News & General information
Waste Management Municipal Fee
Foreigners who stay in Olomouc for more than 90 days are obliged to pay the Waste management municipal fee.
This applies only to students who:
- are 26 years of age or older staying at the UP dormitory (more information HERE)
- all students staying in private accommodation (more informatin HERE)
Students under 26 years of age staying at the UP dorms are not required to pay the fee.
Academic calendar & organization of study
*Relevant for exchange students coming to study at Palacký University Olomouc for one or two semesters.
The academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester is 13 weeks long. Winter semester starts in late September; in the last week before Christmas there are no classes because it is a “credit week”, which is one week of mostly written tests which are either a completion of the courses themselves or a prerequisite of registering for an oral exam in the exam period. The exam period goes on through January until mid-February. The summer semester runs from mid-February to mid-May. The last week is again a credit week, with the exam period lasting until the end of June.
Academic calendar 2024/2025
The academic year starts on 1 September 2024 and ends on 31 August 2025. The winter semester classes end before Christmas. Exams are scheduled throughout January. The summer semester begins in the middle of February and classes end in the middle of May with exams continuing until the end of June.
*The academic calendar below is general for the whole university and might differ for particular faculties.
- With approval from respective departments, students can take examinations also before the official examination period.
- Winter semester at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences starts on 9/16 September 2024 and ends on 9 February/10 January 2025 respectively.
- Summer semester at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty and Health Sciences starts on 30 January/10 February 2024 and ends on 8 June/23 May 2025 respectively.
- Summer semester at the Faculty of Law starts on 17 February and ends on 16 May 2025.
Arrival at the dormitories | 13 - 15 September 2024 |
Orientation week Winter semester (for Erasmus+&Exchange students) | 16 September - 20 September 2024 |
Winter semester (beginning of classes) | 23 September 2024* |
Winter semester (ending of classes) | 20 December 2024* |
Christmas break | 23 December 2024 - 2 January 2025 |
Examination period beginning* | 2 January 2025 |
Examination period ending | 14 February 2025 |
Arrival at the dormitories | 1 – 2 February 2025 |
Orientation week Summer semester (for Erasmus+&Exchange students) | 3 – 7 February 2025 |
Summer semester (beginning of classes) | 10 February 2025* |
Summer semester (ending of classes) | 9 May 2025* |
Palacký University Olomouc Academic week | 17 - 23 February 2025 |
Sports Days | 14 May 2025 |
Examination period beginning * | 12 May 2025 |
Examination period ending | 30 June 2025 |
Academic calendar 2023/2024
The academic year starts on 1 September 2023 and ends on 31 August 2024. The winter semester classes end before Christmas. Exams are scheduled throughout January. The summer semester begins in the middle of February and classes end in the middle of May with exams continuing until the end of June.
*The academic calendar below is general for the whole university and might differ for particular faculties.
- With approval from respective departments, students can take examinations also before the official examination period.
- Winter semester at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences starts on 11 September 2023 and ends on 2 February/5 January 2024.
- Summer Semester at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences starts on 25 January/12 February 2024 and ends on 31 May/24 May 2024.
- Summer Semester at the Faculty of Arts starts on 5 February 2024 and ends on 3 May 2024.
Arrival at the dormitories | 8 - 10 September 2023 |
Orientation week Winter semester (for Erasmus+&Exchange students) | 11 September - 15 September 2023 |
Winter semester (beginning of classes) | 18 September 2023* |
Winter semester (ending of classes) | 15 December 2023* |
Christmas break | 18 December 2023 - 2 January 2023 |
Examination period beginning* | 2 January 2024 |
Examination period ending | 9 February 2024 |
Arrival at the dormitories | 2 – 4 February 2024 |
Orientation week Summer semester (for Erasmus+&Exchange students) | 5 – 9 February 2024 |
Summer semester (beginning of classes) | 12 February 2024* |
Summer semester (ending of classes) | 10 May 2024* |
Palacký University Olomouc Academic week | 19 - 25 February 2024 |
Sports Days | 15 May 2024 |
Examination period beginning * | 13 May 2024 |
Examination period ending | 30 June 2024 |
Complete information to be downloaded in Czech language here.
Language Requirements
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.
Students choosing any courses offered by KAA (the Department of English and American Studies) must submit an official international certificate of language proficiency corresponding to the minimum level of the CEFR B2 (e.g. TOEFL, Cambridge, the other certificates to be approved by the KAA department coordinator). The required certificate must be uploaded before/by the application deadline!
Nominated students within the Erasmus+ programme can use the language assessment done before mobility within OLS (online linguistic support – see more at the website or use any other official score report/assessment to prove their English language competence.
Classes
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.
Course completion
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:
Transcript of Records
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.
Confirmation of study period
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 Office for Mobility. You can bring a form from your home institution or the official one issued by UP.
Please note that the Office for Mobility cannot confirm the date of departure earlier than 2-3 days prior to the real departure.
Courses
Current offer of courses for Erasmus+ & Exchange students 2024/2025
Please find below the list of Faculties and their current offer of courses for Erasmus+ & Exchange students. To see the courses, please click on the link below each Faculty.
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Arts Courses for Exchange Students
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Education Courses for Exchange Students
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences Erasmus+ Courses
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Law Courses for Exchange Students
Faculty of Medicine
Students from Slovakia can choose also from:
Všeobecné lékařství i Zubní lékařství
Faculty of Physical Culture
Information for Exchange Students
Faculty of Science
Short-term Courses at Faculty of Science
Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology
Short-term Courses at Faculty of Theology
PLEASE NOTE:
You can also search for courses in our Course Catalogue using various filters in order to find the right option for you.
Czech Language Courses
There are several courses of Czech language offered at Palacký University. If you are an Erasmus programme student, you can attend following courses for free:
- Czech Language Course - semestral courses for various language level
Orientation Week for Erasmus+ & Exchange Students
IMPORTANT NOTE: Orientation Day and Orientation Week are for students coming to UP under these STUDY programmes:
- Erasmus+ semester(s) mobility (Europe)
- Erasmus+ International Credit mobility (non-Europe)
- Cooperation Agreements
The central Office for Mobility as well as the Faculty IROs are ready to assist you during your stay at Palacký University. During the Orientation Week (OW), which is regularly organized a week before the official beginning of semester (classes) by the Office for Mobility RUP in cooperation with Erasmus Student Network (ESN) UP Olomouc, you will be introduced to how things work at Palacký University, the faculties and the departments.
On-line Pre- Arrival Orientation Day will take place on 27 January 2025 - registered students will receive an invitation to join the Zoom meeting. You will learn basic facts about Palacký University Olomouc and your mobility before your arrival.
Orientation Week will take place from Monday 3 February 2025 to Friday 7 February 2025. We will send the programme to your e-mail. Please, follow the schedule of the group you belong to!
Please note that the Office for Mobility UP will not provide information individually to students who arrive in Olomouc earlier than the official start of the OW.
Further details may be obtained from:
- zuzana.hamdanieh@upol.cz (Erasmus+)
- anna.prilucikova@upol.cz (Exchange students - Cooperation Agreements)
- iva.kokinopulosova@upol.cz (Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility)
What can you expect?*
Morning / Day Activities (by Office for Mobility):
- Welcome Meeting (Presentation of UP and its facilities)
- Cultural Differences (Lecture)
- Study Agenda and Practical Information I (Workshop)
- Practical Information II (City tour with ESN)
- Rights and Duties in the Czech Republic (Workshop by Police of the Czech Republic)
- Czech Language Introductory Course (Workshop)
The afternoon programme provides international students with information workshops focused on organizational and practical issues, such as an overview of UP offices and coordinators, UP facilities, registration of courses, confirmation of documents, how to arrange an ID card at UP, etc. Students can attend an introductory course of Czech language, learn about their rights and duties in the Czech Republic during a session with a police officer.
Evening and weekend activities (by ESN)
- National Presentation - Czech Republic
- Trips to Olomouc surroundings
- Parties
- Get-to-know-you activities
- Many more
The evening programme is devoted to getting the students together and offering cultural, social and sporting events.
PLEASE NOTE:
The activities may be varied or changed due to organizational reasons every semester.
The detailed programme is sent to REGISTERED students few days prior to the beginning of the OW.
Why is it obligatory to attend the Orientation Week?
- You will receive a lot of practical information and instructions, which will help you during your stay.
- You will meet your coordinators, university representatives, ESN guides and other international students.
- You will learn how to register for your classes and how to make your class schedule.
- You will be assisted with administration issues as ID card application, tram pass application, etc.
- You will have time to discover the beautiful city of Olomouc and get ready for the new semester :)
PLEASE NOTE:
If you cannot attend the OW for relevant and important reasons, please, communicate it in advance with the coordinators by email iro.up.olomouc@gmail.com.
How do I register for the OW?
- ERASMUS+ & COOPERATION AGREEMENTS:
You need to register via the online application form. The access is in the automatic email that we sent you from noreply_mobility@upol.cz (never reply or send emails to this address, it is an automatic email) when you were officially nominated.
Go to the section APPLICATION at the bottom. Update your information and save changes if necessary. See the picture below.)
- OTHER SHORT-TERM STUDENTS (CEEPUS, Government Scholarships, etc. - those who are not nominated through our Erasmus+ online nomination and application system):
Please contact your Faculty coordinator in order to receive more instructions, i.e. the link for the registration form.
Photogallery
Identification cards
Every student at the Palacký University gets an ID card called ISIC. If the length of studies is longer than one month and the students do not own an ISIC card from their home or an UP standard blue ID card and they would like to own a Palacký University card, students can pay the deposit 200 CZK and 350 CZK license fee.
With ISIC, you can then pay for your meals at university canteens, print and copy documents in the library, or get discounts at fitness centers, shops, restaurants, for entrance fees, etc. More information about ISIC use in the Czech Republic at isic.cz.
More information about how to apply for the UP ID Card can be found on the Welcome Office website.
International Offices
Several departments are in charge of international relations at Palacký University. The central office – Division for International Cooperation - Office for Mobility – organizes the orientation week and incoming student coordinators are ready to assist you with general administration (confirmation of study period, etc.) during your stay at UP.
In each faculty you can find a faculty IRO. Faculty international relations officers (coordinators) administer all other international programmes, such as CEEPUS, AKTION, DAAD, Freemover, mobility within international agreements of the Czech Ministry of Education, etc.
The faculty IROs are also in charge of the electronic study agenda – STAG concerning ALL international programmes including Erasmus+, i.e. STAG registration of exchange students, student registration for selected courses, verification of the results at the end of the student placement, and the Transcript of Records, including its submission to the student‘s home university.
Who is who
The international relations of the university are managed by the Vice-Rector for International Relations who is appointed by the Rector. Each faculty has its Vice-dean for international relations who manages international issues and their specifications of the relevant faculty.
Administrative staff
The administration of international relations is overseen by the faculty IROs and by the central Office for Mobility RUP.
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The ERASMUS+ programmes are run by the central Internationalisation Division - Office for Mobility RUP – Vodární 6.
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All other international programmes (e.g. CEEPUS, AKTION, Visegrad Fund, Freemover etc.) and degree programmes in foreign languages are managed by the Faculty International Relations Offices (Faculty IRO).
Office for Mobility (Rector's Office)
Office for Mobility of Palacký University is located at Vodární 6, Olomouc.
See the interactive map of Palacký University Olomouc.
Incoming students coordinators:
Mgr. Zuzana Hamdanieh
Incoming Students Erasmus+ (KA131)
e-mail: zuzana.hamdanieh@upol.cz, tel. +420 585 631 108
Mgr. Iva Kokinopulosová
Erasmus+ KA171 (International Credit Mobility)
e-mail: iva.kokinopulosova@upol.cz, tel. +420 585 631 085
Bc. Anna Přílučíková
non-EU Incoming Students (Cooperation Agreements)
e-mail: anna.prilucikova@upol.cz, tel. +420 585 631 183
Other people in the Division for International Cooperation:
Please check our website for more details about staff.
Faculty International Relations Offices
Faculty international relations officers will help you with your study affairs, courses, Transcripts of Records, etc.
Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology
Bc. Marta Zachová
Univerzitní 22, door 5.21
tel.: +420 585 637 115
e-mail: marta.zachova@upol.cz
Mgr. Alžběta Cajthamlová
Na Hradě 5, door 5.05
tel.: +420 585 637 012
e-mail: alzbeta.cajthamlova@upol.cz
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Ing. Petra Nakládalová
Hněvotínská 3
tel.: +420 585 632 015
e-mail: petra.nakladalova@upol.cz
Jana Osmani
Hněvotínská 3, door 2.094
tel.: +420 585 632 015, +420 585 632 017
e-mail: jana.osmani@upol.cz
Faculty of Arts
Mgr. Jana Hořáková
Křížkovského 10, door 2.20
tel.: +420 585 633 014
e-mail: j.horakova@upol.cz
Mgr. Simona Černá
Křížkovského 10, door 2.20
tel.: +420 585 633 496
e-mail: simona.cerna@upol.cz
Faculty of Science
Mgr. Marie Raková
17. listopadu 12, door 1.005
tel.: +420 585 634 058
e-mail: marie.rakova@upol.cz
Faculty of Education
Mgr. Dagmar Zdráhalová - non-EU students
Žižkovo náměstí 5, door 3.43
tel.: +420 585 635 907
e-mail: dagmar.zdrahalova@upol.cz
Mgr. Matěj Šerák - EU students
Žižkovo náměstí 5, door 4.26a
tel.: +420 585 635 203
e-mail: matej.serak@upol.cz
Faculty of Physical Culture
Mgr. Jitka Martincová
Třída Míru 117, door 3.12
tel.: +420 585 636 046
e-mail: jitka.martincova@upol.cz
Faculty of Law
Mgr. Radana Kuncová
Třída 17. listopadu 8, door 2.13
tel.: +420 585 637 675
e-mail: radana.kuncova@upol.cz
Mgr. Martin Verner
Třída 17. listopadu 8, door 2.13
tel.: +420 585 637 514
e-mail: martin.verner@upol.cz
Faculty of Health Sciences
Ing. Irena Jedličková
Hněvotínská 3, door 2.020
tel.: +420 585 632 857
e-mail: irena.jedlickova@upol.cz
Departmental Coordinators
Download the list of Departmental Coordinators for incoming Erasmus+ & Exchange Students at THIS LINK.
Erasmus Student Network
Erasmus Student Network is a volunteer student organisation in international higher education in Europe. The organisation offers opportunities for cultural understanding and self-development under the principle of SHS - "Students Helping Students."
The section working in Olomouc is called ESN UP Olomouc.
One of the main activities of ESN UP Olomouc is a "buddy system". After your arrival you can feel totally lost, you may not know how to get to Olomouc, how to get to the dormitories. Maybe you have some doubts about what the Orientation week is.
That's why there is your Czech buddy – a friend who will make your arrival and first days in Olomouc easier and less stressful.
Your buddy will:
- Tell you how to get from Prague's airport to Olomouc
- Pick you up at the bus/train station here in Olomouc
- Take you to the dormitories and help you to fill in the documents there
- Take you to the school during Orientation Week
- Give you basic orientation in the city, at school, explain public transportation system, shopping
- Explain where to find the best places to have a fun
- Help you during the semester with anything you need
If you are interested in having a buddy, please, as soon as you receive the Letter of Acceptance, register in the buddy system Papaya here. If you experience problems with Papaya, please contact the Buddy Coordinator at buddy@esn.upol.cz.
Visit ESN UP Olomouc at esn.upol.cz or Facebook page – ESN UP Olomouc
Docs & Forms
- Confirmation of departure/mobility
- CZ OLOMOUC01 Factsheet 2024/2025
- Safety Report
- Transcript of Records (sample)
- UP Enrolment form (yellow card)
- UP Transcript of Records
You can access the documents and forms by clicking on the correct programme:
- Erasmus+ (KA131 = European students + Turkey)
- Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (KA171 = Non-European students)
- Cooperation Agreements (Other non-European students)