Higher education

Introducing short-cycle programmes into higher education institutions or other tertiary education institutions was suggested in the framework of higher education reforms. This suggestion was rejected by the representatives of higher education institutions during discussions on the scheme of higher education and its legislation.

Tertiary professional education

Education in conservatoires

In the classification of education CZ-ISCED 2011 derived from the international classification, however, as the short-cycle programme (short cycle tertiary professional education) is considered the last stage of training of the conservatoire (konzervatoř). Specifically, it concerns the education in the last two years of conservatoires, i.e. the grades 7 and 8 of the eight-year conservatoires and the grades 5 and 6 of the six-year conservatoires. It is, however, a study within the same school / one educational programme, rather than a separate programme. Given that programmes in conservatoire mainly include secondary education, the education is described in the Chapter on Upper Secondary Education and Post-secondary Non-tertiary Education in the sections on Conservatoires.

Education in tertiary professional schools

In connection with legislative changes to tertiary professional education, it will be possible, effective January 1, 2026, to establish one- to two-year authorised programmes (so-called short-cycle programmes, ISCED 554). Tertiary professional schools with valid accreditation for their on-site educational programmes are thus authorised to offer authorised educational programmes whose content is based on the accredited educational programme of the respective tertiary professional school.

Branches of study

Short, one- or two-year accredited tertiary professional education programmes fill the gap in the Czech education system between secondary and higher education, while also responding to demand from employers and “national needs,” particularly in technical professions. They thus represent a flexible tool for quickly obtaining specialised qualifications where longer programmes are not necessary (e.g., chip manufacturing, energy infrastructure construction, the defence industry, etc.).

The content of one-year and two-year tertiary professional programmes is based on accredited tertiary professional educational programmes; therefore, they are not listed separately in Government Regulation No. 211/2010 Coll., on the System of Fields of Studies in Basic, Upper Secondary and Tertiary Professional Education. An authorised educational programme is designated by the name of the accredited educational programme, followed by the name of the authorised educational programme itself, which is based on the content of the accredited educational programme.

Admission requirements

The admission procedures for short-cycle tertiary professional education programmes are governed by the provisions set forth in Section 94 of the Education Act and Section 2 of Decree No. 10/2005, i.e., in the same manner as for accredited tertiary professional education programmes; see Admission Requirements. For admission to a short-cycle authorised programme itself, the law does not require applicants to have completed upper secondary school (with Maturita exam) of the same or a related field of study. Participants in short-cycle authorised programmes have the status of students at tertiary professional schools, just like those in accredited educational programmes at tertiary professional schools.

Students in short-term authorised programmes are counted toward the maximum permitted number of students for the relevant programme at a tertiary professional school. Therefore, the total number of students in accredited and authorised programmes must not exceed the programme’s capacity as recorded in the school registry.

The law does not set an upper age limit for applicants.

Curriculum

Short one-year or two-year educational programmes at tertiary professional schools are subject to authorisation by the school. The content of an authorised programme must be based on the school’s current accredited educational programme in the same field of study and must meet the requirements set forth in the Education Act and Decree No. 10/2005 Coll., on tertiary professional education. The general principles for short-cycle programmes are virtually identical to those for accredited educational programmes at tertiary professional schools.

Teaching methods

Tertiary professional education includes both theoretical and practical training. Details regarding its organisation are set forth in the Education Act, Decree No. 10/2005 Coll., on tertiary professional education, and the relevant accredited or authorised educational programme. Practical training may take the form of professional practice at the workplace of a natural or legal person that is authorised to engage in activities related to the given field of study and has entered into an agreement with the school regarding the content and scope of the professional practice and the conditions under which it is to be conducted. Practical training may also take place at a dual education provider whose eligibility to provide dual practical instruction has been verified and documented by a valid certificate. The general principles for short-cycle programmes are virtually identical to those for accredited educational programmes at tertiary professional schools, see Teaching methods.

Progression of students

The general principles are virtually identical to those for accredited programmes at tertiary professional schools. Of course, the rules for advancement to the next academic year do not apply to one-year programmes. In addition, the new legislation also allows for a change in the type of educational programme—for example, a transition between an authorised and an accredited programme—provided the student meets the specified conditions (Section 97, paragraph 4 of the Education Act). The school head may require a make-up exam.

Employability

The advantage of authorised programmes at tertiary professional schools is their flexibility and focus on practical skills. They enhance the employability of these graduates and support their lifelong learning. In doing so, they draw on the extensive experience of tertiary professional schools in integrating theoretical vocational education with direct links to key social and professional partners. For more information, such as on professional internships and employer involvement, see Employability of accredited programmes at tertiary professional schools.”

See also information on employer demand in the section Branches of study.

Student assessment

The general principles of assessment during the course of study are the same for authorised and accredited programs; see Student assessment. The only difference lies in the method of assessing successful completion of the programmes.

Certification

The conditions for completing one-year and two-year authorised educational programmes are set forth in the Education Act, Decree No. 10/2005 Coll., on tertiary professional education, and the relevant authorised educational programme.

Education in an authorised programme is duly completed:

• for a one-year programme, by the defence of a practice-oriented final thesis,
• for a two-year programme, by the defence of a practice-oriented final thesis and a professional examination.

Proof of successful completion of the programme is a professional specialist certificate. The certificate specifies Level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

An authorized educational programme must specify the courses that will be part of the final thesis defence and, for the two-year program, the professional examination as well. The professional examination may consist of no more than three specialised subjects.

Thesis

The thesis topic is assigned by the school head:

• for a one-year programme, no later than three months before the defence date,
• for a two-year programme, no later than six months before the defence date.

The assignment includes the thesis topic, the submission deadline, the format requirements, guidelines regarding the content and scope of the thesis, and the required number of copies. The topic and assignment remain the same even for a retake or make-up defence.

Within the same three-month or six-month period, respectively, the school head appoints a thesis advisor and publish the criteria for its evaluation. The external reviewer shall be appointed no later than one month before the defence. The thesis advisor or external reviewer may also be an expert who is not an employee of the school, provided that the expert is or has been active in a field related to the thesis topic. The advisor and external reviewer shall prepare separate written reviews and evaluations, which they shall submit to the student and the members of the examination committee no later than one week before the defence.

If the student provides a valid excuse for serious reasons, the principal shall set an alternative deadline for submitting the thesis and a new date for the defence.

Dates for thesis defence and professional examination

The dates for the thesis defence and the professional examination are generally set by the school head for the period from 1 June to 30 June. Regular, retake, and make-up dates must be posted at least one month in advance in a visible location at the school and in a manner that allows remote access.

Preparation time for both the thesis defence and the professional exam is at least 20 minutes; if a student takes both parts together, the preparation time is at least 40 minutes. The thesis defence lasts no more than 20 minutes, or 30 minutes if it includes a presentation. The professional exam lasts no more than 20 minutes.

Examination committee

The defence of the final thesis and the professional examination take place before an examination committee. The committee is appointed by the school head no later than one month before the defence or professional examination.

Neither the Education Act nor the decree specifies in detail the composition of the examination committee on authorised programmes. The special provisions for authorised programmes also do not expressly stipulate that the defence and the professional examination must be public.

Grading

The results of the thesis defence and the professional examination are graded as follows:

• A – excellent
• B – very good
• C – good
• D – satisfactory
• E – sufficient
• F – unsatisfactory

The professional specialist certificate states “passed” or “failed” as the overall evaluation.

If a student receives an F (fail) on the defence of the final thesis or the professional examination, he or she may retake the relevant portion no more than twice. The date of the retake professional examination or the alternate date for the defence is set by the school head so that it can take place within three months of the regular or alternate date of the examination or defence.

Organisational variation

Authorised educational programmes may be offered in the same formats as accredited programmes, i.e., day, evening, distance, e-learning, and combined formats. Their duration, including professional practice, is one or two years for programmes in on-site forms; for other formats, it may be up to one year longer.