Roughly 40 % of all international students come from Slovakia, representing around 22–23 thousand individuals. Given the shared history, linguistic proximity and cultural ties, this high proportion is understandable. At the same time, it means that a significant part of the “internationalisation” of Czech universities is regional rather than truly global in nature.
Approximately 30,000 international students in Czechia come from other European Union countries, but excluding Slovakia, their share is relatively small. Students from other EU member states account for only around 2–3 % of all university students in the country. Students from non-EU countries represent approximately 8 % of the total student population.
It is precisely students from so-called third countries who face the most significant barriers. Compared to many other European countries, the Czech Republic operates a very strict and administratively demanding visa regime. In practice, this means that even high-quality and carefully selected applicants often cannot submit their student visa applications in time – in some cases, they are unable to secure an appointment at an embassy at all.
At NEWTON University, we see internationalisation as a long-term strategic priority. International students currently make up approximately 11 % of our student body and study in both Czech- and English-taught programmes. They come from a wide range of regions, spanning Europe, North and South America, and Asia – from Canada and Chile to Vietnam and the Philippines.
Our ambition is to gradually exceed 30 % international students, because we believe that a genuinely international and culturally diverse environment is essential for high-quality education in business, management and leadership. At the same time, even at NEWTON we repeatedly encounter situations where carefully selected and highly motivated applicants from third countries are ultimately unable to enrol due to visa-related barriers.
It is important to stress that student mobility is not the same as traditional migration. In the international context, it is increasingly understood as a strategic tool for attracting talent. Students come to study, gain qualifications, contribute to the academic environment and often go on to work in the host country. This perspective has been repeatedly highlighted by the National Economic Council of the Government (NERV) in connection with the long-term shortage of qualified professionals in the Czech economy. NERV has recommended increasing the share of international students to as much as 50 %.
The internationalisation of higher education is also a long-standing topic at the level of the Czech Rectors’ Conference. From the perspective of the Chamber of Private HEIs Rectors – where our Chancellor, Anna Plechatá Krausová, serves as Vice-Chair – attracting international students, particularly from outside the European Union, is a key strategic issue. Private universities operate under strict regulation when admitting international students and take this responsibility very seriously. It is therefore especially problematic when systemic barriers in visa policy prevent the arrival of students who have already undergone a demanding academic selection process, both for themselves and for the universities.
International students also bring something to universities that cannot be measured solely in financial terms: diversity of perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking. These are essential for high-quality teaching, critical thinking and innovation. Without genuine global diversity, it is difficult to create an environment that prepares students for the realities of today’s interconnected world.
If the Czech Republic wants to strengthen its long-term competitiveness, it will need to approach international students more systematically – not as a problem, but as an investment in the future.
