Higher education system Czech higher education has a long tradition of over six hundred years. In 1348 the Charles University in Prague was established, which is the oldest academic institution in the Central Europe. At present, there are many other highly prestigious public and private colleges and universities that prepare specialists in various fields. Czech Republic is taking part in the Bologna Process, most institutions have introduced credit systems compatible with the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System, i.e. each course is assessed using a number of credits which reflects its demands) and have adopted new degree structures to ensure international comparability of degrees. The central governing body is the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The quality of higher education is fostered by the Accreditation Commission.
Degree structure
Higher education institutions form the highest level of Czech education. They offer accredited degree programmes at three levels: Bachelor, Master´s, and Doctoral, as well as lifelong learning courses. Higher education institutions can be either university or non-university types. Traditional university-type institutions may offer all types of degree programmes while non-university institutions are characterised by providing mainly Bachelor degree programmes.
Bachelor degree programmes
Bachelor degree programmes are 3 to 4 years in duration (180 – 240 ECTS credits) and constitute the first level of higher education. Graduates receive the academic degree "bakalář umění (BcA.)" in the field of arts, and "bakalář (Bc.)" in other fields. The study programme must be completed with a final state examination, which usually includes the presentation and defence of a thesis. Successful graduates may enter the labour market or continue their studies in follow-up master’s programmes in related fields.
Master´s degree programmes
Master´s degree programmes may either follow on from Bachelor programmes as follow-up Master´s programmes (2 to 3 years; 60 – 180 ECTS credits), or they may be full programmes (4 to 6 years; 240 – 360 ECTS credits). Programmes focus on the acquisition and application of theoretical knowledge, and on the development of creativity and talent. Graduates in Master´s programmes have to take a final state examination and publicly present and defend a thesis. Studies in medicine, veterinary medicine and hygiene are completed by a demanding state examination, including the presentation and defence of a rigorous thesis. Studies in Master´s programmes result in the following degrees:
- magistr (Mgr.): Master of humanities, sciences, law, education, pharmacy and theology
- magistr umění (MgA.): Master of Arts
- inženýr (Ing.): Engineer in the field of economics, technical sciences and engineering, agriculture, forestry and military branches of study
- inženýr architekt (Ing. arch.) – Architect in the field of architecture;
- doktor medicíny (MUDr.): Doctor of Human Medicine in the field of medicine
- zubní lékař (MDDr.): Doctor of Dental Medicine in the field of dental medicine
- doktor veterinární medicíny (MVDr.): Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in the field of veterinary medicine
Holders of a “magistr” Master´s degree can sit a demanding state examination in the same field, and present and defend a rigorous thesis. Upon successful completion the following academic degrees are awarded:
- doktor práv (JUDr.) in the field of law
- doktor filozofie (PhDr.) in the field of humanities, teacher training and social sciences
- doktor přírodních věd (RNDr.) in the field of natural sciences
- doktor farmacie (PharmDr.) in the field of pharmacy
- licenciát teologie (ThLic.) in the field of Catholic theology
- licenciát teologie (ThLic.) or “doktor teologie” (ThDr.) in the field of theology, excluding Catholic theology
All the aforementioned academic titles are at Master’s level and are written before the holder’s name.
Doctoral degree programmes
Doctoral programmes (which normally last 3 years) are intended for graduates from master programmes and focus on independent creative work in research, development or the arts. Doctoral studies are completed by way of a state doctoral examination and the public presentation and defence of a doctoral thesis (dissertation) based on original work, which must be published.
Graduates of doctoral study programmes are awarded the academic degree of:
- doktor (Ph.D.)
- doktor teologie (Th.D.) in the field of theology
Those academic titles are written after the holder’s name.
Because of growing interest, some institutions provide also study programmes leading to the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA). This study is oriented on solving real-life case studies and should enhance managerial knowledge and skills of students.
Organisation of Studies
The academic year lasts 12 calendar months and its beginning and end is set by the rector (normally 1 September – 31 August). Study programmes are divided into semesters (winter and summer), years or blocks, which are further divided into periods of tuition, examinations and holidays.
Higher education takes place within a framework of accredited study programmes in accordance with their curricula and the kind of study:
- Full-time studies (regular attendance) normally consist of traditional components, i.e. lectures, seminars and exercises according to a regular schedule. (This is usually a weekly schedule.)
- Distance learning study is mainly done through multimedia approaches to tuition, i.e. study texts placed on the Internet, communication between teachers and students via e-mail or telephone.
- The combined form of study mixes regular attendance with distance learning (i.e. consultations as part of workshops, including the widespread use of information and communication technologies, especially on-line learning centres)
There is a set number of teaching periods and credits allocated to each subject. The methods of tuition and the final requirements are also set. The subjects taught are completed at the end of each semester in one of the following ways:
- with an examination, usually marked according to a three-level scale (excellent, very good and good). No credits are awarded for the fourth level (failed).
- with a course-completion certificate
- with a course-completion certificate and a graded assessment
Admission Requirements
The principal requirement for entering a Bachelor degree programme or a full Master´s degree programme is the completion of a full secondary general education or vocational education with a “maturita” school-leaving examination. Admission to a follow-up Master´s degree programme depends on the completion of the relevant Bachelor degree programme or its equivalent. Admission to Doctoral studies depends on the successful completion of a Master´s degree programme.
Students who want to study a full degree should apply directly to the higher education institution of their choice.Students may apply for several study programmes at various institutions and faculties. The deadline for submitting applications is normally the end of February or March. Most higher education institutions offer the option of filing an application in electronic form. The date, content and form (oral or written examination, aptitude test) of the entrance process are decided upon by the dean of the faculty or the rector of the higher education institution. Entrance examinations are normally held between June and September. Examinations at higher education institutions for the arts take place earlier, in January, and the deadline for filing applications is normally the end of November. Student administration departments at various faculties can provide information on applications, admission requirements and studies.
The majority of students are interested in economic and humanities subjects, for which over 105,000 students in total applied in 2004 (almost 40% of all applications submitted). Leaving a gap, pedagogical and teaching subjects are in third place.
Tuition fees
All international students can study under the same conditions as the Czech ones. Studying in Czech language at public and state institutions of higher education is free of charge. Public institutions of higher education are entitled to charge tuition fees for studies in programmes where the language of instruction is other than Czech. It varies according to university and field of study. Individual faculties charge from 2 000-12 000 USD/year. Detailed information can be found at the websites of the relevant institutions. Private higher education institutions collect tuition fees both for studies in the Czech and foreign languages.
