Czech Educational System

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC  

Tertiary Professional Schools

The newest segment in the education system of the Czech Republic, tertiary professional schools (VOŠ), provide education on ISCED-A 650 level and are included in level 6 within EQF (European Qualification Framework). They mostly constitute one legal entity together with vocational secondary schools and are devided according to the educational authority into public, private and church ones. Two of them have a status of higher education institutions. Tertiary professional education develops and deepens knowledge and skills of the students acquired in secondary education with school-leaving examination and provides general and professional education for carrying out demanding professional activities requiring experience. In some of the fields, the practical preparation takes 14-16 weeks during study at the most (at the workplace/practical training at school). The education programme must obtain accreditation which is granted by Accreditation Commission for tertiary professional education. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports decides afterwards whether the VOŠ is included in the school register. The length of tertiary professional education in full-time study form is 3 years. The education can also take other forms (part-time, evening courses, distant and combined) which can be one year longer at the most. The study at VOŠ is concluded by „absolutorium“ (graduation examination) consisting of three parts (foreign language examination, examination in up to three vocational subjects and defence of a written assignment. The document certifying achievement of the education is the absolutorium report and the diploma. VOŠ graduates are awarded a degree “diplomovaný specialista” (a qualified specialist) which is stated after their name as “DiS”.