Academic Calendar & Organization of Study

The language of instruction at Palacký University is Czech, however, the University offers a wide range of courses taught in other languages, such as English, German, French, Spanish, etc.

Palacký University requires the minimum level stated in the bilateral agreement (Erasmus+ programme). If students do not meet the required level, they should submit a proof of their English language competence along with their application form. In this case the level should be equal to English level CEFR B2 or TOEFL score 72 and higher.

The students who are willing to take courses from the Department of English and American studies (Faculty of Arts, courses with the code KAA/) are obliged to submit the English language certificates within their online application form.

Nominated students within the Erasmus+ programme can use the language assessment done before mobility within OLS (online linguistic support – see more at: http://erasmusplusols.eu/assessment-test/ or use any other official score report/assessment to prove their English language competence.

The schedule and instruction methods logically vary between faculties and disciplines. Classes can start in the early hours of the morning (7am) and run until 8pm at the latest. Individual classes are 45 mins or 90 mins long. Lectures tend to be longer, followed by shorter, more practical seminars or exercises. At lectures, students mostly passively listen to the presentation, while at seminars, active participation and homework in the form of readings, essays, exercises or seminar papers are required. UP students may combine disciplines freely and attend courses outside their home departments or even faculties. It may happen that a course primarily designed for one particular year is also attended by students of higher or lower years. Everything depends on the capacity of the course and the instructor’s decision.

As the method of instruction and course requirements are determined by the instructor, always check with them for details before registering in the course!

Medical students follow their own specific rules and a fixed schedule which they can complement with optional courses. 

Some courses may be completed through good attendance and the fulfilment of continuous tasks throughout the semester or by submitting a semestral project or paper, without the need for another exam. However, completion of the majority of courses requires first the acquisition of a “credit” and then passing an exam. The “credit” is usually a written test. It may consist of an essay, but mostly it is a classic test with open- or closed-ended questions. Credit tests are mostly held in the last week of the semester. By acquiring the “credit” you either complete the entire course or qualify for an exam. Exams are held in the exam period. They may be written, but are very often oral. Prior to the exam, students receive relevant topics or questions and need to revise the contents of the course in the semester. At the oral exam you discuss the selected topic with the instructor; the test can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour or more, again depending on the discipline, instructor, and logically on how you are performing in the exam. If you fail your “credit” or exam, you can do up to two retakes. Note that many courses are concluded only with a credit or “kolokvium” (oral assessment through discussion), i.e. only the pass/fail evaluation, without a grade (A, B, C, D, E, F). If your home university requires grades, remember to choose courses that are concluded with an exam. UP cannot give you grades for courses that are concluded with a “credit” or colloquium.
Only if teachers are willing to evaluate your performance in such courses in percent, then based on the conversion table your home institution can get a grade. Please note that the transferred grade can´t be explicitly written in the UP ToR, the conversion table available in the official document must be used to prove the grade.

For illustration see the final part of the ToR with a conversion table:

The official document which shows your completed or failed courses is called the Transcript of Records. This ToR is automatically printed from STAG by the faculty international relations officer once all your courses / exams / grades have been registered in the system by the teacher. Please note that, if required, you must hand in the EF/yellow card in order to get your ToR. The ToR is sent to your home institution with several weeks after your departure. If you completed all your courses and still have not received your ToR in 6 weeks, please contact your faculty international relations officer.

For illustration see a sample of the UP Transcript of Records:

This confirmation is issued at the beginning and at the end of your study period to confirm the dates of your arrival and departure. Erasmus+ and exchange / short-term students can get it in the central International Relations Office. You can bring a form from your home institution or the official one issued by UP.

Please note that the International Relations Office cannot confirm the date of departure earlier than 2-3 days prior to the real departure.