Brno University of Technology
Vysoké učení technické v Brně
A technical university founded in 1899 where Czech-taught degrees are free and English-taught ones cost 1,000-5,000 euros a year.
- Students
- 17,555
- International
- 25%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14.5:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €1,000
- From · 2026-27 / 2027-28
- Founded
- 1899
About BUT (VUT)
Brno University of Technology was founded on 19 September 1899 as the first Czech university in Moravia, starting with four professors and 47 civil engineering students; mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering followed, and architecture after the First World War. Its 1911 building on Veveří street is still used by the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
Today BUT has eight faculties (Architecture, Business and Management, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Communication, Fine Arts, Information Technology and Mechanical Engineering) plus institutes including CEITEC BUT and the Institute of Forensic Engineering. It offers more than 160 programmes in Czech and English and says about 25% of its students are international, from over 80 countries. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication alone has more than 3,100 students and calls itself the largest electrical faculty in the country.
The key choice for international applicants is language. Czech-taught degrees are free for everyone, including foreigners, but you must prove Czech. English-taught bachelor's degrees in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, architecture and entrepreneurship charge 1,000 to 5,000 euros a year, depending on the programme and, in some faculties, on citizenship.
Sapere aude
“Have the courage to be wise” — university motto
Why students choose BUT (VUT)
Free study in Czech for all nationalities, with a year-long intensive Czech course for foreigners run by BUT's Continuing Education Centre.
English-taught bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, and Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development.
BUT reports that 91% of its graduates find work within three months of graduating.
Low living costs: a room in BUT's halls cost about 4,710 CZK (186 euros) a month in 2025 and a student public transport pass about 275 CZK.
Admissions
Academic year 2027/28 (September 2027 intake)
Selectivity
BUT publishes no university-wide admission rate; each faculty runs its own procedure. For example, the Faculty of Civil Engineering's English-taught Civil Engineering bachelor's has 48 places for 2027/28 and admits on documents plus a 20-point online interview, with 10 points or more recommended for admission.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school leaving certificate (Matura or equivalent) | Completed secondary education with a school-leaving exam; foreign certificates must be officially authorised (Apostille or superlegalisation) and recognised, for example through the faculty's own assessment (32 euros at FCE) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering BSc (English, FCE) | GPA 2.5/4.0 or better, English B2 certificate no older than three years, 300-500 word motivation letter, then an online interview |
| Czech-taught programmes | Same admission conditions as Czech applicants, plus proof of Czech; no tuition fee |
| English language | English-taught programmes expect CEFR B2. At the Faculty of Civil Engineering the certificate must come from its accepted list and be no older than three years; English is also tested in the admission interview. |
Deadlines
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, English-taught bachelor's: first round Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months31 January 2027
FEEC's 2027/28 timeline: applications 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, school certificates by 15 February 2027, entrance examination 22-26 March 2027, decisions in April. A second round runs 15 June to 15 July 2027 (entrance exam 23-27 August). BUT's e-application lists FEEC applications as opening on 1 October 2026.
- Civil Engineering BSc (English), Faculty of Civil Engineering Non-binding In ~8 months31 May 2027
Applications open 1 September 2026; documents and fees must also be in by 31 May 2027. 48 places.
- Other faculties (Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Business and Management) Non-bindingNot yet published for 2027/28
Their 2027/28 English-programme deadlines were not published when checked in late September 2026 (the BUT e-application showed Mechanical Engineering programmes open and Architecture and Business and Management closed); check the faculty pages.
Deadlines are set by each faculty. For 2027/28 the Faculty of Civil Engineering (31 May 2027) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication (31 January 2027, second round to 15 July 2027) had published their English-programme timetables when checked. Non-EU applicants should apply early because the visa can take 2-4 months.
How to apply
Choose a faculty and programme, submit BUT's e-application and pay the application fee (30 euros for the Faculty of Civil Engineering when paid from abroad; BUT's general page gives 28 euros). Upload certified copies of your school certificate and transcript, an English certificate and a motivation letter, and pay for recognition of foreign education if required. After the faculty's exam or interview you receive a decision letter, which you need, with a BUT halls of residence contract, for your student visa. Allow 2-4 months for the visa.
What admissions looks for
- A completed secondary education with a school-leaving exam and, at FCE, a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0.
- English at B2 for English-taught programmes, or Czech for free Czech-taught ones.
- Motivation and clear study plans, assessed through the motivation letter and interview.
- Basic knowledge of mathematics and physics for engineering programmes.
Tips for applying to BUT (VUT)
- 1 Decide early between Czech and English: Czech-taught study is free, and BUT runs a year-long intensive Czech course for foreigners.
- 2 Get your school documents apostilled or superlegalised in good time; the faculty only accepts officially authorised copies.
- 3 Check which fee band applies to you: some faculties charge EU citizens less (1,000 euros vs 4,500 at FEEC), and at FCE citizens of EU-associated countries such as Turkey or Ukraine also pay the lower rate.
- 4 Book a BUT dorm as soon as you are admitted: the accommodation contract is needed for the visa application.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 / 2027-28 · figures in EUR
BUT offers accommodation scholarships, scholarships for outstanding results, and the BUTalent scholarship for outstanding international students in English-taught master's and doctoral programmes. Non-EU applicants to master's programmes can apply for a scholarship (through JCMM) covering half of the tuition fee. Studying in Czech is free.
- Free for all nationalities
- Czech-taught tuition
- 28-30 euros (CZK 700 if paid in Czechia)
- E-application fee
- 91% (university figure)
- Graduates employed within 3 months
- About 4,710 CZK (186 euros) a month
- BUT halls of residence (2025)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (winter semester from late September, summer semester from early February)
Civil Engineering (BSc, English)
Three-year programme with 48 places for 2027/28, run by the faculty that operates the AdMaS research centre for advanced building materials.
Electrical Engineering (BSc, English)
Two tracks (electronics and communication technologies; power systems and automation) at the country's largest electrical faculty, at 1,000 euros a year for EU students.
Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering (BSc, English)
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering's English bachelor's, leading to master's programmes such as Aerospace Technology and Mathematical Engineering.
Architecture and Urban Design (BSc, English)
A four-year bachelor's at the Faculty of Architecture.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (BSc, English)
A three-year business degree at the Faculty of Business and Management, at 2,500 euros a year for EU students.
Research
- CEITEC, a centre of excellence in life sciences, advanced materials and technologies, run with Masaryk University and other Brno institutions.
- The AdMaS (Advanced Materials, Structures and Technologies) research centre at the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
- NETME Centre for new manufacturing technologies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
- FEEC laboratories working on 5G+ networks, satellite links, renewable energy and ultra-high voltage.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Business and Management
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Civil Engineering
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Faculty of Information Technology
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- CEITEC BUT (Central European Institute of Technology)
- Institute of Forensic Engineering
BUT reports that 91% of its graduates secure employment within three months of graduation; FEEC reports 97% of its graduates find a job in their field within three months.
Student life
BUT runs its own halls of residence and canteens; the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, for example, sits in the centre of a campus next to the dorms and bus stops. Degree students can sign up for two sports classes a week for free at the Centre of Sports Activities, there is a buddy system and Erasmus Student Network for internationals, and BUT describes a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. BUT describes Brno as one of the world's best student cities, with a canteen lunch from about 115 CZK.
- Two free sports classes a week for full-degree students through the Centre of Sports Activities.
- Buddy system and ESN support for international students, plus a dedicated Admission Office.
- BUT halls of residence at about 4,710 CZK a month (2025).
- Student start-up support through BUT's entrepreneurship programmes.
Housing. BUT halls of residence cost about 4,710 CZK (186 euros) a month in 2025, against about 10,000 CZK (395 euros) and up for private rooms; a halls contract is needed for the visa.
Location
Brno, in South Moravia, is within easy reach of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. BUT promotes it as a technology centre and one of the world's 30 best student cities, with direct flights to London and Milan. Living costs are low by EU standards: a monthly student transport pass costs about 275 CZK and a canteen lunch from about 115 CZK.
Nearest airport: Brno-Tuřany Airport (BRQ)
Notable alumni
- TM Tomáš MikolovComputer scientist, creator of word2vec; PhD from BUT
- MT Mirek TopolánekPrime Minister of the Czech Republic (2006-2009); mechanical engineering graduate
- RJ Radim JančuraFounder and CEO of RegioJet and Student Agency
- OB Otakar BorůvkaMathematician; began his studies in civil engineering at the Brno technical university
- MŘ Martin ŘímanFormer Czech Minister of Transport and of Industry and Trade
- ZB Zuzana BrzobohatáFormer Member of the European Parliament
- PT Peeter TarvasEstonian architect
- NT Norbert TrollerCzech-American architect and artist
Frequently asked questions
Is Brno University of Technology free for international students?
Yes, if you study in Czech: Czech-taught programmes charge no tuition for any nationality, but you must prove Czech. English-taught bachelor's programmes cost 1,000 to 5,000 euros a year.
How much are tuition fees for English-taught bachelor's degrees at BUT?
For example, Civil Engineering costs 3,950 euros a year for EU and associated-country citizens and 4,450 for others (2027/28); Electrical Engineering costs 1,000 euros for EU and Ukrainian students and 4,500 for other non-EU students; Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering costs 3,000 euros for everyone.
When is the application deadline for 2027 entry?
It depends on the faculty. The English-taught Civil Engineering bachelor's accepts applications from 1 September 2026 to 31 May 2027; the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication's first round runs 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, with a second round from 15 June to 15 July 2027.
Is there an entrance exam at BUT?
It varies by faculty. The Faculty of Civil Engineering uses no written exam for its English programmes, only a 15-minute online interview scored out of 20; other faculties may set their own exams.
What English level do I need?
B2 on the CEFR for English-taught programmes; at the Faculty of Civil Engineering the certificate must be no older than three years and English is also checked at interview.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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