Masaryk University

Masaryk University, located in Brno, is the second-largest public university in the Czech Republic and the leading higher education institution in Moravia. At present it comprises nine faculties with over 200 departments, institutes and clinics. Recognized as one of the most important teaching and research institutions in the Czech Republic and a highly-regarded Central European university, it has been infused with a strong democratic spirit ever since its establishment in 1919. The university also plays a major role in the social and cultural life of the South Moravian Region.

One of Masaryk University’s top priorities is scientific research. In addition to attaining a leading position in research grant competitions, the university has made considerable financial investments – especially at its newly erected campus – in order to enhance research and teaching capacity, facilitate the development of tools for the transfer of knowledge and improve support for research and innovation.

Masaryk University offers degrees in a wide range of traditional as well as newly-emerging disciplines and is currently one of the fastest-growing higher education institutions in Europe. In recent years it has consistently attracted the largest number of study applicants among Czech universities, thus allowing it to remain highly selective when admitting students. Masaryk University was one of the first to introduce a three-tier degree structure based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System and is currently the single higher education institution in the Czech Republic to hold the ECTS Label. Allocated in 2010 by the European Commission, the label constitutes proof of the university’s high educational standards and a guarantee of the correct implementation of the credit system in all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes.

The university is involved in a wide range of mobility activities and research programmes taking place in the European Union and other countries with the objective of enabling graduates of Bachelor’s or Master’s studies at other institutions to continue their Master’s or doctoral studies at Masaryk University. The same principle applies to Masaryk University students who wish to return to their alma mater following a study period abroad.

The university has long been devoted to providing students with sensory or physical disabilities with the care and attention they deserve. The Support Centre for Students with Special Needs ensures that all fields of study accredited at the university are open to these students and that they enjoy the educational standards available to the rest of the student body.

Placing a great deal of emphasis on international cooperation with prestigious foreign universities and research institutions, Masaryk University supports the continuous exchange of knowledge, ideas and information as well as researchers, instructors and students on a worldwide scale, assuring equal educational and research opportunities for all.

Masaryk University is firmly committed to electronic forms of communication. In order to improve both access to information and the quality of studies, it has developed an intranet system featuring a number of tools designed to e.g. assess tens of thousands of application forms, facilitate e-learning, enable students to register for courses and examinations, provide employees with efficient communication channels and support rapid communication between offices and departments. In 2005, the Masaryk University Information System received the prestigious EUNIS Elite Award in recognition of the university’s leading position in the use of information technologies in the academic community.

Facts and figures MU is the second largest university in the Czech Republic. MU is a respected research university (see Research plans) and one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in the Czech Republic. MU is the second largest employer in the South Moravian Region, currently providing work for a total of 4,989 employees including 2,150 academic employees (as of 31 December 2012). MU consists of 9 faculties and over 200 departments, institutes and clinics which offer a combined total of 1,319 fields of study. A total of 73,772 applicants for studies were registered in 2012. A total of 43,253 students are enrolled at MU, including 6,493 international students (as of 31 October 2012). A total of 19,494 participants take part in 804 lifelong learning programmes offered at MU. A total of 450 disabled students are enrolled at MU, making it the only Czech university where the percentage of disabled students mirrors their number in the general population. The number of outgoing students stands at 1,526 while the number of incoming students from abroad is 1,064 (2012/2013 academic year). A total of 8,619 students graduated from MU in 2012: 4,038 from Bachelor’s programmes, 1,134 from long-cycle Master’s programmes, 3,118 from Master’s programmes and 329 from doctoral programmes. MU graduates are extremely successful on the job market (see Graduate employment record). Since 1922, a total of 171,293 students have graduated from Masaryk University. In 2010, MU finalized the construction of the University Campus Bohunice, a new university educational and research complex. The construction project – unique in the European higher education context – cost a total of 5.1 billion CZK (204 million EUR). Thanks to funding from the European Union, MU is currently developing additional projects at the Bohunice campus: CEITEC, CETOCOEN and CESEB. See campus.muni.cz for more information. MU is the only university in the world with an Antarctic research station; this unique facility is dedicated to the complex research of ice-free areas in collaboration with international partners.