guide for new international Students

In order to make your transition to our faculty easier, we have created a guide to help you with your first steps in your studies and with the basic orientation at the faculty.

contacts

International Office

You can contact the International Office for all matters related to your studies. They will register you for your studies and check the number of credits you have completed. You will register here for state final exams or diploma project defence and graduation. You can apply for transfer, internship, interruption of studies or to drop a course.

The International Office also handles the agenda of study fees and patricular scholarships – CTU Scholarship.

Merit scholarships are handled by the Czech Study department. 

Vice-Dean for International Relations

You can contact Kateřina Rottová, the Vice-Dean for International Relations, with more complex questions about your studies. Her responsibilities include curriculum design, admissions and review procedures, tuition fees and scholarships, care for students with special needs, scheduling, monitoring and evaluation of teaching, and cooperation with educational institutions.

Architecture Student's Association (SPA)

SPA is a free, independent and voluntary organization open to all students who want to actively participate in the student life of our faculty.

The activities of the association include organizing lectures, exhibitions and excursions to architecture. The main event of the association is the annual competition Olověný Dušan. Every year SPA also organizes Beánie, a welcoming ceremony for first year Bachelor students.

By logging in to their site, you will also get access to a large amount of study materials that will save you many hours spent on practice problems (possibly also in English).

You can also follow SPA activities on Facebook or Instagram.

Erasmus student network (esn)

ESN CTU in Prague is a student organisation that helps international and Czech students connect and become part of the university community. ESN CTU runs the Buddy Programme, organises social and cultural activities throughout the semester, and helps exchange students settle into life in Prague.

ESN also organises an Orientation Week one week before the semester starts, with activities and practical information to help you get familiar with CTU, Prague, and other international students. We strongly recommend taking part!

Information Portal for Foreigners

The Information Portal for Foreigners serves as a source of information regarding their residence in the Czech Republic.

Students can get information there about their residence or the rights and obligations associated with it.

First steps

1) Registration After Arrival (Foreign Police)

  • Third-country nationals (non-EU): Instructions here (within 3 days)

  • EU citizens: Instructions here (within 30 days)

  • Your dormitory does this for you. In private accommodation talk to your landlord about it. If they haven’t done it, do it yourself.

Address: Olšanská 2176/2, 130 51  Praha 3

This is a legal obligation, so please don’t skip it!

More information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

2) Get Your CTU Student Card & Password

  • Your CTU card works as your student ID, building access card, and library card.

  • With your CTU login, you can access all university systems, especially KOS (student information system).

CTU Card Centre

  • Address: Jugoslávských partyzánů 3, entrance B3, Praha 6

  • Opening hours:

    • Mon–Thu: 8:00 – 15:30

    • Fri: 8:00 – 15:00

More information about CTU cards

3) Attend the Information Meeting (during Orientation Week)

  • This session completes your enrolment and gives you all the key info for your semester.

  • You’ll receive details about time and place by email before the meeting.

Academic calendar

The academic year is divided into two semesters – winter and summer.

  • Each semester has 13 weeks of teaching.

  • After that comes a 6-week exam period, which always starts with a special studio week.

Studio Week
Studio week is all about your design projects. There are no regular lectures or exercises, and teachers don’t set exams during this time. Instead, you’ll spend the week focusing on finishing your studio work. The faculty building is open 24/7, so you can work whenever inspiration strikes.

Studio Exhibition
After studio week, the results of your projects are presented in a faculty-wide exhibition that usually lasts about a month. During this time, the faculty opens its doors to the public—so your work will be seen not only by teachers and classmates, but also by visitors from outside.

You can always check the academic calendar for the current year here.

 

  1. Orientation Week

    It precedes the start of the academic year. The Orientation Week is organized by ESN CTU.

    More information here.

  2. 3 weeks before the start of the semester

    Enrolment in the studio 

    The enrolment is preceded by a joint presentation of the studio assignments, after which the first meetings in the studios take place. 

    More information can be found in the next section.

  3. 2 weeks before the start of the semester

    Course Registration in KOS
    (Enrolment closes at the end of the 2nd week of the semester)

    After logging into KOS with your CTU password, you can manage your Course registration:

    • Browse course descriptions (annotations)

    • Register courses

    • Drop courses (only within the first two weeks of the semester or with help of faculty coordinator)

    Tip: The easiest way to enrol is by searching directly with the course code.

Studio Enrolment

Architecture and Urbanism studios taught in English can be found here: English-taught studios.

Studio for Design students taught in English is Studio Karel.

Studio Courses by Study Program (Erasmus+ and Exchange students)

Study Program Course Code ECTS
Architecture & Urbanism 555AT1 (WS) / 555AT2 (SS) 11
Landscape Architecture 555ATL1 (WS) / 555ATL2 (SS) 13
Design 555ATD1 (WS) / 555ATD2 (SS) 22
Elective Studios 555ATV (Architecture) / 555ATVL (Landscape Architecture) /555ATVD (Design) 4

💡 For elective studios, you can either choose another assignment within the same studio or take two different studios (2 assignments total).

 

How to Enrol

Enrolment in studios is done online via the faculty website and applies to all studio courses, including diploma seminars and final theses (bachelor’s and master’s).

A detailed schedule, procedure, and guide are available on the website. 

Studio Enrolment Rounds

Studio enrolment takes place in several rounds, each with slightly different rules.

  • Upload your portfolio (optional): You can upload your portfolio in the system. Studio heads will see it in the 1st round.
  • 1st Round - Apply to one studio only. Studio heads pick students manually (your portfolio can help).
  • 2nd Round - Apply to up to 5 studios and rank your choices. Studios are assigned by lottery.
  • 3rd Round - Apply to as many studios as you like and rank your choices. Allocation is by lottery.

 

Access to Studios

Once your enrolment has been processed by the International office in KOS, your studio access will be activated on your CTU card by the next day.

If you run into any problems or have questions, please contact prihlasovani@fa.cvut.cz

Courses

As an international student at the Faculty of Architecture, you can combine theoretical courses and studio courses in your study plan.

  • Theoretical courses are open to everyone and are not tied to your major.

  • Studio courses are the core of your studies and must match your field of study.

Available Courses for Erasmus+ and Exchange students
Available Courses for Master Degree students
Other Course Options

Erasmus and exchange students can also choose courses offered by other CTU faculties. You’ll find the full list here: CTU Course Catalogue.

study progress

design studios

After enrolling in your study program, the next step is to choose your design studio.

Our faculty offers over 35 vertical studios, where students from 2nd to 5th year work together. Foreign students are fully integrated with Czech students, so it’s a great opportunity to collaborate internationally.

On each studio’s page, you can:

  • See the current assignment you’ll be working on
  • Explore projects from previous years in our web gallery.

 

Exercises

In your exercise (tutorial) classes, you’ll usually practice and apply the material presented in lectures.

Attendance is compulsory.

You’ll receive assignments that must be completed and regularly discussed with your teacher.

Keep track of deadlines to earn credit for the exercises and to be eligible for the exam.

Consultations

Consultations are held according to each teacher’s scheduled consultation hours.

At the start of the semester, check how many consultations you need to attend to receive full credit for the exercises.

Lectures

The lectures are optional, but they form a comprehensive picture of the topics discussed. Often, you will find out, for example, details about an upcoming excursion or exam. Some of the lectures are common to all three study programmes, so you can also get to know your colleagues from other disciplines. All lectures are open to the public, and you can attend lectures outside of your schedule.

The FA organises a series of special lectures for the public. These include the November Talks (four Mondays in November) and the Monuments series (Tuesdays in both the winter and summer semesters). We keep you informed of all scheduled lectures in our calendar, on Facebook, Instagram or via the faculty newsletter.

necessities

Student card CTU/ISIC

You will need this card for:

• entrance to the FA building and other faculties

• access to classrooms and lecture halls
rooms at the FA

• passage to FSv through the connecting
bridge

• payment in the canteens (Menza), in the Archicafé and the Mega Buffet at FSv

• borrowing books in the Central Library
CTU and NTK

• parking in the FA building

• printing on self-service printers

• loan of tools in the workshops

 

You can get your CTU/ISIC card in:

CTU Card Centre

  • Address: Jugoslávských partyzánů 3, entrance B3, Praha 6

  • Opening hours:

    • Mon–Thu: 8:00 – 15:30

    • Fri: 8:00 – 15:00

More information about CTU

KOS access

KOS is the main student information system at CTU. You’ll use it for almost everything related to your studies:

  • Check and update your personal data

  • Create and manage your own schedule

  • Register for exams

  • See your grades once you’ve passed exams

  • Track your completed courses and credits

You’ll need your CTU password to log in.

Using KOS – Key Features
Here are the most common things you’ll do in KOS:
Register for a Course

  • Go to Courses → Register course

  • Note: You can usually enrol only during the designated enrolment period.

  • Check the rules for FA courses and, if you’re enrolling in a course from another faculty, make sure to follow their enrolment rules.

Create Your Personal Timetable

  • You can only add courses to your timetable that you’ve pre-registered for.

  • Steps: Schedules → Create schedule → View next to your course → pick the lecture/tutorial time → click Register if the slot is still available.

Register for an Exam

  • Go to Terms → Terms offer

  • Select the course and semester → click Select a date → then Register for your chosen exam date.

Check Your Study Results

  • Go to Study → Study results

  • Tip: Check that the teacher or examiner has recorded your exam or credit on time.

How to log in to the CTU apps for the first time

Use your CTU master password and username after enrolling in the studio. Everyone sets their own password without the need to visit in person via this form. You must enter your study registration code and date of birth to successfully log in.

Who to contact if your password does not work

Centre of Information Technologies cit@fa.cvut.cz

The student will be given login data to the school platforms (KOS, UserMap, Moodle, etc.) when enrolling in the first year. If they forget these data, they can request a new password in person at the office 216. The email address where students receive information from the school (from teachers, the study department or KOS) is automatically set up in UserMap and can be changed there.

Wi-fi FA connection

CTU-FA-Students
password: FAs3xs3x

Eduroam
You can set the eduroam password after logging into UserMap. Find your person, open your personal page, go to the Settings tab and click on Set eduroam password. Then follow the instructions.

faculty building and operation

Since 2011, the Faculty of Architecture has been housed in a modern, well-organized, and transparent building.

  • The design supports what we value most at the school: communication, collaboration, and meeting for work.

  • Created by Alena Šrámková and her team (former FA students), the building encourages interaction and fosters the idea of “working at school more than at home.”

It’s more than just a space—it’s designed to be a creative hub for students and staff alike.

When is faculty open?

Monday to Friday 6.30–24.00
Weekend 8.00–24.00

A student or employee identification card is required to enter the building and you must sign in at the front desk at weekends.

Workshops

You cannot study at the FA without making models. They are made by architects and landscape architects and especially designers. That is why there are several model workshops at the faculty and the tools and services are constantly being expanded.

Modelling workshops are open to all architecture and design students. Our staff will be happy to help and advise you with the implementation of your student projects, discussing the chosen procedure and technology, or recommending the selection of suitable materials for the models.

Library

Located on the 7th floor, room 722
Monday 13.00–18.30
Tuesday–Thursday 10.00–11.30, 13.00–18.30
Friday 9.00–11.30

E-catalogue of the FA CTU library

Archicafé

Located on the ground floor
Monday–Thursday 8.30–17.30
Friday 8.30–14.00

Menzas

  • Student House Canteen: Located just behind the FA building.

  • Technical Canteen: The newest canteen is on Jugoslávských partyzánů street, near the CTU Rector's Office.

Both canteens serve meals from breakfast to dinner, including vegetarian options.

Payment options:

  • Cash

  • Food vouchers

  • CTU/ISIC student card

Student perks:

  • Discounted meals: Up to 90 meals per month when paying with your student card.

  • The card works in all CTU canteens, academic restaurants in Strahov, Masaryk College, KOKOS in Kladno, and the pizzeria in the Student House.

  • Top up your card at the canteen cash desk (minimum deposit CZK 100).

  • To check the menu, visit Menza menus

IKAN partner print centre

Located on the ground floor next to the International Office (room 147)


Monday 8.30–18.30
Tuesday 8.30–16.00
Wednesday 8.30–16.00
Thursday 8.30–18.30
Friday 8.30–15.00

There are also two self-service printers, one on the ground floor near the International Office and the other in the respirium on the 5th floor. These printers can print A4 and A3 in black and white and colour.

Questions about controlling printers can be found on the website TINA – PRINT AND COPY.

Additional printing services are offered by the Faculty of Civil Engineering:

  • plotter VIC in room Ds108 on the ground floor of building D
  • TINA print shop in building B
  • private RoboCopy machines by the quiet study room and the cafeteria
  • copy centre by the cloakroom

Stationary retailers

The basic paper assortment is sold by IKAN partner in room 145 on the ground floor of the FA. You can buy more at the DEZETA stationery shop on the first floor of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (entrance through the quiet study room).

The largest selection of art, creative and modelling supplies is available at Modelov in Ziková street. You can also shop through their e-shop. They also have a small model shop at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in the basement of Atelier D.

useful information

Study programs

Master's Degree

The minimum length of study for these programmes at Master's level is a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years.

The information regarding the curriculum can be found in the White Book, which can be downloaded electronically from the Faculty's website

Help with solving problems

The ELSA Centre has published a Mental Health Handbook for University Students, which can be downloaded HERE.

The Centre for Information and Counselling Services of the CTU offers support to all CTU students in solving academic, personal, family and legal problems.

Sports at CTU

Although PE is not credit-rated at our faculty, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the varied range of sports on offer for free or at very reasonable student prices. The Institute of Physical Education and Sport of CTU (IPS) also organises sports courses, which are always held at the end of the semester.

PE classes take place at various locations in Prague and this information can always be found next to the specific sport activity.

An overview of the sports offered and their timetable can be found on the ÚTVS website.

Enrol into PE course with code TVV (1 class), TVV0 (2 classes) in KOS beforehand.

fa map

In plan projection it is a square with an edge of 64 metres and a total height of 30 metres. The building is further divided into four squares – an outer courtyard and three inner courtyards – and each is characterised by a different type of staircase. In the vertical direction, the building is divided into 8 floors above ground and 3 underground floors, which mainly house workshops, computer rooms and parking. The ground floor is the venue for various social events and exhibitions, but you will also find the International Office, Czech study department, cloakroom, press or café there. From the entrance floor you can reach the lecture halls, which are named after famous Czech architects and which, thanks to their colourful design, cannot be missed from inside or outside. The lecture halls have a capacity of 80, 100, 180 and 300 people. On all the upper floors, except the 3rd floor, there are teaching studios, multimedia classrooms and teachers' offices. In the aforementioned 3rd floor houses the Faculty of Information Technology.

For the content of this site is responsible: RNDr. Jiří Šrubař, Ph.D.