Palacký University Olomouc

Palacký University Olomouc, UP, is a university with long-standing tradition. Being founded in the 16th century it is the oldest university in Moravia and the second one in the Czech Republic. It was established in 1573 as a public university led by the Jesuit order in Olomouc - city which was  the capital of Moravia and the seat of the episcopacy then. At first it taught theology only but soon philosophy, law and medicine were added.

Today it is a modern higher education institution with a wide range of study programmes and copious scientific and research activities. The University excels in many research areas - among the strongest are biomedical sciences, nanotechnologies, quantum optics, education science and others. The University participates many European programmes of cooperation in education and research.

Today PU is an example of an old university in a small town. The town of Olomouc has 100,000 inhabitants and some 25,000 university students including those at Moravian College Olomouc which is the highest density of university students in Central Europe. The town is very old and picturesque and it is surrounded by sports facilities and nature.

The Palacký University has eight faculties. In historical order they are theology, philosophy, law, medicine and dentistry, education, science, physical culture, health science. 

Many distinguished figures have taught, worked and studied here. Among notable alumni of the university are Gregor Johann Mendel, "the father of genetics", Peter Ritter von Rittinger, heat pump inventor, Emil Viklický, jazz pianist and composer, Bohdan Pomahač, plastic surgeon who’s team  performed the first full face transplant in United States and many others.

Palacký University Olomouc is one of the top Czech universities and is ranked among the best universities of the world according to international rankings. Emerging Europe and Central Asia ranking 2016 placed the university at 59th position.

Palacký University offers degree programmes taught in multiple languages at three levels – Bachelor, Master and PhD. Students may choose degree programmes at the Faculties of Arts as Philology, Euroculture, Sociology, etc., Medicine as General Medicine, Dentistry etc., Science as International Development Studies, Ph.D. in Geography, Chemistry, Biology, etc., Physical Culture as Kinanthropology, Education as Special Education, Special Needs Counselling etc. and Law as European and International Law.  The university generally specializes in Medicine.