Czech Republic

In the areas of organisational, financial and academic autonomy, the Czech Republic is rated as “medium low”. Regarding staffing autonomy, the Czech Republic belongs to a group of highly autonomous countries.

The law contains various regulations concerning the executive head. External members of the board of trustees, which mainly supervises the management of university real estate, are appointed by the ministry upon proposal by the rector. While departments and faculties are not listed by name, their competencies and governing bodies are set down in the law.

Czech universities receive a block grant, a part of which is earmarked for specific purposes or projects. Surpluses can only be kept up to a maximum percentage and with external approval. On the other hand, universities are free to borrow money and sell their buildings. Fees apply only to students who exceed the standard duration of studies or for programmes taught in a foreign language.

Universities are highly autonomous in staffing matters. Only the appointment of some senior academic staff members must be confirmed by an external authority.

While overall student numbers are negotiated with the ministry, universities are free to set selection criteria at Bachelor and Master’s level. The Czech Republic practices a system of programme accreditation, which is carried out by an accreditation commission and confirmed by the education ministry. Universities are not entitled to public funding for foreign-language programmes.

There is a view that governing structures in the Czech Republic should be simplified and allow for more flexibility.

Organisational weighted 54% unweighted 51%

0

0% Selection procedure for the executive head

The selection of the executive head is validated by an external authority

100

100% Selection criteria for the executive head

The selection criteria for the executive head are not stated in the law

40

40% Dismissal of the executive head

The dismissal is confirmed by an external authority and the procedure is stated in the law

This applies to 5 other countries: Brandenburg, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Spain

0

0% Term of office of the executive head

The exact length is stated in the law

57

57% External members in university governing bodies

Universities cannot decide as they must include external members

Other appointment process

This applies to 3 other countries: Flanders, Ireland, North Rhine-Westphalia

60

60% Capacity to decide on academic structures

Guidelines exist in the law

This applies to 4 other countries: France, Iceland, Italy, Sweden

100

100% Capacity to create legal entities

Universities can create legal entities without constraints

Financial weighted 46% unweighted 35%

60

60% Length of public funding cycle

60

60% Type of public funding

Block grant with other restrictions

This applies to 3 other countries: Austria, Ireland, Poland

100

100% Ability to borrow money

Universities can borrow money without restrictions

This applies to 6 other countries: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, The Netherlands

60

60% Ability to keep surplus

Surplus can be kept up to a maximum percentage

This applies to 2 other countries: Norway, Sweden

Surplus can be kept but the approval of an external authority is needed

This applies to 4 other countries: Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Turkey

100

100% Ability to own buildings

Universities can sell their buildings without restrictions

This applies to 7 other countries: Austria, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, United Kingdom

0

0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Bachelor level

There are no tuition fees

This applies to 11 other countries: Brandenburg, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hesse, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden

0

0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at Master's level

There are no tuition fees

This applies to 9 other countries: Brandenburg, Denmark, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden

0

0% Tuition fees for national/EU students at doctoral level

There are no tuition fees

0

0% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Bachelor level

There are no tuition fees

This applies to 5 other countries: Brandenburg, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, Norway

0

0% Tuition fees for non-EU students at Master's level

There are no tuition fees

This applies to 5 other countries: Brandenburg, Finland, Hesse, Iceland, Norway

0

0% Tuition fees for non-EU students at doctoral level

There are no tuition fees

Staffing weighted 95% unweighted 95%

58

58% Recruitment procedures for senior academic staff

Appointments need to be confirmed by an external authority for some staff

This applies to 2 other countries: Hungary, Slovakia

Other restrictions

100

100% Recruitment procedures for senior administrative staff

Recruitments are carried out freely by universities

100

100% Salaries for senior academic staff

Universities can freely decide on staff salaries

This applies to 4 other countries: Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Switzerland

100

100% Salaries for senior administrative staff

Universities can freely decide on staff salaries

This applies to 9 other countries: Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

100

100% Dismissal of senior academic staff

There are no sector-specific regulations concerning dismissals (national labour regulations apply)

100

100% Dismissal of senior administrative staff

There are no sector-specific regulations concerning dismissals (national labour regulations apply)

100

100% Promotion procedures for senior academic staff

Universities can freely decide on promotion procedures

100

100% Promotion procedures for senior administrative staff

Universities can freely decide on promotion procedures

Academic weighted 52% unweighted 49%

60

60% Overall student numbers

Universities negotiate with an external authority

100

100% Admissions procedures at Bachelor level

Admission criteria are set by the university

This applies to 10 other countries: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, United Kingdom

100

100% Admissions procedures at Master's level

Admission criteria are set by the university

0

0% Introduction of programmes at Bachelor level

All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced

0

0% Introduction of programmes at Master's level

All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced

0

0% Introduction of programmes at doctoral level

All new degree programmes/courses must be submitted to prior accreditation to be introduced

This applies to 6 other countries: France, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain

100

100% Termination of degree programmes

Universities can terminate degree programmes independently

67

67% Language of instruction at Bachelor level

Universities can choose the language of instruction but will not receive public funding for foreign-language programmes

This does not apply to any other country.

67

67% Language of instruction at Master's level

Universities can choose the language of instruction but will not receive public funding for foreign-language programmes

This does not apply to any other country.

0

0% Selection of quality assurance mechanisms

Universities cannot select quality assurance mechanisms

0

0% Selection of quality assurance providers

Universities cannot choose the quality assurance agency

100

100% Capacity to design content of degree programmes

Universities can freely design the content of degree programmes and courses (other than for the regulated professions)