I am an international student and want to study at AVU (a semestral non-degree mobility)
A simple guide to study at AVU.
While being the oldest fine arts institution in the country, established in 1799, AVU adheres no less to contemporary art practices and approaches. We offer 19 studios for students in bachelor‘s and master‘s level, these include painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, restoration of painting and sculpture, as well as new media and intermedia studios, a post-bachelor studio of architecture, and an English post-bachelor mixed media studio called Art in Context. AVU does not have any studios focusing on design.
Study
Does your institution have an Erasmus+ or another bilateral agreement with AVU? If YES, they can grant you financial support, if NOT you gain a status of a freemover and have to find your own funding.
Each institution has a slightly different structure of the academic year. Before applying to AVU, check if AVU‘s schedule convenes to you.
1st semester
Early October – Late January
2nd semester
Mid-February – mid-June
During their studies at AVU students are required to join one STUDIO and create a semestral project. Studio work should take up about 20-25 hours of the study week with obligatory studio meetings and consultations which usually take place on Tuesdays. Artistic work at AVU has a very independent character, students are expected to work on their own individual projects and only occasionally are they assigned specific tasks. Studio tutors provide support and guidance in developing students‘ creativity and talents. Studio projects are presented and evaluated at the end of each semester and exhibited at a studio show.
Upon agreement, students are welcome to use AVU WORKSHOPS: stucco and ceramics, wood and carpentry, metal welding, computer and 3D lab, sound studio and more. Participation in workshops is not obligatory. Basic material for students‘ studio projects is provided free of charge.
On top of the studio work international students have a choice of ELECTIVES, courses in English designed specifically for them. These courses and lectures are the same for all studios. From the side of AVU, none of these courses are mandatory. AVU traditionally offers the following courses: Drawing, Printmaking, Computer Graphics, Contemporary Art Theory/History and Czech for beginners.
Search our Course catalogue.
Upon arrival and before departure students can request a Confirmation of stay document. At the end of the mobility and once they have fulfilled their obligations, students receive the Transcript of records along with a written feeback on their studio work. AVU student registration system is fully digitalized and connected to the Erasmus+ EWP platform.
ENGLISH. AVU does not require a language certificate, nevertheless, students are expected to have at least B1 level in English. CZECH. Although instruction in most studios is generally carried out in Czech, studios which host international students do switch to English. Besides this, each hosting studio has a studio buddy, a student, who helps the international students with integration in the new environment. Studio buddies are supervised and coordinated by a main buddy.
Practical
To cover your living expenses, you'll need around EUR 500-750 per month. Although your monthly costs can vary depending on your lifestyle, what matters most is where you study.
Like in most European capitals it can be very tricky to find accommodation in Prague. AVU does not have dormitories but we provide advice on where to look for Accommodation, moreover, once students are admitted they can join AVU facebook platform or connect with our former exchange students.
EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card issued by their national health insurance provider. It guarantees access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.non-EU citizens have to arrange their health insurance independently. The list of available insurance companies is provided by the Ministry of Interior via the Czech National Bank, info here. Please, ask us for an updated list.
Students under 26 years of age get discounted fares. Info here.
International office staff or the studio buddies are always around and happy to help. ll AVU students get an AVU student card which grants them: access to AVU premises and studios, 10% discount on lunch menus at Klub AVU, discount or free access to museums and galleries. ISIC. If you intend to get an ISIC, please, do so in your home country.
Every month the International office in cooperation with studio buddies plans an event for the international students be it a walk around the town, an out of Prague excursion to the nature or to another town.
General info for students coming to CZ: https://www.studyin.cz
Info web for foreigners in Prague: http://metropolevsech.eu/en/
Map of social life in Prague: https://www.use-it.travel/cities/detail/prague/
Erasmus student network info web: https://esncuprague.cz
If you have a disability, you can request adjustments or extra provisions. Please contact us at avuinternational@avu.cz
AVU cares about students‘ mental health. If in need students can address a professional, AVU staff or student volunteers, directly or anonymously.
I am ready to apply
Partner institution students need to be nominated, please, ask your international coordinator for details. Freemoving students can apply directly. Nomination deadlines are the same as application deadlines.
30 April for 1st/Winter semester
30 October for 2nd/Summer semester.
Nominated students receive an email from AVU with instructions to apply.
Nomination/Application: Fall/Winter: 30 April Deadline: Spring/Summer: 30 October
Application instructions:
1. Log into the applications portal ECTS application2. Fill in personal and arrival details
3. Select studio/department
4. Attach documents*
5. Save*
Application documents:
cv
motivation letter
portfolio (max 5MB)
ID photo for AVU student card (.jpg or .png)
Language requirements:
English Level B1 (no certificate needed)
Admission results:
Via email by 1 June/1 December
Please, note that not all the applying students are admitted. The final decisions are made by a committee consisting of studio heads and assisting teachers. Due to a growing demand only about one third of applicants is admitted.
Application Tutorial is here.
Facts sheet is here.
Feel free to contact us at avuinternational@avu.cz.
AVU participates in Erasmus+, the EU's programme for education, training, youth and sport and has been awarded the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021–2027 (ECHE).