Basic Information

Palacký University Olomouc is a university with long-standing tradition. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest university in Moravia and the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic. Today it is a modern higher education facility with a wide range of study programmes and copious scientific and research activities. In 2020, 21,824 students studied in 840 accredited study programmes at eight faculties. The university also provides exchange programmes and lifelong learning programmes. Palacký University Olomouc is one of the very top Czech universities, and ranks among the best universities in the world, according to international rankings.
Palacký University International Rankings
- Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2020: #501–600
- QS World University Rankings 2021: #591–600
- The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) 2022: #801–1000
- U.S. News Best Global Universities Ranking 2020: #529
- The Center for World University Rankings CWUR 2021: #572
Statistical Data
Figures as of December 31st, 2020
- 21,824 students in accredited study programmes
- 23,631 students, participants of foreign exchange programmes and lifelong learning progammes
- 3,646 international students, from 103 countries
- 11,457 participants of lifelong learning programmes
- 840 accredited study programmes
- 186 accredited study programmes taught in foreign languages
- 576 courses of lifelong learning
- 28,754 applications for studies
- 3,977 graduating students
- 4,895 graduates of the lifelong learning programmes
- 743 graduates of the University of Third Age
- 441 students paying full tuition
- 4,022 employees
- 385 academic and scientific employees with foreign citizenship
- 8 professors named on the proposal of the UP Scholarly Board
- 27 associate professors named
- 179 academic conferences, including the international ones
- 670,000 CZK distributed by the UP Endowment Fund to support scientific and academic research
- 565,361 volumes in the UP Library
- 4,785 beds in UP dormitories
- 464,517 meals served to students and staff
Source: UP Annual Report 2020
History of the University
Palacký University Olomouc is the oldest university in Moravia and second oldest in the Czech Republic. Its history goes back to December 22, 1573, when the former Jesuit College in Olomouc was given the right to confer degrees, i.e. promoted to university status. The development of Olomouc's university throughout four centuries has reflected the milestones in European and Czech history. The Thirty Years' War between the years 1616-50, the dissolution of the Jesuit Order in 1773, the revolutionary year of 1848, the foundation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, the German occupation of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia in 1939-45, and the student demonstrations of 1939 and 1989 - all these events have shaped the past of today's Palacký University. Palacký University Olomouc, represented by its eight faculties, is one of the most prestigious of all Czech universities.