Rules of Lifelong Learning

Rules of Lifelong Learning at the Prague University of Economics and Business

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports registered under Section 36(2) of Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions and on Amendments and Additions to Other Acts (Act on Higher Education Institutions), under no. MSMT-18146/2025-2 of the Rules of Lifelong Learning of the Prague University of Economics and Business as of the date of signing the registration.

Part One
BASIC PROVISIONS

Article 1
Introductory Provisions

These Rules of the Lifelong Learning of the Prague University of Economics and Business (hereinafter referred to as “Rules”) are in accordance with Act No. 111/1998 Coll, on higher education institutions and on amendments and supplements to some other acts (the Act on Higher Education Institutions), as amended (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) and the Statutes of the Prague University of Economics and Business is the internal regulation of the Prague University of Economis and Business (hereinafter referred to as “the VSE”) and regulates the conditions for the implementation of lifelong learning (hereinafter referred to as “LLL”) and the awarding of internationally recognised degrees at the VSE.

Article 2
General provisions

  1. According to Section 60 of the Act, Lifelong Learning is education organised according to the ECTS principles, which complements, deepens, renews or extends the knowledge, skills or qualifications of its participants, including education oriented towards increasing professional competence, for which the VSE may award an internationally recognised degree.
  2. LLL may be vocationally oriented, interest-oriented or aimed at enhancing the professional skills of students or graduates of a foreign or domestic university.
  3. LLL can be provided at the VSE within the following framework:
    1. of accredited study programmes under Section 44 of the Act as so-called extraordinary studies,
    2. LLL programmes accredited by the Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE according to these Rules,
    3. LLL programmes accredited by the faculty accreditation board according to these Rules,
    4. independent courses accredited according to these Rules,
    5. summer schools and similar forms of education consisting of courses accredited by the faculty accreditation boards or registered by the International Office or another department of the Rectorate on the basis of requests from foreign universities or other partners,
    6. education within the framework of the University of the Third Age (U3A),
    7. thematic education of a professional or interest nature, usually organised in the form of a seminar, lecture or series of lectures, the scope of which is less than 1 ECTS.
  1. Graduates of LLL programmes can be awarded internationally recognised degrees, especially MBAs, MPA and DBA, exclusively under the conditions set out in these Rules and in accordance with the accreditation granted by the Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE.
  2. Usually, participation in LLL is granted for a fee, the amount or method of determination of which is regulated by the Rector’s order. Termination of participation in LLL does not entitle the participant to a refund of the fee paid.
  3. LLL can be carried out in Czech or foreign language, in full-time, distance or combined form of study.
  4. Participation in LLL under these Rules does not confer on the participant the legal status of a student under the Act.
  5. The LLL participant must be familiar in advance with the conditions for the implementation of the programme set out in these Rules.
  6. The LLL participant:
    1. may use the facilities of the VSE, computer technology and the computer network and information system of the VSE within the framework of participation in the programme,
    2. is obliged to comply with the internal regulations of the VSE and the faculties throughout the participation in the programme, the student must comply with all university-wide binding directives, orders and measures, as well as the VSE Code of Ethics
    3. is obliged to pay the participation fee set in accordance with paragraph 5,
    4. if so ordered by the Rector, he or she shall be obliged to acquire a chip identification card for a fee.
  1. The decision to admit a participant to LLL under Article 2, paragraph 3, letters a) to e) is made by the Dean of the faculty or the director of another unit of the VSE where the programme or course is accredited, the Vice-Rector, whose competence includes the Rectorate under paragraph 3, letter e.
  2. Successful completion of the LLL is conditional on fulfilling all the obligations set out in the accreditation of the programme, or fulfilment of the conditions set out in the accreditation of a separate course.
  3. LLL education is completed unsuccessfully:
    1. by a decision of the Dean of the faculty or the director of another unit of the VSE that implements the LLL, in the event of failure to meet the accredited study requirements within the time limit set by the semester schedule or the plan of the lifelong learning programme,
    2. through notification from the participant about the withdrawal from the LLL,
    3. by a decision by the Dean or the director of another unit of the VSE that provides LLL to terminate education as a result of a breach of the obligations set out in paragraph 9.

Article 3
Evidence of LLL programmes and courses

  1.  The LLL referred to in Article 2(3)(a) to (e) shall be recorded in the information system of the VSE (hereinafter referred to as InSIS) at the level of study programmes, which may be subdivided (into disciplines) for organisational reasons, or as individual courses.
  2. For each LLL programme and course with a total of at least 50 hours or 3 ECTS, is recorded in InSIS:
    1. the title, abbreviation and internal code of the programme,
    2. type of programme,
    3. information on the purpose of the training in the programme,
    4. code expressing the content of the study (ISCED F)
    5. length of education in weeks,
    6. type of completion of lifelong learning,
    7. total number of hours,
    8. the period over which the programme will be implemented (timetable),
    9. required initial education,
    10. place of learning,
    11. language of instruction,
    12. funding source code,
    13. the workplace where the programme is implemented,
    14. the name of the programme or course guarantor,
    15. the fee for participation in the programme per participant,
    16. accreditation
  3. For LLL programmes and courses with less than 50 hours or 3 ECTS, the following is recorded in InSIS
    1. name of the programme,
    2. the workplace where the programme is delivered,
    3. the name of the programme or course guarantor,
    4. the period during which the programme will be implemented (timetable),
    5. the fee for participation in the programme for one participant,
    6. the accreditation granted, if the programme is subject to accreditation by an accreditation body outside the VSE
    7. the number of participants in the programme.
  1. The data referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 must be entered and updated in InSIS by the guarantor of the LLL programme or course before the start of the LLL programme or course, or before the application for accreditation, and whenever they are changed.
  2. In the case of an extra-curricular programme, the data referred to in Article 2 shall not be recorded separately and shall be based on the data provided for the accredited programme of study or, if it cannot be clearly identified, on the data corresponding to the majority of the courses offered as part of the extra-curricular programme.
  3. The LLL referred to in Article 2(3)(g) shall be recorded at the workplace where the thematic training is provided, to the extent appropriate under paragraph 3.
  4. The type of lifelong learning programme referred to in paragraph 2(b) may normally be:
    1. lifelong learning in an accredited study programme, for exceptional study,
    2. an internationally recognised course, where graduates are awarded an internationally recognised degree,
    3. lifelong learning other, for other cases.
  5. The type of funding for lifelong learning under paragraph 2(l) may, as a rule, be:
    1. from the funds of the VSE obtained under operational programmes,
    2. with the contribution of another entity, where the participant’s costs are partially or fully covered by other entities,
    3. from the participant’s own resources, where the training is provided against payment,
    4. from the VSE’s own funds (outside the OP) when the training is provided free of charge.
  6. The type of termination of lifelong learning under paragraph 2(f) may normally be:
    1. Completion with a certificate directly applicable in the labour market (acquisition of a qualification), which is considered to be education which is completed with an internationally recognised degree, a micro-credential or other certificate of qualification awarded on the basis of accreditation by the Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE,
    2. termination with a certificate not immediately applicable in the labour market, for other cases.
  1. The purpose of lifelong learning under paragraph 2(c) shall be indicated as ‘other purpose’, with the exception of professional teacher training, which shall be assessed individually on the basis of the methodology of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

Article 4
Records of participants in LLL

  1. Participants in LLL referred to in Article 2(3)(a) to (e) shall be registered in InSIS.
  2. For each LLL participant referred to in Article 2(3)(a) to (e), the following shall be recorded in the InSIS:
    1. the participant’s or graduate’s identification data, which shall be the participant’s name, surname, birth number (or date of birth and sex if no birth number has been assigned to the participant), nationality and contact address,
    2. contact details (e-mail address),
    3. information on the highest level of education and degrees obtained, if the participant is a LLL participant with a total of at least 50 hours or 3 ECTS,
    4. the date on which the training started and ended,
    5. the certificate issued if the training was successfully completed.
  3. The data referred to in paragraph 2 must be entered into InSIS by the sponsor of the LLL programme or course as part of the registration process in InSIS or without undue delay after the applicant has been admitted to the programme or course and without undue delay after the completion of the LLL.
  4. Participants in the LLL referred to in Article 2(3)(g) shall be registered at the workplace where the thematic training is provided, to the extent appropriate under paragraph 2.

Article 5
Certificates of completion of the LLL

  1.  Upon successful completion of the training, graduates of the LLL referred to in Article 2(3)(a) to (e) shall be awarded a certificate, which may be:
    1. transcript of records, if the student is a special form of studies graduate or a graduate of studies within comprehensive programmes, summer schools and similar forms of education consisting of courses accredited by the faculties,
    2. a certificate of an internationally recognised degree and a transcript of records, if the graduate is a graduate of a LLL programme accredited by the Internal Evaluation Board of VSE according to these Rules with the right to award an internationally recognised degree,
    3. a certificate of completion of the course, if he or she is a graduate of the course.
  1. The certificate referred to in paragraph 1 shall be generated exclusively in InSIS and shall include a unique registration number registered in InSIS.
  2. The certificate referred to in paragraph 1 may also be accompanied by a micro-credential, the details of which are defined in these Rules or in other documents.

Article 6
Micro-credential

  1. A micro-credential is an electronic record – a certificate – of the completion of a small-scale unit of learning, expressed in ECTS credits, and of the achievement of clearly defined and coherent learning outcomes. These learning units are included in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), are subject to a system of standardised quality assurance processes and are assessed according to transparent and clearly defined criteria.
  2. The mandatory elements of the micro-certificate are:
    1. the participant’s or graduate’s identification data, which are name, surname and date of birth,
    2. the name of the micro-credential,
    3. the country/region of the issuing body,
    4. the awarding body,
    5. date of issue,
    6. learning outcomes,
    7. the scope of the course expressed in ECTS,
    8. the level (and cycle, if applicable) of learning experience leading to the micro-credential (European Qualifications Framework, Framework of Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area), if applicable,
    9. type of assessment,
    10. form of participation in the learning activity,
    11. the type of quality assurance used for the micro-credential,
    12. reference to the legal regulation,
    13. certificate number,
    14. the language of instruction of the programme,
    15. qualification system.
  1. Optional elements of the micro-credential are:
    1. the prerequisites needed to enrol in an educational activity,
    2. supervision and identity verification during the evaluation,
    3. grade achieved,
    4. possibilities for integration/accumulation of the micro-credential,
    5. other information.
  1. Upon completion of a course with a micro-credential, a set of information about the graduate and the course will be transmitted by the university to the unified micro-credential verification system. The VSE will then issue the micro-credential certificate in PDF format, bearing the qualified electronic seal and the qualified electronic time stamp of the VSE. The unified micro-credential verification system will generate a digital version of the certificate for each micro-credential and affix its own electronic seal.
  2. The data referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3, with the exception of paragraph 2(a), shall be recorded in InSIS at the level of the special subject or course. The guarantor of the LLL programme or course shall ensure that they are entered into the information system prior to the accreditation of the subject or course for which the micro-credential is to be
  3. The right to issue micro-credentials is vested in the faculties and other departments of the VSE within the areas of education for which the VSE has institutional accreditation, provided that the LLL programme or course is accredited in accordance with these Rules.
  4. A faculty or other VSE department issuing micro-credentials shall regularly, at least once a year, prepare a report on newly accredited LLL courses or programmes with an issued micro-credential, on the number of students enrolled and on the employment of graduates.
  5. The Rector shall inform the Internal Evaluation Board of the facts referred to in paragraph 7 at least once every four years and at any time at the request of the Internal Evaluation Board.

Part Two
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LLL

Article 7
Special form of studies

  1. Special form of studies means education within an accredited study programme which provides higher education (according to Section 44 of the Act) consisting of one or more accredited courses of study or a comprehensive part of an accredited programme of study.
  2. The minimum scope of the special form of studies is 3 ECTS.
  3. Special form of studies do not provide higher education and no degree is awarded to the graduate upon completion.
  4. Special form of studies may only be provided by a faculty which has accredited the study programme or course of study in question, and only if the quality, scope and availability of study for students enrolled in accredited study programmes is not compromised.
  5. In the event that, following successful completion of a special form of studies, it is expected to be recognised in accredited degree program, the faculty may also offer courses from other faculties that are included in the accredited programme as mandatory or compulsory electives. However, it is a condition that the majority of the courses of the special form of studiees are courses of the faculty providing it.
  6. The following parameters must be communicated to the participant before the beginning of the special form of studis:
    1. form of study,
    2. the corresponding accredited study programme,
    3. the conditions under which courses successfully completed as part of the extra-curricular programme will be recognised if the participant becomes a student in an accredited programme of study,
    4. the curriculum of the extra-curricular programme and the schedule of timetable events.
  7. Articles 5, 6, 10 and 11 of the VSE Study and Examination Rules apply to the course of special form of studies.
  8. Courses of study offered as part of the special form of studies must have valid accreditation in accordance with Article 8 of the VSE Study and Examination Rules and must be carried out in accordance with this accreditation.
  9. The state final examination cannot be taken as part of the special form of studies.
  10. In accordance with the conditions of the VSE Study and Examination Rules, the VSE may recognise credits obtained for successful completion of courses of study in the framework of a special form of study up to 60 % of the credits required for the proper completion of studies in a given accredited study programme.

Article 8
LLL programme

  1. A LLL programme shall consist of specialisation, extension, supplementary, retraining or further education consisting of accredited courses which form a set of interrelated and clearly interdependent study obligations.
  2. The accreditation of the LLL programme is granted by:
    1. The Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE on the basis of a request from the Dean or the director of another unit of the VSE in the case of lifelong learning whose graduates are awarded an internationally recognised degree,
    2. The Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE upon the request of the director of another unit of the VSE in the case of a programme implemented outside the faculty, i.e. at other units of the VSE,
    3. the faculty accreditation board in all other cases, except for special form of studies, which is considered accredited if the faculty has at least one accredited study programme within which the special form of studies is provided.
  3. A program may admit learners only if it has valid accreditation.
  4. The preparation and implementation of the LLL programme is the responsibility of the LLL programme guarantor, who is appointed and dismissed by the Dean or the director of another unit of the VSE.
  5. The Rector may propose to the Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE that it decide to withdraw the accreditation of a LLL programme if it would be contrary to the interests of the VSE, applicable legislation or VSE regulations. The Dean may, after prior discussion in the faculty accreditation board, decide that a LLL programme accredited at the faculty will not be implemented if it would be contrary to the interests of the faculty, applicable laws or regulations of the VSE or the faculty.
  6. If the recognition of a qualification obtained by studying a LLL programme is conditional on obtaining accreditation from an accrediting body outside the VSE, the accreditation should by applied for by:
    1. the Rector, if the LLL programme is implemented by a department of the Rectorate or another part of the VSE, or if it is accredited by an educational institution,
    2. the Dean, if the LLL programme is implemented by a faculty, department or other unit of the faculty.

Article 9
LLL courses

  1.  LLL may also be provided in the form of separate courses of at least 1 ECTS registered in a special part of the study and information system.
  2. Courses are accredited by the faculty accreditation boards according to the ECTS principles; the requirements for course syllabi of accredited study programmes apply accordingly.
  3. Course syllabi are registered in InSIS.
  4. Applications for courses are submitted via InSIS.
  5. A certificate of completion is issued for each course separately.
  6. The Rector may propose to the Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE that it decide to withdraw the accreditation of a course, if it is contrary to the interests of the VSE, applicable legal regulations or the regulations of the VSE. The Dean may decide that a course accredited by the faculty will not take place if it would be contrary to the interests of the faculty, applicable legal regulations or regulations of the VSE or of the faculty.

Article 10
Education within the U3A

  1. A person who has become entitled to a retirement or invalidity pension and who has, as a rule, completed secondary education with a final examination may participate in U3A training.
  2. The maximum duration of U3A education is 3 It may be longer if capacity allows.
  3. U3A education is subject-specific.
  4. The data on the U3A participant are recorded in the information system of the VSE.
  5. U3A courses are announced by the academic director of U3A in agreement with the course The course guarantor, appointed by the head of the department or the academic director, is responsible for the professional aspect of the course. The provisions of Article 13 of Rules for the System of Quality Assurance of Educational, Creative and Related Activities and of Internal Evaluation of the Quality of Educational, Creative and Related Activities of the Prague University of Economics and Business apply to the course guarantor accordingly.
  6. A certificate of completion is issued to the successful participant of the U3A course.
  7. Academic Director U3A:
    1. decides on the admission of U3A participants,
    2. sets the timetable for the academic year,
    3. discusses with teachers the inclusion of courses in the timetable,
    4. ensures the recruitment and selection of applicants, and the registration of course participants,
    5. collecting payment for participation in U3A courses,
    6. represents the VSE in the Association of Universities of Third Ages of the Czech Republic,
    7. submits a written report once a year to the Rector on the activities of the U3A in the past academic year.

Article 11
Other forms of education

  1. Thematic education of a professional or interest nature, usually organised in the form of a seminar, lecture or series of lectures, the scope of which is less than 1 ECTS, is provided without accreditation and registration in InSIS.
  2. Education of employees of the Prague University of Economics and Business which is provided without accreditation and without registration of participants in InSIS is not considered as lifelong learning under these Rules.
  3. The preparation and implementation of these forms of education is the responsibility of the employee designated by the Dean or the director of another unit of the VSE.

Part Three
ACCREDITATION OF LLL

Article 12
Application for accreditation of a LLL programme

  1. The application for accreditation of a LLL programme is submitted to the Internal Evaluation Board in the InSIS Accreditation Module. The minimum size of courses of which the programme consists is 1 ECTS. The requirements for the course syllabi of accredited study programmes shall apply appropriately.
  2. The use of the InSIS Accreditation Module is not mandatory for the application for accreditation of a programme to the Accreditation Board. The courses that make up the programme are accredited by the faculty accreditation boards according to the ECTS principles. The minimum scope of the courses is 1 ECTS. Course syllabus requirements of the syllabi of accredited study programmes shall apply to them accordingly.
  3. The application for accreditation of a LLL programme must contain the following information:
    1. name, abbreviation and internal code of the programme,
    2. the type of programme,
    3. information on the purpose of education in the programme and information on the profile of the graduate if the education leads to a specific qualification
    4. a code expressing the content of the studies,
    5. length of training in weeks,
    6. total hours,
    7. the period over which the programme will be implemented,
    8. the required initial education,
    9. place of instruction,
    10. language of instruction,
    11. funding source code,
    12. the workplace where the programme is delivered,
    13. the name of the programme guarantor,
    14. the fee for participation in the programme per participant.
  4. If the application for accreditation is submitted to the Internal Evaluation Board, it shall also include the following information:
    1. the name of the programme and the faculty or unit of the VSE where the programme will be delivered,
    2. if the programme is to be carried out with another legal entity, the characteristics of that legal entity
    3. programme characteristics and graduate profile,
    4. the prerequisites required of the applicant, the conditions of admission to the programme,
    5. the timing and content of the programme,
    6. the forms and methods of teaching, the rules for assessing learning outcomes,
    7. method of graduation, internationally recognised degree.
  5. The information referred to in paragraph 4(e) and (f) may be supported by individual syllabi approved by the faculty accreditation
  6. In the event that accreditation is proposed for a programme which awards an internationally recognised degree which has not been awarded at the VSE, details of this degree will be givn- including examples of institutions which recognise and award it, and, where appropriate, international accreditation bodies that represent these
  7. In addition, the following conditions apply to the accreditation of a programme whose graduates are awarded an internationally recognised degree:
    1. The minimum size of the MBA or MPA programme is 300 teaching hours in various forms of
    2. The minimum scope of the DBA programme is 100 contact hours in various forms of teaching and 100 hours of individual consultation with a supervisor.
    3. Admission to the MBA or MPA programme is normally conditional on satisfactory completion of studies in at least a Bachelor’s degree programme.
    4. Admission to the DBA programme is conditional on the completion of a Master’s degree or MBA programme.
    5. Education in the programme must be completed in a way that comprehensively verifies the knowledge acquired; this usually involves the defence of a final thesis. The result of the originality check of the thesis is submitted for the defence.
    6. If the training programme is to be carried out in cooperation with a foreign legal entity, the accreditation may lay down conditions different from those set out in this Article, in such a way as to correspond to the conditions and practices in the country where the foreign legal entity has its seat.
  8. Accreditation shall normally be granted for a period of 10 The VSE body which has granted the accreditation shall ensure the ongoing verification of compliance with its conditions by means of regular inspection reports, at least once every four years. These reports shall include, in particular, data on the number of applicants and graduates of the programme, on the employment of graduates and on the international evaluation of the study programme.
  9. The Dean or the Director of another unit of the VSE shall notify the Rector of any substantial changes in the implementation of a programme accredited by the Internal Evaluation Board of the VSE without undue delay. The Rector shall present the notified changes at the next meeting of the Internal Evaluation In particular, a change of programme guarantor and changes in content that have an impact on the graduate profile are considered to be a substantial change.
  10. When deciding on the accreditation of a programme, the Internal Evaluation Board shall apply the Internal Accreditation Rules, which are part of the Rules for the System of Quality Assurance of Educational, Creative and Related Activities and of Internal Evaluation of the Quality of Educational, Creative and Related Activities of the Prague University of Economics and Business.

Part Four
PROVISIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 13
Provisional provisions

LLL programmes which are being implemented on the date of entry into force of these Rules shall be brought into compliance with the wording of these Rules by 30 June 2026 at the latest.

Article 14
Final provisions

  1. The Rules of Lifelong Learning and Education in Internationally Recognised Courses held at the University of Economics in Prague dated on 15th December 2017 under no. MSMT-33969/2017.
  2. These Rules were approved pursuant to Section 9(1)(b)(3) of the Act by the Academic Senate of the VSE on 19 May 2025.
  3. These Rules shall come into force and effect on the date of registration by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

 

doc. Ing. Tomáš Pavelka, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Academice Senate of VSE in Prague                                                                  

 

doc. Ing. Petr Dvořák, Ph.D.
Rector of the VSE in Prague