We will provide information about any changes to the format of the final state exams as the situation develops.

updated 5/4

Pursuant to an extraordinary measure of the Ministry of Health of May 3 2021, which forms Annex No. 1 to Government Resolution No. 433, the following exceptions to the ban on the personal presence of students at teaching and examinations apply from May 10 2021 until further notice:

• in-person examinations can be held without a student limit – while maintaining a mandatory distance of at least 1.5 meters
• practical teaching and practice are possible for all students, regardless of the year and study program
• it is possible to hold individual consultations and counselling services (eg psychological counselling). Only 1 student and 1 staff member can be present at a time.

Changes in the possibilities of in-person examinations apply only to exams within the course of study. There is currently no change in the planned form of the state final exams. We will provide information about possible changes in connection with the development of the situation.

updated 4/27

Attestation in the examination period of the summer semester can take place in two ways:

• in person with the participation of a maximum of 10 people present in compliance with the currently valid measures (respirators, confirmation of the performed test for the SARS-CoV-2 with a negative result, etc.)
• remotely (or partially remotely, ie hybrid) using one of the electronic platforms and tools. Please visit https://elearning.ff.cuni.cz/en/home-page/  for more information.

The guarantor of each subject shall decide on the form of attestation.

The state final examinations in the bachelor’s and master’s degree will take place in hybrid form, as planned.

updated 4/26

On the basis of an extraordinary measure of the Ministry of Health No. MZDR 14600/2021-3/MIN/KAN of 19 April 2021 with effect from 24 April 2021 until further notice, the following exceptions from the ban on personal presence of students at classes and exams continue to apply:

• in person exams can take place, with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons,
• it is possible to carry out teaching practice in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or in school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,
• it is possible to hold individual consultations, while the possibility of full-time individual consultations also extends to counseling services (eg psychological counseling). Only 1 student and 1 staff member can participate.

Newly, in person practical teaching and practical training of the last years students is enabled.

updated 4/19

On the basis of an extraordinary measure of the Ministry of Health No. MZDR 14600/2021-2/MIN/KAN of 12 April 2021 with effect from 19 April 2021 until further notice, the following exceptions from the ban on personal presence of students at classes and exams continue to apply :

• in person exams can take place, with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons,
• it is possible to carry out educational internships in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or in school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,
• it is possible to hold individual consultations (1:1), while the possibility of full-time individual consultations also extends to counseling services (eg psychological counseling). Only 1 student and 1 staff member can participate.

updated 4/9

From 12 April 2021, the following exceptions on ban of the in person teaching and exams still apply:

• in person exams can take place, with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons,
• it is possible to carry out educational internships in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or in school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,
• it is possible to hold individual consultations (1 student and 1 academic staff).

Given the end of the ban on movement between districts, travel for the purpose of participating in education outside the district will no longer require a solemn declaration or a written proof of the reason for the trip.

updated 3/29

The newly issued Government Resolution No. 315 extends the effectiveness of the original Resolution No. 200 until 11 April 2021. The following exceptions on ban of the in person teaching and exams therefore continue to apply:

• in person exams can take place, with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons,
• it is possible to carry out educational internships in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or in school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,
• it is possible to hold individual consultations (1 student and 1 academic staff).

updated 3/16

In view of current developments, the Rector’s Board decided on March 15, 2021 to cancel all graduation ceremonies until the end of May 2021. Graduates who originally planned to participate in the cancelled graduation ceremonies in October and December 2020, and now April 2021, will be notified about new graduation dates as soon as the circumstances allow to set a new date. Graduates may still, by prior arrangement, pick up a diploma at the Student Affairs Office / PhD and Academic Qualifications Office. (Graduates from the April term will be informed via e-mail regarding this matter.) If the graduates decide to pick up the diploma, they will still have the opportunity to participate in the alternative graduation ceremony term.

updated 3/3

Information on the possibilities of in-person visits to the Faculty of Arts, CU in order to participate in education, including internships and exams.

According to Government Resolution No. 200 of 26 February 2021, the following exceptions to the ban on the in-person presence of students at classes and examinations continue to apply from 27 February to 21 March 2021:

• in-person examinations may take place with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons present,
• it is possible to carry out internships in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,
• it is possible to hold individual consultations (1 student and 1 academic staff).

In connection with the ban on leaving the territory of the district in whose territory the person has a permanent residence or domicile (see Government Resolution No. 216), an exception applies to students traveling in order to participate in education, including internships and examinations. Students must prove the validity of this trip by a written document or affidavit stating a specific reason. The Rectorate is working to ensure that a written document – a certificate of participation in an examination or internship – can be generated from the SIS.

The Student Affairs Office, the International Relations Office, the PhD and Academic Qualifications Office and the Student Admissions Office remain open for students during office hours (Tue 9–12, Thu 14–16). However, we ask that prior to your visit, you always consider whether your matter could be resolved by telephone or email.

 

updated 3/1

Information on State PhD exams and dissertation defences (state exams)

As part of extraordinary measures, from 1 March 2021, it is possible to hold state exams and dissertations defences in both distance and hybrid form. Due to the current epidemic situation, we strongly recommend using a full-distance form.

• Distance and hybrid examinations are held in the MS Teams program.
• The guidelines for conducting the hybrid form of the state exam is similar to the remote form, except that the student and part of the committee will be present in person, the remaining members of the committee will be present remotely.
• Guidelines for conducting the state final examinations remotely: Remote exam guidelines (distance form)  

updated 2/27

As of Monday, 1 March, 2021:  

• In the built-up area of cities, it will be mandatory to wear at least a medical mask, respirator or other similarly effective protective device. Homemade/cloth masks are no longer sufficient.
• In the high-risk places, such as shops or public transport, it will no longer be possible to replace the respirator with two medical masks.  
• Wearing respirators or a medical mask will be obligatory at work, with the exception of people working in one room alone. Employees will only be able to take off the protective equipment if they are alone in their workplace.  
• The government has drastically tightened free movement. It will be forbidden to leave one’s district of permanent residence or domicile, without a fundamental reason, such as a trip to work or to a doctor. Prague counts as one district. A confirmation document from employer will be required for commuting to work in another district. People can do essential shopping within their districts only.
• The tightening also applies to daytime movement. Only necessary trips, such as shopping, and trips to nature and outdoor sports, will be allowed. Trips can only be with members of one household and in the municipality in which a person has a permanent residence or domicile, i. e. Prague in case of FA CU students.  
• The night curfew between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. is to remain valid. Walking dogs is allowed within 500 meters of residence late in the evening.  
• The government has also reduced exemptions for retail shops and services. Only food stores, drugstores, pharmacies, opticians, pet stores, newsstand and tobacco shops, housewares and florists are allowed to remain open. Regarding services, an exception is granted to gas stations, car washes, and towing services as well as places issuing goods ordered from e-shops, phone and computer services, and taxis.  
• The rules for restaurants and other catering establishments will not change and they will still be allowed to provide take-away orders.  
• Police will check the observance of the restrictions at random, including on trains and buses. Police forces will be reinforced by up to 5,000 soldiers for this purpose. 
• Violating the crisis measures of the government could lead to a fine of up to CZK 20,000. 

updated 2/15

Based on the Government Resolution No. 129 on the operation of school between February 15 and February 28, 2021, the following still apply:

• in person examinations may take place with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons,
• it is possible to carry out educational internships in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools or in school facilities for the performance of institutional and protective education,
• it is possible to hold individual consultations (1 student and 1 academic staff).

As already announced, teaching in the summer semester will begin remotely and will continue in this form until further notice.

updated 2/4

Information before the beginning of the summer semester

Teaching in the summer semester will begin remotely, any transition to in-person teaching will depend on the development of the epidemic situation.

Recommendations before the beginning of the semester:

• Update syllabi and information in the SIS with regard to remote teaching

• Keep in mind a reasonable study load for the remote form of teaching

• Do not emphasise attendance as a condition for passing the class. Offer alternatives.

• Implement remote teaching in the time scheduled for in-person teaching as there is the possibility of a later transition to in-person form.

• It is necessary to include forms of direct contact with students through one of the online platforms. Remote consultations must be offered as well.

• For practical subjects (professional practice), consider other possible ways of fulfilment, especially for regulated professions. Should there be difficulties and possible impact on the profile of the graduate contact the study vice-dean. • Support can be found at elearning.ff.cuni.cz

updated 1/22

According to Government Resolution No. 56 of 22 January 2021, the following still applies:

• face-to-face examinations may take place with the participation of a maximum of 10 persons present,
• individual consultations can be held (1:1).

State final exams in the bachelor’s and master’s degree will take place in the hybrid form, as planned.

updated 1/20

With regard to current developments, the Rector’s Board decided on 18 January 2021 to cancel all graduation ceremonies until the end of March 2021. Graduates who were supposed to attend the March graduation ceremony (ie those whose original date of graduation was cancelled already in October or December 2020) will be informed of the alternative date as soon as circumstances permit and the date can be set. Graduates can also pick up a diploma at the study department. If they decide to pick up a diploma, they still have the opportunity to attend an alternate graduation ceremony.

updated 1/8

Based on the government resolution from 7 January 2021, individual consultations (ie one student and one academic staff member) may take place from Monday 11 January, after prior agreement with the teacher.

updated 1/4

Even after the tightening of some of the rules formulated by the Government Resolution from December 23, 2020 and the subsequent transition to the 5th level of the Anti-epidemic system (PES), it still applies that exams in the winter examination period can take place in two ways:

• In person with the participation of a maximum of 10 people (incl. teacher) in compliance with generally applicable hygiene regulations (social distancing, wearing face masks, etc.),
• Remotely (or hybrid) using one of the electronic platforms and tools. You can find more at https://elearning.ff.cuni.cz/.

The choice of the form of exam is up to the guarantor of each course.

State doctoral examinations and dissertation defences can still be held only in remote (distance) forms. The information in the update from 25 October remains valid.

updated 12/1

Despite the current relaxation of some measures formulated by the government resolution on 30 November 2020, all teaching at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University will continue in a remote format until the end of the semester. 

According to the current rules, examinations in the winter period can take place in two ways:

• In-person with the participation of a maximum of 10 people (incl. teacher) in compliance with generally applicable hygiene regulations (distancing, masks, etc.).

• Remotely using one of the electronic platforms and tools. You can find more at https://elearning.ff.cuni.cz/. 

The choice of the form of examination is up to the guarantor of each subject.

updated 11/25

All teaching at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University continues in the remote format. Because of the nature of teaching, exceptions defined by the last government regulation do not apply to the Faculty of Arts.

updated 10/30

• Please know that the whole winter semester will take place in a remote format.
• Exams, including final exams can (and most likely will) take place remotely, or in a hybrid form. We are preparing to run the Bachelor’s final exams and State exams in a remote format. More information will follow.
• The university’s s academic year calendar is likely to change. It will be possible to extend the semester and the examination period as in the previous year. According to the situation, we will consider extending the summer semester.
• The new government measures have no impact on the exemptions still in force. It is still possible to run exams in groups of up to 10 people and have practice as part of teacher training programs. We remind you to observe all hygienic measures!
• We ask for cooperation and understanding towards students employed as part of their work duties, as well as students who are involved in various volunteer activities.

updated 10/9

According to the new regulation from the Czech government, the exemption from the prohibition of in-person participation in teaching only applies to medical faculties. Therefore, from Monday 12 October, until 25 October 2020 all teaching must take place remotely.

Teachers of classes exempted based on the previous regulation must inform students how the teaching will be organised during this period of tighter measures.

updated 10/7

Additional information on the implementation of remote learning based on the suggestions of the departments

Instructional recommendations

• Each subject taught must include direct contact with students via one of the electronic platforms.
• The choice of platform and choice of teaching methods is up to each teacher. It is possible to combine live streaming with other methods, eg with guided presentations, recorded lectures, materials for self-study, etc. It is not necessary that all teaching is synchronously online.
• We strongly recommend direct synchronous contact with students at least once every two weeks, but at least once every three weeks.
• Streamed teaching can (but does not have to) be recorded and made available to students for off-line use. In such cases, we recommend recording only the part presented by the teacher. With regard to personal data protection, it is not appropriate to upload and share presentations, questions or input to discussions by students.
• We recommend sharing the materials used in teaching with students, such as pptpresentations, texts, etc.
• We remind you that this semester, attendance (even remote) should not be set as a condition for passing the class.

Organizational instructions

• Remote learning should, as much as possible, take place at times according to the schedule.
• There have been cases where the capacity of subjects has been increased in good faith, regardless of the capacity of the room into which the class is normally placed. In these cases, a problem may arise after a possible return to in-person teaching. We will discuss these cases individually. In general, we ask for compliance with capacity of the classrooms.
• You can find additional support at elearning.ff.cuni.cz.

updated 9/21

Updated guidelines for the organization of studies in winter semester 2020/2021 according to the regulation of the Hygienic Station of the City of Prague No. 12/2020, which prohibits the in-person participation of students in university teaching with effect from 21 September, 2020.

Courses planned for the winter semester must be prepared for distance learning.

• Course syllabi need to be adjusted to include clearly described forms of teaching and course completion requirements. The difficulty of the course and the overall study load should remain the same as in in-person teaching.
• Direct contact with students via one of the electronic platforms has to be included in distance learning. It is not possible to only distribute the study materials for self-study. Help with preparation of distance teaching can be found at https://elearning.ff.cuni.cz/.
• At least one employee trained in distance teaching will be available to colleagues in each department.
• When implementing distance teaching, we recommend following the schedule as planned for in-person teaching (with exceptions below). According to experience from the previous semester, irregularities, changes and shifts lead to schedule conflicts and generally make teaching confusing for students.

According to the above regulation, the prohibition of physical presence does not apply to laboratory, experimental or artistic work when a maximum of 15 persons is present and clinical and practical teaching and practice (for more, see the information from 18 September).

• The head of department, in cooperation with the guarantor of the study program, will evaluate which courses open in the winter semester are not affected by the regulation. The head of the department will receive more information by e-mail.
• Due to the unpredictability of the development of the epidemic situation and possible further measures, we recommend planning these courses as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester and to consider, for example, block teaching, allowing individual internships at external subjects even during distance learning, transferring the course instruction to exterior, excursions, etc.).
• It is necessary to consider alternations in the event of a complete prohibition of in-person teaching, or to plan postponing the course to the summer semester.

Courses that cannot be transferred to distance learning and at the same time are not exempted from the regulation on the prohibition of in-person teaching, will be discussed individually with the heads of the departments.

• The head of the department in cooperation with the guarantor of the study program will prepare a list of these courses.
• Compulsory and compulsory-elective courses can be shifted to the summer semester or replaced by courses that were planned for the summer semester and which are suitable for distance teaching.
• It is possible not to teach elective courses this semester and move them to the summer semester, or replace them with other suitable courses.
• When moving between semesters, or when canceling courses, carefully consider the overall study load in the summer semester. Students should be able to fulfill their study obligations in a balanced way throughout the academic year. Excessive accumulation of courses in the summer semester could lead to a disproportionate study load in the second half of the academic year and consequently an increased rate of study failures.
• When changing the courses, try to stick to the schedules already created. For the time being, the regulation of the Prague Hygiene Station is only valid until 31 October, 2020. If we return to in-person teaching in November, it is necessary to have scheduled classrooms for its implementation. Large changes in the existing schedule could cause significant organizational complications and disrupt the smooth transition between distance and in-person teaching.

Organizational rules of study from 1 October, 2020

updated 9/17

Faculty of Arts, Charles University will start teaching in the academic year 2020/2021 in a hybrid form. Primarily, standard in-person teaching will take place. In justified cases, which are described below, it will be possible to start teaching remotely, or changing formats during the semester.

Instructions for the implementation of full-time teaching

Students and teachers are required to comply with all hygiene measures in accordance with government regulations. The information is continuously updated at https://koronavirus.ff.cuni.cz/.

In the case of quarantine of the teacher and/or a significant number of students, it is possible to repeatedly change the format of teaching from in-person to distance and vice versa during the semester. Students must be informed about these changes in a timely and proper manner by e-mail or other pre-arranged form.

The teacher will allow students who have found themselves in quarantine, or for other relevant reasons cannot attend classes (eg foreign students), to continue study with the use of alternative forms, eg connection to classes via one of the electronic platforms. Teachers and students are obliged to stay in touch with each other. According to the instructions of the teacher, students may complete alternative assignments.

Neither teachers nor students have to present a medical certificate after the quarantine/illness has ended. They will follow the instructions of the hygiene station and the general practitioner. We appeal to the personal responsibility of all members of the academic community to stay at home in the event of symptoms of respiratory disease and thus prevent the possible spread of the disease.

We recommend carrying out any internships and excursions planned according to the study plan as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider

1) their possible shift during the academic year, or holidays, if the epidemic situation would prevent their implementation according to plan,

2) the possibility of alternatives, where possible.

Especially for subjects intended for first-year students, we recommend, with regard to their adaptation to the new environment, the start of in-person teaching. Alternatively, it is possible to organize at least a one-time introductory meeting within the department.

Recommendations for the preparation of syllabi

All syllabi of subjects taught in WS 2020/2021 should take into account the possibility of transition to distance learning. The aim is to be prepared for a possible transition to complete distance learning during the semester. The modification of the syllabus must be completed and posted before SIS (information system) is opened for registrationof subjects.

The syllabus must clearly formulate the requirements for meeting the completion of the course in the case of in-person and distance learning. Both forms of teaching and completion must have similar study load and workload for students.

For this semester, we do not recommend requiring attendance as a condition of course completion. Excused absences, with some exceptions, cannot be based on a medical certificate.

Initiation and implementation of distance learning

In justified cases, teaching in WS 2020/2021 can be launched and implemented in a completely remote format. After approval by the head of the department (základní součásti ZS) in cooperation with the guarantor of the study program, the Dean may be asked to convert the subject into a distance format. The request should be submitted to the Dean by the Head of the department through the Vice-Dean for Studies by 23 September 2020 (detailed information will be received by the head of the ZS.)

It is possible to request distance learning especially in the following cases:

1. “Large subjects” – A subject with large capacity of students, where, due to the spatial possibilities of the faculty, it is not possible to provide a classroom guaranteeing compliance with hygienic rules and at the same time it is not possible to divide students into parallel groups for capacity reasons.

2. “Health risks” – A subject taught by a teacher who belongs to one of the high-risk groups and for operational/professional or other reasons it is not possible to ensure his/her replacement by another colleague.

3. “Foreign students” – A subject in which the participation of a significant number of students who will not be able to attend full-time teaching can reasonably be expected. The assessment of a significant number of students is in the competence of the head of the department in cooperation with the program guarantor.

In case the subject must be taught in several parallel blocks, it is possible to request a fully remote format for one of them and conduct the other one in person.

The schedule of applications is set so that before the opening of the studying system (SIS) for the registration of subjects, it is clear to the students in what format of the subject they enrol.

Distance learning must include elements of direct contact with students through one of the electronic platforms. It is not possible to implement teaching only by sending materials for self-study. If possible, the teaching times indicated in the full-time teaching schedule should be followed.

updated 15/9

As of now, Charles University will start teaching in person, unless otherwise stated. However, we are aware of the deteriorating epidemic situation and, in justified cases, we would like to enable the possibility of distance teaching from the start. This option will apply to the following situations:

• The nature of the course allows it to be converted into a remote format without disturbing the students’ study plans and/or changing the objectives and results of the course.
• The teacher belongs to one of the high-risk groups and the head of the department (ZS) confirms consent for the transfer of the subject to a distance teaching format.
• The course syllabus in SIS must be revised for distance learning, with clearly defined conditions for the fulfillment of assignments and a description of teaching methods. Instruction must include interactive elements and contact with students via one of the electronic platforms. It is not possible to implement the course only in the form of submitting documents and self-study.
• In addition to online teaching, consultation hours should be clearly defined through one of the electronic platforms, where the teacher will be regularly available to students for at least one hour per week.