HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
General Information | Programmes of Study and Academic Degrees | Higher Education InstitutionsInstitutions of higher education
In July 1998 the new law on higher education, Act No 111/1998 came into being.
According to this law:
- an institution of higher education provides accredited programmes of study and
programmes of life-long education
- there are university and non-university institutions of higher education
- a university provides master or doctoral programmes, and is engaged in research,
development, artistic and other creative work related to these programmes. A university
may provide bachelor programmes as well.
- a non-university institution provides mainly bachelor programmes and is engaged
in related research, development, artistic and other creative work. This institution is
not divided into faculties.
- there are three types of institutions of higher education in the Czech Republic:
public, private and state ones. Most institutions are public, state institutions are only
military and police academies.
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Institutional Structure
An institution of higher education is a legal body. A public institution is headed by a rector (rektor), who is responsible for all aspects of education and administration at the institution. The rector is appointed for a three-year term. Assisting the rector are pro- (or sometimes vice- or deputy-) rectors who are usually responsible for pedagogical activities, scientific research and international relations.
Institutions of higher education can be divided into faculties (fakulta), which are managed by deans (dekan). Faculties are made up of departments (katedra or ustav or institut) (managed by department heads) and the teaching staff, composed of professors, associate professors (sometimes referred to as docents), instructors, lecturers and assistants, and lectors.
There is an academic senate in each institution made up of faculty members, staff and students. This senate nominates candidates for rector, approves nominations for pro-rectors and deans, and decides issues relating to curricula and budget. Each faculty of the institution also has an academic senate which has the power to elect and recall deans, and approves budgets, curricula, and faculty structure.
Scientific councils at institutions of higher education consider the school’s pedagocical concerns and research or artistic endeavors. They also examine nominations for full professorships. Similar to that at the institutional level, faculties, too, have a scientific council.
Other institutions concerned with higher education
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports allots monies to each public higher education institution and monitors spending. It also records institutional statutes and, on recommendation of the accreditation comission, revokes or restores an institution’s right to give state and rigorous examinations and to appoint professors and associate professors. It also awards or cancels the state approval to private institutions of higher education.
Contact address:
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
Karmelitska 8
118 12 Praha 5
Phone: +420 (2) 519 31 11
Fax: +420 (2) 519 37 90
http://www.msmt.cz
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Accreditation Commission
The commission is responsible to the Ministry for recommendations concerning the establishment, merging or abolishment of institutions of higher education, and on issues involving an institution’s right to teach their programmes of study and to award degrees and titles.
University Council
In the Czech Republic there is also a university council, made up of members delegated by the academic senates of institutions of higher education. This council advises the ministry on matters relating to the establishment of the acreditation commissions, the allocation of funds to institutions and other major issues related to the administration of higher education.
Czech Rectors’ Conference
was formed in 1993. It is a representative of higher education uniting rectors and acting as a partner of the Ministry of Education.
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Programmes of Study and Academic Degrees
Current programmes of study and degrees include:
Undergraduate study:
Bachelor programmes aim at preparing students for a certain profession in which they immediately use the kowledge and methods gained. The programmes also contain theoretical knowledge and usually last three or four years.
Bc. - cz. bakalar - (corresponding to “Bachelor”)
is awarded after completing a bachelor programme of study, passing the exam and
defending a thesis.
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Graduate study:
Master programmes aim at acquiring theoretical knowledge based on the up-to-date state of learning, research and development, at mastering their appplication and at developing potential for creative work. These programmes last from four to six years. In case the master programme follows the bachelor programme, its length is two or three years.
Mgr. - cz. magistr - (corresponding to “Master”)
is awarded after completing a master programme of study, passing the exam and
defending a thesis.
Ing. - cz. inzenyr -(corresponding to “Master”)
is awarded in technical, economic, military and agricultural fields of study.
MUDr. - doctor of general medicine and MVDr. - doctor of veterinary medicine - (corresponding to “Master”) are awarded to graduates of medical and veterinary medicine faculties.
MgA. - master of arts
is awarded in artistic fields of study.
Graduates from master programmes who have been awarded the title of magistr or its equivalent can pass the rigorous state exam and defend the rigorous thesis. They are then awarded the following degrees:
JUDr. - doctor of law - in legal disciplines
PhDr. - doctor of philosophy - in the area of the humanities, social scienes and education
RNDr. - doctor of sciences - in the fields of sciences
PharmDr. - doctor of pharmacy
ThLic. - licentiate of theology or doctor of theology
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Postgraduate (doctoral) study:
is aimed at scientific research and independent creative work. Students in doctoral study have an individual study plan and a tutor. The study lasts three years.
Ph.D. - cz. doktor - (corresponding to “PhD”) or Th.D. - doctor of theology
is awarded after postgraduate research and study, passing the exam and defending a
doctoral dissertation.
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Higher Education Institutions
1) Public institutions
“Classical” Universities
These institutions are comprehensive in nature, with branches in the humanities, natural and social sciences, some with medical and theological faculties.
UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO (Palacky University in Olomouc)
http://www.upol .cz/
MASARYKOVA UNIVERZITA (Masaryk University in Brno)
http://www. muni.cz/
UNIVERZITA KARLOVA (Charles University in Prague)
http://www.cuni.cz/
JIHOCESKA UNIVERZITA (South Bohemian University in Ceske Budejovice)
http.//www.jcu.cz/
OSTRAVSKA UNIVERZITA (Ostrava University in Ostrava)
http://www.osu.cz/
SLEZSKA UNIVERZITA (Silesian University in Opava)
http://www.slu.cz/
UNIVERZITA J. E. PURKYNE (J. E. Purkyne University in Usti nad Labem)
http://www.ujep.cz/
ZAPADOCESKA UNIVERZITA (West Bohemian University in Plzen)
http://www.zcu.cz/
UNIVERZITA PARDUBICE (University of Pardubice)
http://www.upce.cz/
Technical Institutions
CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE (Czech Technical University in Prague)
http://www.cvut.cz/
TECHNICKA UNIVERZITA OSTRAVA (Technical University of Ostrava)
http://www.vsb.cz/
VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA (College of Chemical Technology in Prague)
http://www.vscht.cz/
TECHNICKA UNIVERZITA LIBEREC (Technical University of Liberec)
http://www.vslib.cz/
VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE (Technical University of Brno)
http://www.vutbr.cz/
Agricultural Institutions
These institutions educate students in agronomy, forestry, agricultural economies and horticulture.
MENDELOVA LESNICKA A ZEMEDELSKA UNIVERZITA (Mendel University of Agriculture and
Forestry in Brno)
http://www.vszbr.cz/
CESKA ZEMEDELSKA UNIVERZITA (University of Agriculture in Prague)
http://www.czu.cz/
Veterinary Medicine Institution
VETERINARNI A FARMACEUTICKA UNIVERZITA (University of Veterinary Medicine and
Pharmacy in Brno)
http://www.vfu.cz/
School of Economics
Economics and Business Administration are also taught at economic faculties of universites.
VYSOKA SKOLA EKONOMICKA (Prague School of Economics)
http://www.vse.cz/
Arts Institutions
JANACKOVA AKADEMIE MUZICKYCH UMENI (Janacek Academy of Performing Arts in Brno)
http://www.jamu.cz/
AKADEMIE MUZICKYCH UMENÍ (Academy of Performing Arts in Prague)
http://www.amu.cz/
AKADEMIE VYTVARNYCH UMENI (Academy of Visual Arts in Prague)
http://www.avu.cz/
VYSOKA SKOLA UMELECKOPRUMYSLOVA (School of Applied Arts and Industrial Design in
Prague)
http://www.vsup.cz/
Teacher Training Institutions
are also parts of universities (Faculties of Education).
VYSOKA SKOLA PEDAGOGICKA (College of Education in Hradec Králové)
http://www.vsp.cz/
2) State institutions
Police Academy
The academy educates public security and intelligence forces.
POLICEJNI AKADEMIE (Police Academy in Prague)
http://www.pa.cz/
Military Academies
VOJENSKA AKADEMIE V BRNE (Military Academy of Brno)
http://www.vabo.cz/
VYSOKA VOJENSKA SKOLA POZEMNIHO VOJSKA (Military Academy in Vyskov)
http://www.vvspv.cz/
VOJENSKA LEKARSKA AKADEMIE J. E. PURKYNE (J.E. Purkyne Military Medicine Academy
in Hradec Kralove)
http://dale.pmfhk.cz/
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Research Institution
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
This institution has traditionally been the center of research activity. Academy researchers often serve as university professors and vice versa. The Academy has not the authority to grant degrees.
CESKA AKADEMIE VED (Czech Academy of Science in Prague)
http://www.cas.cz
(The following information concerns public schools. Private and state institutions may have different requirements and conditions).
Applications
Prospective applicants to bachelor or master programmes may apply to several
higher education institutions at a time and if applying to a public school, they must
present
- a copy of the secondary school leaving certificate or copies of university
diplomas
- a transcript of courses or credits completed at a home university (applicable to
transfer students)
- a letter of recommendation by a professor of the applicant’s university or by
the director of the secondary school in case the applicant has not been enrolled in a
university
- a brief outline of the research project (applicable to students who wish to
enroll in a postgraduate doctoral programme or an individual research project)
- a certificate released by a university/research institution confirming that the
applicant is a full time student/employee (applicable to those interested in individual
research projects)
- curriculum vitae
- a medical certificate
All the required documents must be in Czech, Slovak, English, French, German or Spanish or translated into these languages and the copies must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the applicant s country or by the diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic. Recognition of foreign degrees and qualification is in the authority of the Czech Ministry of Education in case the foreign university is in the country with which the Czech Republic has an international agreement, otherwise this is in the jurisdiction of the rector of a university which has a similar progamme of study.
Applicants to bachelor or master study should contact the dean’s office (dekanat) of the chosen faculty for instructions and application forms.
Those interested in postgraduate doctoral study should contact the research office (oddeleni pro vedu a vyzkum) of the chosen faculty or arrange the stay through a contact consultant in the particular department.
Individual institutions have different entrance procedures. The dean of the faculty is responsible for deciding which students should be admitted.
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Scholarships
Small percentage of students/scholars from other countries are admitted to programmes free of charge in the framework of bilateral governmental agreements. Information about these possibilities is available through Czech embassies and consulates. International students who are admitted for study in the Czech language do not pay fees. Other international students have to pay fees comparable to those in their countries in case they are admitted to programmes in other languages than Czech. Universities can exceptionally award scholarships to outstanding individuals. Some institutions may be able to accept international students/scholars as part of the EU Socrates programmes. For information ask the particular institution.
Language
Although there is no language proficiency test for foreign students, adequate knowledge in the Czech language is desirable. However, most institutions offer degree programmes in English or other languages for international students. It is also possible to take intensive courses of Czech language in many receiving institutions.
Academic year
The academic year usually starts in September or October and is divided into two semestres. The “winter” semestre ends at the end of Decembre or beginning of January, the “summer” semestre ends at the end of May. There are exam periods which usually last one month after each semestre.
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Visa and residency permit
International students applying to study in the Czech Republic must hold a valid passport. Information about visa requirements and a residency permit is available at the Czech consulate or embassy in the applicant’s country. It may take up to 60 days to decide about the residency permit.
Health Insurance
Those studying in the framework of bilateral governmental agreements are assured the same health insurance as Czech students. Other international students are advised to arrange health insurance in their home country or upon arrival in the Czech Republic.
Accommodation
The receiving institution will help to find accommodation in the university halls of residence. It is very difficult to find private accommodation at a reasonable price.
Living expenses
Apart from tuition fees the student must take into account the following
expenses per year:
- accommodation in the halls of residence: USD 2 000 - 3 000
- board in the student restaurant: USD 1 000
- literature: USD 300 - 700
- health insurance: USD 400 -500
- miscellaneous: USD 1 000
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Sources of Information for International Students
Information about studying at Czech universities can be found in the book “Higher Education in the Czech Republic” annually published by the
Centre for Higher Education Studies
U luzickeho seminare 13/90
118 00 Praha 1
Phone: +420 (2) 54 35 73
Fax: +420 (2) 55 19 45
E-mail: csvs@csvs.cz
http://www.csvs.cz
The book gives general information on admissions for foreign students as well as information by respective universities and faculties about their degree and non-degree (one-semester minimum) programmes with contact addresses. Basic information about higher education in the Czech Republic can be also found on the Centre's home page.
Information on Czech higher education institutions can also be found on the
Internet: http://www.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Czech_Republic/Education
http://viper.anet.cz/czis/vysokeskoly.htm
or on the homepages of respective universities (see above).
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SUMMER SCHOOLS
Apart from regular study programmes some Czech universities organise summer schools, mostly in the area of Czech language and Slavonic studies, but also in other fields of study. Information about summer schools is not listed in the book but can be obtained at the contact addresses listed below. Further information on short-term programmes of universities might be obtained from the foreign relations offices (oddeleni pro zahranicni styky) of university rectorates or faculties.
Summer schools of Czech language and Slavonic studies:
Univerzita Karlova / Charles University
Courses of Czech Language:
PhDr. Milada Cadska
Ustav jazykove a odborne pripravy
Oddeleni cestiny
Jindrisská 23
110 00 Praha
Phone: +420 (2) 24 38 84 85
Fax: +420 (2) 24 22 94 97
E-mail: ujop@ruk.cuni.cz
milada.cadska@ruk.cuni.cz
http://www.cuni.cz/
School of Slavonic Languages:
doc. PhDr. Jan Kuklik, CSc.
Filozoficka fakulta
Ustav bohemistickych studii
nam. Jana Palacha 2
116 38 Praha
Phone: +420 (2) 21 61 92 62, 21 61 92 55
Fax: +420 (2) 231 96 45
E-mail: ubohstud@ff.cuni.cz
http://www.cuni.cz/
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Univerzita Palackeho / Palacky University
Mgr. Josef Linek
Filozoficka fakulta
Krizkovskeho 10
771 80 Olomouc
Phone: +420 (68) 563 13 48, 522 85 93
Fax: +420 (68) 522 91 62
http://www.upol.cz/
Masarykova univerzita / Masaryk University
PhDr. Eva Rusinova
Filozoficka fakulta
Kabinet cestiny pro cizince
A. Novaka 1
660 88 Brno
Phone: +420 (5) 41 12 1130
Fax: +420 (5) 41 12 14 06
E-mail: eva@phil.muni.cz
http://www.muni.cz/
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Slezská univerzita / Silesian University
Dr. Jiří Mezuláník
Summer School
Obchodně-podnikatelská fakulta Slezské univerzity
Univerzitní nám. 76
733 40 Karviná
Phone: +420 (69) 639 82 73
Fax: +420 (69) 631 20 69
E-mail: mezulanik@opf.slu.cz
Zapadoceska univerzita / West Bohemian University
Mgr. Eva Valentova
Odbor zahranicnich styku
Univerzitni 8
306 14 Plzen
Phone: +420 (19) 27 93 63
Fax: +420 (19) 27 93 61
E-mail: valentov@zeus.zcu.cz
http://www.zcu.cz/
Jihoceska univerzita / South Bohemian Univeristy
Miloslava Moravcova
Pedagogicka fakulta
Katedra ceskeho jazyka
Dukelska 9
370 01 Ceske Budejovice
Phone: +420 (38) 549 40
Fax +420 (38) 731 21 94
E-mail (dean): papacek@pf.jcu.cz
http://www.jcu.cz/
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Courses of Czech for German students:
Univerzita Jana Evangelisty Purkyne
Ustav slovansko-germanskych studii
Brnenska 2
400 96 Usti nad Labem
Phone/Fax: +420 (47) 521 46 23
http://www.ujep.cz/
Applications:
Prof. Dr. med. Karl-Henz Plattig
Steinforstrasse 30
D-91056 Erlangen, Germany
Phone +49 (9131) 448 74
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Other summer schools:
Charles University
The American Institute on Economic and Political Systems:
Cyril Simsa
Fakulta socialnich ved
Oddeleni zahranicnich styku a vedy
Smetanovo nabr. 995/6
110 01 Praha 1
Phone: +420 (2) 24 81 08 04, ext. 228
E-mail: SVOZ@box.fsv.cuni.cz
http://www.cuni.cz/