TCU-In Prague

Program Overview

The TCU-In Prague program offers students the option to spend a semester at AEP, the undergraduate study abroad program of Charles University, one of the oldest and most prestigiousFront of old palace universities in Europe, while living in Prague, the political, cultural, and economic hub of Central Europe.

Open to a limited number of participants, this program focuses on economics and political science while also offering courses in art history, communications, psychology, and liberal arts. Students are required to take one Czech language course as part of their course load. Students attend classes in the historic Schebek Palace, only blocks from the center of Prague, and are housed in shared apartments throughout the city center. This program includes multiple excursions, such as a 3-day trip to Krakow.

Program Details

TCU-In Prague students enroll directly in classes at AEP. The courses are taught by AEP and Charles University faculty, and TCU students take classes alongside other international students.

Students enroll in 5 classes for 16 US credit hours. One of these classes is a required Czech language course, worth 4 US credit hours. The remaining courses can be selected from  variety of subjects, including Economics, International Relations, and Cultural Studies, worth 3 US credit hours each.

You must abide by the academic policies and regulations of the host university, including but not limited to policies on:

  • Attendance / Absence policies
  • Add / Drop process
  • Grade Appeals
  • Final Exam schedule

TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations.

As part of the application, students must have their courses pre-approved through the TCU Credit Approval process. This process is changing for 2025 and instructions will be updated soon.

While you are abroad, you are enrolled in 12 hours of coursework (identified as SABD) as a placeholder. Your classes will not be posted to your TCU recorded until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends, when the transcript from AEP is sent. Once the Registrar receives your transcript, they will record the courses using the department codes on your Credit Approvals (i.e., MARK, HIST) and a generic course code. Your dean’s office will apply these to your major / minor / electives / core as approved.

All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

Group advising is available to explain course options and the credit approval process

TCU students are required to live in program-provided housing in Prague, which will be shared apartments. A typical apartment includes 3 – 4 bedrooms, a full kitchen with a seating area, a full bathroom, and a half bathroom. All apartments are fully furnished and include internet connection, kitchenware, bedding, towels and household appliances. Each room contains a twin bed, a desk, a chair, a desk lamp, a bureau or a wardrobe and a wastebasket. The apartments are decorated in styles ranging from classic European to modern.Bedroom with one bed, closet, and desk

TCU students will share rooms with other TCU or international students. Any damages to housing will be posted to your TCU account after you return.

SemesterEventDate
Fall 2025Program Start (Arrive by 5 PM)September 6
Fall 2025On-Site OrientationSeptember 7 - 21
Fall 2025Classes BeginSeptember 22
Fall 2025Finals WeekDecember 8 - 11
Fall 2025Program EndsDecember 12

Semester Costs for 2025-26

  1. Prague Program Fee: Fall 2025 – $7,300
    Pay $500 Non-Refundable Deposit to confirm your spot in the program after admission
    Program Fee is billed to your TCU Student Account before the semester begins ($500 deposit applied as a credit)
    This includes:
    — Housing & Utilities
    — Cultural Activities and Excursions
    — Prague Transport Pass
    — TCU Sash
  2. TCU Tuition: $30,825
  3. Estimated Additional Expenses: For other outside expenses not included in the program fee. Dublin can be an expensive city and individual budgets are highly variable. This may include:
    — Airfare: $1,000 – $2,000
    — Student Visa – $200
    — Books: $200
    — Class Excursions: $200
    — Local Transportation: $100
    — Meals/Groceries: $2,500 – $4,000
    — Personal Expenses: $2,000
    — Travel Expenses: Highly variable

Visit the Scholarships & Aid page to learn about study abroad scholarships, through TCU and other organizations. In particular, TCU-In Prague applicants should look at the:

  • TCU International Studies Award

Withdrawal Penalties:
Financial penalties are assessed on a sliding scale, based on withdrawal date.

Deposit: Non-Refundable
Percent of Program Fee:
Withdrawal after June 30, 2025100%
  • To withdraw from a program, you must notify TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) in writing. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded and cannot be used towards penalty amounts.
  • In the case that TCU must cancel the program, the program fee (including deposit) and tuition will be fully refunded. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded.
  • Financial penalties will be billed to your student account.
  • TCU Tuition refunds are subject to TCU policies :(See TCU Undergraduate Catalog: http://catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/, Bachelor’s Degree, Definitions and Regulations.)

How to Apply

Fall applications open in late January/early February

Spring applications open in late June/early July.

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • At least three semesters in residence at TCU by the start of the program
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing at TCU
  • A valid passport (that will not expire until at least 6 months after your return)
  • Fall Programs
    • Priority Deadline: March 22
    • Regular Deadline: March 29, if space available
  • Spring Programs
    • Priority Deadline: September 12
    • Regular Deadline: September 30, if space available

If applications exceed enrollment maximums, a lottery system will determine admission.

  1. Complete the Global TCU Study Abroad Forms. (already started an application? Login here to finish it).
    • This step includes completing a course approval process for your courses abroad.

After completion of TCU application and admission to program, participants will be asked to apply directly to AEP.

Important Information

TCU encourages all students, including students with disabilities, to actively participate in the Study Abroad programs offered by the University. In partnership with TCU Global, TCU Student Access & Accommodation helps to ensure the best possible study abroad experience for students with registered disabilities by providing reasonable and necessary accommodations during their time abroad.

Study Abroad programs include field components that require the ability to perform tasks beyond what is required in a typical classroom. Among other things, many programs require extensive walking and/or the ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to independently use public transportation; and/or sleeping in shared quarters. Program activities may take place in extreme temperatures (including excessive heat or cold). Housing facilities may lack central heat and air-conditioning, elevators, and other conveniences. In all cases, students should expect to transport and manage their own luggage through airports and public transportation centers. Prior to applying to specific Study Abroad programs, students should review the physical requirements for each program to ascertain whether they will be able to participate in all activities of the program. Students needing accommodations should follow the process outlined by Student Access & Accommodation.

Students requiring an accommodation to meet these or other program essential eligibility requirements must request any accommodation through TCU Student Access and Accommodation well in advance (suggest a minimum of 3 months) of the program departure following university proceduresTCU Student Access and Accommodation, located in The Harrison, Suite 1200, strongly recommends that students notify both Student Access and Accommodation as well as TCU Global early on to initiate the process of securing reasonable accommodations. If TCU determines that you do not, with reasonable accommodations approved through TCU Student Access and Accommodation, meet the essential eligibility requirements of the program, then you may not participate in the program. Each student’s request for accommodation will be looked at on an individualized, case by case basis, taking into consideration student documentation and the essential eligibility requirements of the program.

Managing your health and safety is an important component in having a positive experience abroad. TCU provides you with a number of resources to assist you:

  1. Prior to departure, you will need to attend the mandatory orientation which covers specific health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
  2. Upon arrival, you will have an orientation to reiterate health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
  3. TCU provides you membership to On Call International, a premier Global Assistance program. You can call On Call for any kind of travel, health, safety, or emergency issues, including:
  • help replacing a lost passpor help translating and interpreting
  • help with lost luggage, along with reimbursement for items needed while luggage is lost
  • assistance finding general and specialty health care
  • assistance with emergency refills of prescription
  • health insurance for your time abroad.

For more information, please see Health & Safety

Czech Visas:

The Czech Republic requires all students obtain a Czech student visa. More information can be found here. Visa fees are around $120.

Do not plan to travel outside the U.S. during the two months prior to your semester abroad because you must surrender your passport when you apply for a visa. Visa processing for the Czech Republic can take 6 – 9  weeks.

You MUST have a round-trip ticket prior to departure for your program abroad.

Before Departure

You must attend the mandatory TCU-In Prague orientation. You should also review the TCU-In Prague handbook and Know Before You Go page.

Arrival and On-Site Information

During your first days in Prague, you’ll participate in AEP’s orientation before classes begin. You will take a day trip and attend some Czech language classes during this period.

Because you are not enrolled in TCU classes, the TCU system will show 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder while you are abroad. Your classes will not transfer back to TCU until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends. At that time, the correct credit hours will be posted to your TCU record.