After Graduation

• When will you get your diploma?

  The diplomas are generally issued about three months after you pass your final state exams. You will receive it along with a diploma supplement during a graduation ceremony. The diploma is issued in Latin, as is the tradition of Charles university, while the diploma supplement is in both Czech and English and includes full information about your program and a transcript of records.

  In the meantime you may need proof of finishing your studies for various reasons. The International Office can issue a confirmation of graduation. This document can replace the diploma for employers, visa or universities. 

  If you already know you won't be able to make it to the ceremony, please stop by the International Office to sign a power of attorney that will allow us to collect the diploma for you and mail it to whichever address you prefer. Without it, we will not be able to do so. You can also arrange for a friend to pick up your diploma during or after the ceremony, but again, a power of attorney must be filled out prior. 
  We will need a wet-ink physical copy of the power of attorney - scans are unfortunately not sufficient. 

   

• Graduation ceremony

  The graduation ceremony takes place approximately three months after the graduation itself. 

  It is a formal event during which you will take the graduate’s vow in front of the representatives of the academic staff and also receive your diploma.
   

  CURRENT GRADUATION DATES

  • Bachelor graduation for January/February graduates takes place on March 20th 2025 in the Profesní dům Hall, Malostranské náměstí 25, Prague 1, map  (exact date to be specified)
  • Master graduation for January/February graduates takes place on March 19th 2025 in the Carolinum Great Hall, Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1, map 
  • Doctoral graduation takes place in the Carolinum Great Hall, Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1, map

  You can find the exact date and time of your graduation in your profile in SIS and in the invitation that you will receive by e-mail. If you have any questions, contact the International Office at degreeprograms@fsv.cuni.cz.

   

  Can I change the graduation date?

  No. If you find out that you cannot attend the graduation ceremony, reach out to the International office and we will try to find an individual solution.

  What to do if I cannot collect the diploma in person? 

  You have to send a signed original of the power of attorney via post to the International Office (Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Smetanovo nabrezi 6, 110 01 Prague 1, Czech Republic) and we will ship the diploma to your address. You can also sign the power of attorney at the IO in advance before you leave the country. Download the power of attorney here (fill in the English part).

  Is there a dress code for the graduation?

  Semi-formal dress code is recommended. At minimum, suit pants and white shirt for men, skirt with a dress top for women. Suit with a tie/bowtie for men and pant suit or cocktail dress for women are ideal. Students who don't adhere to the dress code (wearing jeans, graphic shirts, sneakers, etc.) will unfortunately not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. 

  Is the graduation ceremony in English?

  Yes, the ceremony is either in English or both in English and Czech if the Czech students are present.

  How many guests can I bring to the graduation ceremony?

  At Bachelor graduations, the maximum number of guests is limited to 5 per graduate. For other graduations, the number of guests is not limited thanks to the large capacity in Carolinum Great Hall. In any case, we do not recommend the participation of children under 4 years of age, for whom the program is long and boring and who end up disturbing the ceremony. 

  Is it possible to take photos during the graduation ceremony?

  The video and photos from the graduation are provided by a professional company and can be ordered on the spot. Please inform the guests that getting up and moving around the hall during the ceremony in order to take photos and videos is forbidden. Taking photos from your seats is allowed.

  Where can I get photos from the professional photographer who took pictures of us at the graduation ceremony?

  All photos and DVDs can be found and ordered at www.promoce.cz.

  What is the ceremony like? 

  If you want to be thoroughly prepared for the ceremony, you can read the entire graduation ceremony procedure in the Matriculation and Graduation Code.

• Visa after graduation

  The day of your successful thesis defense/final state exams, you stop being a Charles University student. If your visa is based on your student status and you want to stay in Czechia, you will have to get a different type of visa.

  As a graduate of Czech university, you have free access to Czech job market. This means that you can be employed in the same way as any Czech citizen.

  You have several visa options:

  1.  WORK PERMIT 
     To obtain a work permit, you need to already have a job offer of a full-time position. You can apply in Czechia, at the Ministry of Interior's office. The permit is granted for max. 2 years and takes approx. 60-90 days to process. 
     More about the permit and the application process here.
      
  2. BUSINESS VISA
     This type of visa requires you to obtain a trade license and become self-employed/freelancer. Before opting for this, we recommend researching all obligations connected to being a trade license holder in Czechia (i.e. you have to do your own taxes, etc.). You can apply in your country od passport or in the Dresden visa center, if you have lived in Czechia for at least 2 years using student visa/residence permit. The process takes 90-120 days.
     More about the permit and the application process here.
      
  3. JOB-SEEKING PERMIT
     This is a 9-month permit specifically created for university graduates looking for a job. You can apply in Czechia, at the Ministry of Interior's office. The process takes 60 days.
     More about the permit and the application process here.

  Note: Make sure to apply for the new visa BEFORE your previous visa expires!

• How do I get a Czech Apostille?

  In case you need your diploma apostilled for use abroad, here’s a guide on how to obtain the authentication:
  https://fsv.cuni.cz/en/study/guides-and-manuals/getting-czech-apostille