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Czech Republic



Structure of Educational System
Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition  of Foreign Credentials 
Student Life 
International Cooperation and Exchanges   


INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Univerzita (University)

Vysoké Učení Technické (Technical University)

Technická Univerzita (Technical University)

Akademie (Academy)

Vysoká škola (Higher School)

 

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Maturitní Vysvědčení

Bakalár uměni

Bakalář

Inženýr

Inženýr architekt

Magistr

Magistr uměni

Teaching Qualification

Doktor Medicíny

Doktor Veterinární Medicíny

Doktor Farmacie

Doktor Filozofie

Doktor Práv

Doktor Přírodních Věd

Licentiát Teologie

Doktor

Doktor teologie

Kandidát Věd

Doktor Věd

 

 

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 15

Structure of school system:

Basic

Type of school providing this education: Basic School (2 stages: 1-5, 6-9)

Length of program in years: 9

Age level from: 6 to: 15

Certificate/diploma awarded: Vysvědčeni

General Secondary

Type of school providing this education: General School (Gymnasium) (admission after 5th year of basic school)

Length of program in years: 8

Age level from: 11 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Maturitní Vysvědčeni

General Secondary

Type of school providing this education: General school (Gymnasium) (admission after 7th year of basic school)

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 13 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Maturitní Vysvědčeni

Academic Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Grammar School (Gymnasium)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 15 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Maturitní Vysvědčeni

Technical Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Secondary Technical School (Technical, Health Care, Management, Arts, etc)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 15 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Maturitní Vysvědčeni

Vocational Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Secondary Vocational School

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 15 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Maturitni Vysvědčeni

Vocational Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Secondary school

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 15 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Vocational Certificate

Professional

Type of school providing this education: Higher Professional School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 19 to: 21

Certificate/diploma awarded: Absolutorium

School education:

Primary education lasts for nine years divided into two stages of five and four years respectively. It leads to a Vysvědčeni. Secondary education comprises three main types of schools: secondary general schools (gymnasium), secondary technical schools and secondary vocational schools. Gymnasiums prepare for study at higher education institutions and for professions. The secondary technical schools and 4-year courses or three years follow up courses at secondary vocational schools prepare students for a wide range of professions as well as for studies at higher education institutions. All these studies culminate in the passing of  Maturitní zkouška/Maturita. As for the 2-year and 3-year courses at the vocational schools, they prepare students for professional activities.

Higher education:

Higher education is provided by university type and non-university type institutions. The non-university higher education institutions mainly offer Bachelor study programmes. Higher education institutions of university type offer Bachelor, Master and Doctoral study programmes. Higher education institutions offer courses in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Medicine and Pharmacy, Theology, as well as in Economics, Veterinary Medicine, and Agriculture, Teacher Training and Arts. The majority of higher education institutions are public institutions. There are also 14 private higher education institutions. Public institutions are financed by the state budget by  the  Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The private higher education institutions could be partially financed by the State. In addition, the Czech higher education system includes 4 state higher education institutions. There are three military higher education institutions and a Police Academy. These institutions are financed by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior. All higher education institutions provide accredited study programmes which are assessed by the Accreditation Commission. Important partners of the Ministry of education in all decisions concerning higher education are the Czech Rectors' Conference and the Council of Higher Education Institutions.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Higher Education Institutions Act no. 111/1998 Year: 1998

Concerns: all higher education institutions

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Aug

Long vacation from: 15 Jun to: 1 Sep

Languages of instruction: Czech, English, German

Stages of studies:

 

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bachelor studies (Bakalář):

The Bachelor study programmes usually take three to four years, covering all main disciplines, except in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Architecture and Law. It is conceived either as an independent course whose graduates are fully qualified for particular professions, or as the first stage of longer studies whose graduates can continue towards the Magistr degree. This cycle leads to the academic degree of Bakalář (Bc.) or Bakalář umění (BcA) in the field of Arts which was introduced in January 1999. Students must sit for a final state examination, part of which is also the defence of the Bachelor thesis.

University level second stage: Master studies (Magistr):

The Master study programmes in the Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Pharmacy, Theology, Law and Art last for five years and lead to the title of Magistr (Mgr). In Economics, Agriculture and Chemistry, studies last for five years and lead to the academic degree of Inženýr (Ing). In Engineering, studies last between five and five-and-a-half years and also lead to the degree of Inženýr (Ing). In Architecture, Veterinary Medicine and Medicine, studies last for six years. Graduates in Medicine obtain the degree of Doktor mediciny (MUDr) and of Doktor Veterinární Medicíni (MVDr) in Veterinary Medicine.  According to the 1998 Act, graduates of Master programmes in Architecture are awarded the title of Inženýr Architekt and graduates in the Arts the academic degree of Magistr Uměni (MgA). The new Act enables holders of the title of Magistr to sit for a State Rigorosum examination in the same field and defend a dissertation to acquire the academic degree of Doktor followed by the name of the field (Doktor práv (JUDr), Doktor Filosofie (PhDr), Doktor Přidoních Věd (RNDr), Doktor Farmacie (PharDr), Doktor Teologie (ThDr) or Licenciát Teologie (ThLic).

University level third stage: Doctoral studies:

The third and highest level of higher education consists in studies for the Doctorate which take place under the guidance of a tutor. The programme is aimed at scientific research and independent study. Holders of the Master's Degree may apply. Studies last for three years (four to five years part-time) and lead to the academic degree of Doktor (PhD) or Doktor Teologie (ThD) in the field of Theology. Studies end with the State Doctorate examination and the defence of a dissertation. At some higher education institutions and institutes of the Academy of Sciences, studies leading to the award of the Kandidát Věd (Candidate of Science, abbreviated as "CSc") still exist. Participants in these programmes may complete their education and finish the defence of their dissertation by 31 December 2001. The degree "Doktor Věd" (Doctor of Science) is the highest scientific degree. It is awarded on the basis of original research work and the public defence of the Doctorate thesis.

 

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Teachers of basic schools are trained at Faculties of Education. Teachers of the first stage of primary school follow a four-year course, those for the second stage follow a five-year course combining two subjects. Those specialized in Music Education are usually graduates of four-year or six-year conservatories.

Training of secondary school teachers

Teachers for secondary general schools and secondary technical schools are trained at Faculties of Education, Arts, Philosophy, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Physics,  Physical Education and Sports as well as at technical, economic and agricultural Faculties. They obtain their qualifications through Master's degree courses.

Training of higher education teachers

Teachers at higher education institutions must hold an academic degree awarded after having successfully completed the Magistr study programme, and usually hold the degree of Kandidát věd or Doktor. Academic staff members may be appointed to the following ranks: profesor (professor), docent (associate professor) odborný asistent (senior assistant), asistent (assistant) and lektor (lecturer). Docent (associate professor) in a specific field is appointed by the Rector on the basis of habilitation procedure. A professor in a specific field is appointed by the President of the Czech Republic according to the procedure for the appointment of a professor.

 

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

Four distance education centres in Prague, Liberec, Brno and Olomouc have been established. Some non-governmental educational institutions, such as J.A. Comenius and the Open University Fund also offer distance education. The National Centre for Distance Education was established in 1995 as a department of the Centre for Higher Education Studies.

Lifelong higher education

Several institutions, centres or institutes of lifelong learning have been established which offer a whole range of educational activities to upgrade qualifications, for requalification and special interest activities. In the sphere of adult education, a number of higher education institutions cooperate with foreign universities in various fields, and more especially in Management and Languages. There are also Universities of the Third Age which have been created in sixteen faculties.

 

 

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy)

Head: Eduard Zeman, Minister

Administrative officer: Vladimir Sevela, Secretary

International relations: Pavel Cink

Ul. Karmelitská 7
118 12 Praha
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 5719-3350

Fax: +420(2) 3114-172

EMail: zeman@msmt.cz

WWW: http://www.msmt.cz

 

Role of governing body: Responsible for the administration and the financing of higher education institutions

 

Council of Higher Education Institutions (Rada vysokých škol)

Head: František Ježek, Director

José Martího 31
162 52 Praha 6 - Veleslavín
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 2056-0221

Fax: +420(2) 2017-2149

EMail: arvs@ftvs.cuni.cz

WWW: http://www.ftvs.cuni.cz

 

 

Czech Rectors' Conference (Česká konference rektorů)

Head: Ivan Wilhelm, President

Administrative officer: Marie Fojtíková, Secretary-General

Masaryk University
Nám. Žerotínovo 9
60177 Brno
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(5) 4212-8270

Fax: +420(5) 4212-8300

EMail: crc.secretary@muni.cz

 

Role of governing body: Represents the universities in their dealings with the Ministry

 

Accreditation Commission, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Akreditační komise, MŠMT)

Head: Vinš Václav, Chancellor

Ul. Karmelitská 7
118 12 Praha 1
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 5719-3524

Fax: +420(2) 5719-3790

EMail: vins@msmt.cz

WWW: http://www.msmt.cz

 

 

 

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Maturitní Vysvědčení

For entry to: all higher education institutions

Numerus clausus/restrictions: In case there is insufficient capacity at some faculties

Other admission requirements: In higher education institutions specialized in Arts study, including Architecture,  and in faculties of Education and Sport, and in the field of Stomatology, part of the entrance examination is called "talentová zkouška" (talent examination). The entrance examination or interview may be required in all higher education institutions

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: A foreign student is a person enrolled at a Czech institution of higher education who is not a permanent resident of the Czech Republic.

Quotas: None

Admission requirements: The Secondary-School-Leaving Certificate must either originate from a state with which the Czech Republic has agreements on the equivalence of diplomas for university entrance or be validated by the Regional School Authorities (školské úrady).

Entry regulations: Entry regulations are governed by Act no.326 of 30 November 1999 on Residence of Aliens in the Territory of the Czech Republic and Amendments. The text of this Act and applications for permission to reside in the Czech Republic can be found at http://www.mvcr.cz/inf_turi/english/index.html.

Health requirements: Health certificate required

Language requirements: Foreign students who do not have adequate knowledge of the Czech language can follow a basic one-year course. Information is available at http://www.cuni.cz/cuni/ujop. Some faculties teach several courses in English or German

Application procedures:

Apply to individual institution for entry to: All types of institutions and programmes.

Application closing dates:

For university level studies: 28 Feb

For advanced/doctoral studies: 28 Feb

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Study programmes of public higher education institutions are subject to accreditation. Accreditation is awarded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The Ministry decides on the base of the Accreditation Commission statement.

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Centre for Equivalence of Documents about Education (Centrum pro studium vysokého školství-Středisko pro ekvivalenci dokladů o studiu)

Head: Štépánka Skuhrová, Director

Centre for Higher Education Studies
118 00 Praha 1
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 5753-0500

Fax: +420(2) 5753-1672

EMail: skuhrova@csvs.cz

WWW: http://www.csvs.cz

 

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession

Services provided & students dealt with: Provision of information, advisory services for decision-makers, evaluation of diplomas at the request of decision-makers.

 

Special provisions for recognition:

For access to university level studies: The relevant regional school authority (školský úrad) is competent to confirm the equivalence of secondary-school-leaving certificates obtained abroad with "maturitní vysvědčeni" if the bilateral agreement between the Czech Republic and countries of the origin of the documents exist and to establish the nostrification of the documents if there are no agreements.

For access to advanced studies and research: Recognition of higher education diplomas obtained abroad is the responsibility of public higher education institutions which have similar or equal study programmes. In some special cases, recognition is provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: Additional protocol to the European convention on the equivalence of diplomas leading to admission to universities N°49

Year of signature: 1991

Name of agreement: Convention on mutual recognition on equivalence of certificates, diplomas and degrees

Year of signature: 1975

Name of agreement: Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European region (Lisbon Convention)

Year of signature: 1997

Name of agreement: Convention on the recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees concerning higher education in the states belonging to the Europe region

Year of signature: 1993

Name of agreement: European convention on the academic recognition of university qualifications N°32

Year of signature: 1991

Name of agreement: European convention on the equivalence of diplomas leading to admission to universities N°15

Year of signature: 1991

Name of agreement: European convention on the equivalence of periods of university studies N°21

Year of signature: 1992

Name of agreement: The European agreement on the association of the Czech Republic with the European Community

Year of signature: 1993

Bilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign credentials

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Afghanistan Democratic Republic on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1981

Country/state involved: Afghanistan

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Bulgaria on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1982

Country/state involved: Bulgaria

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Hungary on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1989

Country/state involved: Hungary

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Mongolia on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1988

Country/state involved: Mongolia

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Poland on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1987

Country/state involved: Poland

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Romania on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1972

Country/state involved: Romania

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and the USSR on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1973

Country/state involved: Russian Federation

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and the USSR on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1973

Country/state involved: Belarus

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the CSFR and Yugoslavia on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1991

Country/state involved: Yugoslavia

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the Czech Republic and Iraq on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1989

Country/state involved: Iraq

Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on the mutual recognition of documents on education and degrees

Year of signature: 1992

Country/state involved: Slovak Republic

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Higher Education in the Czech Republic

Publisher: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Year of publication: 1998

Title: Higher Education in the Czech Republic. Guide for Foreign Students

Publisher: Centre for Higher Education Studies, Praha

Year of publication: 1999

 

STUDENT LIFE

Main student services at national level

Academic Information Agency (Akademická informační agentura)

Senovážné náměstí 26
111 21 Praha 1
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 2422-9698

Fax: +420(2) 2422-9697

EMail: aia@dzs.cz

WWW: http://www.dzs.cz/aia/aiainfo.htm

 

Category of services provided: Academic and career counselling services

Services available to foreign Students: No

 

House of International Services of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Dům zahraničních služeb MŠMT)

Senovážné náměstí 26
111 21 Praha 1
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 2439-8325

Fax: +420(2) 2422-9697

EMail: svoboda@dzs.cz

WWW: http://www.dzs.cz

 

Category of services provided: Special services/Centre for foreign students

Services available to foreign Students: Yes

 

National student associations and unions

Student Chamber of Council of Higher Education Institutions

José Martího 31
162 52 Praha 6 - Veleslavín
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 2017-2148

Fax: +420(2) 3162-703

EMail: arvs@ftvs.cuni.cz

WWW: http://www.ftvs.cuni.cz

 

Health/social provisions

Social security for home students: Yes

Social security for foreign students: Yes

Cost/fee (per year): 300 (US Dollar)

Special student travel fares:

By road: Yes

By rail: Yes

Available to foreign students: Yes

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Average living costs: 5000 (US Dollar)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 3000 (US Dollar)

Maximum: 10000 (US Dollar)

Type of financial aid available:

Scholarships/grants/fellowships:

First Degree studies:

Home: Yes

Foreign: Yes

Advanced/doctoral studies:

Home: Yes

Foreign: Yes

Bodies providing information on student financial aid:

House of International Services of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Dům zahraničních služeb MŠMT)

Senovážné náměstí 26
111 21 Praha 1
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 2422-9699

Fax: +420(2) 2422-9697

EMail: cvancarova@dzs.cz

WWW: http://www.dzs.cz

 

Deals with: Grants

Category of students: Foreign students studying on the basis of cultural bilateral agreements.

Publications on student services and financial aid:

Title: Study Abroad 2000-2001

Publisher: UNESCO/IBE

Year of publication: 1999

 

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Ministersvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy ČR)

International relations: Pavel Cink, Director

Karmelitská 8
118 12 Praha 5
Czech Republic

Tel: +420(2) 5719-3700

Fax: +420(2) 5719-3790

EMail: cink@msmt.cz

WWW: http://www.msmt.cz

 

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: AKTION

Name of exchange programme: CEEPUS

Name of exchange programme: JEAN MONNET

Name of exchange programme: LEONARDO DA VINCI

Name of exchange programme: SOCRATES II

Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS

Name of exchange programme: YOUTH

 

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: 1-výborně (excellent); 2-velmi dobře (very good); 3-dobře (good); 4-vyhověl (pass); 5-nevyhověl (unsatisfactory/fail).

Highest on scale: 1-výborně

Pass/fail level: 1,2,3,4/5

Lowest on scale: 5-nevyhověl

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: 1-výborně (excellent); 2-velmi dobře (very good); 3-dobře (good); 4-nevyhověl (unsatisfactory/fail).

Highest on scale: 1-výborne

Pass/fail level: 1,2,3/4

Lowest on scale: 4-nevyhověl

Other main grading systems

Theses: with honours; pass; fail.

 

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

If students already hold a degree from a foreign university and wish to continue their studies in the Czech Republic, it is up to the institution to which they have applied to decide upon the equivalence of their qualifications.

 

Data for academic year: 2001-2002

Source: Centre for Higher Education Studies, Prague, 2001



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