About 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 2024/2025

Public holidays in the Czech Republic

Assessment of Studies

• 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
• 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.

• Assessment outcomes are recorded in the USB on-line study agendaIS 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.
• 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:

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”).

• 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.
•  
• 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.

Find detailed description in the Study and examination code USB

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.

Immigration

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? See this website: 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.

Registration at the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Police

Students from EU countries + Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland:

• Stay at UNIVERSITY DORMITORIES or Kolej PEDAGOG – NO REGISTRATION needed (dormitory provider will register you).
• Stay in PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION – registration at Foreign police within 30 days after arrival.
• You are obliged to report a change of address within 30 working days from the day the change was made if you are going to reside at the new address for more than 180 days.

For the registration, bring the following:

• national identity card/passport
• visa
• travel health insurance contract (or the EHIC card) and a confirmation of its payment

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.

Students from NON-EU countries:

LONG-TERM VISA

• Stay at the UNIVERSITY DORMITORIES or Kolej PEDAGOG – NO REGISTRATION needed (dormitory provider will register you).
• Stay in PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION – registration at foreign police within 3 working days after arrival (sometimes the registration done by the accommodation provider – ask!).

LONG-TERM & PERMANENT RESIDENCE 

• If you have already been granted a visa for a stay longer than 90 days for the purpose of collection of a residence permit (D/VR), you have to register at OAMP (Department for Asylum and Migration Policy) within 30 calendar days.If you are allowed to legally enter the Czech Republic by a different method, e.g. without visa, you have to register at OAMP within 3 working days to order an appointment for your biometric data taken and then receive your residence permit document (the limit for collection is 60 days from the date you had your biometric data taken).
• You are obliged to report at OAMP a change of address within 30 working daysfrom the day the change was made (if there is change of name, civil status, or the residence permit document is stolen, you must report it at OAMP within 3 working days).

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

Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 - 14:00

Friday: 8:00 - 11:00

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: 8:00 - 11:00 (only for clients with an appointment)

Extension of your stay as well as of your visa/residence permit

If you intend 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

Official website for foreigners, who are living, or wish to live, in the Czech Republic: https://frs.gov.cz/en/  

DORMITORIES

Every student who comes to study at USB can be provided with accommodation at USB Dormitories. However, the choice of the specific dormitory is only a matter of preference, the place will be assigned to you according to currect room availability and capacity of the Dormitories.

Description of dormitories:

A complete description of Dormitories (including photo gallery and a video) is available on the following link and on the official website of USB Dormitories and Refectories.

USB has five dormitories named K1 – K5, after the Czech word “Kolej” for “Dormitory”. Dormitories K1, K2, K3 and K4 are located on the main campus. Dormitory K5 is located about 15 minutes’ walk from the main campus, next to the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. See here the map with the locations of the different dormitories.

• K1 has been recently renovated. It offers single and double rooms in the “cell-system” (small apartment). In each cell/apartment, there are 3 single rooms and 1 double rooms sharing toilets and a bathroom as well as a small kitchenette in a corridor.
• K2 and K3 provide double rooms with a refrigerator, a sink, desks, beds, and cupboards. Shared sanitary facilities (toilets, showers) and common kitchens are available on the corridor on each floor.
• K4 has been recently renovated. It offers double rooms in the “cell-system” (small apartment). In each cell/apartment, there are 2 double rooms sharing toilets and a bathroom in a corridor.
• K5 provides double and triple rooms with its own sanitary facilities (toilets, bathroom). A shared kitchen is situated on each floor.

Equipment and facilities at dormitories:

• Overview of equipment at each dormitory is available here.
• Blankets, pillows and bed linen are provided.
• The kitchen or rooms are not equipped with dishes, cookware, kettle, neither microwave oven.
• In case of need, you can get useful kitchen or cleaning stuff from ESN storage – a place where previous foreign students left the things they did not need. Get info from student organisation ESN USB Budweis.
• Internet is available in all student rooms; the connection is possible only using a network cable. You need to bring your own cable. WIFI (Eduroam) is available only at K1 dormitory.
• USB Dormitories are open nonstop, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. You can arrive at any time.

Booking your accommodation:

Each student who would like to be accommodated at USB dormitory must book a room in advance.

Students can request for a bed through the online system ISKAM. In order to confirm your accommodation reservation, you will need to pay a deposit in advance (3000 CZK). For more information about the accommodation at the dormitories and specific instructions how to procede, contact Student's Affairs Office of your faculty or the Faculty coordinator.

Rules and prices:

All important documents you need are available here (especially Price list, Student Accommodation Code).

• The price for a bed ranges from 3500 CZK to 5500 CZK per month (academic year 2024-25). On the day of your arrival, you will have to pay the rent for the current month, according to the price list. You can pay either by cash or by card in Czech crowns - CZK (payment in euros or other currency is not possible). It is also possible to pay via online gateway in the ISKAM account that you create when paying the deposit.
• You will have to pay the next month rent always before the 20th of previous month (for example: payment of March rent before 20th February).
• You will have to pay an accommodation deposit of 3000 CZK before the start of your stay. The deposit will be used to cover any possible cleaning or damage that might be caused by a student. It is usually refunded after an inspection of the room at the end of student's stay.
• The accommodation contract has to be signed upon your arrival at the office of the head of your dormitory. Please, be aware that there is a 30-days notice period in the contract (in case you want to leave earlier).

City tax:

Due to the decree of the statutory city of České Budějovice n°4/2021 on local fees effective from 1st January 2022, USB Dormitories are required to charge an accommodation fee for each stay of less than 61 days. This fee is paid to the relevant municipal area. Current fee rate is 50 CZK/person/night.

In case you stay at USB Dormitories longer than 61 days, you don´t have to pay the fee.

In case you planned a longer stay at USB Dormitories, but your stay is shortened to less than 60 days, you will be charged the fee retroactively.

Contacts:

In case of other question concerning dormitories, you can contact directly the dormitory staff on this link. 

Head of Dormitories section: Mrs Petra Dvořáková This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +420 389 034 101

Health insurance

EU students

Students from EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are entitled to necessary and urgent health care free of charge (registration at the Health Insurance Company needed).

It is necessary to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

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, Tunisia, Turkey and Serbia. 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. More details at the website of the Ministry of the Interior. 

More information for non-EU citizens.

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 (Urgent) is located in the building C of the hospital premises and is open 24/7. Map of the Hospital in České Budějovice

• Dental emergency 

Address: Lidická tř. 439/78, 370 01 České Budějovice 7 

Opening hours:

Monday - Friday: 16:00 - 22:00

Weekends and public holidays: 8:00 - 20:00

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

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.

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. During weekends, you may also find open pharmacies in some shopping centres.

There is also a 24/7 pharmacy located at the entrance of the hospital of České Budějovice: B. Němcové 54, 370 01 České Budějovice 1.

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.

The University of South Bohemia is more than just a place to study. Our beautiful campus and vibrant student life make it a great place to live and learn. From our dormitories to our numerous clubs and organisations, there is always something happening on and off campus. And with the city centre of České Budějovice just a short walk away, you will have the opportunity to explore all that the Czech Republic has to offer.

USB is located in the wonderful region of South Bohemia. The region and the city of České Budějovice have been evaluated as the best places to live in the Czech Republic in recent years. The country is located in the heart of Europe and it belongs to the top safest countries in the world. The city is situated 120km from the capital and its location allows comfortable travelling within the whole Czech Republic and central Europe. Considering that we are also located close to the borders with Germany and Austria, the list of possibilities is truly endless.

With its beautiful mountain ranges, national parks, winding rivers, countless ponds and other amazing natural sites, the region never stops inspiring us and it may just inspire you as well. Since the campus is also not far from the city centre, you can easily enjoy the historical atmosphere of the town and its nightlife in addition to all the outdoor activities like sports or hiking and many festivals going on throughout the year.

The Czech Republic and the South Bohemian Region boast one of the lowest costs of living compared to the rest of Europe. The costs of living depend on individual personal needs and you can easily compare the costs of other cities and the city of České Budějovice here.