Anglo-American University, Prague

About: 

Founded in 1990, the Anglo-American University (AAU) of Prague is the first English-speaking higher education institution in the Czech Republic. The aim of its foundation was to create a higher education institution that would combine Central European university traditions with US and British academic principles. 

Highlights: 

Located in a newly-restored 17th century palace, AAU boasts a beautiful and historic location near the banks of the Vltava river. Each year the university hosts around 1000 students and is proud of its multicultural environment, attracting students from across the globe. Nicknamed the "City of  a Hundred Spires", Prague itself is rich in culture, history and art. The extensive historic centre of the city is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. 

Location: 

Prague, Czech Republic

Courses / Modules: 

Courses at AAU are organised under the School of Business Administration, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Law and, more recently, the School of International Relations and Diplomacy. 

To see more about the courses on offer at AAU, please consult the Undergraduate Programmes website.

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

You must take a full credit load while on exchange.  Anglo-American University uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values.  30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.  

Teaching Periods: 

Teaching takes place over two semesters which are subdivided into two terms. There is a Christmas vacation and a Spring vacation, as well as a long weekend over Easter.

To find out more about term dates and exam periods, take a look at the university academic calendar.

Language: 

Teaching is in English. There may be opportunities for exchange students to take part in Czech classes - check with your department if you are able to take such courses for credit. 

Accommodation: 

AAU offers accommodation to all students in the heart of Prague, only 20 minutes from the campus. A single room rent costs 117,000 CZK (around £4,300) per semester.  Double room options are available at a cheaper price. The rent includes wi-fi, utilities, government fees and use of common spaces.

To find out more about university accommodation, what the rooms include, how to apply, deposits and refunds, please take a look at the Student Housing website. 

Orientation / Welcome week:  

AAU hosts a welcome programme for incoming international students, including a meet-and-greet, orientation sessions, and icebreakers. This is a great opportunity to meet other international students and get to know the campus and the city. 

There are also 2 cultural visits per month organised by the university and 2 excursions to destinations outside Prague per semester. 

Support Services: 

The university provides comprehensive student services and support, including a pre-arrival online information session with tips on studying and living in Prague.

Students can benefit from the support of an AAU coordinator throughout the mobility to help with academic, housing, cultural or administrative queries.

Visas: 

You may need a visa to study in Czech Republic.  If you are a UK National you must refer to the Travel Advice page for Czech Republic and its Living in Czech Republic guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate.   If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.

AAU have put together a Visa Quiz to find out what type of visa/residence permit you need and how to apply.  If you need help with the visa process, you can also consult AAU's immigration advice.

Travel insurance:  

If you complete the Travel Authorisation process and are approved by the University of York to participate in this programme, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Health insurance: 

Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).

AAU's Student Services can also advise you on health insurance queries.

Megan, Anglo-American University, 2018/19

"My study abroad experience has made me more independent, opened my eyes to other cultures and increased my confidence. I absolutely love Prague and will be visiting as much as possible. I've travelled to five new countries and now have friends who I can visit in the US, Belgium, France, Italy, Finland and Portugal. Studying in a country with a history so different to the UK has also given me new insights into politics which I wouldn't have gained in York. The advice I would give to students considering studying abroad is to do it! You learn so much about yourself and the world around you, and it has made me consider working or studying in another country when I graduate. 

The best way to meet people was through the orientation day that the university put on at the start of the term - but also by joining societies, and speaking to people in my accommodation. Aside from making an effort to meet new people, the best way to settle in for me was to familiarise myself with the area I was living in. This involved trying out different shops/cafes/attractions. Being familiar with the area made it feel a lot more like home."

Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website!

• Study Abroad at AAU

• Life in Prague

• Global Graduates

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

Global Opportunities - Find us in Derwent College

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Email global-opportunities@york.ac.uk to make an appointment with one of our advisors.