UNIVERZITA KARLOVA V PRAZE EVANGELICKÁ THEOLOGICKÁ FAKULTA CHARLES UNIVERSITY IN PRAGUE PROTESTANT THEOLOGICAL FACULTY
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Information for students
who are interested in short-term studies in theology in Prague
(for one year or one semester)
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SHORT-TERM STUDIES IN THEOLOGY IN PRAGUE –
FOR ERASMUS AND NON-ERASMUS STUDENTS
The short-term studies program is intended primarily for students who are (or have been) studying theology or a related subject at a university or institute of higher education in their own country and who wish to come and study at our Faculty for a year or a semester before returning to complete their studies at home. Many of the students on the short-term studies program come through the EU Erasmus exchange program, but it is also open to non-Erasmus students.
Knowledge of Czech is not necessary, because students can choose from a range of courses taught in English and German. Students with a sufficient knowledge of Czech can also attend any of the courses taught in Czech on our Master's program, but it is normally expected that all short-term studies students attend at least one course per semester in English or German. The list of lectures and seminars is usually not available until June or July for the following academic year, but you can find on a separate sheet the list for the current year, which will give you some idea of the kind of courses we offer. The short-term studies program does not lead to the award of any diploma or degree, but students are issued with a transcript of records showing the courses they have successfully completed, and the number of ECTS credits awarded, which will usually be recognized by their home university.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The winter semester runs from the beginning of October to the middle of January each year, with a two-week break for Christmas. Teaching in the summer semester runs from mid-February to the end of May, with a two-week break for Easter.
FINANCES
At present the Faculty does not charge tuition fees for the Short-Term Studies program. Students must of course be responsible for their living costs in Prague, but these are cheaper than in many Western European countries. Students who need a visa will have to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to meet their living costs, and that they have health insurance, in order to obtain the visa.
FOR ERASMUS STUDENTS
The short-term studies program is of course ideal for exchange students coming through the EU Erasmus (Socrates) program, who receive a small scholarship. Our Faculty already has Erasmus agreements with about 25 partner universities in other European countries – ask the Erasmus coordinator at your university if you have an Erasmus agreement with us.Application procedure for Erasmus students: Do not fill out the application form attached to this leaflet. The first step is to be nominated by your home university (contact your Erasmus coordinator for details). Full details of the subsequent application procedure can be found at the home page of Charles University's Erasmus Office (http://www.cuni.cz/UK-928.html). As you can see, you first need to register on-line, and then print the forms that have been generated by the on-line registration, have them signed and stamped by your Erasmus coordinator, and send them to the Office for International Relations in Prague. The courses we will offer in the next academic year are not usually published until June or July, so when you fill out the Learning Agreement the best thing is to fill in courses we are teaching this year. If necessary you can fill out another Learning Agreement later. We offer a similar range of courses in English and German each year, although of course there are always some changes. A copy of the courses taught in German and English this year is attached.The final date for receiving applications from Erasmus students is: 15 June for the winter semester and 31 October for the summer semester.
FOR NON-ERASMUS STUDENTS
The short-term studies program is of course also open to non-Erasmus students.
Application procedure for non-Erasmus students:
Fill out the application form following the link at the end of this information and send it to the Office for International Relations, together with confirmation that you are or have been studying theology or a related subject at university level (e.g. confirmation of matriculation or copy of diploma). Applications should normally be sent by 31 July (for the winter semester) or 15 December (for the summer semester), but if you need a visa then you will have to apply much earlier. On receiving your application, we will send you official confirmation of acceptance.
ORIENTATION FORTNIGHT
The office for International Relations will organize an orientation fortnight with afternoon events in the 2 weeks before the beginning of the winter semester (usually the last 2 weeks in September). During the same time, in the mornings, there will be an optional introductory course to the Czech language. (The cost for the Czech course will be approximately 2000 Czech crowns; the rest of the orientation week is free of charge.)
ACCOMMODATION
Erasmus students and students receiving a scholarship on the basis of bilateral governmental agreements are automatically allocated a place in the University halls of residence (sharing with another student).
For other students, the Office for International Relations can also arrange a place for you in the University halls of residence, or we have ten places available in the Faculty building (again in double rooms sharing with another student). It is of course also possible to live in privately rented accommodation. There is no University accommodation agency, but there are a number of commercial agencies that can be found through the Internet. The Office for International Relations will also sometimes know of accommodation that is available. If you have your own contacts in Prague, you can of course try to find accommodation through them. It is important to state clearly on your application form what kind of accommodation you want and to let us know by the deadline indicated on the form.
Rough guide to accommodation prices in 2008-2009: Place in University halls of residence: approx. 3000,-Kc Place in the Faculty building: approx. 2000,-Kc Approximate cost of renting a room privately: 4000,-Kc Approximate cost of renting a two-room apartment privately: 12000,-Kc All prices are per month and in Czech crowns.
VISAS AND HEALTH INSURANCE
Students are responsible for obtaining their own health insurance and visas, residence and work permits, or other necessary documents. The information given below is for orientation; for the exact position you can contact the Czech Embassy in your country. There is also some useful information about health insurance, visas, and related matters on the home page of Charles University's Erasmus Office (http://www.cuni.cz/UK-928.html), which you may find helpful even if you are not an Erasmus student.
If you are a citizen of an EU or EFTA country, you do not need a visa. However, you have to register with the immigration police within 30 days of your arrival in the Czech Republic. You may also apply for a residence permit. If you want to do any paid work in the Czech Republic, you will need a work permit. If you are a citizen of another country, you will need a visa. Contact the Czech Embassy in your country for details of the application process and the documents you will need. Please note that the process can take up to 3 months, and you will need confirmation that you are accepted as a student in order to apply for the visa.
OTHER STUDY PROGRAMMES
The Faculty's standard study programs (at Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral level) are also open to international students, but most of them are of course taught in Czech. More information is available from the Office for International Relations.
MFOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Office for International Relations is responsible for international students. In addition to being available for help and advice whenever required, it also organizes the orientation fortnight before the beginning of the winter semester, and excursions to places of interest for Czech history and the Czech churches. See contact information below.
Information about studying theology in Prague and application forms can be found on the Fakulty’s website. Click on the link below:
Study in Prague
Or contact:Office for International Relationship Charles University in Prague
Protestant Theological Faculty
Černá 9, P.O.Box 529 CZ-115 55 Praha 1 Czech Republic
Tel.: (+420) 221 988 211 or -212
Fax: (+420) 221 988 215
E-mail: intl@etf.cuni.cz
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