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About studies

Organisation of studies

  • Academic calendar

    The academic year is divided into two semesters, winter and summer semester.

    Winter semester - generally:

    Teaching period: late September – mid-December
    Examination period: January – mid-February

    Spring semester - generally:

    Teaching period: mid-February – late May
    Examination period: late May – late June

     

    Academic year 2023/2024

    Winter semester structure

    		 From To
    Orientation Week 18 September 2023 24 September 2023
    Winter teaching period 25 September 2023 23 December 2023
    Winter/Christmas vacation 22 December 2023 1 January 2024
    Winter exam period 2 January 2024 29 February 2024

     

    Summer semester structure From To
    Orientation Week 5 February 2024 11 February 2024
    Summer teaching period 12 February 2024 18 May 2024
    Summer exam period 20 May 2024 30 June 2024

     

    Public holidays in the Czech Republic:

    1 January New Year's Day
    Easter Friday, Sunday and Monday usually in April
    1 May May Day
    8 May Liberation from Fascism
    5 July Cyril and Methodius
    6 July Burning at Stake of Jan Hus
    28 September Czech Statehood Day
    28 October Establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic
    17 November Freedom and Democracy Day
    24–26 December Christmas holidays

  • Grading system

    Find detailed description in the Study and examination code USB

    Assessment of Studies:

    1. The basic forms of the study assessment are:

    • zápočet = course credit = without examination (written test, essay, semester project, ... )
    • zkouška = an oral/written examination
    • kolokvium = a colloquium
    • souborná postupová zkouška = comprehensive advancemnet examination
    • státní zkouška = state final examination

    2. During the course of a semester, the teacher can evaluate the students´ performance by:

    • progress monitoring questions
    • written tests
    • individual assignments
    • semestral assignment
    • compulsory attendance at lectures

    In compliance with the course syllabus, the results of the above mentioned forms of teacher´s evaluation can be appropriately incorporated into the overall assessment of the student's performance in the course.

    3. Assessment outcomes are recorded in the USB on-line study agenda IS STAG. At the same time, records of study performance can be kept in the printed Study Record Book, (“index” = a document recording registered courses and assessment outcomes) or in a file of examination and course credit catalogues or enrolment forms.

    4. Based on the IS STAG documentation, the International Office (Exchange students) or the Study Department (degree students) of the corresponding faculty carry out administration related to the admission procedure of applicants, their enrolment, studies and the proper completion of study.

    The examination marks correspond with the ECTS credit system:

    Grade Examination University of South Bohemia examination ("zkouška")

    University of South Bohemia ("zápočet")

    course credit (without examination)

    A 1 1 = výborně (excellent)

    R ("započteno") = course credit achieved
    B 1,5 1,5 = výborně mínus (excellent minus)

    R ("započteno") = course credit achieved
    C 2 2 = velmi dobře (very well)

    R ("započteno") = course credit achieved
    D 2,5 2,5 = velmi dobře mínus (satisfactory)

    R ("započteno") = course credit achieved
    E 3 3 = dobře (passed)

    R ("započteno") = course credit achieved
    F, FX 4 4 = nedostatečně (failed) ("nezapočteno") = course credit not achieved

    The examination result of a student enrolled in a Doctoral degree programme is evaluated by the examiner using the mark “passed” (“prospěl”) or “failed” (“neprospěl”).

    1. Examination period
    • The examinations and resit examinations usually take place during the examination period specified in the schedule of the relevant academic year.
    • The examiner determines and announces a sufficient number of examination dates for individual subjects no later than three weeks before the end of the teaching period in the semester.
    • The students sign up for the examinations by means of the IS STAG.
    • In case of individual study plan, the dates of examinations can be announced by the teacher during the whole semester.
    1. Basic examination rules
    • A student who cancelled in time shall be treated as if he/she never signed up for the examination.
    • Students are entitled to cancel no later than 24 hours before the examination is to take place. Provided that a student withdraws from the examination after its beginning, fails to attend the examination without a due excuse or violates the examination rules to a serious extent, he/she shall be marked as “failed” (“nevyhověl”)
    • A student can make an additional excuse for serious reasons, especially health ones, however no later than by the fifth day from the date set for the examination.
    • Given that the student has failed in the examination, he/she is entitled to a first resit examination. Should he/she fail in the first resit examination as well, he/she is entitled to take a second resit examination within the provided dates.

    Completion of degree studies

    The students shall obtain a University Diploma for a successful completion of the degree programme along with the certificate of all completed subjects in a form of the Diploma Supplement in Czech and English pursuant to the ECTS standard.

  • Diploma Supplement

    The University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice provides all graduates with a Diploma Supplement free of charge and automatically since 2005. This Diploma Supplement follows the model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEEPES. It is published in two languages – Czech and English.

    The Diploma Supplement contains the status of successfully completed studies, the list of courses evaluated according to the ECTS and the number of credits awarded for each course. The Supplement includes also the information on the courses completed abroad, bachelor’s or master’s theses, defence of the theses, final state examinations, and the overall evaluation of study results. The Diploma Supplement provides a brief description of Czech Higher Educational System.

Practical information

  •  Immigration & visa information

    This website has been designed for foreign nationals and members of the professional community who are looking for information on migration and integration of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic. It will easily guide you to information on entry into and stay in the Czech Republic. Immigration Czech Republic
    Moving to the European Union? Immigration EU

    General visa information

    Students from EU countries

    Students from the EU (plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) are exempt from student visa requirements.

    Students from countries outside the EU

    Once you have been accepted for studies at the University of South Bohemia, you will have to turn to the local Czech Embassy or Consulate: the Czech Republic, like most other countries, requires foreign students studying in the country to have a student visa. Possession of a student visa is a condition for studying at the University of South Bohemia.

    This means ploughing through a certain amount of paperwork, but in fact, the procedure described below sounds more complicated than it is in reality. The whole procedure for obtaining a student visa can take up to 60 days. Make sure that you ask for your visa early enough to receive it before your departure.

    Regulations governing obtaining visas change from time to time. In addition, embassies in individual countries are given a certain leeway in applying them. This means that the regulations listed here should be considered as guidelines only. You should consult your local Czech Embassy/Consulate for the latest information regarding visa requirements, and the particular local requirements that are in force. Detailed information concerning the visa process is available, for example, at the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic.

     

    1) Applications filed at a Czech Embassy/Consulate General

    Students who would like to study in the Czech Republic have to file an application for a long-term visa/the long-term residence permit at a Czech Embassy/Consulate General abroad. These applications cannot be filed in the Czech Republic.

    • An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of "studies": if a student intends to stay temporarily in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months and the student plans to stay for more than 6 months.
    • An application for a long-term visa for the purpose of "studies": if a student intends to stay temporarily in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months and the student plans to stay for less than 6 months in total.

     

    2) Applications filed in the Czech Republic

    Applications filed in the Czech Republic apply only to students who already reside in the Czech Republic and plan on continuing their studies in the Czech Republic.

    • An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of "studies" (following a long-term visa granted in accordance with Section 30, or an application for its extension), can be filed by a foreign national in the Czech Republic if a student resides in the Czech Republic on the basis of a long-term visa granted in accordance with Section 30, and if a student intends to reside in the Czech Republic for a period longer than the validity of the current visa and a student intends to reside in the Czech Republic for the same purpose.

     

    Additional useful information:

    • Where to file an application?

    Applications for visas and residence permits for the purpose of studies may be filed at a Czech Embassy in the state of which the applicant is a citizen, or, if necessary, in the state that issued the travel document that the foreign national holds, or in the state in which the foreign national has a long-term or permanent residence permit.

    An application for a long-term residence permit following a long-term visa for the same purpose, or an application to extend the current long-term residence permit is filed at MOI offices according to the applicant’s place of residence.

    • How to file an application and long-term residence permit/long-term visa fees?

    According to Section 178 of the ARFN, a foreign national of more than 15 years of age who is able to express his/her own will and is capable of acting independently is considered legally competent.

    The registration for filing an application for a long-term visa or an application for a long-term residence permit at the Czech Embassy is usually done by making an appointment (usually via email) at the Czech Embassy. Contact your Czech Embassy in order to learn about the local conditions.

    Embassies charge CZK 500 for accepting an application for a residence permit for the purpose of studies (see consular fees). Foreign nationals pays other fees to the Ministry of Interior : http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-fees.aspx

    Foreign nationals are obliged to file applications for a long-term visa or long-term residence in person. In justified cases, embassies can waive this obligation.

     

    More information at https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/czech-republic-visa/

    Visa application procedure

    Foreigners who are not citizens of the EU and who are studying or working in the Czech Republic are required to have a long-term residence visa or a long-term residence permit before arriving in the Czech Republic. Please note that it is necessary to be physically present in the country where you applied at the time the visa is issued in the passport.

    The application procedure for obtaining a visa for study purposes can take up to 60 days from the day the VISA application is submitted to the local Czech Embassy. Please read the information below carefully and start your application procedure immediately after receiving documents from the University.

    For the purpose of a visa application, the Faculty International Office Coordinator or the Faculty Study Department Officer can issue:

    • Letter of Acceptance (confirming that the applicant is going to be a student at the University for a certain period)
    • Student certificate (“Jednotné potvrzení o studiu”)
    • Proof of accommodation (“Doklad o zajištění ubytování” - confirming that the applicant has a place to stay during their stay in the Czech Republic. Students who are not going to stay at our university dorms need to get the document from the landlord of the place where they are going to stay)

    The last two documents are necessary for the VISA application.

    It is important to contact the local Czech Embassy or Consulate for details concerning the Visa Application and read the instructions on filing the application properly. Different Czech Embassies may require different documents.

    In general, the application form must be accompanied by:

    • Letter of Acceptance issued by the Czech university
    • Student certificate and Proof of accommodation (“Jednotné potvrzení o studiu” and “Doklad o zajištění ubytování”)
    • Statement confirming that the applicant has financial resources to cover their stay in the Czech Republic – i.e., confirmation of scholarship (if granted), or a bank statement: the minimum amount required is approx. 35 000 CZK (approx. 1 200 EUR) for each month of the stay in the country
    • Extract from the Register of Criminal Records verifying that the applicant has no criminal record
    • Valid international health insurance
    • 2 passport-sized photos (45mm x 35mm)
    • Valid passport

    Please note that some documents need to be translated into the Czech language by a translator with an official stamp. Please contact your local Czech Embassy for more information.

    If you are planning to travel within the Schengen area, make sure you apply for the correct type of visa that allows such travel.

    Arrival to the Czech Republic

    Before arrival in the Czech Republic There is a detailed description of the visa application formalities that you have to handle before your arrival in České Budějovice


    After arrival in the Czech Republic:

    1. Registration at the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Police

    For the registration, bring the following:

    • national identity card/passport
    • visa
    • travel health insurance contract and a confirmation of its payment

    to the address below (EU students may bring their national health insurance card).

    Please, read about the travel medical insurance requirement on the website of the Ministry of Interior: http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-application-requirements-travel-medical-insurance-during-a-stay-longer-than-90-days.aspx

    You might be asked to submit an insurance contract and a confirmation of payment before the visa sticker/stamp is added to your passport.

    2. When to register:

    • EU students + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - within 30 days after arrival in the Czech Republic
    • non-EU students within 3 working days after arrival in the Czech Republic

    Note:

    • the registration will be made by dormitories on behalf of students (both EU and non-EU) staying in the dormitories of the University
    • it is compulsory to register for students staying in private accommodation

     

    3. Where to register:

    A> FOREIGN POLICE ("Cizinecká policie") - students coming from EU countries (+ Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland) and students with a long-term visa for the purpose of studies

    FOREIGN POLICE ("Cizinecká policie")
    Address: Pražská 1257/23, České Budějovice – 3rd floor
    Telephone: +420 974 221 829
    Office hours:
    Monday and Wednesday: 8:00 – 17:00

    B> MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR, Department for Asylum and Migration Policy - Students with a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies

    MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR, Department for Asylum and Migration Policy
    ("Ministerstvo vnitra, odbor azylové a migrační politiky")
    Address: Pražská 1257/23, České Budějovice – 1st floor
    Telephone: +420 974 226 851
    Office hours:
    Monday and Wednesday: 8:00 – 17:00
    Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 – 12:00
    Friday: Only for clients with an appointment

    4. Extending of your stay as well as your visa

    If you want to extend your stay in the Czech Republic, you will have to apply for the long-term residence permit in České Budějovice (no earlier than 3 months before and no later than 14 days before the end of the validity of your visa) at the Regional Department for Asylum in Migration Policy (Ministry of the Interior) in České Budějovice (please see contact details above). Please note that you will have to pay a fee: http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-fees.aspx

    List of Czech Embassies and General Consulates abroad
    www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/diplomatic_missions/foreign_missions_to_the_czech_republic/index.html

  • Health & insurance

    Health insurance

    EU students

    Students from EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are entitled to necessary and urgent health care free of charge.

    It is necessary to have a European Health Insurance Card.

    It is highly recommended to have a supplementary travel health insurance. It should be arranged by the student before leaving the country of origin.

    More information (for EU citizens).

    Non-EU students

    Based on international agreements, medical travel insurance is not required from citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Serbia, and the United States of America. The same exception applies to participants of the Erasmus Mundus programme, Fulbright scholarship programme, European Voluntary Service of the EC Youth in Action programme. Foreign nationals who wish to take advantage of these benefits should follow these instructions.

    All other foreign students who intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days are required to purchase comprehensive health insurance coverage. You will be asked to submit a proof of the Czech health insurance when you apply for a visa. The coverage limit is EUR 60,000 at the lowest and the insurance must be purchased for the entire period of stay. The insurance must be contracted with a provider specifically certified to provide such insurance on the Czech territory. Consulting a Czech Embassy or consulate and checking that the insurance meets the requirements for an application for a visa or residence permit for stays longer than 90 days is recommended. From August 2021, you can purchase your insurance only at the company Pojišťovna VZP. The insurance can be easily purchased online.

    The travel medical insurance must cover the cost of emergency medical care, including a medical evacuation or, in the event of death, the repatriation of remains to the country that issued the applicant´s travel document or to the applicant´s country of residence. The insurance policy must not exclude coverage for injuries and damage caused by the applicant´s intentional acts, injuries and damage caused by a fault or a contributory fault on the part of the applicant, and injuries and damage caused by the consumption of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances by the applicant.

    More information for non-EU citizens

     

     

    Medical aid

    Medical aid (emergency, pharmacy, doctors)

    Your health insurance entitles you to visit any general practitioner or a dentist. If you have eye problems or any other specific problem, you should first visit a general practitioner, who will examine you and then, if necessary, arrange for you to see a specialist.
    Unless it is urgent, we recommend calling in advance to make an appointment. Do not forget to take your insurance card, insurance number or any document proving that you have insurance.

    Emergency cases

    If you urgently need medical attention outside doctors' office hours, you can go to the Hospital of České Budějovice (Nemocnice České Budějovice, a.s.)

    • Medical first aid service for adults

    Located in the lower area of the hospital, Pavilion G,
    access from Gen. Svobody Street.
    Contact: +420 387 878 001
    Office hours
    Monday – Friday: 6:00 – 22:00
    Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 – 21:00

    • Dental emergency

    Located in the lower area of the hospital, Pavilion E,
    access from Gen. Svobody Street.
    Contact: +420 387 878 570
    Office hours
    Monday – Friday: 16:30 – 21:30
    Saturday, Sunday: 8:00 – 18:00

    In case you need assistance, contact your "buddy" from Erasmus Student Network USB Budweis.

    Pharmacies

    There is a large number of pharmacies in České Budějovice, and the most common opening hours are 7:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. At the weekend, you may also find open pharmacies in shopping centres.

    There is also a 24/7 pharmacy, located at the entrance of the hospital of České Budějovice: http://www.nemcb.cz/practical-information/pharmacy/

    Hospital of České Budějovice (Nemocnice České Budějovice) - entrance hall
    B. Němcové 585/54
    370 01 České Budějovice

    Phone: +420 387 873 103

    Opening hours: available 24/7

    Support Centre for Students with Special Needs

    Information on studying with disabilities or handicaps

    Target groups

    The centre provides services for:

    • Candidates with special needs
    • Students with special needs
    • Lecturers teaching students with special needs

    Students with special needs

    Students and candidates experiencing the following can benefit from the service offered by the centre:

    • visual impairment
    • hearing impairment
    • physical disabilities
    • specific learning disabilities
    • mental illness
    • chronic somatic diseases

    APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT

    Contacts:

    The University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
    Support Centre for Students with Special Needs

    Studentská 1824/27
    (Student Club Kampa building)

    phone.: +420 389 036 026
    e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


    Mgr. Zdeněk Toušek
    (Head of the Support Centre)
    e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Personal consultations are possible upon appointment via phone or e-mail.

    Safety & emergency

    Emergency (police, medical & fire services)

    • 24/7 European Emergency phone number 112 (Integrated Rescue System = Firefighters, Police, Emergency Medical Services)
    • it facilitates emergency calls for foreigners and it can be used in case of a wide range of emergencies (traffic accidents, fires, floods, flash floods, serious health injuries, leaks of dangerous chemical substances, offences against the law etc.).
    • the number is to be used when there is an urgent need for intervention from the Police, Firefighters or Emergency Medical Services
    • operators speak Czech, English and German
    • the call is free of charge (you may use any type of a telephone and call from any place in the Czech Republic)

  • The country, the region and the city

  • Welcome Guide/Guide for international students

  • Map of the USB Campus

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