25. 9. 2026 NUG World Study and Education Renáta Šejnová 7 minutes
Article Outline
Are you choosing a university and considering a private institution? The truth is that private universities vary in quality, focus, and price just as much as public ones (VysokéŠkoly.cz, 2023). Therefore, do not be misled by simple equations like "private = better approach" or "private = a bought degree". In this guide, we will not give you a universal ranking of the "best" schools. Instead, we offer something more useful: a verifiable process and specific criteria to compare universities so you can find out exactly what you will get for your tuition fees.
Before you start browsing university websites, pause for a moment. Comparing institutions without solid boundaries is like choosing a car based solely on its paint colour. Break your decision down into several key points:
Our tip: Write down 3 non-negotiable conditions (e.g., the programme must have strong practical training) and 3 added bonuses (e.g., the option to study a semester in English). This gives you a personal filter against all the advertising promises.
The first and most crucial step is verifying legitimacy. Just because a university has a nice website does not mean it has the right to award state-recognised degrees.
How to do this? Use the Register of Higher Education Institutions and Study Programmes (Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy, 2024). Here you can find out whether the school has valid accreditation (or institutional accreditation from the National Accreditation Bureau (Národní akreditační úřad pro terciární vzdělávání, 2024)). Check the type of programme, the degree awarded, the mode of study (full-time/part-time), the language, and the location of delivery (so your course isn't only taught at a branch on the other side of the country).
Remember: Accreditation is a necessary legislative foundation governed by Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions (Česko, 1998). However, it alone does not guarantee a top-tier student experience – you have to look further for that.
Marketing, management, business... The names often sound similar, but the content can differ diametrically. Do not settle for the summary on the website; click through directly to the study plan.
What to look for?
For example, if you are looking for a university focused on marketing, you should want to see more than just a 'Fundamentals of Marketing' module. Look for specific skills: strategy creation, brand management, running digital campaigns, data analysis, and consumer research. (If you are more drawn to online technologies, you should specifically look at the Digital Marketing professional specialisation).
Fear of mathematics is a common reason why students look for alternatives to the economics faculties of public universities. If you are searching for a 'university without maths', be careful. A programme without a single number will not stand up in today's business world. Rather than a school with no calculations, look for one that teaches you how to work with numbers practically. Check the study plan to see how statistics, economics, and data handling are set up – today, data literacy is an absolute necessity for a quality marketer, even if you don't need complex integrals to understand it.
Every university promises a connection with practice. But how do you know these aren't just empty words? Look into the specific mechanisms: Is work experience compulsory? How many semesters does it last? Does the university have a career service to help you find a placement? And most importantly: Do students solve real briefs from actual companies during their classes? Pay attention to the practical experience, study abroad, and student projects that the university genuinely offers.
The quality of a university rests on the people who teach there. Examine the profiles of the teaching staff. An ideal academic faculty combines theoreticians with high academic degrees (who guarantee the quality of the discipline) with professionals who work in business every day.
Important tip: A well-known name on the teaching roster is great, but ask how many hours a semester they actually teach. Is it just a lure on the website? Also, ask current students about the quality of feedback from lecturers on coursework.
Choosing the right mode of study is vital. Full-time study means daily attendance and intensive social contact. Part-time study usually takes place at weekends and requires a huge amount of independence. The increasingly common online university (distance learning) offers flexibility, but it certainly does not mean the study is easier.
At the same time, remember that the phrase 'university without entrance exams' (where admission is based, for instance, on a motivational interview) does not mean hard results won't be demanded of you during your studies. The format simply must fit your schedule.
(You will find a more detailed comparison in our article Full-time or online? How to combine business, work, and study).
You can find the Erasmus+ programme logo on almost every website today. If you are tempted by studying abroad, dig deeper. What are the partner universities and in which countries? Is it possible to do a work placement too? How does the recognition of credits from abroad work upon your return? Ask plainly: 'How many of your students actually go abroad each year, and does the programme allow them to go without extending their total study time?'
When you graduate, the degree will be nice, but the network of contacts you have built over the years will hold immense value for your career. What is student life like? Are there student societies, alumni support, mentoring, or a business incubator for launching your own projects? Community is not measured by the number of parties, but by the availability of relationships and opportunities. Attend a lecture or an open day and chat with current students without the marketing team present.
And finally, the budget. The cheapest private university might not be a win if it lacks necessary services, and conversely, a higher price does not automatically prove quality.
Alongside the price, look at what is included in the base rate: What are the instalment conditions? Do tuition fees increase due to inflation during the course? What are the fees for extending your studies, or the cancellation terms?
To avoid drowning in impressions, we have prepared an evaluation matrix for you. Choose three universities that caught your eye, score them (0 = missing/unsatisfactory, 3 = excellent), and multiply by the weighting you personally assign to that criterion.
When you go on a university tour, do not be passive. Print this checklist and ask:
What should such verification look like in practice? At NEWTON University, we prefer concrete evidence. You can study our bachelor's programmes in detail on our website, including lecturer profiles. You will find out how we handle compulsory work experience and what opportunities students utilise (from internships to a highly functional Erasmus+ programme). We pride ourselves on the functioning NEWTON Family network, and we publish all information about tuition fees completely transparently. The reader (you) thus has enough information to reach their own conclusion.
However, the best way to verify this is a personal visit to our Open Days and reviewing the specific conditions of the admission process. And if you have already made your comparison, the next step is simply a non-binding application.
A quality university choice rests on verifiable evidence and your personal alignment with the environment and teaching format. There is no "single right university for everyone". Choose two to three institutions, visit them, compare them using the same table, and only then make the decision that will launch your future career.
How to choose a private university?
Start by clarifying your priorities (field of study, time, practice). Next, check the accreditation, compare specific study plans, focus on the proportion of practical teaching and lecturer profiles, and calculate the total cost of studying.
How can you identify a high-quality private university?
A quality university will show you its study plans without hesitation, boast about real student projects for actual companies, introduce you to programme guarantors, and clearly communicate the total tuition fees and their conditions.
How to verify a university's accreditation?
You can easily verify accreditation in the official Register of Higher Education Institutions and Study Programmes on the website of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports or on the website of the National Accreditation Bureau.
Are private universities easier than public ones?
This is not the rule and depends on the specific programme and its accreditation. Private universities often offer smaller study groups, which can make studying smoother in terms of support, but qualified exam requirements remain.
How much does a private university cost?
When comparing, always find out the complete amount for the entire standard duration of study. Check if materials are included in the price, how tuition is paid, and whether it increases over time.
Is there a university without mathematics?
In business fields, you likely won't get by completely without numbers. However, quality programmes will focus more on applied data handling, statistics, and real-world economics rather than purely theoretical algebra.
What does a university without entrance exams mean?
This often means the absence of traditional blanket knowledge tests. However, an admission process does take place, typically in the form of a comprehensive motivational interview or the submission of an existing portfolio and work experience.
How to choose a university focused on marketing?
Go through the study plan and programme guarantors in detail. Look for a focus on strategy, brand, data, digital campaigns, and research, and verify whether you will work on briefs for real clients during your studies.
Is full-time, part-time, or online study better?
It depends entirely on your lifestyle. Full-time is excellent for intensive contact and right after secondary school. Part-time is designed for working professionals. Online provides flexibility for distant students or those with highly irregular schedules.
How to verify that a university truly connects teaching with practice?
Ask for real outcomes. Enquire about how many semesters the work placement lasts, the names of specific partner companies, and whether you will be supported by a career or mentoring centre.
25. 9. 2026 NUG World Study and Education
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