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prague bridges at night
Prague, Czech Republic

Film Studies

Study Program

Dates

-

16 weeks

Costs

$19,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

17 semester hours

25.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

17 weeks

Costs

$19,950 See Full Breakdown

Credit

17 semester hours

25.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

16 weeks

Credit

17 semester hours

25.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your Film Studies program in Prague lasts a full semester and is designed for students with experience in film production or screenwriting. You will enroll in CIEE courses and host institution courses. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Czech culture. Live and learn in Prague!

Unique Experiences

Work

with American and international film students

Learn

to shoot, direct, or write with mentoring from European film professionals

Get inspiration

from visits to Prague Barrandov film studios and guest lectures by European directors

Experience
  • prague-film-students-by-river

Your Destination

Prague is the Czech Republic’s cinematic capital, offering a visually stunning and culturally rich environment for film students. With its gothic spires, historic squares, and thriving arts scene, the city has long served as a backdrop for international cinema. From exploring the legendary Barrandov Studios to analyzing European film movements, Prague offers endless inspiration. Whether you're studying film theory, production, screenwriting, or media, Prague is the perfect place to study abroad.

prague-film-students-posing

Program Highlights

  • Academic Course: Choose from CIEE courses and host institution courses.
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
prague two girls cheering at a hockey game

Excursions & Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Prague will open doors for you to explore the Czech Republic's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.      

Samples of past excursions and activities: 

  • Sample local Moravian wines at a sommelier-led wine tasting  
  • Bike along the paths along the Vltava River and see another side of Prague 
  • Watch an opera in one of the amazing baroque opera houses  

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.    

Program Blogs

Photo for blog post
From CIEE

Lights. Camera. Action! Film Studies in Prague

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Are you a wanna-be Spielberg who likes to view life through the lens of a camera? Or a budding writer with ideas for a feature-length screenplay? Then bring your talents... keep reading

Photo for blog post
From CIEE

Fall 2017 Issue II

By Alicja Nemoudry at CIEE

TRIP TO SOUTH BOHEMIA In order to get away from a daily rush in Prague, students of CIEE Film Studies have left Prague in October for one weekend. They spent... keep reading

Photo for blog post
From CIEE

Fall 2017 ISSUE II: Prague

By Alicja Nemoudry at CIEE

A FRESH START IN PRAGUE! The last August Monday has started the exciting one-semester-ride for students of the Film Studies and Global Architecture and Design Programs. Coming from great distances... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "Truly one of the best experiences of my life! Not only was the experience of living abroad in Prague a great time in my life, I was able to meet incredible people and fall in love with the natural beauty of this city. CIEE also makes it so easy to feel at home quickly with their endless resources for students who need them."

    William H., Tulane University of Louisiana

  • "Loved studying at FAMU, loved the community our cohort created, loved the cultural experiences CIEE brought us on, etc."

    Greta P., Columbia University in the City of New York

  • "I loved my experience with CIEE. I felt very supported and cared for the whole time!"

    Isabella P., University of Colorado-Boulder

  • "Wonderful guidance and support, amazing extracurricular opportunities!"

    Zac B., Whitman College

Housing

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Prague offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.    

Standard Housing: Includes double or triple accommodation in a residence hall, or a single or double room in a homestay, located within 45 minutes from Prague’s historic city center and CIEE Prague.    

  • Homestays: Live with a Czech family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s culture. Single and double bedrooms available.   
  • Residence Halls: Live in a dormitory-like building with communal kitchens and other common spaces.    

Select Housing: Includes a double or triple bedroom in a shared apartment located within 40 minutes from Prague’s historic center and CIEE Prague. Each apartment has shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom. Apartments may be in student residence buildings or in residential buildings shared with local inhabitants. Select housing requires an additional fee.   

Select Plus Housing: Includes a single bedroom in an apartment or  residence hall located within 40 minutes from Prague’s historic city center and CIEE Prague. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee and has limited availability.      

A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees. 

Meals

  • Homestay: Breakfast and dinner, on the family’s schedule, are included.   
  • Residence Halls and Apartments: Meals are not included. 
prague housing single bedroom

Select housing

Single room

prague apartment kitchen ciee

Select housing

Kitchen area

Prague housing bed wardrobe

Standard housing

Double room

prague housing double bed

Standard housing

Double room

prague housing shared kitchen

Standard housing

Shared kitchen and dining area

prague housing small kitchen

Standard housing

Kitchen area

Prague waffles and strawberries
Academics

Academics

CIEE Prague: Study in the Vyšehrad neighborhood of Prague, situated in a beautiful park-like setting only 15 minutes from the city's famous Old Town Square. CIEE Prague features 10 classrooms, a student lounge, a student life office, a library, a study space, a café, and an outdoor space.

The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) is the preeminent film school in Central Europe and the 5th oldest film school in the world. Many influential filmmakers and screenwriters are FAMU alumni, including Stanislav Barabas and Oscar-winners Miloš Forman and Agnieszka Holland. FAMU is located in the city center on the banks of the Vltava River.

GPA

Production Track: 2.5

Screenwriting Track: 3.0

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Immigration/Entry Requirements

Visa Required: Yes

Additional Requirements

Production track: Overall GPA of 2.5 in an art-related major, preferably film. Demonstrate formal or informal experience with directing and use of digital/video camera. Portfolio sample of recent work via Vimeo/YouTube link (maximum 15 minutes in length). Sample should demonstrate a complete narrative and ability to develop a story. One or two storyboards/treatments for a short film to be shot in Prague.  

Screenwriting track: Overall GPA of 3.0 in art-related major. At least two courses in screenwriting or creative writing plus an original screenplay and proposals for two additional screenplays.  

Final acceptance to the program is determined following a review by FAMU faculty; please note that while CIEE’s conditional acceptances are made on a rolling basis, FAMU’s decisions are typically made after the application deadline.

Admission to this program is competitive and student interest often exceeds program capacity. CIEE recommends that applicants be flexible and open to an alternate program.

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Students are required to take: 

  1. Intensive Beginning Czech Language course for 3 U.S. credits. 
    The two-week intensive (3-5 hours per day) course provides students with basic skills needed to communicate daily. The course focuses on grammar, conversation, listening, and reading comprehension. The class continues on a weekly basis until the start of the pre-production period.
  2. Two required CIEE courses taught by FAMU faculty following a specific track (Production or Screenwriting).
  3. Six credits of FAMU Electives (to be selected during your on-site orientation).

Program Credit

Total credit: 17 U.S. semester/25.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
  • FAMU courses: typically 1.5-3 U.S. semester/2.25-4.5 quarter credits; 24-45 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards.  This intensive program requires evening and weekend sessions, film screenings, and production work. Due to the demanding production and post-production periods, travel outside of Prague may be restricted at certain times during the semester. These no-travel periods will be specified during the onsite orientation.

Class Format

The Film Studies program offers a blend of practical hands-on and traditional university courses. The production track includes eight weeks of instruction, two weeks of guided pre-production, two weeks of production, and two weeks of post-production. The screenwriting track follows a more traditional schedule, culminating in the creation of approximately half of a feature-length screenplay. Classes are small and include both theoretical and practical exercises.  

With the exception of the Intensive Beginning Czech Language course, all classes are taught by FAMU faculty. Required CIEE Czech language and production and screenwriting courses are exclusive to CIEE students, while only FAMU elective courses include both CIEE and international students. Students are guided by an appointed FAMU Film Studies Academic Advisor, who also serves as a liaison between CIEE and FAMU.

Grading

Assessment is varied and includes midterm and final exams, faculty assessment of final production or screenwriting projects, and participation in seminars, workshops, and other program activities. CIEE reports all final course grades to students’ home institutions using a U.S. letter grade equivalent scale of A-F. For CIEE-administered courses, students’ grades are based on attendance, class engagement, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

Czech and English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Production Track
All students enroll in Topics in Production and Filmmaking Practicum and Mentorship courses.

Screenwriting Track
All students enroll in Feature Screenwriting and Script Analysis courses.

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

FAMU ELECTIVE COURSES

Not all courses listed are offered every semester. The following is a representative sample of course offerings though FAMU and is subject to change.  

  • Acting Theories   
  • Central European Cinemas within the Context of the World Cinema  
  • Cinema Dance  
  • Circulating within the Modern Cinematic Image  
  • Essential Elements of Film Sound 1Film Style and Form 1 
  • Filming the Unfilmable 
  • History, Development and Characteristics of Genres 
  • Script Analysis 1 
  • Short Film Practical Analysis: Directing 1 
  • The Realm of Montage  
  • Visual Theory

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing
Program Fall 2025 16 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $19,950
Program Spring 2026 17 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $19,950
Program Fall 2026 16 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $15,706 **
Housing $3,750 ***
Insurance $194
Total Fees $19,950

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.

Select Housing Fee $800
Select Plus Housing Fee $2,400

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee $476 †
International Airfare $1,000 ††
Local Transportation $45 †††
Books & Supplies $45
Visa Fees $114
Personal expenses $250 ††††
Total Costs $1,930

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $307 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††cost of taxi to airport on departure; local transportation pass included in program

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $15,706 **
Housing $3,750 ***
Insurance $194
Total Fees $19,950

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee $506 †
International Airfare $1,250 ††
Local Transportation $45 †††
Books & Supplies $45
Visa Fees $114
Personal expenses $325 ††††
Total Costs $2,285

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $307 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††cost of taxi to airport on departure; local transportation pass included in program

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

will_barnard

Will Barnard

Center Director

Will Barnard heads CIEE Prague. Originally from the U.S., Will has lived and worked in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor's degree from Princeton...

Michaela Neužilová

Michaela Neužilová

Senior Program Manager

Michaela has been with CIEE Prague since 2016. She oversees the Prague Program Management Team which provides a wide range of high-quality orientation and onsite support services for all program...

petra-key

Petra Key

Academic Director

Petra Key oversees the academic programs at CIEE Prague. Her responsibilities include managing the faculty and courses, collaborating with academic partner institutions, and ensuring high-quality academic instruction. She achieves this...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

Apply Now

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Contact Us

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