Studying at Palacký University

The eight faculties of Palacký University offer over three hundred degree programmes and possible combinations, with many courses available in a foreign language. Almost any discipline can be found, ranging from Theology, Teacher Training, Law, Physical Education and Sport, through the Humanities, Social Sciences and Art History, to Science, Medicine and Healthcare Sciences. Students can study in full-time and part-time programmes, concentrate on one or more majors at the same time, even between different faculties. Everything depends on you, as you can incorporate subjects from other disciplines into your schedule. Palacký University Olomouc places emphasis on the individual approach and instruction of foreign languages, study abroad programmes, and practical training with professionals in the field. On top of this, students are given sufficient space for extracurricular activities, whether in the university sports facilities (river access, gym, sporting fields), culture (film clubs, student theatres, magazines, radio) or for example in the context of social events (the Student May “Majáles” festival, fancy dress balls, department parties). There is always something for everyone!

Admission/registration, Academic calendar

Higher education system in the Czech Republic

Higher education institutions are headed by a rector who is recruited from the institution teaching staff and elected by the academic senate of the institution.
Vice-rectors are responsible for the administration of higher education institution. They exercise their responsibility in specific domains of academic life, namely in education, research, international cooperation and the like. The registrar (bursar) controls material and technical resources, as well as the economic operation of the institution.
Higher education institutions are divided into faculties (schools) that maintain teaching and research in one or several related subjects. Faculties are headed by deans, who are elected from professors and associate professors of the faculty´s academic senate. Vice-deans help the dean to administer the faculty. They are responsible for similar academic fields as vice-rectors are.
Faculties are subdivided into departments (institutes). The departments are the basic units of the faculty. They are staffed with the teachers who specialize either in one or several related disciplines.
The higher education institutions (HEI) specify the number of enrolments independently and they also determine the forms, methods and subjects of the entrance examinations.
In general, an aplicant for study at a higher education institution is expected to have a school-leaving certificate from a Czech secondary school or a final certificate of secondary education received abroad.
The Rector (head of the individual HEI) has the authority to recognise a secondary school-leaving certificate from abroad as being equivalent to the Czech school-leaving certificate.
Individual higher education institutions or faculties have different entrance requirements. The most common form of entrance examination is written test of general knowlege in humanities, science and languages. The second part of the entrance examination is oral. It is oriented on student´s interests and their preliminary knowledge in the field of study he/she has chosen. The dean of the faculty is responsible for deciding which students will be admitted. There is no language proficiency test for foreign students but good command of Czech is necessary because the majority of courses are taught in Czech.
Application procedures and admission requirements are generally the same for disabled students as for others. However, a higher education institution may decide to admit students with disabilities who do not quite fulfil the necessary requirements if their entrance examination and previous academic work show that they are able to cope with university studies.

Academic Degrees
According to the Higher Education Act there are three levels of study programmes.
1) The undergraduate study is completed with a state examination. A thesis may be required as part of the state examination. The institution might offer a short study after completion of which they shall issue certificates, or grant their graduates the degree of BACHELOR (Bc.)
2) Graduates of full study programmes are granted the following academic degrees:
- MAGISTER (Mgr.) at institutions of university, theology and artistic character
- ENGINEER (ing.) at institutions of technical, economic and agricultural character
- DOCTOR OF GENERAL MEDICINE (MUDr.) at faculties of medicine
- DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE (MVDr.) at faculties of veterinary medicine
- All of these diplomas and academic degrees confirm that the student has completed studies at a higher education institution and has qualifications for performance in the chosen profession. Professional examinations are used in some juridical, technical professions and in medicine as well.
3) Postgraduate study (doctoral study) prepares graduates for research work. Postgraduates are awarded the academic degree of PhD.

Self-funding student - student pays all her/his expenses including tuition herself/himself

Government grant aided student - if you will be receiving a scholarship from your government or from an organization in your country, please attach the official award notice or sent it to the Study Department.

Sponsored student - Exchange student under an agreement between Palacký University and your university or college (Inter-University cooperation agreements, Erasmus, CEEPUS) - students do not pay any tuition, Palacký University may cover part of their living expenses in the Czech Republic.

One-to-one exchange student - if there is a Palacký University student willing to study at your university or college, it is possible to arrange an exchange study stay for you. Palacký University and your university or college will sign an agreement for the exchange. You do not pay any tuition and will be asked to pay living expenses (university room and board) to the home institution creating a place there for an incoming exchange student from Palacký University (the same will be done at Palacký University for you).

Erasmus student - All Erasmus students will be waived tuition fees, however, students will be required to pay some service charges (library fee etc.), same as PU Czech students. More information about Erasmus programme here.