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) 2022: #701–800
- QS World University Rankings 2023: #551–700
- The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) 2023: #1001–1200
- U.S. News Best Global Universities Ranking 2023: #568
- The Center for World University Rankings CWUR 2021: #566
Statistical Data
Year 2021 in numbers
- 32,626 applications for study submitted
- 24 428 applicants for study
- 22,672 students in accredited study programmes (comprising 22,983 studies)
- 24 587 students participating in long-term foreign stays and lifelong learning programmes
- 4 041 foreign students from 106 countries
- 3 906 graduates
- 1 019 accredited study programmes
- 215 accredited study programmes in a foreign language
- 142 scientific conferences including international (65 online)
- 616 lifelong learning courses
- 4 652 graduates of lifelong learning programmes
- 1,749 participants of the University of the Third Age
- 471 University of the Third Age graduates
- 408 foreign academic and scientific staff
- 4 076 UP employees in total
- 11 professors appointed on the proposal of the UP Scholarly Board
- 26 new associate professors
- 15 558 students receiving scholarships
- 516 students-self-payers
- 567,627 items in the UP library collection
- 4 798 beds in dormitories
- 682,888 meals issued by the canteen, of which 405,558 meals issued to students
Source: UP Annual Report 2021
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.