Educational process at university
The academic year lasts 12 months. The start and end dates are fixed by the rector of a university (usually it begins somewhere between the middle of September – beginning of October). The academic year is divided into winter and summer semesters. A semester lasts for 15 weeks. It is usually followed by examinations (tests and exams). After the examination period, students have one week winter holidays (in the case where a student passes all exams early, it is possible to prolong the rest period to two or three weeks) and 2 months holidays from July to August at the end of summer semesters. In some universities, an examination period takes place in September too, when it is possible to retake failed exams. The timetables for the academic year (weekly and daily timetables) are made by every university on the basis of internal regulations. It is worth mentioning that students can alter their timetable and decide which group and which teacher they want. The students themselves make plans for examinations, selecting among the dates and times offered by professors. On the one hand, this system enables students to be more independent and be in control of their studying plan, but on the other hand, it requires much self-discipline and responsibility.
Lessons at universities are conducted in 3 different forms. Lessons can be given in lecture form where learning materials are read in large lecture halls. The 2nd form is seminars (practical lessons) which take place in small groups. The 3rd form is group or individual projects.
Most Czech universities have the so-called credit system. This means that the time required for studying and the complexity of a subject are converted into a credit equivalent. At the end of a semester, students should have the minimum number of credits in every subject. If a student receives the necessary number of credits in every subject, he/she can continue studying next year.
Some subjects are mandatory, whereas others are optional — i.e. students can choose subjects they want to study from a list of optional subjects.