Erasmus guide Palacký University Olomouc
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Palacký University Olomouc in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
City
OlomoucCountry
Czech RepublicInternational
Approximately 2,500 international students
Enrollment
Around 20,000 students across eight faculties
Study abroad at Palacký University Olomouc: overview
Study abroad at Palacký University Olomouc for the Czech Republic's second-oldest university: founded 1573, around 20,000 students including roughly 2,500 international. Strongest for medicine and natural sciences, in a smaller, more concentrated student-city setting than Prague's Charles University.
Enrollment
Around 20,000 students across eight faculties
International Mix
Approximately 2,500 international students
Why students choose it
Best for students who want a historic Central European university with real academic depth in medicine and sciences, in a small, affordable, UNESCO-listed city. The trade-off is a smaller international profile than Prague's Charles University, though the exchange programme itself is well-organised.
Language of instruction: Czech (primary); English-taught programmes and courses available, particularly in medicine and select master's programmes
Exchange & application at Palacký University Olomouc
Exchange runs through Erasmus+, KA171 International Credit Mobility or the Aurora Programme, with home-university nomination followed by an application typically due in May-June or October-November.
✅Requirements
Home university nomination, online application, transcript, language proof, and — for non-EU students — a Czech long-stay visa or residence permit.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator or international office nominates you directly to Palacký University's Division for International Cooperation.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students need no visa. Non-EU students need a Czech long-stay visa or residence permit, arranged with the university's support ahead of arrival.
👥Buddy System
ESN Olomouc runs a buddy programme and welcome events pairing new exchange students with local student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
The Division for International Cooperation runs orientation covering enrollment, dormitory check-in and course registration, alongside ESN Olomouc's social welcome events.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | Set by home institution, generally spring | May-June |
| 2nd semester | Set by home institution, generally autumn | October-November |
Arrival Checklist
- Apply for a dormitory room as soon as your exchange nomination is confirmed.
- Confirm your faculty's exact course offerings and language of instruction before arrival.
- Arrange a Czech long-stay visa or residence permit early if you are a non-EU student.
- Register your address with the local Foreign Police within 30 days of arrival if required for your visa type.
Academics & courses at Palacký University Olomouc
Most courses remain Czech-taught, though English-medium options exist, especially in medicine — confirm your course list's language before committing.
📝Course Registration
Course registration happens through the faculty's own system (STAG) once enrollment is confirmed; exchange students select courses within their nominated faculty.
🎓Credit System
ECTS — the Czech Republic is fully aligned with the European Credit Transfer System.
💯Grading System
Czech 1-4 scale (1 = výborně/excellent, 4 = nevyhověl/fail); the university provides ECTS conversion guidance for exchange students.
✍️Exam Culture
Mix of oral and written exams; oral exams are more common in medicine, humanities and law-adjacent subjects.
📚Library Access
Palacký University's library system includes a central library and faculty-specific libraries, with digital access for enrolled students.
Tuition & fees at Palacký University Olomouc
Exchange students pay no tuition beyond their home institution's fees; Czech-language full degrees are free, while English-medium full degrees (notably medicine) charge fees.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | CZK 0 (pay home institution fees only) | Exchange students nominated through Erasmus+, KA171 or Aurora pay no tuition to Palacký University, only their home institution's fees. |
| Full degree – Czech-language programmes | CZK 0 (free for Czech-language degrees) | Czech-language degree programmes at Czech public universities are free, including for EU students who study in Czech. |
| Full degree – English-language programmes | CZK 100,000-350,000/year depending on programme (medicine at the higher end) | English-medium programmes, especially medicine, charge fees regardless of nationality; still competitive compared to Western European tuition. |
CZK 0 (pay home institution fees only)
Exchange students nominated through Erasmus+, KA171 or Aurora pay no tuition to Palacký University, only their home institution's fees.
CZK 0 (free for Czech-language degrees)
Czech-language degree programmes at Czech public universities are free, including for EU students who study in Czech.
CZK 100,000-350,000/year depending on programme (medicine at the higher end)
English-medium programmes, especially medicine, charge fees regardless of nationality; still competitive compared to Western European tuition.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Palacký University Olomouc
Palacký University dormitories are the cheapest and most convenient option — apply as soon as your nomination is confirmed, with Bezrealitky as the private-market fallback.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Olomouc
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Palacký University Olomouc
The Division for International Cooperation and ESN Olomouc cover most day-to-day needs — use both in week one.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes for non-EU students; EHIC generally sufficient for EU/EEA exchange students.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
No dedicated campus clinic; students use local Czech healthcare providers, with the international office able to help with registration.
🧠Mental Health
Psychological counselling is available through the university's student counselling service, with some support in English.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Accepted for EU/EEA exchange students for the duration of their stay.
Czech private health insurance (VZP or Slavia)
~CZK 3,000-6,000/semester
Required for non-EU students as part of visa/residence permit requirements.
Campus services
Division for International Cooperation
Central office handling exchange nominations, applications, dormitory allocation and orientation.
ESN Olomouc
Student-run Erasmus Student Network chapter organising buddy pairing, welcome week and social trips.
Palacký University dormitory administration
Manages room allocation across the university's several dormitory buildings.
Student life at Palacký University Olomouc
Campus life is woven through the whole city, with students making up roughly a fifth of Olomouc's population.
Student Clubs
- ESN Olomouc
- Faculty student associations
Buddy Program
ESN Olomouc buddy programme pairs new exchange students with local student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- University sports centre with subsidised classes and facilities
- Cycling and walking routes around the historic centre and nearby parks
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend the Division for International Cooperation's orientation for enrollment and course registration.
- Move into your dormitory or finalise your private housing.
- Register with the Foreign Police if required for your visa type.
- Join ESN Olomouc's welcome week for social events and the buddy programme.
Key exchange dates at Palacký University Olomouc
Application deadlines cluster around May-June for winter semester and October-November for summer semester; confirm exact dates with your faculty since some vary.
-
1
Nomination and application
Spring (for winter semester) / autumn (for summer semester)
Home university nominates; student applies through the Division for International Cooperation.
-
2
Arrival and orientation
Early September / early February
Enrollment, dormitory check-in and course registration.
-
3
Exam period
January / June
Mix of oral and written exams varies by faculty; confirm dates before booking return travel.