I want to go to university, but I don’t know which programme to choose
The end of high school is getting closer, entrance exams are just around the corner, and you’re still not sure where to send your application? Don’t panic! We’ve put together a guide to help you clarify your priorities and figure out which program might be the right fit. Let’s look at it together.
Choose your field of study
Choosing a university programme is a complex decision that needs to be viewed in a broader context. You’ll always need to consider several different factors, including:
My abilities and strengths
A good starting point is thinking about your strengths and weaknesses. Some fields require more analytical thinking, others creativity, communication, or organizational skills. It’s important to consider whether you can handle all the challenges the field brings.
✨Tip: We’ve prepared a method to help you deepen your self‑understanding in the second half of this article. You can also use the services of career counsellors.
Interests
Studying is a marathon. If you genuinely enjoy your field, you’re much more likely to handle the difficult or boring parts. Think about which high‑school subjects you enjoy, but don’t forget about hobbies and activities outside school.
✨Tip: Always try to think about why you enjoy something. Do you like history because you truly enjoy it, or because you have a great teacher?
Work style and job aspects
Every field leads to a certain type of work. If you struggle with constant contact with people, working under pressure, or long hours at a computer, you should know that before it surprises you later. Your work style strongly affects your job satisfaction.
✨Tip: To explore which job aspects might suit you, you can try a technique called the Career Bank.
Career Bank
Career Bank
How does it work:
- Write down 10 different jobs you could or would like to do. Write fast, don’t overthink it. They don’t have to be realistic. Anything that comes to mind will do.
- Randomly choose three jobs from your list.
- From those three, pick two that have the most in common.
Example:
- Similar: Psychotherapist and Career Counsellor
- Different: Librarian
4. Describe how the two similar jobs are alike and how they differ from the third one.
Example:
- Psychotherapist & Career Counsellor — working with people, helping others, individual client work, office work, calm work environment, self-employment (finding clients)
- Librarian — working alone, library environment…
5. Think about which aspects of the work environment matter to you. What would you want in the future, and what would you rather avoid?
6. You can repeat the process with another trio of randomly selected jobs.
Job market opportunities
Your studies won’t last forever, and eventually you’ll need to look for a job. It’s good to have an idea of the job prospects your chosen field offers, how much demand there is for graduates, and what future trends may look like. Always rely on the most up‑to‑date information; the job market changes fast, and what was true a few years ago may be outdated today.
✨Tip: On muni.cz you’ll find data on graduate employment listed under each program. But don’t rely only on that, talk to current students and graduates. You can also use events like Gaudeamus or Open Days.
Study content and structure
The name of the programme doesn’t always tell the full story. It’s important to know what you’ll be studying. If most subjects don’t interest you, it’ll be hard to stay motivated, and studying may become frustrating. Also think about what learning style suits you. Some programmes involve a lot of self‑study or group projects; others require active participation in seminars or lab work.
✨Tip: On muni.cz you can browse the subjects included in each programme. There are also links to syllabi with detailed information.
Difficulty
The difficulty level of a programme can affect your daily reality at university. Some require more time and effort than others. That doesn’t mean you should avoid them! Just consider your situation and your long‑term plans.
Choose your university
Most programmes can be studied at several different universities, each with its own quality, focus, and approach. It’s good to pay attention to that as well.
Here are some factors worth considering:
Quality of the university and its reputation
A university’s reputation can influence your future career options. Look at how the school performs in international rankings, for example.
Quality of teaching and instructors
The quality of lecturers can shape your whole university experience. Even within one university, quality may vary and, unfortunately, it’s hard to judge this just from the website.
✨Tip: Ask directly at the source. Try talking to current students or graduates (for example at Open Days or Gaudeamus).
Focus of the programme
Just because programmes share the same name doesn’t mean they have the same focus. For example, there are several places in the Czech Republic where you can study psychology, but each department may emphasize different aspects.
✨Tip: Look at the list of classes you’d take during your studies. It can tell you a lot about the programme’s orientation.
Location
Consider whether you want to stay in your hometown or move elsewhere. Don’t forget financial factors, as studying in another city means extra costs for travel and housing.
International opportunities
If you'd like to go on Erasmus or another exchange programme, pay attention to the international opportunities your programme offers.
Of course, there are many other factors — university size or prestige, facilities, student life (clubs, student support), or recommendations from friends and graduates.
Homework
Take a piece of paper, write down which of the factors above are personally important to you and then rate each one from 1 to 10 based on how important it is. When you’re choosing a program, always come back to this paper and think about whether the field matches your preferences.
Self‑discovery
As we mentioned earlier, you should choose your field based on what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what isn’t really your strength. You might already know these things about yourself, but it never hurts to write it all down in detail and give yourself time to think. The following exercise is perfect for that.
Take a sheet of paper and divide it into three parts: interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Go through each section slowly and write down whatever comes to mind. No rush, try to think as deeply as you can. You can use these guiding questions:
What I enjoy (interests)
- Which activities fulfill me and make me excited to do them?
- When do I lose track of time because I’m so into it?
- What topics do I look up in my free time just out of curiosity?
- What would I do even if I didn’t get paid for it?
- Which responsibilities do I really look forward to?
What I’m good at (strengths)
- Which subjects am I naturally good at?
- Where do I learn easily and grasp new things quickly?
- What do people often praise me for?
- What feels easy to me, while others struggle with it?
- Which skills do I have? (communication, organization, creativity, …)
What I’m not good at (weaknesses)
- Which activities drain me and bore me, even when I try?
- Where do I have to push myself a lot?
- Where do I often make mistakes or receive bad evaluations?
- What do I fear would bother me during my studies?
Once you’re done, read everything again carefully and reflect. What fields might not be a good fit for you? And which schools or programmes could be the right match?
✨Tip: Try looking at your notes through the eyes of a career counsellor. What program or job would you recommend to someone with this profile?
Career consulting and career‑psychology testing
When choosing a field, consulting with a career or guidance counsellor can be incredibly helpful. They can help you understand yourself better, support your decision‑making, or help you sort your priorities. If your school doesn’t offer this, you can use the services of the Masaryk University Career Centre.
Many people also turn to psychological testing when choosing their future path. But these tests usually aren’t very accurate or useful. That’s why we recommend skipping them or at least not relying on them too much.