of the admitted applicants reaches the limit during the previous entrance periods.
Procedure of the application
The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Applications will only be processed if the application fee (non-refundable) has been paid on the University’s online payment platform.
Before making the payment please visit the Faculty’s website (go to section Application and Entrance Exam fees) for detailed guidance on how to use the payment platform.
Payment platform: https://epay.elte.hu/
Entrance examination and selection process
When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs an entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period. Please, check your messages in the application system, and the e-mail address that is linked to the account regularly. The applications are examined by the Admission Board no later than after each application period and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system after the decision is official. Admission letters are sent out in the online application system within a few days.
Procedure of the entrance examination
The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation of the applicant. Successful applicants must have a good command of English to pass the entrance exam. The format of the entrance exam is an online interview. Ranking is based on the overall evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.
Oral Examination Stage
Entrance exam based on the specified reading list and list of topics
I. Linguistics
1. The sound system of the Czech language
2. Fundamentals of word formation in Czech
3. The morphological system of the Czech language
4. Czech lexicology and lexicography
5. Czech syntax
6. The relationship between standard Czech and colloquial Czech (spisovná vs. obecná čeština)
II. Literature
1. The beginnings of Czech literature (9th-13th centuries)
2. The Middle Ages, Humanism, and Baroque literature in Czech
3. The era of national revival
4. Romanticism and realism in Czech literature
5. Modernism and literary avant-garde in Czech poetry
6. Prose and drama in the First Czechoslovak Republic
7. Czech poetry after World War II (from Jaroslav Seifert and Vladimír Holan to Petr Hruška)
8. Recent developments in Czech prose (e.g., Milan Kundera, Bohumil Hrabal, Josef Škvorecký, Vladimír Páral, Ladislav Fuks, Michal Viewegh, Miloš Urban, etc.)
9. Czech drama, theatre, and film
Recommended reading:
• Bělina, Pavel – Pokorný, Jiří (a kol.): Dějiny zemí koruny České I-II. Praha 2021.
• Čechová, Marie (a kol.): Čeština – řeč a jazyk. Praha 2012.
• Čermák, František: Jazyk a jazykověda. Praha 2022.
• Daneš, František (a kol.): Čeština, jak ji znáte i neznáte. Praha 1996
• Grepl, Miroslav – Karlík, Petr: Skladba češtiny. Brno 1998.
• Janiec-Nyitrai, Agnieszka: V labyrintu možností: Dvanáct literárněvědných studií o próze Karla Čapka. Budapest 2016.
• Kalista, Zdeněk: Tvář baroka. Praha 2005.
• Karlík, Petr – Nekula, Marek – Rusínová, Zdenka (eds.): Příruční mluvnice češtiny. Brno 1995.
• Lehár, Jan (a kol.): Česká literatura od počátků k dnešku. Praha 1998.
• Macura, Vladimír: Znamení zrodu: České obrození jako kulturní typ. Praha 1983.
• Šalda, František Xaver: Duše a dílo: Podobizny a medailony. Praha 1913.
• Vörös István: Co je ironická věda. Praha 2017
Results and the official decision will be announced in the application system. Admission letters are sent out also in the online application system within a few days.
For more information about the application procedures, please visit the Faculty’s website
Contacts
Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-Mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: Múzeum krt. 4, Room 32
1088 Budapest
Dr. habil. Oleg FEDOSZOV
Associate professor
Head of Czech Studies
Find the structure of the program on the webpage of the Faculty.