Charles University

401–500th
World University Rankings 2024
201–300th
Impact Rankings 2023
176-200th
World Reputation Rankings 2022
Ovocny trh 5, Prague 1, Prague, 116 36, Czech Republic

About Charles University

Charles University (CU) in Prague, founded in 1348, is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. It was the first university to be established in Central Europe and takes its name from its founder, King Charles IV, King of Bohemia and King of the Romans.

The university was modelled on the first European universities, Bologna and Paris in particular, and its original faculties were in theology, liberal arts, law, and medicine. 

Today, CU is a modern, multi-disciplinary and research-oriented institution that is home to more than 50,000 students undertaking bachelor, master’s and doctoral programmes,

The university comprises 17 faculties in total, including ones dedicated to Catholic Theology, Protestant Theology, Hussite Theology, as well as Law, Arts, Pharmacy, Science, Mathematics and Physics, Education, Social Sciences, Physical Education and Sport, Humanities, and five separate Medicine Faculties.

Additionally, the CU estate houses three institutes, five service facilities and six other units, all supported by a staff totalling in excess of 8,000.

Most of the university campus is spread throughout Prague, with two other centres located in the nearby cities of Hradec Králové and Pilsen.

At the centre of the university is an historic building known as the Carolinum. Found within Prague’s old town, it is the seat of the rector and the university’s Academic Senate, and is one of the oldest dormitories within Central Europe to still remain.

The university is also home to botanical gardens and boasts international links with higher education institutions such as Imperial College London, The University of Washington, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the University of Amsterdam, publishing joint publications with each.

Explore rankings data for Charles University

All ranked institutions have an overall score and 4 pillar scores. However for each pillar, only institutions ranked in the top 500 overall or the top 500 in this pillar have a publicly visible score

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Key statistics

  • 23%
    Percentage of International Students
    (1)
  • 13.4
    No. of students per staff
    (1)
  • 62 : 38
    Student Ratio of Females to Males
    (1)
  • 23%
    Proportion of ISR Publication
    (1)
  • 51,728
    Number of FTE Students
    (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) 2024 World University Rankings

Subjects taught at Charles University

  • Social sciences

    • Politics & International Studies (incl Development Studies)
    • Geography
    • Sociology
    • Communication & Media Studies
  • Arts & humanities

    • Archaeology
    • Languages, Literature & Linguistics
    • Art, Performing Arts & Design
    • History, Philosophy & Theology
  • Physical sciences

    • Physics & Astronomy
    • Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences
    • Mathematics & Statistics
    • Chemistry
  • Business & economics

    • Accounting & Finance
    • Business & Management
    • Economics & Econometrics
  • Psychology

    • Psychology
  • Computer science

    • Computer Science
  • Education

    • Education
  • Life sciences

    • Biological Sciences
    • Sport Science
  • Clinical, pre-clinical & health

    • Medicine & Dentistry
    • Other Health
  • Law

    • Law