INFORMATION BROCHURE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS INFORMATION BROCHURE Incoming Students

INFORMATION BROCHURE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS 2008 INFORMATION BROCHURE Incoming Students 2008/2009 Content 1. European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ........................... 2 2. Grading System ................................................................................... 3 2.1 ECTS Grading System ....................................................................... 3 2.2 National Grading System ................................................................... 3 3. Admission/Registration Procedures .................................................... 5 3.1 Application process for Erasmus Students ............................................ 5 3.2 Application Forms ............................................................................. 5 4. Academic authorities and contact persons .......................................... 7 5. ECTS Course Catalogue........................................................................ 9 6. Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC)...................................... 17 7. Partner Universities .......................................................................... 18 8. Study Facilities .................................................................................. 20 9. Academic calendar 08/09.................................................................. 21 10. Before Arrival .................................................................................. 22 11. Health insurance and visa procedures ............................................. 23 11.1 Health Insurance .......................................................................... 23 11.2 Applying for a student visa............................................................. 23 12. After your arrival............................................................................. 25 12.1 Arriving to Prague by plane ............................................................ 25 12.2 Arriving to Prague by Railway ......................................................... 25 12.3 Arriving to Prague by coach............................................................ 26 12.4 Driving to Prague and the Czech Republic......................................... 26 13. Accommodation............................................................................... 28 14. Other useful information for students ............................................. 29 14.1 Cost of living ................................................................................ 29 14.2 All basic information about the Czech Republic and Prague ................. 30 15. Useful links...................................................................................... 32 1. European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ECTS, the European Credit Transfer System, was developed by the Commission of the European Communities in order to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition of studies abroad. It provides a way of measuring and comparing learning achievements, and transferring them from one institution to another. The use of ECTS is based on the principle of mutual trust and confidence between the participating higher education institutions. It is important to highlight that ECTS is compulsorily used in all student mobility activities, having been extended to the cooperation with the third countries. With the ECTS Information Package, University of Economics and Management wishes to provide all partner Higher Education Institutions with the transparency necessary for the organization of any international student mobility, as well as to help the students who intend to choose the University of Economics and Management as host institution in their decision. The ECTS system is based on three core elements: information about study programmes and students’ achievements, mutual agreement between partner institutions and the student, and the use of ECTS credits to indicate student workload. These three core elements are made operational through the use of key documents: the ECTS Information Package, the Learning Agreement, the Application Form and the Transcript of Records. The ECTS Information Package supplies written information to students and staff on institutions, departments, the organisation and structure of studies and course units. The Transcript of Records shows students´ learning achievements in a way which is comprehensive, commonly understood and easily transferable from one institution to another. The Learning Agreement covering the programme of study to be taken and the ECTS credits to be awarded for their satisfactory completion, committing both home and host institution, as well as the student. ECTS credits are a value allocated to course units to describe the student workload required to complete them. They reflect the quality of work each course requires in relation to the total quality of work required to complete a full year of academic study at the institution, that is, lectures, practical work, seminars, private work (in the library and at home), examinations or other practical activities. ECTS expresses a relative value. The University of Economics and Management considers the regular workload for an exchange student to be 20/30 ECTS credits per term/semester. However, students should discuss their schedule of courses with their home university before leaving. The home university decides which courses are applicable to the study programme of the student and the number of courses representing a full term/semester. Full academic recognition is one of the basic tools for student mobility in the framework of the Erasmus programme. Full academic recognition means that the study period abroad (including the examinations or other forms of assessment) replaces a comparable period of study at the home institution, though the content of the agreed study programme may differ. Good communication and flexibility are also needed to facilitate the academic recognition of studies completed or taken abroad. In the respect the ECTS coordinator has an important role to play as the main tasks are to deal with the academic and administrative aspects of ECTS. 2 2. Grading System 2.1 ECTS Grading System The grading system is a key issue in the academic recognition process for students participating in international mobility programmes. Grading scales vary according to host countries and institutions which increases the difficulty and complexity levels of the equivalence process. Therefore, having in mind the different grading system in Europe, a grading scale has been developed in the framework of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) to make the comparison between different national scales easier and the assessment process more transparent. The ECTS grading scale allows the qualitative assessment of students´ performance in the subjects attended at the host institution. At the first level, this grading system divides students into two separate groups: pass and fail. Those obtaining passing grades are divided into five groups. An ECTS grade is allocated to each subgroup. The ECTS grade aims at providing additional information regarding the students´ achievements in a specific subject. ECTS grade does not intend to replace the local grade but to provide qualitative information about the students´ academic performance. ECTS Grade A B C D E F % of successful students normally achieving the grade 10 25 30 25 10 -Definition excellent very good good satisfactory sufficient fail 2.2 National Grading System The University of Economics and Management provides study programmes in the bachelor and master levels. Students conclude their study programme by passing the final examination and defending their thesis. At the beginning of an academic year or a term, students sign up for the required subjects, required optional subjects, and elective subjects according to their curriculum design. The chosen subjects must allow for the accumulation of at least 60 credit points per year (20/30 per term/semester). The subjects recommended for the given year presuppose - knowledge of required subjects from earlier years of studies. Possible additional knowledge requirements are specified in annotations on individual subjects. In order to successfully complete a year of studies or a term/semester, students have to pass examinations or gain credit points for class work in all the required subjects and in a defined number of required optional subjects and elective subjects so as to accumulate at least 60 credit points per year (20 per term/30 per semester). Credits are awarded for class work or for passing an examination as required by the curriculum design. Students at University of Economics and Management sit for written, oral, or combined examinations (the latter are comprised of both written and oral parts). 3 Their result is assessed using four grades: 1 – excellent 2 – very good 3 – good 4 – insufficient (failed) The first three grades are awarded for successful completion of an examination while grade 4 means that the student has to sit for the exam once again. One examination may be repeated no more than twice. The above grades correspond to the following ECTS grades: VSEM Grade 1 2 3 4 ECTS Grade A B C D E FX, F Points 100 – 91 90 - 81 80 – 71 70 - 61 60 – 51 50 - 0 Having under consideration the good practices in the use of ECTS tools, University of Economics and Management issues to all exchange students (at the end of their study period) a Transcript of Records that includes the grades achieved in each course unit both in the national an the ECTS scales. Transcript of Records states the grade and percentage achieved in each course in order to help our partner universities transfer VSEM grades to their own grading system. 4 3. Admission/Registration Procedures 3.1 Application process for Erasmus Students If the student wishes to come to Prague as an Erasmus Student he/she has to check with the home institution Erasmus coordinator whether the home University has an Erasmus agreement with the University of Economics and Management and to obtain application materials. The first contact must be at the home University Erasmus office where students can obtain all the necessary information concerning study in terms of the Erasmus programme. All application documents must be sent to the coordinator of the University of Economics and Management and must be duly signed by the Erasmus coordinator (either Institutional or Departmental) at student’s home institution. To choose courses for the Learning Agreement students are asked to consult the internet pages or section 5. The University of Economics and Management Erasmus Coordinator contact: Marta Ondrackova Jose Martiho 2 CZ – 162 00 Praha 6 Czech Republic e-mail: ondrackova@vsem.cz tel.: +420 841 133 166 Erasmus ID Code: CZ USTINAD02 3.2 Application Forms LEARNING AGREEMENT STUDENT APPLICATION FORM REGISTRATION FORM Deadlines for submitting forms: 1 AUGUST for the fall term and for the whole academic year 1 NOVEMBER for the winter term 1 FEBRUARY for the summer term Please note that the University of Economics and Management can not guarantee a place in the programme after the deadlines. Fill in all the application forms on the computer and send them to the University of Economics and Management coordinator by post. For faster acceptation you can send it by MAIL first. In case of sending by mail: The faculty coordinator will check the Student Application Form and Learning Agreement (eventually correct if it is needed) and send it back by email immediatelly. Then you should print it out and send the paper originals with photograph and original signatures and stamp back to the University of Economics and Management coordinator. Before arrival in the Czech Republic, a student has to make sure that he/she has all the following documents: • • Valid passport Student Application Form and Learning Agreement confirmed by VSEM 5 • • • • Transcript of Records provided and confirmed by his/her home university presenting his/her academic performance before the mobility period Valid health and accident insurance Sufficient financial means 1 photograph for the Student Identification Card NOTE for students: Do not forget to announce the precise date and time of your arrival at University of Economics and Management to the coordinator no later than 3 weeks before your definitive arrival. 6 4. Academic authorities and contact persons Full legal name of the Vysoká škola ekonomie a managementu / Institution University of Economics and Management Institution Identification Code Address (street) Post code and town Country WWW Internet address Head of the University Position Telephone E-Mail Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Telephone E-Mail Vice-Rector for Research Telephone E-Mail CZ USTINAD02 José Martího 2 162 00 Praha 6 Czech Republic www.vsem.cz prof. Ing. Milan Žák, CSc. Rector + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) zak@vsem.cz / rektor@vsem.cz doc. Ing. Jaroslava Hyršlová, CSc. + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) hyrslova@vsem.cz / prorektor@vsem.cz doc. Ing. Anna Kadeřábková, Ph.D. + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 5) kaderabkova@vsem.cz / prorektor.vyzkum@vsem.cz ECTS institutional coordinator ECTS Institutional Coordinator Telephone E-Mail Address doc. Ing. Jaroslava Hyršlová, CSc. Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) hyrslova@vsem.cz / prorektor@vsem.cz VŠEM, José Martího 2, 162 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic Erasmus institutional coordinator Erasmus Institutional Coordinator Ing. Marta Ondráčková Department for Development and International Relations Telephone E-Mail Address + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) ondrackova@vsem.cz VŠEM, José Martího 2, 162 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic 7 Study Programmes / Fields of Study Guarantors Economics and Management Business Economics (Undergraduate level) Telephone E-mail Economics and Management Communication and Human Resources (Undergraduate level) Telephone E-mail Economics and Management Economic Analysis and Competitive Strategy / Corporate Management (Graduate level) Telephone E-mail Student affairs office Name Position Telephone E-mail Address Ing. Lucie Čunderliková Head, Department for Student Affairs + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 1 or 2) cunderlikova@vsem.cz / studium@vsem.cz VŠEM, José Martího 2, 162 00 Praha 6, Czech Republic doc. Ing. Jaroslava Hyršlová, CSc. + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) jaroslava.hyrslova@vsem.cz doc. Ing. Ivo Straka, CSc. + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) straka@vsem.cz /prorektor@vsem.cz prof. Ing. Milan Žák, CSc. + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) zak@vsem.cz / rektor@vsem.cz 8 5. ECTS Course Catalogue Information about courses taught for Erasmus incoming students Erasmus Institutional Coordinator address: José Martího 2, 162 00 Praha 6 Marta Ondráčková ondrackova@vsem.cz tel: +420 841 133 166 Courses in English 2008/2009 Short Annotations Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Business Economics I Economics and Management 1 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The subject represents introduction to the basic categories of business economics, entrepreneurship, starting business and determinants of business economic decision making. It provides overview of characteristics of economic subjects’ basic forms and specifies their relationships and importance in national economy including current issues of the Czech entrepreneurship environment. Concept of the enterprise and entrepreneurship Business effectiveness Business forms Business sphere in the Czech economy Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Business Economics II Economics and Management 1 3 Objectives and content: The subject introduces the fundamentals, analysis and operating of basic business activities from the view of their subject specialization (purchase, sales, production, funding, investment and analytical activity) and provides conceptual and methodological resources for related professional specified subjects. Assets and capital structure of the enterprise Organizational structure of the enterprise Production activity, agents of production, capacity of production Purchase, sales and marketing activity Human resources activity Financial activity Investment activity Analytical activity Seminar Paper: Business plan and its structure Business costs analysis (consumption of production factors) Characteristics of business assets and capital structure Starting-up budget Characteristics of the business production activity Problems of the current starting entrepreneurs in selected area Purchase and sales activity of the company Company specifics in the view of the subject specialization of its activity Company financial analysis Students can select their own topic which has to be approved by the lecturer 9 Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Business Intelligence Economics and Management 5 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The aim of the subject is to understand the principles and possibilities of analytical applications of information systems indicated as business intelligence. The subject introduces principles of several application types and technologies for support of analytical and planning activities in companies – managerial applications, data warehouses, data marts, data exploitation, reporting. Basic principals of Business Intelligence (BI) Principals of multidimensional analysis Examples of solutions Complex case studies Application of BI in CRM Seminar Paper: ERP market analysis Market analysis in BI Analysis of e_Business application supply Analysis of electronic markets Investment return assessment for IS/ICT Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Company Assessment Economics and Management 7 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: Development of mergers and acquisitions in the emerging financial market essentially needs development of methods and concepts of company assessment. Assessment is used by owners for setting the company value while entering the stock market, evaluating the financial standing for the purpose of gaining supplementary external financial resources. The aim of the course is to introduce basic methods of company assessment and their application in the practice. Theoretical basis and resources for company assessment Basic concepts and methods of company assessment Income methods – method of discounted cash flows, method of capitalized net proceeds, combined methods Methods based on the market analysis – comparison of companies, derivation of value from comparable transactions, method of market comparison and yield methods Assets evaluation – book value, substance value, liquidation value Assessment of ongoing company value Assessment of synergies Seminar Paper: Case study. Students can select their own topic which has to be approved by the lecturer Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Conflicts Solving - Theory and Practice Economics and Management 3 4 10 General theory of conflicts, basic concepts and strategy of solutions Conflict analysis, conflict simulations, games theory Distributive and cooperative negotiations, cooperation and optimum of decision making Strategy and bargaining games Cognitive and ethic aspects of negotiation Practical training and formalization of bargaining Intercultural differences and their influence on emergence and solution of conflicts Trends in development and solution of international conflicts Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Economic policy Economics and Management 1 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and Content: The subject introduces the bearers, goals and tools of the basic areas of microeconomic and macroeconomic policy, and problems of economic and social development, and ways of its influencing during the transition of the Czech economy. This knowledge enable to understand and interpret correctly economic and social political measures and their consequences for economic subjects. Theoretical and practical basis of the economic policy Conceptual approaches to the economic policy Types of the economic policy Applied economic policy Seminar Paper: The content of the seminar paper is based on the comparison of the Czech Republic position with other EU member country in attainable time series in stated thematic group of structural indicators. Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS European Economic Integration Economics and Management 6 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The subject uses three views of the economic integration: 1) Theoretical resources rationalizing expediency of the integration, 2) sequence of historical events and 3) current stage of the integration with open problems and challenges. Basic concepts Free movement of goods Free movement of capital Currency integration and euro Fiscal policy integration Common agricultural policy Regional policy Trade policy Seminar Paper: Eurobarometers Common Agricultural Policy reform Competition policy Free movement of goods Justice and home affairs Common foreign and security policy Eurozone 11 Comparative history of five enlargements Accession criteria Stability process countries Candidate countries Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Finance Economics and Management - Business Economics 4 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The subject uses knowledge of accountancy at the level of financial analysis to set the financial objectives of the company and to master the methodology of identifying the financial health of the company. It covers the basic methods of evaluating the financial flows using the system of financial analytical indicators and clears up ways of implementing the financial analytical operations and interpretation of their outcomes. Subject and users of the financial analysis Methods of financial analysis Financial planning and financial policy Long-term financial planning, annual financial plan, company budget Financial control Seminar Paper: Analysis of selected financial analysis issue. Students can select their own topic which has to be approved by the lecturer. Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Human Resources Economics and Management 4/7 3 Objectives and content: The subject introduces basic tasks of staff department as the concept of human resources management. The work of staff department is introduced as the central managerial task and its strategic importance is emphasized. Attention is paid to the purpose and content of key staff department activities. Staff department work in organization Staffing (forming of the staff in organization) Management of the work output and evaluation of employees Life long learning and development of employees Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Informatics Economics and Management 3 4 Theoretical minimum: basic principals and technologies in the IT area. Data communication facilities: overview and explanation of individual protocols and their functioning. Basic settings of operation system and its administration Work with files and folders (including practical exercises in different environments). Computer graphics: differences of bitmap and vector graphics, compression mechanism, objects’ adjustments. Sources of information on the Internet, databases, searching by using key words. 12 Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis Economics and Management – Business Economics 2 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and Content: The subject introduces the basic indicators used in macroeconomic analysis for assessment of growth performance, competitiveness and external and internal balance of the national economy during time and between countries. Knowledge of these indicators is applied by interpretation of actual development trends of the home economy in international comparison and their economic-political connections. Economic growth National accounts International comparison Competitiveness Foreign trade and investments Internal and external balance Employment and unemployment Seminar Paper: Analysis of selected sectors of the national economy and comparison with the selected country. Students can select their own topic which has to be approved by the lecturer. Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Introduction to Management Economics and Management 2 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The subject introduces the basic definitions and approaches of management in context of decision-making of economic subjects. It presents the concept and methodological basis for consequential professional subjects and for illustration of applications and specifics in the Czech conditions. It covers basic aspects of subject areas of management from the process point of view. Manager profile and personality Management under development Managerial functions of planning, organization and decision-making Managerial functions of human resources management, leadership, controlling and communication Seminar Paper: Applicability of the Frederick W. Taylor ideas in a selected organization Applicability of the W. Edwards Deming ideas in a selected organization Applicability of the Max Weber ideas in a selected organization Authority and power in a selected organization Operating range influence over a selected organization Ethical conceptions application in a selected organization Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Macroeconomics Economics and Management 1 3 Objectives and content: The subject introduces the basic definitions and principles of the macroeconomic analysis with the aim of mastering the system of concepts and theoretic-methodological basis for identification, analysis, assessment and anticipation of key characteristics and determinants of the development of macroeconomic framework of 13 economic subjects’ decision-making, including basic alternative approaches to their interpretation. Product and its determination, income expenditure model Money Budget deficit and public debt Inflation and unemployment Economic growth Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Managerial decision making Economics and Management 7 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The subject introduces rational processes of solving decision problems, basic methods and instruments of decision under certainty, risk and uncertainty, and processes of risk management. It enables to gain knowledge in choosing suitable style of decision making and to master acquired theoretical knowledge for solving decision problems in economic practice. Decision making processes and their structure Basic methods of decision making under certainty Basic methods of decision making under risk and uncertainty Risk management Seminar Paper: Analysis of the decision problem by using different methods. Students can select their own topic which has to be approved by the lecturer. Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Mathematics for Economists Economics and Management – Business Economics 1 3 Objectives and content: The subject is focused on the practical knowledge of selected basic mathematical skills and approaches to mathematical thinking which together with the statistical principles serve as a starting point for application of quantitative methods in following professional and specialized subjects. The central attention is paid to the optimization exercises with relation to the economic analysis. Overview of basic concepts Derivation and rules of differentiation Differential calculation Exponential and logarithmic functions Mathematics in economics Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Microeconomics Economics and Management 1 3 Objectives and content: The subject introduces the basic concepts of microeconomic analysis, prerequisites and consequences of economic subjects’ decision making, possibilities and restrictions while achieving allocation-effective market outcome. It clears up theoretical and methodological resources and principles of economic thinking for analysis and solution of problems in related, applied subjects. Theory of the consumer 14 Theory of the firm Competition models Market of production factors General balance and efficiency Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS MS Office Economics and Management 3 3 Introduction of MS Office programmes, comparison with similar applications, possibilities and suitability of using spreadsheet processors, text editors and presentation programmes for individual types of required outcomes. Rules of presentations and suitability of using different instruments, PowerPoint: insertion of slides, pictures, work with templates, color scheme, presentation editing by adding animations and slide transitions, show possibilities, presentation timing. Introduction of MS Word: setting of user’s environment, direct text formatting, work with styles and templates, work with tables, inserting diagrams and other objects into file, lists and content generating, automation of files. Introduction of MS Excel: setting of user’s environment, possibility of cell formatting, format vs. value, absolute and relative addressing, inserting graphs, functions and other objects, work with data, calculations and possibility of using functions. Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Public Finance Economics and Management 6 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The course is devoted to the theory of state, causes of the public sector establishment and growth, and to the basic theoretical principles of optimal taxation, both income and consumption taxes. The second part of the course is devoted to the public expenditures theory, especially public choice theory and theory of bureaucracy. At the end, the course introduces influence of globalization and new technologies, especially Internet, on the current tax systems in the world. Introduction and the role of the state Theory of state Tax theory – introduction Income taxation Consumption taxation Tax incidence Optimal taxation Public expenditures theory Public sector (efficiency) and bureaucracy Public choice theory Globalization and Internet Seminar Paper: Analysis of selected public finance issue. Students can select their own topic which has to be approved by the lecturer. Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Public Relations Economics and Management – Communication and HR 7 3 15 Objectives and content: The subject introduces the history of public relations in context of general development of marketing communications. The way of communication aimed on the understanding of public, on positive perception and message receiving. Public relations is introduced as a part of marketing mixture and a part of social analysis of trends and expected effects. Mission of public relations Process Strategy Tactics Applications Case studies Course Title Degree Programme Term in Curriculum Number of ECTS Taxes in the Czech Republic Economics and Management – Business Economics 7 Course – 3, Seminar Paper - 4 Objectives and content: The aim of the subject is to supply with economic theoretical basis for consideration of tax systems, information on current political solutions and evaluate incidence of taxation on economy and society in developed countries. The subject covers all basic problems of tax theory (tax efficiency, equity, incidence, stimulation and stabilization function of taxes) and tax policy in developed countries (OECD members). The course is devoted also to the current issues of tax coordination and harmonization. History of tax theories Introduction to taxation Tax shift and incidence on competitive markets in monopoly environment Taxation and equity Macroeconomic consequences of taxation Taxation in different countries Course Title Number of ECTS Czech Language for Foreigners 8 Course Title Degree Programme Number of ECTS Business English Economics and Management 5 Notes: 1) Students can enroll for individual subjects with or without seminar paper. Without enrolling for the corresponding subject, it is not possible to pass the seminar paper. 2) Study groups from 10 students – lectures, seminars. 3) Study groups up to 10 students – individual tuitions. 4) Opening of all offered courses is not guaranteed and depends on the interest of students in individual subjects. In case of not opening any course stated in the Learning agreement, another course is offered and changed in the Agreement so as the total number of ECTS is observed. 5) Deadlines for applications: - 1st term (end of September to Christmas) -> 1st August - 2nd term (beginning of January to the middle of March) -> 1st November - 3rd term (beginning of April to the end of June) -> 1st February 16 6. Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC) National Agency for European Educational Programmes provides information about EILC courses in the Czech Republic for foreign students. EILC – Erasmus Intensive Language Courses: • Specialized courses in the less widely used and taught European Union languages and the languages of the other participating countries in Erasmus programme. The EILCs give Erasmus students (and possibly teachers) the opportunity to study the language of the host country for 3-8 weeks Tuition is free of charge General information provided by European Commission Organising institutions and course descriptions for the whole Europe • • • APPLICATION PROCEDURE • • • The Student Application Form have to be sent electronically (email) by Erasmus coordinator of the home university to the Czech Socrates National Agency using the following address: eilc@naep.cz Students are also requested to register on-line. Please note that without on-line registration the application will not proceed. Application deadline for summer courses is 31/5/2008 and for winter courses is 31/10/2008 17 7. Partner Universities University of Economics and Management has signed Bilateral Agreements on Erasmus programme with these universities: Cyprus College of Tourism and Hotel Management European University Cyprus P.A. College France ESC Saint Etienne School of Management Germany Cologne University of Applied Sciences Leipzig University of Applied Sciences University of Applied Sciences (Eberswalde) University of Applied Sciences (Koblenz) University of Applied Sciences (Regensburg) University of Applied Sciences (Würzburg-Schweinfurt) University of Technology, Business and Design (Wismar) Hungary Kodolányi János University College Iceland Reykjavik University Latvia The Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Lithuania Mykolas Romeris University Norway Aalesund University College Poland University of Gdansk Portugal University Fernando Pessoa Romania West University of Timisoara Spain Universitat Internacional de Catalunya University of Huelva Slovakia International School of Management Slovakia 18 Turkey Anadolu University Atatürk University Isik University Koc University Yasar University 19 8. Study Facilities Language Courses During his/her study period a student can attend a special language course in which the Czech language is taught. The course is oriented on a foreign student who wants to be able to communicate in basic every-day situations in the Czech language. Students can attend this course during the academic year and the course is assessed by 8 ECTS. If the student is interested in attending this course, this fact should be mentioned in the Learning Agreement (Details of the proposed study programme abroad/Learning agreement). Libraries The VSEM Library offers access to a wide range of resources to support teaching, learning and research at University of Economics and Management. Our stock consists of some books, periodicals, standards, theses and dissertations, and other materials. The main part of the collection is in Czech language. All VSEM students can get access to the CERGE-EI Library, the best economic library of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The CERGE-EI Library offers approximately 45,000 volumes (monographs, journals, gray literature, reference works) arranged in open stocks and about 45,000 volumes in store rooms searchable through electronic catalogue. The main part of the collection is in English language. Computer facilities The University offers computer rooms in the university building to students. For access to computer rooms it is necessary to use a student card. All students have free access to the Internet and electronic mail. Every student accepted to study at the University of Economics and Management is provided with his own university e-mail address. 20 9. Academic calendar 08/09 Start of the academic year 2008/2009 1.9.2008 Start of lectures during the autumn term 29.9.2008 End of lectures during the autumn term 17.12.2008 Christmas holidays 22.12.2008 - 2.1.2009 Exam period for the autumn term 5.1.2009 – 30.1.2009 Start of lectures during the winter term 12.1.2009 End of lectures during the winter term 26.3.2009 Exam period for the winter term 1.4.2009 - 30.4.2009 Start of lectures during the summer term 14.4.2009 End of lectures during the summer term 26.6.2009 Exam period for the summer term 1.7.2009 – 31.8.2009 Summer holidays 1.7.2009 - 31.8.2009 End of the academic year 2008/2009 31.8.2009 Public holidays September, 28 – Day of Czech Statehood (the feast of St Wenceslas) October, 28 – Independent Czechoslovak State Proclamation Day (1918) November, 17 – Day of the Struggle for Liberty and Democracy December, 24-26 – Christmas holidays January, 1 – New Year´s Day April, 13 – Easter Monday May, 1 – Labour Day - May Day May, 8 – Liberation Day (marking the end of World War II) 21 10. Before Arrival Applying to be a student When you are nominated by your university as an Erasmus student, please fill in the form which is mentioned above at the chapter Admission/Registration Procedures and send it to the Erasmus coordinator of VSEM. It is necessary to send form within mentioned deadlines. To choose courses for your Learning Agreement please find a list of offered courses in section 5. We shall confirm the Student Application Form and Learning Agreement and send it back to the Erasmus Coordinator at your University. Basic contacts - Erasmus Institutional Office Full legal name of the Vysoká škola ekonomie a managementu / University of Economics and Management Institution Institution Identification Code Address (Street) Post code and town Country WWW address Erasmus Institutional Coordinator Telephone E-Mail Office CZ USTINAD02 José Martího 2 162 00 Praha 6 Czech Republic www.vsem.cz Marta Ondráčková + 420 841 133 166 (voice choice 4) ondrackova@vsem.cz José Martího 2, 162 00 Praha 6 Important notices and deadlines • All applications for study must be sent duly signed to the Erasmus Office at University of Economics and Management by 1 August, 1 November or by 1 February. Late applications will also be considered, but acceptance for study can not be guaranteed. Opening of all offered courses is not guaranteed and depends on the interest of students in individual subjects. In case of not opening any course stated in the Learning agreement, another course is offered and changed in the Agreement so as the total number of ECTS is observed. • 22 11. Health insurance and visa procedures 11.1 Health Insurance The Czech Republic normally recognizes all health insurances valid within EU. Students from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are entitled to the provision of necessary and urgent health care free of charge. It is only necessary that they have a certified E 128 form from their home country or a European Health Insurance Card, which replaces the paper forms needed. You should check with your insurance office whether this is the case of your particular health insurance. Students are strongly recommended to have supplementary travel insurance from their country. Students are responsible for acquiring their own insurance before coming to the Czech Republic. Detailed information you can find the Guide to the Health Care System in the Czech Republic. Note that only care that is “necessary and urgent“ is provided free of charge, and not, for example, routine dentistry. The standard of medical and dental care is good in the Czech Republic, and charges for “non-urgent“ care are very reasonable. All exchange students must arrange for their health and accident insurance for the whole period of their stay in the Czech Republic prior to leaving their country! Students from non-EU countries should check, whether their country is on the list of countries that have concluded a bilateral agreement with the Czech Republic on the mutual provision of necessary and urgent health care free of charge. Insurance has to be arranged for a sum of at least 30,000 EUR. A list of these insurance companies is available at Czech consulates. 11.2 Applying for a student visa EU students Students from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and some other countries do not need a visa to come and study in the Czech Republic! To enter the Czech Republic, EU students only need a valid passport or national ID card. EU citizens can apply for a temporary residence permit if they intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than three months. The following documents must be enclosed to the application: - a copy of the applicant’s passport, - a photograph, - a document certifying the purpose of the stay, - a health insurance policy certificate, - a sworn statement that he/she will not claim social benefits during his/her stay in the Czech Republic. Temporary residence permit certificates are issued for various periods of validity depending on the purpose for which the temporary residence permit is issued, and the validity of the permit may be repeatedly extended. Non-EU students Students from other countries (non-EU) are required to have a valid visa for their stay in the Czech Republic. Students from Turkey need a visa in any case. It is not possible to apply for a visa on the territory of the Czech Republic; the application must be submitted 23 to the Czech Embassy or Consulate in the student’s home country. It is necessary to apply for a visa immediately after receipt of the letter of acceptance. The procedure may take up to 60 days. The Czech Embassy may require particular documents. The basic documents required for a visa for a stay above 90 days are as follows: - an original visa application form - a letter of acceptance - a valid passport (valid for at least half a year beyond the expiry of the visa) - 2 passport-size photographs - confirmation of accommodation in the Czech Republic - a financial contract or other documents corroborating financial support for your stay in the Czech Republic - an official extract from the Criminal Register of the Czech Republic confirming that the applicant has not been prosecuted and punished for crimes in the Czech Republic (it is enough to apply for the extract at the Czech Embassy when applying for a visa and to agree that the extract will be sent directly to the respective immigration police department). Many of the necessary procedures have been changed, so do not rely on old information, and read the following very carefully. When you have received the forms from us you can apply for a visa at the relevant Czech Embassy/Consulate in your home country. You can apply at any Czech Consulate but there are limitations. Please contact the relevant Consulate for details. The application forms (in five main European languages) are available only at the Consulates and cannot be copied. You have to visit the Consulate and complete the form there with the help of its personnel. Information about the visa can be obtained at the Czech Embassy or consulate in the respective country or at the website of the Czech Home Office – www.mzv.cz. 24 12. After your arrival 12.1 Arriving to Prague by plane The Czech Republic’s main international airport is Prague Ruzyně International Airport (PRG), which has daily connections to/from major European cities. Passengers going to/from other destinations will have to change planes in Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam or Paris. Ruzyně airport is located on the northwest edge of Prague, about 15 km from the city centre. In case nobody is waiting for you at the airport, there are some comfy and not very difficult ways to get down town. Public Transport Taking the bus like any other Prague inhabitant may not be the most comfortable but is definitely the cheapest way to get around. The stations of the two buses (119 and 100) that will take you to the underground and then to the centre are just in front of the Arrival Hall. Bus No 119 is most commonly used to get to the centre, as it goes to the metro station Dejvicka (green line A), from where you can get to any place from the historical centre in just a few minutes. Bus No 100 takes you to the metro station Zlicin (yellow line B), from where it will take you about 20 extra minutes to get down town. For further info about tickets and timetables see section Public Transport. Minibus CEDAZ Minibuses run every 30 minutes from 5:30 to 21:30 from the airport to metro stations Dejvicka (green line A) and Namesti Republiky (yellow line B) and may be in some cases a more comfortable way to travel than the public bus, yet less expensive than a taxi. You can find them in front of the Arrivals Terminal, or get information from the info desk at the Arrival hall. A normal ride to one of the metro stations is 90 CZK (4 EUR) per person and luggage but they can take you to any other destination in Prague for a fee of 25 EUR for 1-4 passengers or 40 EUR for 5-8 passengers. Taxi Taxi is the most comfortable, yet expensive way to get wherever you need. The approximate cost of a ride to the centre should not cost more than 800 CZK (app. 32 EUR). In order to avoid any unpleasant situation that might occur, we recommend using some registered reliable taxi service companies. 12.2 Arriving to Prague by Railway Domestic services are provided by CD (Czech Railways). There are number of daily connections to Prague from major European cities. Prague has several train stations, but if you are using an international train you are most probable to get off at the Main Railway Station, called also Wilsonovo Nadrazi (Hlavni Nadrazi) or at Holesovice Station (Nadrazi Holesovice). Both of them are connected by metro (red line C) to the rest of the city. Other train stations in Prague: Masarykovo nadrazi (station), Vysocanske nadrazi (station), Smichovske nadrazi (station). 25 The biggest and busiest is the Main Railway Station (Hlavni Nadrazi), an international rail road hub, where you will find a 24-hour left-luggage service, information desks, exchange offices, food stalls and booking offices. The Main station is situated basically in the centre of Prague, just 5 minutes away from Wenceslas Square and other places of interest. It is also well connected to the rest of the city by public transport, that is by underground (red line C) and trams. It is possible to buy plain tickets (jizdenka) or tickets with reservation (mistenka) for a seat, couchette or sleeper. Information on rail connections available on: • Phone: +420 224 224 200 • on-line timetable idos.cz 12.3 Arriving to Prague by coach If you chose to travel to Prague by international coach/bus, you will most probably arrive at Florenc, Prague’s international bus terminal. The bus terminal is situated in the centre of the New Town (historical part of Prague, called “New Town”, in other words, close to most hotels and other accommodation places. Means of transport from Florenc: 1. on foot – depending on how well you know Prague, how much luggage you have or how far your hotel or place of interest is; 2. by public transport – Bus Terminal Florenc is located at the underground (yellow line B/red line C) and tram station “Florenc” 3. Taxi – depending on the comfort you prefer and how much you are prepared to spend in Prague. Taxi cabs can be found just in front of the bus terminal. Information on coach connections available at: • on-line timetable idos.cz 12.4 Driving to Prague and the Czech Republic Prague has a fairly good road infrastructure, yet this doesn’t mean traffic jams or problems with finding a parking place don’t occur. Also break-ins or vehicle thefts are not excluded. This is why it is mostly advisable to leave your car in safe parking lots that is in guarded parking places, even if they can be fairly expensive, especially in places close to the city centre. If you ignored a „No Parking“ sign and you can’t see your car anywhere, it could mean that your car has been towed away or, more dramatically, stolen. In order to get the mystery elucidated, call 158 or 156 and a police officer will tell you where you have to go to pay the fine and get your car back (that is if indeed it has been just towed away), or will help you declare the theft. If you find your car clamped, you should call the police at the phone No. stated on the bill you find on your windscreen and wait for a police man to come. After paying the fine, the clamp will be removed and you can go. A simple solution to save you from all this trouble would be to Safe Park somewhere further from the centre and use the public transport service. It is cheaper, less stressful and sometimes even faster (e.g. weekday mornings about 8am, when everybody goes to work). The Czech Republic has a network of motorways and roads that are moderately well marked. It is necessary to buy and display the obligatory motorway sticker when driving on the Czech highways. Stickers can be purchased at post offices, border crossings, and selected petrol stations. 26 The Czech traffic regulations are similar to those in effect in other EU member states. A few basic rules are: - the maximum allowable speed in towns and villages is 50 km/h (nights included), - the maximum allowable speed for cars and buses of up to 3,500 kg is 90 km/h on roads and 130 km/h on highways, - the maximum allowable speed for motorcycles is 90 km/h, - no consumption of alcohol at all is allowed before or during driving, - seat belts must be fastened during the entire journey (driver and all passengers), - motorcyclists and their side-car passengers must wear helmets, - lights must be switched on all the year long. 27 13. Accommodation The University of Economics and Management as private university does not have its own accommodation facilities. Students can ask for help in finding accommodation prior to their arrival (at least 2 months before the date of arrival) and the VSEM staff will offer some accommodation possibilities and will be helpful in arranging all organizational and administrative steps. We have compiled a list of useful web links offering both short and long-term accommodation for those who will search for accommodation on their own. Please note, however, that the list is only illustrative and by no means includes all the agencies dealing with renting/providing accommodation. Long-term accommodation http://www.happyhouserentals.com http://www.pronajembytu.cz http://www.maxima.cz http://www.roommates.cz Short-term accommodation http://www.happyhouserentals.com http://www.praguehotelguide.com http://www.stopcity.com http://www.ds-bohemia.cz/abacus/alia/en.asp 28 14. Other useful information for students 14.1 Cost of living Every student has different needs and requirements, and therefore every student has a different cost of living. Accommodation is a major part of living costs. Living in the Czech Republic can cost from 3,000 Czech crowns to 20,000 Czech crowns a month. Meals The students’ canteen is currently under reconstruction; therefore students can use restaurants in the neighborhood of the university. Food Lunch at a canteen Pizza in a pizzeria Restaurant meal Beer at a pub Dairy products A loaf of bread 1 kg of meat (chicken) 1 kg of apples 1,5 l of mineral water Study Supplies University study texts cost around 200 Czech crowns each, but it is also necessary to consider purchasing other books. You can also use the service of the University, or CERGE-EI Libraries. Shopping Shopping in the city centre is very easy. Lots of shops offer everything you need: clothing, footwear, books, musical supplies, foods, groceries, presents and many other types of goods. In the suburbs, there are many hypermarkets and supermarkets (Tesco, Kaufland, Lidl, Makro and Interspar) and large shopping centres. The opening hours of Czech shops vary, but they are generally open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on working days and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays. Increasing numbers of shops are now open seven days a week. Hypermarkets and large shopping centres are open daily, usually from around 9 a.m. to 9. p.m. Leisure and Cultural Activities Leisure activities and cultural activities are also an important part of life. A cinema ticket costs around 150 crowns per person, the theatre ticket from 70 to 500 crowns (student discounts can be applied). An entrance ticket to a museum costs from 40 crowns per person. Costs around 50 CZK from 100 CZK from 110 CZK from 25 CZK 10-30 CZK from 20 CZK from 100 CZK 25-30 CZK around 15 CZK 29 14.2 All basic information about the Czech Republic and Prague Area The Czech Republic is historically divided into three regions: Bohemia, Moravia and a part of Silesia. The total area is 78,866 square kilometers and the country’s population is around 10.3 million people. The capital city is Prague, with 496 square kilometers area and 1.2 million inhabitants, and there are 5 other metropolitan cities with a population exceeding 100,000 – Brno, Plzeň, Olomouc, Ostrava and Liberec. The Czech Republic shares borders with Germany, Poland, Austria and Slovakia. The country is surrounded by extensive mountain ranges, which form most of the border – the Krkonoše Mountains in the northeast; the Krušné Hory Mountains in the northwest; the Šumava Mountains in the west; the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains and the MoravianSilesian Beskydy Mountains in Moravia. Many important European rivers (the Labe (Elbe), Oder, Morava, Vltava (Moldau), etc.) flow thorough the country. Climate and weather The climate in Prague, as well as in the whole Czech Republic is temperate, a mixture of oceanic and continental. Winters are rather cold, summers warm. The average temperature in July is 19,4 oC, and in January it goes down to -1,5 oC. However, extreme temperatures like +30 oC or –20 oC may also be experienced during the year. The weather is very variable; therefore a full range of clothing may be required. For the actual information on weather forecasts please visit Prague 7 days weather forecast. Language The official language is Czech, a very beautiful, yet quite difficult to learn Slavic language. In main tourist attractions English/German/Spanish is spoken. Nevertheless, you might find it useful to take a look at the mini phrasebook. Public holidays State holidays: • • • • • • • 1st of January – Day of Renovation of the Independent Czech State 8th of May – Liberation Day (1945) 5th of July – Cyril and Methodius Day – the Slavic Christianity Prophets 6th of July – Master John Hus burning at the stake (1415) 28th of September – Day of the Czech Statehood 28th of October – Independent Czechoslovak State Proclamation Day (1918) 17th of November – Day of a Struggle for Liberty and Democracy Other holidays: • • • • • • 1st of January – New Year’s Day Easter Monday 1st of May – Labour Day (May Day) 24th of December – Christmas Eve 25th of December – Christmas Day 26th of December – Boxing Day 30 Currency – currency exchange • • • • • • The main currency in Czech Republic is Czech Crown (Ceska Koruna) Czech Crown – Czech symbol “Kc”, international symbol “CZK” 1 CZK = 100 haler, Czech symbol “h” Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 CZK Banknotes: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 CZK Current exchange rates In most shops credit cards are accepted, in shopping centres is not unusual to pay also in Euro, British pounds or dollars – the change will be returned in CZK. Tipping Like almost everywhere in the world, tipping is a usual practice in the Czech Republic too. The international standards (10-12%) is of course welcomed, no waiter will look weird at you though if for example you round off a bill of 285 CZK to 300 CZK. Postal service Postal service is well represented in Prague. You can find a post office starting from the airport up to the Prague Castle. The orange post office boxes in Prague are emptied every day. • • Domestic Letters/Postcards: 10 CZK International Letters/Postcards: Europe 17 CZK – Overseas CZK The busiest and biggest post office is Main Post Office, Prague 1 (Ceska posta – Posta Prague 1 – Hlavni posta) Jindrisská 909/14, 110 00 Prague 1, open from Monday to Friday (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.). Important Phone Numbers • • • • • • • European Emergency Line: 112 Czech Republic National Police: 158 Prague Municipal Police: 156 Czech Republic Emergency Rescue Service: 155 Czech Republic Fire Emergency: 150 Information Service of Telephone Numbers in the Czech Republic: 1180 Information Service of Telephone Numbers Abroad: 1181 31 15. Useful links National Agency in Prague www.naep.cz European Union, European Commission, European programmes www.euroskop.cz europa.eu.int Czech Republic www.czechtourism.cz www.myczechrepublic.com www.czech.cz www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/eur/cze.htm Transport in the Czech Republic www.csa.cz/en/ - Czech Airlines www.idos.cz – Trains and Buses Prague http://www.pis.cz/en http://magistrat.praha-mesto.cz/lang/l2 http://www.prague.net Public transport in Prague http://www.dpp.cz/en/ GTS International – ISIC card www.gtsincoming.cz Students Organizations www.aiesec.org www.iaeste.cz Jobs and Working Places www.jobs.cz Czech Press Agency www.ctknews.com 32