Private College of Economic Studies

The Private University College of Economic Studies , Ltd. (hereafter "PUCES" ) is a non-university independent (private) tertiary education institution offering accredited undergraduate and Master´s study programmes (as well as lifelong learning schemes) and carrying out associated scholarly, research and developmental activities.

PUCES offers undergraduate (Bachelor´s degree) study programme Economics and Management, containing the curricula of three accredited study branches (Management of Organizations, Accounting and International Economics and Law in Enterprise). Since autumn 2009, PUCES has been running a follow-up Master’s degree programme (Economics and Management), offering three specializations (Strategic Management, Corporate Finance Management and International Business Management). After passing the state final examination, PUCES graduates are awarded Bachelor's degree ("bakalář", Bc.). After graduating in Strategic Management, Cooporate Finance Management or International Business Management, PUCES graduates are granted Master’s degree.

PUCES graduates are qualified for entering a profession or a post-graduate (PhD) study programme. PUCES study programmes develop a thorough grasp of managerial and accounting knowledge, methods and techniques. The students receive comprehensive professional, legal and language training. The graduates may pursue their careers both in national and multinational institutions (in public and private sectors alike) at particular levels of management since the professions of a manager and an accountant are essential for effective running of all organizations. The acquired knowledge, skills and the effectiveness of practical experience have a substantial bearing on the graduates' employability and actual work placements.

Admission to PUCES is conditional upon completing a full secondary general or vocational education (A-level or equivalent), admission to the follow-up Master´s degree programme being conditional on passing Bachelor´s degree final examinations. PUCES enrols candidates on the basis of a career-oriented admission interview, verifying applicants' aptitude for business studies and clarifying contractual terms of paid education provision. After entering into a contract with PUCES, students are charged tuition fees of CZK 55,000 (Bc. study) or CZK 57,000 (Ing. study) per academic year. (Fees are paid in two instalments - at the beginning of winter and summer semesters respectively.)

The Private University College of Economic Studies Ltd. (PUCES) is the present higher education institution, attached to the recent tradition of private education in the Czech Republic. In 1990, Mr. Miloslav Marek founded the First Private Five-Year Business Academy (the first non-state professional secondary school accredited in the CR), providing education in the fields of business economics and company administration.

The amendment of the Education Act (1995) facilitated the transformation of the school into the Private Tertiary Professional School and the First Private Business Academy (PTPS-FPBA). The new Higher Education Act of 1998 enabled the founder to make another qualitative transformation of the institution. The Private University College of Economic Studies could not have come into existence without the eleven years of experience and economic activities of the former PTPS-FPBA. Efficient running of the above-mentioned institutions created favourable prerequisites for the PUCES establishment and implementation of the accredited academic and lifelong learning programmes.

PUCES received the state permission to operate an independent non-state institution of higher education on the basis of its accredited curriculum in August 2000 and the first academic year started in February 2001. Despite its short history, the college has established a good reputation, having graduated hundreds of successful students so far. The accreditation of a follow-up master’s degree programme in 2009 marked the beginning of a new era of PUCES development.

The Private University College of Economic Studies aims at enhancing its educational and research competitiveness by building upon its good experience hitherto which requires:

• Increasing the quality of study programmes and launching new ones in accordance with the demands of the education and labour market.
• Expanding the developmental and other inventive activities in cooperation with businesses and other organizations involved.
• Collaborating with local and foreign colleges and universities to develop research activities, study programmes and internship placement services.
• Facilitating students and academic staff mobility.
• Allocating financial resources cost-effectively.

PUCES focuses on the extension and improvement of its educational services. The accredited study programmes are regularly updated and enhanced in accordance with the needs of the job market. PUCES Internal Grant Agency (IGA) allocates grants, supporting the introduction of new study programmes and involving students in creative projects launched by particular departments. The third age learning programmes are presented to the public within the lifelong learning scheme. PUCES offers short specialization courses in the areas of management and accounting.

IGA grants are aimed at the college development, quality of education and undergraduates and academic staff's publications. PUCES also aspires to state and EU-funded grants.

PUCES has been participating in the international LLP / Erasmus mobility programme. The Extended Erasmus University Charter enables PUCES to establish bilateral partnerships and arrange exchange visits to European HEIs as well as student internship placements in chosen firms abroad. PUCES undergraduates are sent to colleges in eight European countries. Apart from the Erasmus programme, PUCES exchanges conference participants and lecturers with selected colleges and universities abroad.

In spite of the fact that the language of instruction is in Czech, numerous foreign nationals have studied at PUCES. Two foreign languages are taught as compulsory core subjects; in addition to English, students can enrol for German, Spanish, Russian and foreigners also for Czech language courses.ECTS comparable system has been applied, PUCES graduates receiving an English-Czech diploma supplement.

PUCES takes care of academic life culture, its public image and the quality of school environment, shaping its unique profile.Partnership between students and academic staff is based upon fair relationships, immediate feedback and informal communication. Positive school climate enables to instantaneously react to individual students' stimuli and needs. Student opinion surveys and graduates' reunions help PUCES enhance its potential. The counselling centre, offering advice in academic, psychological and legal matters, is available.

PUCES resource centre library is continuously supplemented. An e-learning portal has been developed, offering online learning aids to increase students' comfort. The internal information infrastructure as well as the PUCES web-presentation are being improved.