About Us

Prague is not only known as an architectural marvel and city of stunning beauty, but also as a crossroads of many historical developments that have shaped Europe for the last 1000 years. It lies in the heart of Central Europe--a region whose geographical location between Europe’s greatest powers has forced its people to live through two totalitarian regimes in the 20th century, but at the same time has created a culture admired by the rest of the world.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, the birthplace of Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, Franz Kafka, Antonin Dvorak, Leos Janacek,, Milan Kundera and Vaclav Havel—to name just a few luminaries. It boasts an impressive musical tradition that makes Prague an ideal place for the study of music.

In 1989, the Czechs and the rest of Central Europe managed to overthrow the communist regime which had stifled and isolated it for more than four decades. The Czechs’ Velvet Revolution started an impressive process of transition to democracy and a market economy, turning the country, and Prague in particular, into a laboratory of a truly historic transformation. The composition of the NYU Prague faculty reflects this salient position of Prague as a place to study both the civic resistance that helped bring down the communist system and the process of post-communist transformation. Several professors at NYU Prague played an important role as leading dissidents during the communist regime, and several other were important political and cultural figures after the regime’s fall. Anyone who wants to study the profound changes in the economics, politics, media and social fabric that have taken place in Central Europe should come to NYU Prague, where many courses address those changes.

“A sleeping beauty” under Communism, Prague has developed into an exciting, vibrant place for young people, which is bursting with modern culture, music and nightlife. Its dynamism, great music scene, and world-renowned filmmaking traditions have prompted NYU to launch music and filmmaking programs in Prague. The city is also, quite understandably, a wonderful place for the study of art and architecture.

In order to offer our students as much experience and education beyond the classroom as possible, NYU Prague offers also a rich program of extracurricular events and opportunities—from panel discussions and conferences to trips and internships. Due to our well-connected faculty, our students are also able to meet the country’s decision makers and important cultural figures. To make sure this happens, we have a staff that ensures that all dimensions of our students’ experience are supported in a professional and friendly manner.

Come study at NYU Prague and find out why so many students who have enrolled in our program considered a stay at NYU Prague a life changing experience.

Jiri Pehe,

Director, NYU Prague

Global Professor, Center for European and Mediterranean Studies, NYU, New York

Academic Center

NYU Prague is in the heart of the city on Malé Náměstí (the Small Square), steps away from the famous Old Town Square.  Take a short walk and you can find yourself on Wenceslas Square (the site of Prague's Velvet Revolution), the Jewish Quarter (with its famed 15th-century cemetery) or Charles Bridge.

Our campus consists of two buildings: the Blue Building, a 15th-century building with painted wooden Renaissance ceilings and arched entryways, and the elegant Richter Palace (Richtruv dum) with its beautiful Baroque facade.  Our English-language library boasts a large collection focused on Central Europe.   

The City as a Classroom

The magical city of Prague is medieval yet modern, and its museums, galleries, castles, synagogues, and churches provide unparalleled opportunities to supplement classroom study.   Many of Prague’s most significant historical sites are within walking distance of the NYU campus, and our small classes allow professors to take them there.

Academic Advisement

NYU Prague staff is available for individual consultation throughout the semester, and students can discuss course work with their professors during office hours.  Students should consult with their advisers on their home campuses about requirements for their major or to find out if they can take an internship for credit.