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.

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Prestige and Quality

Palacký University Olomouc (UP) is one of the most important Central European centres of education and research, boasting achievements on the European and global levels in a number of disciplines. UP also plays a significant role in the region. It is one of the largest employers in the Olomouc Region and the City of Olomouc. The economic growth and development of the region would not be possible without the University.

The eight faculties of Palacký University offer 840 Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral study programmes. Applicants may choose from a broad variety of programmes, ranging from theology, education, physical culture and sports, through the humanities, social sciences and arts, to natural, medical, and health sciences. The credit system at UP is fully compatible with ECTS – The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. The prestigious status of the University in Olomouc is confirmed each year by the vast numbers of young applicants, as well as mature students such as seniors and other interested persons.

Palacký University Olomouc is a modern research university. New modern science and research centres with state-of-the-art equipment, collaborating with prominent institutes throughout the world, have been built within the city thanks to UP projects.

The quality of provided study programmes, education, and scientific output has been confirmed by international rankings, such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Center for World University Rankings, and the U. S. News and World Report Best Global Universities Ranking, according to which Palacký University is one of the top universities in the country, achieving significant placement even on the international level.

The University collaborates with a number of partnership institutions abroad. UP strongly supports internalisation in education, science, and research, and the international mobility of students as well as academic and scientific staff. Special attention is paid to the development of strategic international partnerships in education, science, and research.

The Olomouc alma mater has confirmed its status among important science and research institutes by the activities conducted at the Technology Park, which connects the University with industrial partners. It also offers services business consultation services to students.

The University provides a high-quality environment for its students and employees. Dozens of facilities have been newly built or renovated. Modern accommodation facilities, dining services, the university library, sporting facilities, and counselling services are available to all, including students with special needs.

Comprehensive counselling is provided by experts to all students, academic employees, alumni as well as applicants coping with difficult situations in life. The University houses a profession counselling centre, a support centre for students with special needs, and a guidance centre for achieving a healthy lifestyle.

Palacký University also promotes the development of civic society in the Czech Republic; a number of its activities fulfil the ethos of the institution, that for which it was established.

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

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Mission, Values, Vision

The mission of the University is to promote the involvement of students in all areas of research, to cultivate their critical and creative thinking, and to provide high-quality university education in a broad range of natural, medical, and social sciences and humanities on the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. Our active partnership with both the regional community and the global community contributes to the development of the intellectual wealth of the society and its sustainable scientific, technological, cultural, and social development.

In all that we do at Palacký University, we strive for perfection, innovation, engagement, team work, transparency, academic integrity, freedom and autonomy, necessary continuity, and integration into the society. We proudly acknowledge the rich and successful history of the university since 1573. We will continue to do our utmost to preserve and care for these values, maintaining and developing them.

Palacký University Olomouc will continue to be a leading research-oriented university with the ambition to place among the top 5 Czech universities and the top 500 universities the world over.

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.

More information on the history of the university.