• Studies
  • Exchange programmes
    • Erasmus (LLP)
    • ISEP
    • Bilateral agreements
    • Central European Studies Programme (CESP)
    • Erasmus Mundus Action II
    • MAUI (Mid-America Universities International) network
    • AEN (Australian-European Network)
    • TESOL Teacher Education programme
    • CEEPUS
    • GFPS
  • “Freemovers”
  • Courses offered in foreign languages at MU
  • Documents to download
  • A preparatory year of Czech language
  • CELTA certificate
• Work placements
• Scholarships
• Summer schools
• Student experience
• Keeping in touch

About CESP

The Central European Studies Program (CESP) at Masaryk University is an interdisciplinary program designed for students at the upper Bachelor's degree and Master's degree levels who are seeking a challenging educational experience in the heart of Europe and wish to develop the global perspective they will need in the future. Courses include studies of the social, economic, political and cultural transformations that have shaped Central Europe and the Czech Republic in particular at the end of the 20th century, and the changes facing Europe in a broader perspective in the beginning of the 21st century. Courses, each of them semester-long, are in English; basic Czech language instruction is also included.

CESP is also offered as an ISEP Direct track. See ISEP at Masaryk University for more details. Further information are also available at Masaryk University profile on ISEP web pages.

General information

Enrolment

Enrolment is open to undergraduates in their third or fourth year. Magister/master's level students following a European model may apply for study during their third, fourth, or fifth year. For US students, the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement is 2.75 overall.

Program cost

Program costs include on-site orientation, tuition, room and board, and 4 excursions to places such as Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Krakow. Medical insurance and student visa must be arranged by the applicant prior to traveling to the Czech Republic. Undergraduate students in the US who wish to receive credit through a US university may contact the State University of New York at Oswego for application information.

Students coming to Masaryk University within the ERASMUS agreement or some form of partnership (bilateral agreement, membership in a university network), are eligible to attend courses within the Central European Studies Program free of charge, providing places are available. See the ERASMUS page for details.

ISEP students should contact ISEP office to enquire on CESP track costs.

Program dates

Fall semester 2011 for CESP:

Spring semester 2012 for both ISEP Exchange as well as ISEP Direct tracks:

Application information

Application form for the academic year 2011/2012 is available only online

Duly signed CESP application printout with all attachments has to be sent to Office for International Studies at Masaryk University via regular post in order to start the application review. The application has to reach OIS office within 14 days after the application deadline (see above).

Application deadlines

Housing and meals

Accommodation and meals are included in the program fee. Students live in modern university dormitories sharing double rooms (each with an ensuite bathroom and kitchenette) with Czech or other foreign students. Students will be receiving a stipend to cover their housing and meals costs. They have access to university computer centres, sports facilities, canteens and laundries.

Orientation

The orientation week program includes visits to university libraries and computer centers, an intensive "survival Czech" course, introductory talks on Czech culture and society, a tour of Brno and visit to the city museum, a reception bringing together international and Czech students as well as Masaryk University faculty, and excursions to the surroundings of Brno.

Excursions

The program fee also includes 4 weekend excursions to a number of cities in the region. In recent years these have included Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague and Krakow.

Courses offered within CESP in 2011/2012

(see detailed description of CESP courses here)

• CZS01: Remodeling Political Culture in Central Europe after 1989 (fall 2011/spring 2012)

Credits: 8 ECTS
Senior course teacher: dr. Pavel Pšeja

• CZS04: Changing Political and Social Identities in Post-Cold War Central Europe (spring 2012)

Credits: 8 ECTS
Senior course teacher: dr. Csaba Stalo

• CZS05: Cultural Anthropology of Post-Socialism (Fall 2011)

Credits: 8 ECTS
Senior course teacher: Dr. Miklós Vörös, Ph.D.

• CZS13: Development of Ethnic Relation in the Czech Republic (fall 2011/spring 2012)

Credits: 8 ECTS
Course teacher: Irena Kašparová, M.A.

• CZS21I: Economic Aspects of the Transition Process I (fall 2011)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Senior course teachers: Assoc. Prof. Libor Žídek

• CZS21II: Economic Aspects of the Transition Process II (spring 2012)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Senior course teachers: Assoc. Prof. Ivan Malý

• ***CZS32: Czech Cinema (fall 2011)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Course teacher: dr. Jaromír Blažejovský

• CZS33: Music in the Czech Lands (fall 2011)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Course teacher: Mgr. Jan Špaček

• CZS34: Modern Czech Theatre (spring 2012)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Course teacher: David Drozd, PhD.

• CZS35: Fiction, Facts and Reality in Modern Czech Literature (spring 2012)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Senior course teacher: Assoc. Prof. Jiří Kudrnáč

• CZS50: Intercultural Communication (fall 2011/spring 2012)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Senior course teacher: Zdenek Janik, PhD.

• CZS51: History of Central Europe (fall 2011/spring 2012)

Credits: 6 ECTS
Senior course teacher: Jana Musilova

• Czech Language for foreigners (fall 2011/spring 2012)

Credits: 8 ECTS

Faculty profiles

Program supervisor

Mgr. Martin VAŠEK
e-mail: cesp@czs.muni.cz

Teaching staff

further details on CESP teachers are available here

PhDr. Jaromír Blažejovský Faculty of Arts
Irena Kašparová, M.A. Faculty of Social Studies
Assoc. Prof. PhDr. Jiří Kudrnáč, CSc. Faculty of Arts
Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Ivan Malý, CSc. Faculty of Economics
Dr. Pavel Pšeja, Ph.D. Faculty of Social Studies
PhDr. Csaba Szaló, Ph.D. Faculty of Social Studies
Assoc. Prof. Libor Zidek, Ph.D. Faculty of Economics

Students' perspectives

Giorgi Mikeladze, Tbilisi State University
Being the participant of CESP was outstanding and absolutely unique experience. It was quite a surprise finding myself a part of extremely diverse and interesting society of international students, along with culturally rich spirit of Central Europe. I and all my programmates definitely enjoyed and were pleased with both organizational and educational system of CESP. Moreover, excellent staff members of International Office at Masaryk University was crucial reason for students easily adjusting to new environment and establishing communicating language with hosts. All of us surely acquired useful knowledge and pleasantly unforgetable memories.
Bjoern Jindra, University of Wolverhampton
CESP offers the appropriate study opportunity for students with almost every academic background at Bachelor or Masters level interested in the Central and Eastern European region. The program has a wide range of modules covering economics, social science and languages as well as the Arts. Students can flexibly combine modules of their choice offered by other faculties with the CESP. I focused on economic and social aspects and enjoyed being taught by outstanding Czech academics. Teaching methods and material as well as university facilities are modern and up to western standards. I had an excellent semester and enjoyed living in such a driving central-european metropole as Brno.
Peter Jobsen, Utrecht University
The Central European Studies program is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about the history, economy and culture of the Czech Republic. The added value that comes from learning the language and living in Brno at the same time as taking the courses helps to get to know all aspects of Czech life in a very short time. My semester in Brno is without any doubt the most special and intense time I had all the way through my studies. Brno itself is a lively city, yet small enough to get to know your way around and to feel at home.

Our address

Applications and any questions can be sent to the following:

Masaryk University
Central European Studies Program
Office for International Studies
Komenskeho nam. 2
602 00 Brno
Czech Republic
Tel: + 420 549 49 7785
Fax: + 420 549 49 1113
e-mail: cesp@czs.muni.cz
web: http://ois.muni.cz

Office of International Education

State University of New York
122A Swetman Hall
Oswego N4 13126
USA
Tel: ++1 (315)312-2118
Fax: ++1 (315)312-2477
e-mail: intled@oswego.edu
web: www.oswego.edu/intled