Charles University facts for kids
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Univerzita Karlova
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| Latin: Universitas Carolina | |||
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Former name
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Charles University in Prague (Czech: Univerzita Karlova v Praze) | ||
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| Type | Public, ancient | ||
| Established | 26 January 1347 | ||
| Budget | 8.9 billion CZK | ||
| Rector | Milena Králíčková | ||
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Academic staff
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4,057 | ||
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Administrative staff
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4,026 | ||
| Students | 51,438 | ||
| Undergraduates | 32,520 | ||
| Postgraduates | 9,288 | ||
| 7,428 | |||
| Location |
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50°05′18″N 14°24′13″E / 50.0884°N 14.4037°E |
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| Campus | Urban | ||
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| Affiliations | Coimbra Group EUA Europaeum |
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Charles University (often called CU) is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. It was the second university ever started in the Holy Roman Empire, after the University of Bologna. It is one of the oldest universities in the world that are still open today. It was also the first university north of the Alps and east of Paris.
Today, Charles University has 17 different schools, called faculties. Most of them are in Prague, but some are also in Hradec Králové and Plzeň. Charles University is ranked as the best university in Eastern Europe by the QS ranking, and it is among the top 250 universities worldwide.
Contents
History of Charles University
How the University Began (1349–1419)
The idea for a medieval university in Prague came from Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. He asked his friend, Pope Clement VI, to help make it happen. On January 26, 1347, the Pope officially approved the creation of a university in Prague. It was designed like the University of Paris, with four main subjects: theology, law, medicine, and arts.
On April 7, 1348, King Charles of Bohemia gave the new university special rights and protections. Many Czech sources from the 1800s onward say the university was founded in 1348. This was because people at the time wanted to focus on the king's role rather than the church's.
The university officially opened in 1349. Students were grouped into "nations" based on where they came from. These included the Bohemian, Bavarian, Polish, and Saxon nations. For example, the Bohemian nation included students from Bohemia, Moravia, and even Hungary. About 16-20% of all students were ethnically Czech. Arnošt of Pardubice, the Archbishop, helped a lot by making sure the church contributed money. He became the university's first chancellor, which means he was like its director.
The first student graduated in 1359. Classes were held in special buildings called colleges. The oldest and most famous one was named Carolinum, built in 1366. In 1372, the Faculty of Law became its own separate university for a while.
Around 1402, a scholar named Jerome of Prague brought the ideas of John Wycliffe from Oxford to Prague. The dean of the arts faculty, Jan Hus, even translated some of Wycliffe's writings into Czech. In 1403, the university tried to stop people from following Wycliffe's ideas, but they kept growing in popularity.
During a big split in the church called the Western Schism, the Bohemian "nation" at the university supported King Wenceslaus. The other nations supported a different Pope, so the vote was 3 to 1 against the Bohemians. But Jan Hus and other Bohemians used the king's support to their advantage. In 1409, the king issued a rule called the Decree of Kutná Hora. This rule changed how votes worked at the university, giving the Bohemian masters three votes and all other nations combined only one.
This change caused many foreign (mostly German) professors and students to leave. They went on to start the University of Leipzig in May 1409. Before this, the university had many thousands of students and hundreds of teachers. After the change, it lost a huge number of them. In the autumn of 1409, Jan Hus was chosen as the new rector of the university, which was now mostly Czech. The university became much smaller and less important. By 1419, the theology and law schools closed, and only the arts school remained.
A Time of Change (1419–1622)
The arts faculty became a key place for the Hussite movement, which was a religious reform group. For several years, from 1417 to 1430, no degrees were given out. Sometimes, there were only eight or nine professors left. Later, Emperor Sigismund (son of Charles IV) helped the university recover a bit.
In 1562, the Jesuits (a Catholic religious order) started their own academy in Prague called the Clementinum. This academy also began to offer academic degrees in 1616, becoming a university itself.
From 1618 to 1621, during the start of the Thirty Years' War, the Jesuits were forced to leave Prague. But by 1622, they had gained a lot of power with the emperor. On September 19, 1622, an Imperial rule gave the Jesuits control over all schools in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. The remaining professors at the Carolinum resigned, and the Carolinum building and its colleges were given to the Jesuits. The Jesuits also gained the right to give out degrees and appoint professors.
Charles-Ferdinand University (1622–1882)
A leader named Cardinal Ernst Adalbert of Harrach did not want the university to be fully controlled by the Jesuits. He helped keep the university somewhat independent. In 1638, Emperor Ferdinand III limited the Jesuits' teaching power. He took back the rights, properties, and records of the Carolinum, making the university independent again under the emperor's protection. During the last years of the Thirty Years' War, students from the Carolinum and Clementinum bravely defended the Charles Bridge in Prague.
On February 23, 1654, Emperor Ferdinand III officially combined the Carolinum and Clementinum. This created one university with four faculties, called Charles-Ferdinand University. The Carolinum at that time only had the arts faculty left after the Hussite Wars. From this point on, the university was known as Charles-Ferdinand University. The old Carolinum building was rebuilt in 1718 using state money.
In the mid-1700s, new rules and changes in the Habsburg monarchy took away some of the university's old special rights. However, new ideas started to be introduced. By the end of the century, even people who were not Catholic were allowed to study there. On July 29, 1784, German became the main language for teaching instead of Latin. Soon after, Protestants and Jews were allowed to attend. The university also realized it needed a special teaching position for Czech language and literature. Emperor Leopold II created this position in 1791. A scholar named Franz Martin Pelzel became the first professor for this subject in 1792.
During the revolution of 1848, German and Czech students argued for Czech to be used more in lectures at Charles-Ferdinand University. By 1863, 22 courses were taught in Czech, while 187 were still in German. In 1864, Germans suggested creating a separate Czech university. Czech professors did not like this idea because they wanted to keep the university's long history and traditions together.
Splitting into Czech and German Universities
It became clear that neither the German-speaking people nor the Czechs were happy with the university being bilingual. The Czechs wanted to keep the university as one, but divide it into separate schools for Germans and Czechs. This way, both groups could share the university's history. However, German-speakers wanted a completely separate German university. They suggested splitting Charles-Ferdinand University into two different schools.
After a lot of discussion, Charles-Ferdinand University was divided into a German Charles-Ferdinand University and a Czech Charles-Ferdinand University. This happened on February 28, 1882, with the approval of Emperor Franz Joseph. Each new university was completely independent and had equal standing. They shared some things like medical and science buildings, the old university symbols, the main hall, the library, and the botanical garden. But the German University managed these shared facilities. The first leader (rector) of the Czech University was Václav Vladivoj Tomek.
By 1890, the Czech university had 112 teachers and 2,191 students, while the German university had 146 teachers and 1,483 students. Both had three faculties. The theology faculty stayed common until 1891, when it also split. The German University was very successful before World War I. Famous scientists like Ernst Mach and Albert Einstein taught there. Many important writers like Max Brod, Franz Kafka, and Johannes Urzidil were students.
After the Austro-Hungarian Empire ended in 1918 and Czechoslovakia was formed, Czech politicians wanted the university's original symbols from 1348 to belong only to the Czech university. In 1920, a new law called Lex Mareš was passed. It stated that the Czech university was the true successor to the original university. It was renamed Charles University. The German university was not named in the document and became officially known as the German University in Prague.
In 1932, a new argument started over who should have the university's symbols. Tensions between Czechs and Germans grew. On November 21, 1934, the German University was forced to hand over the symbols to the Czechs. On November 24, thousands of Czech students protested in front of the German university building. The Czech rector Karel Domin encouraged the crowd. Under threat of violence, the German rector Otto Grosser handed over the symbols on November 25, 1934. These events damaged the relationship between the two universities and nationalities.
Things changed again in 1938 when German troops entered parts of Czechoslovakia. On March 15, 1939, the Nazis took over the Czech lands, creating the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The Nazi leader Konstantin von Neurath gave the historical symbols back to the German University, which was renamed Deutsche Karls-Universität in Prag. On September 1, 1939, it came under the control of the German government.
On October 28, 1939, a student named Jan Opletal was shot during a protest. His funeral on November 15, 1939, became another big protest. On November 17, 1939 (now known as International Students' Day), the Czech University and all other Czech higher education schools were closed by the Nazis. They stayed closed until the end of World War II. Nine student leaders were executed, and about 1,200 Czech students were sent to a concentration camp. Many of them died there. On May 8, 1940, the Czech University was officially renamed Czech Charles University.
World War II ended the time when the two universities existed side-by-side in Prague.
In 1945, the university's important symbols, like the rector's chain, the scepters of the different faculties, the university seal, and old founding documents, were stolen by the Nazis. These historical items have never been found.
Charles University Today (since 1945)
After 1945, the university started to recover quickly. However, it did not have academic freedom for long. After the communist government took power in 1948, they began to remove people who disagreed with their ideas. This continued for about 40 years.
Things started to get better in the late 1980s. Students organized protests and peaceful demonstrations, which helped start the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989. Students and teachers from the university played a big part in this revolution. Václav Havel, a famous writer and thinker, became the president of the country in December 1989.
Since January 26, 2022, Professor Milena Králíčková has been the first woman rector (leader) of Charles University.
December 2023 Incident
On December 21, 2023, a sad event happened at the university. This is a sensitive topic, but it's important to mention that 14 people died and 25 were hurt. The person responsible also died. Before this, the same person was involved in other tragic events.
Where is Charles University Located?
Charles University does not have one big campus. Its different academic buildings are spread out across the city of Prague. Three of its faculties are in other cities: two in Hradec Králové and one in Plzeň. The oldest main building, the Karolinum, is from the 14th century and is in the Old Town of Prague. This building is the university's main center. It's where the rector works and where important ceremonies like matriculation (when students officially join) and graduations happen.
The university has its own publishing house called Karolinum Press. It also runs several museums. The Botanical Garden of Charles University, managed by its Faculty of Science, is in the New Town of Prague.
How Charles University is Organized
Faculties (Schools)
When Charles University first started, it had four main faculties: law, medicine, arts (philosophy), and theology. Today, Charles University has 17 faculties. Most are in Prague, with two in Hradec Králové and one in Plzeň.
- Catholic Theological Faculty
- Protestant Theological Faculty
- Hussite Theological Faculty
- Faculty of Law
- First Faculty of Medicine
- Second Faculty of Medicine
- Third Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport
- Faculty of Humanities
Academic Institutes
- Institute of the History of Charles University and Archive of Charles University
- Center for Theoretical Study
- Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE-EI) (works with the Czech Academy of Sciences)
- Environment Center
Other Important Units
- Computer Science Centre
- Centre for Transfer of Knowledge and Technology (helps share new ideas)
- Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies
- Central Library of Charles University
- Agency of the Council of Higher Education Institutions
Joint Research Centers
These centers are shared between Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences:
- BIOCEV
- Centre for Biblical Studies
- Centre for Medieval Studies
- Center for Theoretical Study
University Companies
Charles University also has companies that help bring its research and ideas to the public:
- Charles University Innovations Prague (helps turn new ideas into products)
- Charles Games (makes and sells video games)
- LAM-X (develops new nanomaterials)
- GeneSpector (makes kits for diagnosing illnesses like COVID-19)
- FlexiCare (creates systems for remote health care)
- GeneSpector Innovations (develops new medical diagnostic technologies)
University Rankings
| University rankings | |
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| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World | 301–400 (2023) |
| CWTS World | 197 (2022) |
| QS World | 248 (2024) |
| THE World | 401–500 (2024) |
| USNWR Global | 226 (2023) |
| Regional – Overall | |
| QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia | 2 (2022) |
| National – Overall | |
| ARWU National | 1 |
| QS National | 1 |
| THE National | 1 |
Charles University is known for its strong academic performance. In 2008, the university's rector, Václav Hampl, said that the university's success was amazing, especially since it has less funding than many other top schools. He thanked the teachers for their hard work and dedication.
According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (also called the Shanghai Ranking), Charles University was among the top 1.5% of the world's best universities in 2011. It ranked between 201st and 300th out of 17,000 universities worldwide. It is the best university in the Czech Republic and one of the best in Central and Eastern Europe.
In 2013, it was ranked between 201st and 300th by the Shanghai Ranking. It was 233rd in the QS World University Rankings and 351st-400th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
What Subjects is Charles University Best At?
According to the QS Subject Ranking, Charles University is among the top 150 universities globally for geography and linguistics.
| QS Subjects | 2011 | 2018 | 2020 | 2023 |
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| Natural Sciences | 174 |
 197 |
 228 |
161 |
| Engineering & Technology | 325 |
401–450 |
 401–450 |
401–450 |
| Arts & Humanities | 184 |
193 |
189 |
143 |
| Social Sciences & Management | 229 |
302 |
286 |
258 |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | 250 |
219 |
224 |
177 |
| Shanghai Subject Fields | 2012 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 151–200 |
151–200 |
| Physics | 151–200 |
76–100 |
Working with Other Universities
Charles University works closely with other universities around the world. For example, in Germany, it cooperates with the Goethe University Frankfurt. These two cities have a long-standing partnership.
Famous People from Charles University
Many important people have studied or taught at Charles University throughout its history.
Notable Alumni (Students)
| Before 1882 (when it was one university) | Czech University (1882–1939 and 1945–present) |
German University (1882–1945) |
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Notable Academics (Teachers)
| Before 1882 (when it was one university) | Czech University (1882–1939 and 1945–present) |
German University (1882–1945) |
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Images for kids
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Teacher and students shown in a medieval manuscript from Bohemia
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Karolinum – the oldest building of Charles University built in the 14th century
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Baroque library hall in Clementinum, which originally belonged to the university, today part of National Library of the Czech Republic
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Doctoral diploma of Friedrich Hopfner, issued 1905 by the German Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague
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The insignia of the university; bone of contention between the universities
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Detail of the stolen insignia of Charles University. From left: Sceptre of the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the sceptre of the Rector, the sceptre of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Philosophy.
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Façade of the modern entrance to Karolinum, the centre of Charles University
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Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague
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Faculty of Law, Charles University in Prague
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Carolina para niños
- CDE Poděbrady
- List of Charles University rectors
- List of medieval universities
