About the Program

The Prague Connect program gives ‘Spring Connect’ students an opportunity to earn NC State credits in Prague during the fall semester, preparing them for academic and social life before matriculating into their degree programs in January.

Prague Connect is a highly structured study abroad program in which students enroll in a pre-set track of NC State courses taught at the NC State European Center in Prague, where they also receive robust program support throughout from our on-site staff.

Download the brochure.

Virtual Information Session: April 1, 2026, 5:00 pm (Zoom)

In this live session, we will review the Prague Connect study abroad program in detail, including information on the application process. Attendees will hear from NC State Prague staff and former program participants.

To view the session recording.

Fall 2026 Application Dates

Application Cycle	Deadline	Decision Notification	Commitment Deadline
Early Action/Priority	April 24	April 27	May 11
Regular	May 11	May 14	May 28

*Applications will be reviewed after each Application Deadline, and decisions will be sent out on the respective ‘decision notification’ date. Due to the program’s popularity, we recommend submitting the application as soon as possible to increase your chances of selection.

Scholarships

NC State Prague will offer limited scholarships to students with high financial need, in addition to one Social Media Scholarship. See below for details.

Program Dates

Fall 2026

Dates	Event / Activity
August 6	Pre-Departure Orientation (in Raleigh)
August 26	Arrival Day
August 27 – August 28	Mandatory On-site Orientation
August 31 – September 3	USC 100 Course
September 4-5	Mandatory Excursion within the Czech Republic
September 7	Classes Start
October 22-26	Mandatory Out-of-country Excursion
November 12 & 16	Last Day of Classes
November 18-19	Final Exams
November 19	Farewell Event
November 20	Check-Out
November 21	Departure Day

Program Details

Overview

The program in Prague begins with a week-long orientation and a USC 100 course, which aims to help new students transition into life at the university and in Prague. During this time, students participate in activities and discussions to develop community, clarify expectations, and introduce the approach to courses at NC State Prague. The on-site orientation also serves as an introduction to the city of Prague, Czech culture, and local resources.

Students will be enrolled in a full load of NC State courses during their 12 weeks in Prague. Utilizing both the NC State Prague Center and the city itself as ‘classrooms,’ the program introduces students to the city’s historical riches through visits to museums, national monuments, cultural landmarks, and other significant sites. Through these activities, students are to become better engaged in their coursework, providing first-hand experiences that inform critical and creative thinking.

Eligibility

Must be admitted to NC State for the spring semester through Spring Connect. Students will be automatically enrolled as Non-Degree Studies (NDS) students during the fall term. 

To be eligible to participate in the program, students must confirm enrollment at NC State.

Courses

While in Prague, all program participants will be enrolled full-time, taking a preset schedule of classes alongside their Prague Connect peers. Except for USC 100, all class sizes are 15 or fewer students.

All classes are NC State courses and fulfill General Education Program requirements (GEPs) or electives. Students will be classified as ‘Non-Degree Studies’ (NDS) during the semester in Prague. However, these courses will matriculate into students’ degree audits once officially enrolled as degree-seeking students in the following spring semester. All courses, therefore, are graded with a letter grade and do count toward students’ cumulative NC State GPA.

Three course tracks are available (see below for full details). Each track consists of 5 classes. All tracks have 3 classes in common: USC 100, SOC 202, and WL 395. Please keep in mind that, regardless of your track placement* all classes are NC State courses and will still count towards fulfilling your GEP requirements at NC State.

*In determining track rosters, we will factor your application submission time heavily. We therefore recommend completing the program application as soon as possible to increase your chances of being assigned to your course track preference.

Program Cost

• Admin Fee: $450 ($75 non-refundable Setup fee + $375 Study Abroad fee)
• Program Cost: $10,995
• TOTAL: $11,445*

For more details, please check the Cost & Funding.

*Those planning to use 529 Plan funds to pay for program costs are recommended to consult with their 529 Plan providers to ensure this program is eligible for use of these funds.

Scholarships

Due to being in Non-Degree Studies (NDS) status, participants are not eligible for state or federal financial aid or NC State Study Abroad scholarships. However, Prague Connect applicants are eligible to apply for the following scholarships:

NC State Prague Need-Based Scholarship

NC State Prague will offer limited scholarships to students with high financial need. Approximately 2 to 5 students will be awarded scholarships ranging from $ 1,000 to $5,000. To apply, students must:

1. Complete the free FAFSA form
2. Complete the NC State Prague Connect Scholarship Application by April 26, 2026. Decisions will be sent out by May 8, 2026.

NC State Prague Social Media Scholarship

(Open to All Prague Connect Applicants)

Are you passionate about observing your surroundings and capturing moments through photography and videography? Do you enjoy creating engaging digital content? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for our Social Media Scholarship.

The NC State European Center in Prague offers a Social Media Scholarship to one student who is eager to dedicate 2 to 4 hours per week to content creation and collaborate closely with the on-site social media team. Recipients will receive this award in the form of a reduced program fee of $1,000–$2,000.

To apply, complete the Social Media Scholarship application section by April 20, 2026. You will be asked to explain why you want to contribute to NC State Prague’s social media. Selected applicants will participate in a brief interview, and decisions will be communicated by the end of the business day on April 27, 2026.

Shelton NDS Scholarships

Students are invited to apply for the Shelton Non-Degree Studies Scholarship, which assists undergraduates who demonstrate the motivation, potential, and character to successfully complete a university degree but may not have met the criteria for immediate admission to a degree program at the university.

Application Deadline: May 4, 2026. Decisions will be sent out by May 8, 2026.

Excursions, Cultural Activities and Field trips

When studying abroad, “the world becomes your classroom,” and so your formal learning will be enhanced by opportunities in the greater setting of the city of Prague and the Czech Republic. Local instructors take students to relevant locations for hands-on learning and multiple field excursions. Past trips have included the National Museum, the Museum of Communism, the Center for Contemporary Art, and local Czech movie screenings, among others. In addition to the course-related excursions, students can also sign up for optional cultural activities organized by staff throughout the semester (for example, a night at the opera, a day trip to a medieval castle, or an adventurous hiking trip in area parks and forests).

Housing

The NC State European Center in Prague provides housing for all program participants.
In addition to their program peers who live in the same building, several Czech dormmates (local university students) also reside there and provide additional support and local connections. All students will have access to a shared kitchen in the student residence. The program fee includes a standard double room.

• Housing
• Student life
• Health and Safety