Article 1 Introductory Provisions

These Rules, in compliance with Act No. 111/1998 Sb., on higher education institutions, as amended, (“the Higher Education Act”) and in compliance with the Constitution of Charles University, regulates the conditions for lifelong learning at Charles University (“the University”).¹

Article 2 Fundamental Provisions

1. Lifelong learning courses are such types of courses that complement, deepen, refresh, or broaden the knowledge, skills, and qualifications of their participants.

2. Lifelong learning does not comprise courses offered in accredited study programmes nor education in the field of medical and non-medical healthcare professions.²   

3. Education in a lifelong learning programme does not bestow upon its participants the legal status of a student under the Higher Education Act.

Article 3 Lifelong Learning Programme

1. A lifelong learning programme (“the Programme”) may be:

   a.	vocation-oriented; or
   b.	interest-oriented.

2. The programme may be offered in the Czech language or in a foreign language. The programme may take the form of full-time study, distance learning, or a combination thereof.

3. The programme may be offered:

   a.	by a faculty;
   b.	by a higher education institution;
   c.	by another university unit (Article 3 of Appendix No. 1 to the Constitution of Charles University); or
   d.	by the Rector’s Office.

   The programme may also be offered on the basis of co-operation between the units of the University, between the departments of the Rector’s Office, or on the basis of co-operation with another entity, namely a higher education institution. The programmes may be co-ordinated by the department of the Rector’s Office that is in charge of the field of lifelong learning.

4. The entity offering a programme promulgates it, including the description thereof. The programme is registered in the Register of Lifelong Learning Programmes, which constitutes part of the Study Information System of Charles University. The requirements for the description of a programme and its registration are determined by a Rector’s directive.

5. Lifelong learning is usually co-ordinated by a Vice-Rector of the University. The Rector’s advisory body for the field of lifelong learning is the Lifelong Learning Board.

Article 4 Admission of Applicants

Applicants are admitted into a programme by the entity offering it depending on its capacity and in compliance with the published requirements for admission into the programme.

Article 5 Completing a Programme

1. In order to successfully complete the programme, the set requirements must be satisfied.

2. Persons successfully completing the programme will be awarded a certificate of completion of the programme. The formalities of the certificate are determined by a Rector’s directive.

3. In order to successfully complete a vocational programme, it is usually necessary to pass a final examination, part of which may be a written paper.

Article 6 Fee for Participation in a Programme

1. A programme may be offered for a fee or free of charge.

2. The amount of the fee for participation in the programme, the method of payment, and the due date is determined on the basis of costing by the entity offering the programme.

3. The fee for the issuance of a certificate of completion of the programme is determined by a Rector’s directive.

4. A proof of payment of the fee or part thereof is usually required no later than on the starting date of the programme. The details are to be determined by the entity organising the programme.

5. Upon a written application by an applicant for or a participant in the programme, the fee for participation in the programme may be reduced or waived in individual cases with grounds. The reduction in or waiver of the fee is to be decided by the entity organising the programme. Participants have no legal claim to a reduction in or waiver of the fee.

Article 7 University of the Third Age

1. One of the interest-oriented programmes is the University of the Third Age.

2. The requirements for the admission of applicants and rules for implementing and organising the University of the Third Age are determined by a Rector’s directive.

Article 8 Common Provisions

1. Further conditions related to lifelong learning may be set, in compliance with these Rules, by the entity organising the programme, be it in the form of a Rector’s directive, internal faculty regulation, or a directive of a dean, director of a higher education institute, or director of another unit. The directives under the first sentence are published in the usual way.

2. Successful graduates of lifelong learning courses who become students under the Higher Education Act may, to the extent set by the Higher Education Act, earn credits within the framework of accredited study programmes for the courses taken in the lifelong learning programme.

Article 9 Transitional and Final Provisions

1. The Rules for Lifelong Learning of Charles University in Prague, as amended, registered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on 26 April 1999 is hereby repealed.

2. These Rules were approved by the Academic Senate of the University on 25 November 2016.

3. These Rules come into force on the date of the registration by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.³

4. These Rules become effective on the first day of the calendar month following the date of coming into force.