{{short description|Oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic}} {{Other uses|University of Prague (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox university | name = Charles University | native_name = {{lang|cs|Univerzita Karlova}} | latin_name = Universitas Carolina<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search |url=https://archive.org/search?query=%22Universitas+Carolina%22&sin=TXT |website=Internet Archive}}</ref> | former_name = University of Prague ({{langx|la|Universitas Pragensis}}) | native_name_lang = cs | image_name = Charles-University-symbol-4.svg | image_upright = 0.8 | established = {{start date and age|1347|01|26|df=yes}} | type = Public, ancient | budget = CZK&nbsp;8.9 billion<ref name="uken109">{{cite web|url=http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-109.html|title=Facts and figures（sourced from ''Annual Report 2016'' and ''Annual Financial Report 2016'')|access-date=7 April 2018|publisher=Charles University}}</ref> | rector = Jiří Zima | faculty = 4,057<ref name="uken109"/> | administrative_staff = 4,026<ref name="uken109"/> | students = 51,438<ref name="uken109"/> | undergrad = 32,520<ref name="uken109"/> | postgrad = 9,288<ref name="uken109"/> | doctoral = 7,428<ref name="uken109"/> | coordinates = {{coord|50.0884|N|14.4037|E|source:kolossus-huwiki|display=inline, title|format=dms}} | city = Prague | country = Czech Republic | campus = Urban | colors = {{Scarf|{{Cell|white}}{{Cell|#d22d40}}}} | affiliations = 4EU+ Alliance<br /> Coimbra Group<br /> EUA<br /> Europaeum<br /> UNICA | website = {{URL|https://cuni.cz/}} | logo = Univerzita Karlova horizontal logo 2023.svg | logo_upright = 1.2 }}

'''Charles University''' ('''CUNI'''; {{langx|cs|Univerzita Karlova}}, '''UK'''; {{langx|la|Universitas Carolina}}; {{langx|de|Karls-Universität}}), also known historically as the '''University of Prague''' ({{langx|la|Universitas Pragensis|links=no}}), is the largest university in the Czech Republic.<ref>Joachim W. Stieber: "Pope Eugenius IV, the Council of Basel and the secular and ecclesiastical authorities in the Empire: the conflict over supreme authority and power in the church", Studies in the history of Christian thought, Vol. 13, Brill, 1978, {{ISBN|90-04-05240-2}}, p.82; Gustav Stolper: "German Realities", Read Books, 2007, {{ISBN|1-4067-0839-9}}, p. 228; George Henry Danton: "Germany ten years after", Ayer Publishing, 1928, {{ISBN|0-8369-5693-1}}, p. 210; Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius: "The German Myth of the East: 1800 to the Present", Oxford Studies in Modern European History Series, Oxford University Press, 2009, {{ISBN|0-19-954631-2}}, p. 109; Levi Seeley: "History of Education", BiblioBazaar, {{ISBN|1-103-39196-8}}, p. 141</ref> It is one of the oldest universities in the world in continuous operation, the third oldest university north of the Alps (after the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.degreelibrary.org/30-of-the-oldest-universities-in-the-world/ |title=30 of the Oldest Universities in the World |access-date=15 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710010658/http://www.degreelibrary.org/30-of-the-oldest-universities-in-the-world/ |archive-date=10 July 2015 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Today, the university consists of 17 faculties located in Prague, Hradec Králové, and Plzeň.<ref name="Charles University">{{Cite web |title=University Infrastructure |url=https://cuni.cz/UKEN-80.html |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=Charles University |language=en}}</ref>

== History == [[File:Prague Praha 2014 Holmstad Karl IV ved Korsridderplassen.jpg|thumb|Monument to the protector of the university, Emperor Charles IV, in Prague (built in 1848)|392x392px]]

===Medieval university (1349–1419)=== The establishment of a medieval university in Prague was inspired by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV.<ref>Charles was since 11 July 1346 antiking of Romans, since 26 August 1346 king of Bohemia, since 17 June 1349 lawful king of Romans as Charles IV and from 5 April 1355 Holy Roman Emperor.</ref> He requested his friend and ally, Pope Clement VI, to create the university. On 26 January 1347, the pope issued the bull establishing a university in Prague, modeled on the University of Paris, with all four faculties, including theology. On 7 April 1348 Charles, the king of Bohemia, gave to the established university privileges and immunities from the secular power in a Golden Bull<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cuni.cz/UK-145.html | title = Littera fundationis Universitatis Carolinae Pragensis | date = 7 April 1348 | language = la}}</ref> and on 14 January 1349 he repeated that as the king of the Romans. Most Czech sources since the 19th century—encyclopedias, general histories, materials of the university itself—prefer to give 1348 as the year of the founding of the university, rather than 1347 or 1349. That was caused by an anticlerical shift in the 19th century, shared by both Czechs and Germans.

thumb|left|Teacher and students shown in a medieval manuscript from Bohemia The university was opened in 1349. The university was sectioned into parts called ''nations'': the Bohemian, Bavarian, Polish and Saxon. The Bohemian ''natio'' included Bohemians, Moravians, southern Slavs, and Hungarians; the Bavarian included Austrians, Swabians, natives of Franconia and of the Rhine provinces; the Polish included Silesians, Poles, Ruthenians; the Saxon included inhabitants of the Margravate of Meissen, Thuringia, Upper and Lower Saxony, Denmark, and Sweden.<ref name = "CE">{{CathEncy|wstitle=University of Prague}}</ref> Ethnically Czech students made 16–20% of all students.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cs-magazin.com/2005-03/view.php?article=articles/cs050334.htm | title = Sedmdesátileté výročí insigniády z jiného pohledu | work = CS Magazin | first = Václav | last = Chyský | date = March 2005 | language = cs | access-date = 21 June 2009 | archive-date = 28 February 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190228235612/http://www.cs-magazin.com/2005-03/view.php?article=articles%2Fcs050334.htm | url-status = dead}}</ref> Archbishop Arnošt of Pardubice took an active part in the foundation by obliging the clergy to contribute and became a chancellor of the university (i.e., director or manager).

The first graduate was promoted in 1359. The lectures were held in the colleges, of which the oldest was named for the king the ''Carolinum'', established in 1366. In 1372 the Faculty of Law became an independent university.<ref>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EEABAAAAYAAJ | title = Album, seu Matricula Facultatis juridicae, 1372–1418, e codice membranaceo illius aetatis nunc primum luce donatum: Codex diplomaticus universitatis ejusdem | language = la | year = 1834 | author1 = Prague | author2 = Universität, Bohemia}}</ref>

In 1402 Jerome of Prague in Oxford copied out the ''Dialogus'' and ''Trialogus'' of John Wycliffe. The dean of the philosophical faculty, Jan Hus, translated ''Trialogus'' into the Czech language. In 1403 the university forbade its members to follow the teachings of Wycliffe, but his doctrine continued to gain in popularity.

In the Western Schism, the Bohemian ''nation'' took the side of king Wenceslaus and supported the Council of Pisa (1409). The other ''nations'' of the university declared their support for the side of Pope Gregory XII, thus the vote was 1:3 against the Bohemians. Hus and other Bohemians, though, took advantage of Wenceslaus' opposition to Gregory. By the Decree of Kutná Hora ({{langx|de|Kuttenberg}}) on 18 January 1409, the king subverted the university constitution by granting the Bohemian masters three votes. Only a single vote was left for all other three ''nations'' combined, compared to one vote per each ''nation'' before. The result of this ''coup'' was the emigration of foreign (mostly German) professors and students, founding the University of Leipzig in May 1409. Before that, in 1408, the university had about 200 doctors and Masters, 500 bachelors, and 30,000 students {{dubious|date=April 2021}}; it now lost a large part of this number, accounts of the loss varying from 5000 to 20,000 {{dubious|date=April 2021}} including 46 professors.<ref name = "CE" />

In the autumn of 1409, Hus was elected rector of the now Czech-dominated rump university. The university became a bastion of the Hussite movement and mostly a regional institution.<ref>Lexikon des Mittelalters: "Prag. Universität", J.B. Metzler, Vol. 7, cols 163–164</ref> Soon, in 1419, the faculties of theology and law disappeared, and only the faculty of arts remained in existence.

===Protestant academy (1419–1622)=== [[File:Praha Karolinum výklenek 1.jpg|thumb|Karolinum – the oldest building of Charles University built in the 14th century|358x358px]]

The faculty of arts became a centre of the Hussite movement, and the chief doctrinal authority of the Utraquists. No degrees were given in the years 1417–30; at times there were only eight or nine professors.<ref name = "CE" /> Emperor Sigismund, son of Charles IV, took what was left into his personal property and some progress was made. The emperor Ferdinand I called the Jesuits to Prague and in 1562 they opened an academy—the ''Clementinum''. From 1541 till 1558 the Czech humanist {{ill|Mattheus Collinus|de|Matthaeus Collinus}} (1516–1566) was a professor of Greek language.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://libri.cz/databaze/kdo18/search.php?zp=6&name=KOL%CDN | work = KDO BYL KDO v našich dějinách do roku 1918 | title = KOLÍN (Kalina) z CHOTĚŘINY Matouš (Mattheus Collinus a Choterina) | language = cs | access-date = 8 March 2008 | archive-date = 29 August 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160829011932/http://libri.cz/databaze/kdo18/search.php?zp=6&name=KOL%CDN | url-status = dead}}</ref> Some progress was made again when the emperor Rudolph II took up residence in Prague. In 1609 the obligatory celibacy of the professors was abolished.<ref name = "Timeline">{{cite web | url = http://www.cuni.cz/UKENG-3.html | title = Timeline of Charles University in Prague | publisher = Charles University | date = 12 June 2006}}</ref> In 1616 the Jesuit Academy became a university. (It could award academic degrees.)<ref name = "Timeline" />

Jesuits were expelled 1618–1621 during the early stages of the Thirty Years' War, which was started in Prague by anti-Catholic and anti-Imperial Bohemians. By 1622, the Jesuits had a predominant influence over the emperor. An Imperial decree of 19 September 1622 gave the Jesuits supreme control over the entire school system of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. The last four professors at the Carolinum resigned, and all of the Carolinum and nine colleges went to the Jesuits. The right of handing out degrees, of holding chancellorships, and of appointing the secular professors was also granted to the Jesuits.

===Charles-Ferdinand University (1622–1882)=== Cardinal Ernst Adalbert of Harrach actively opposed the union of the university with another institution, the withdrawal of the archiepiscopal right to the chancellorship, and prevented the drawing up of the Golden Bull for the confirmation of the grant to Jesuits. Cardinal Ernst funded the ''Collegium Adalbertinum'', and in 1638, Emperor Ferdinand III limited the teaching monopoly enjoyed by the Jesuits. He took from them the rights, properties and archives of the Carolinum making the university once more independent under an imperial protector. During the last years of the Thirty Years' War the Charles Bridge in Prague was courageously defended by students of the Carolinum and Clementinum. Since 1650, those who received any degrees took an oath to maintain the ''Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin'', which has been renewed annually.

[[File:Clementinum baroque library 2.jpg|thumb|left|Baroque library hall in Clementinum, which originally belonged to the university, today part of National Library of the Czech Republic|262x262px]] On 23 February 1654, emperor Ferdinand III merged ''Carolinum'' and ''Clementinum'' and created a single university with four faculties:'''Charles-Ferdinand University''' ({{langx|la|Universitatis Carolinae Ferdinandeae}}).<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url = http://libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/text/t45.html | first = František | last = Čapka | title = Dějiny zemí Koruny české v datech | chapter = VII. Vláda Habsburků a protireformace | language = cs | isbn = 978-80-85983-67-8 | url = http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | publisher = Libri | location = Prague | year = 1999 | access-date = 21 June 2009 | archive-date = 12 July 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140712045425/http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | url-status = dead}}</ref> ''Carolinum'' had at that time only the faculty of arts, as the only faculty surviving the period of the Hussite Wars. The dilapidated Carolinum was rebuilt in 1718 at the expense of the state.

The rebuilding and the bureaucratic reforms of universities in the Habsburg monarchy in 1752 and 1754 deprived the university of many of its former privileges. In 1757 a Dominican and an Augustinian were appointed to give theological instruction. However, there was a gradual introduction of enlightened reforms, and this process culminated at the end of the century when even non-Catholics were granted the right to study. On 29 July 1784, German replaced Latin as the language of instruction.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cuni.cz/UK-1584-version1-history_of_UK.doc | title = History of Charles University | format = DOC | date = 18 May 2004 | publisher = Charles University | access-date = 21 June 2009 | archive-date = 26 March 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200326161820/http://www.cuni.cz/UK-1584-version1-history_of_UK.doc | url-status = dead}}</ref> For the first time Protestants were allowed, and soon after Jews. The university acknowledged the need for a Czech language and literature chair. Emperor Leopold II established it by a courtly decree on 28 October 1791. On 15 May 1792, scholar and historian {{ill|Franz Martin Pelzel|cs|František Martin Pelcl}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ujc.cas.cz/lingviste/pelcl-frantisek.html | title = František Pelcl | publisher = Institute of the Czech Language of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic | language = cs | access-date = 17 March 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120205030917/http://www.ujc.cas.cz/lingviste/pelcl-frantisek.html | archive-date = 5 February 2012}}</ref> was named the professor of the chair. He started his lectures on 13 March 1793.<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url = http://libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/text/t57.html | first = František | last = Čapka | title = Dějiny zemí Koruny české v datech | chapter = VIII. Od osvícenského absolutismu k národnímu obrození | language = cs | isbn = 978-80-85983-67-8 | url = http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | publisher = Libri | location = Prague | year = 1999 | access-date = 21 June 2009 | archive-date = 12 July 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140712045425/http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | url-status = dead}}</ref>

In the revolution of 1848, German and Czech students fought for the addition of the Czech language at the Charles-Ferdinand University as a language of lectures. Due to the demographic changes of the 19th century, Prague ceased to have a German-language majority around 1860. By 1863, 22 lecture courses were held in Czech, the remainder (out of 187) in German. In 1864, Germans suggested the creation of a separate Czech university. Czech professors rejected this because they did not wish to lose the continuity of university traditions.

===Split into Czech and German universities=== It soon became clear that neither the German-speaking Bohemians nor the Czechs were satisfied with the bilingual arrangement that the university had established after the revolutions of 1848. The Czechs also refused to support the idea of the reinstitution of the 1349 student nations, instead declaring their support for the idea of keeping the university together, but dividing it into separate colleges, one German and one Czech. This would allow both Germans and Czechs to retain the collective traditions of the university. German-speakers, however, quickly vetoed this proposal, preferring a pure German university: they proposed to split Charles-Ferdinand University into two separate institutions.

[[File:Hopfner Promotionsurkunde.jpg|thumb|Doctoral diploma of Friedrich Hopfner, issued 1905 by the German Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague|263x263px]] After long negotiations, Charles-Ferdinand was divided into '''German Charles-Ferdinand University''' ({{langx|de|Deutsche Karl-Ferdinands-Universität}}) and '''Czech Charles-Ferdinand University''' ({{langx|cs|Česká universita Karlo-Ferdinandova}}) by an act of the Cisleithanian Imperial Council, which Emperor Franz Joseph sanctioned on 28 February 1882.<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url = http://libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/text/t73.html | first = František | last = Čapka | title = Dějiny zemí Koruny české v datech | chapter = X. Směřování k samostatnému státu | language = cs | isbn = 978-80-85983-67-8 | url = http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | publisher = Libri | location = Prague | year = 1999 | access-date = 21 June 2009 | archive-date = 12 July 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140712045425/http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | url-status = dead}}</ref> Each section was entirely independent of the other, and enjoyed equal status. The two universities shared medical and scientific institutes, the old insignia, aula, library, and botanical garden, but common facilities were administered by the German University. The first rector of the Czech University became {{ill|Václav Vladivoj Tomek|de|Václav Vladivoj Tomek}}.

In 1890, the Royal and Imperial Czech Charles-Ferdinand University had 112 teachers and 2,191 students and the Royal and Imperial German Charles-Ferdinand University had 146 teachers and 1,483 students. Both universities had three faculties; the Theological Faculty remained the common until 1891, when it was divided as well. In the winter semester of 1909–10 the German Charles-Ferdinand University had 1,778 students; these were divided into: 58 theological students, for both the secular priesthood and religious orders; 755 law students; 376 medical; 589 philosophical. Among the students were about 80 women. The professors were divided as follows: theology, 7 regular professors, 1 assistant professor, 1 docent; law, 12 regular professors, 2 assistant professors, 4 docents; medicine, 15 regular professors, 19 assistant, 30 docents; philosophy, 30 regular professors, 8 assistant, 19 docents, 7 lecturers. The Czech Charles-Ferdinand University in the winter semester of 1909–10 included 4,319 students; of these 131 were theological students belonging both to the secular and regular clergy; 1,962 law students; 687 medical; 1,539 philosophical; 256 students were women. The professors were divided as follows: theological faculty, 8 regular professors, 2 docents; law, 12 regular, 7 assistant professors, 12 docents; medicine, 16 regular professors, 22 assistant, 24 docents; philosophy, 29 regular, 16 assistant, 35 docents, 11 lecturers.<ref name = "CE" />

The high point of the German University was the era preceding the First World War, when it was home to world-renowned scientists such as physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach, Moritz Winternitz and Albert Einstein. In addition, the German-language students included prominent individuals such as future writers Max Brod, Franz Kafka, and Johannes Urzidil.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.johannes-urzidil.cz/zivot.html | title = Johannes Urzidil – život – chronologie | publisher = Společnost Johannese Urzidila | language = cs | access-date = 21 June 2009}}</ref> The "Lese- und Redehalle der deutschen Studenten in Prag" ("Reading and Lecture Hall of the German students in Prague"), founded in 1848, was an important social and scientific centre. Their library contained in 1885 more than 23,519 books and offered 248 scientific journals, 19 daily newspapers, 49 periodicals and 34 papers of entertainment. Regular lectures were held to scientific and political themes.

Even before the Austro-Hungarian Empire was abolished in late 1918, to be succeeded by Czechoslovakia, Czech politicians demanded that the insignia of 1348 were exclusively to be kept by the Czech university.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} The ''Act No. 197/1919 Sb. z. a n.'' established the Protestant Theological Faculty, but not as a part of the Charles University.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://psp.cz/eknih/1918ns/ps/stenprot/043schuz/s043002.htm | title = Národní shromáždění československé 1918–1920, 43. schůze, část 2/10 | date = 8 April 1919 | language = cs | work = Společná česko-slovenská digitální parlamentní knihovna}}</ref> (That changed on 10 May 1990, when it finally became a faculty of the university.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://web.etf.cuni.cz/ETFENG-24.html | title = A brief history of the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University | publisher = Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University | date = 12 March 2009}}</ref>)

In 1920, the so-called ''Lex Mareš'' (No. 135/1920 Sb. z. a n.) was issued, named for its initiator, professor of physiology František Mareš, which determined that the Czech university was to be the successor to the original university.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://psp.cz/eknih/1918ns/ps/stenprot/105schuz/s105003.htm | title = Národní shromáždění československé 1918–1920, 105. schůze, část ⅜ | date = 1 January 1920 | language = cs | work = Společná česko-slovenská digitální parlamentní knihovna}}</ref> Dropping the Habsburg name ''Ferdinand'', it designated itself '''Charles University''', while the German university was not named in the document, and then became officially called the '''German University in Prague''' ({{langx|de|Deutsche Universität Prag}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://is.cuni.cz/webapps/archiv/public/books/bs/1201577654060565/?lang=en|title=Registries of the German University in Prague|website=is.cuni.cz}}</ref><ref name="history of CUNI">{{cite web|title=History of Charles University|url=http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-106.html|website=cuni.cz|publisher=Charles University in Prague|access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref>

In 1921, the German-speaking Bohemians considered moving<ref>{{cite web | url = http://senat.cz/zajimavosti/tisky/1vo/tisky/T1174_00.htm | publisher = Senát Národního shromáždění | title = Zákon o přeložení sídla německé university v Praze | language = cs | date = 16 December 1921 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120719020502/http://senat.cz/zajimavosti/tisky/1vo/tisky/T1174_00.htm | archive-date = 19 July 2012}}</ref> their university to Liberec ({{langx|de|Reichenberg}}), in northern Bohemia. In 1930, about 42,000 inhabitants of Prague spoke German as their native language, while millions lived in northern, southern and western Bohemia, in Czech Silesia and parts of Moravia near the borders with Austria and Germany.

thumb|The insignia of the university; bone of contention between the universities In October 1932, after Naegle's death, the Czechs started again a controversy over the insignia. Ethnic tensions intensified, although some professors of the German University were members of the Czechoslovak government. Any agreement to use the insignia for both the universities was rejected.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} On 21 November 1934, the German University had to hand over the ''insigniae'' to the Czechs. The German University senate sent a delegation to Minister of Education Krčmář to protest the writ. At noon on 24 November 1934, several thousand students of the Czech University protested in front of the German university building. The Czech rector Karel Domin gave a speech urging the crowd to attack, while the outnumbered German students tried to resist. Under the threat of violence, on 25 November 1934 rector {{ill|Otto Grosser|de|Otto Grosser}} (1873–1951) handed over the ''insigniae''. These troubles of 1934 harmed relations between the two universities and nationalities.

The tide turned in 1938 when, following the Munich Agreement, German troops entered the border areas of Czechoslovakia (the so-called Sudetenland), as did Polish and Hungarian troops elsewhere. On 15 March 1939 Germans forced Czecho-Slovakia to split apart and the Czech lands were occupied by Nazis as the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. ''Reichsprotektor'' Konstantin von Neurath handed the historical ''insigniae'' to the German University, which was officially renamed ''Deutsche Karls-Universität in Prag''. On 1 September 1939 the German University was subordinated to the Reich Ministry of Education in Berlin and on 4 November 1939 it was proclaimed to be ''Reichsuniversität''.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://vesmir.cz/clanky/clanek/id/3894 | journal = Vesmír | title = Německá lékařská fakulta v Praze (1883–1945) | language = cs | first = Ludmila | last = Hlaváčková | issue = 73 |date=December 1994}}</ref>

On 28 October 1939, during a demonstration, Jan Opletal was shot. His burial on 15 November 1939 became another demonstration.<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url = http://libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/text/t94.html | first = František | last = Čapka | title = Dějiny zemí Koruny české v datech | chapter = XI. Léta první i druhé republiky a protektorátu | language = cs | isbn = 978-80-85983-67-8 | url = http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | publisher = Libri | location = Prague | year = 1999 | access-date = 27 June 2009 | archive-date = 12 July 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140712045425/http://www.libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/ | url-status = dead}}</ref> On 17 November 1939 (now marked as International Students' Day) the Czech University and all other Czech institutions of higher learning were closed, remaining closed until the end of the War. Nine student leaders were executed and about 1,200 Czech students were interned in Sachsenhausen and not released until 1943. About 20<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.cuni.cz/IFORUM-2430.html | journal = IForum | issn = 1214-5726 | publisher = Charles University | title = 17. listopad 1939 je opředen mýty, říká historik Petr Koura | first = Petr | last = Svoboda | year = 2005 | language = cs}}</ref> or 35<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.parazitologie.cz/zpravy/10-4/cl-10.html | publisher = Česká Parazitologická Společnost | journal = Zprávy ČPS | issue = 4/10 | date = December 2002 | title = 17. listopad 1939 | first = Josef | last = Chalupský | language = cs | access-date = 8 March 2008 | archive-date = 15 May 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210515232220/http://www.parazitologie.cz/zpravy/10-4/cl-10.html | url-status = dead}}</ref> interned students died in the camp. On 8 May 1940 the Czech University was officially renamed '''Czech Charles University''' ({{langx|cs|Česká universita Karlova}}) by government regulation 188/1940 Coll.

thumb|Detail of the stolen insignia of Charles University. From left: Sceptre of the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the sceptre of the Rector, the sceptre of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Philosophy.

The Second World War marks the end of the coexistence of the two universities in Prague. With the expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia at the end of the war, the German-speaking Charles-Ferdinand University was dissolved and many of its members were expelled. In 1956, they were allowed to establish a new Collegium Carolinum in Munich.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.collegium-carolinum.de/institut.html |title=Collegium Carolinum – Forschungsinstitut für die Geschichte Tschechiens und der Slowakei |access-date=2017-03-06 |archive-date=2017-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307123423/http://www.collegium-carolinum.de/institut.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Collegium Carolinum |url=http://www.collegium-carolinum.de/en/home.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708042325/http://www.collegium-carolinum.de/en/home.html |archive-date=2019-07-08 |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=www.collegium-carolinum.de |language=en}}</ref>

In 1945 the insignia of the university (the rector's chain, the scepters of the individual faculties, the university seal and also the founding documents and other historical documents) vanished. None of these historical objects has been found to this day.

===Present-day university (since 1945)=== Although the university began to recover rapidly after 1945, it did not enjoy academic freedom for long. After the communist coup in 1948, the new regime started to arrange purges and repress all forms of disagreement with the official ideology, and continued to do so for the next four decades, with the second wave of purges during the normalization period in the beginning of the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cuni.cz/UKENG-181.html |title=History of CU |publisher=Cuni.cz |date=4 April 2014 |access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> [[File:Rektorat Univerzity Karlovy a areal historickeho Karolina v Praze (UK0007).jpg|left|thumb|281x281px|Façade of the entrance to Karolinum, the centre of Charles University]] Only in the late 1980s did the situation start to improve; students organized various activities and several peaceful demonstrations in the wake of the Revolutions of 1989 abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prague-life.com/prague/charles-university |title=A University Fit for a King |publisher=Prague-life.com |access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> This initiated the Velvet Revolution in 1989, in which both students and faculty of the university played a large role. Václav Havel, a writer, dramatist and philosopher, was recruited from the independent academic community and appointed president of the republic in December 1989.

Since 26 January 2022, Prof. Milena Králíčková is the first woman rector of the Charles University.<ref>{{Cite web |title=President appoints Milena Králíčková first-ever woman rector of CU |url=http://cuni.cz/UKEN-379.html?news=14567&lang=en |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=Charles University}}</ref>

On 21 December 2023, a mass shooting occurred at the university. 14 people were killed, and 25 others were wounded.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 2023 |title=Prague shooting: Several dead and dozens injured in university shooting|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67793962 |url-status=live |access-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221144820/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67793962 |archive-date=21 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Laca, Peter |date=21 December 2023 |title=Several Dead, Wounded in Prague University Shooting, Police Say|work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-21/several-dead-wounded-in-prague-university-shooting-police-say |url-status=live |access-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221184150/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-21/several-dead-wounded-in-prague-university-shooting-police-say |archive-date=21 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="sz">{{cite news |last1=Nohl |first1=Radek |last2=Svihel |first2=Petr |title=Po střelbě na Filozofické fakultě je deset mrtvých, další jsou vážně zranění |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-zivot-v-cesku-ve-skole-v-centru-prahy-se-strili-242277 |website=Seznamzpravy |access-date=21 December 2023 |language=cs |archive-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221152945/https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-zivot-v-cesku-ve-skole-v-centru-prahy-se-strili-242277 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 2023 |title=Gunman dead after killing 14 at Prague's Charles University |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67793962 |access-date=23 December 2023 |archive-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221144820/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67793962 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 24-year-old perpetrator then killed himself.<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Andrew |last2=Gross |first2=Jenny |last3=Toler |first3=Aric |title=At Least 15 Dead in Czech Republic After Shooting at Prague University |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/europe/prague-shooting.html |website=The New York Times |date=21 December 2023 |access-date=21 December 2023 |archive-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221174300/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/europe/prague-shooting.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bayer |first=Lili |date=22 December 2023 |title=Prague shooter killed himself after attack on university, police say – as it happened |work=the Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/22/prague-shooting-czech-republic-charles-university-updates |access-date=23 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223012242/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/22/prague-shooting-czech-republic-charles-university-updates |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the shooting at the university, the perpetrator killed his father at their home in Hostouň.<ref name="bbctrail">{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Paul |title=How killer left a trail of victims across Prague |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67802094 |access-date=23 December 2023 |agency=BBC |publisher=BBC |date=23 December 2023 |archive-date=23 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223020936/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67802094 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was also identified as the person responsible for the murders of a man and his two-month-old daughter in Klánovice Forest six days earlier on 15 December.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nohl |first=Radek |title=Střelec z filozofické fakulty se přiznal k vraždě v Klánovickém lese |language=cs |website=Seznam Zprávy |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-kauzy-strelec-z-filozoficke-fakulty-se-priznal-k-vrazde-v-klanovickem-lese-242641 |date=27 December 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023 |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227143158/https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/domaci-kauzy-strelec-z-filozoficke-fakulty-se-priznal-k-vrazde-v-klanovickem-lese-242641 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Location== {{See also|Karolinum}} Charles University does not have one joint campus. The university's faculties are located in Prague, Hradec Králové, Plzeň and Brandýs nad Labem. The Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies has teaching centres in Dobruška, Mariánské Lázně, Poděbrady and Zahrádky (near Česká Lípa). The Charles University Archive and Depository are located in Lešetice.<ref name="Charles University" />

University buildings and compounds are scattered throughout Prague – in the Old Town (Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Humanities), the New Town (First Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics), Břevnov (halls of residence), Veleslavín (Faculty of Physical Education and Sport), Libeň (Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, halls of residence), and Hostivař (halls of residence, sports centre).<ref name="Charles University" />

The oldest building at Charles University ''Karolinum'' is situated in the Old Town of Prague and constitutes the university's center. It is the seat of the rector and of the Academic Senate of Charles university. Carolinum is also the venue for official academic ceremonies such as matriculations or graduations. It was dedicated to the university by the Czech king Wenceslas IV in 1386 and has been serving the university ever since.<ref name="Charles University" />

Its academic publishing house is Karolinum Press and the university also operates several museums. The Botanical Garden of Charles University, maintained by its Faculty of Science, is located in the New Town.

==Organisation== === Faculties === [[File:FF UK čelo 4.jpg|thumb|Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague]] [[File:Praha Právnická fakulta z Letné.jpg|thumb|Faculty of Law, Charles University in Prague]] Among the four original faculties of Charles University were: the faculty of law, medicine, art (philosophy) and theology (now catholic theology). Today, Charles University consists of 17 faculties, based primarily in Prague, two houses in Hradec Králové and one in Plzeň. * Catholic Theological Faculty<ref>{{Cite web|title=Root|url=http://www.ktf.cuni.cz/KTFENG-1.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Catholic Theological Faculty}}</ref> * Protestant Theological Faculty<ref>{{Cite web|title=root|url=http://web.etf.cuni.cz/ETFENG-1.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Protestant Theological Faculty}}</ref> * Hussite Theological Faculty<ref>{{Cite web|title=HTF|url=http://htf.cuni.cz/HTF-1.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Husitská teologická fakulta|language=cs}}</ref> * Faculty of Law<ref>{{Cite web|title=Právnická fakulta UK|url=http://www.prf.cuni.cz/|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Univerzita Karlova|language=cs}}</ref> * First Faculty of Medicine<ref>{{Cite web|title=First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague|url=https://www.lf1.cuni.cz/|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Univerzita Karlova}}</ref> * Second Faculty of Medicine<ref>{{Cite web|title=Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University|url=http://www.lf2.cuni.cz/en/home|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University}}</ref> * Third Faculty of Medicine<ref>{{Cite web|title=Root|url=http://www.lf3.cuni.cz/3LFEN-1.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Third Faculty of Medicine}}</ref> * Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lékařská fakulta v Plzni |url=http://www.lfp.cuni.cz/?lang=en|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Univerzita Karlova}}</ref> * Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faculty of medicine {{!}} Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove – Czech Republic|url=https://www.lfhk.cuni.cz/default.aspx/?lang=en-GB|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Univerzita Karlova}}</ref> * Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové|url=https://www.faf.cuni.cz/?lang=en-gb|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608231743/https://www.faf.cuni.cz/?lang=en-gb |archive-date=8 June 2020}}</ref> * Faculty of Arts<ref>{{Cite web|work=Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy |date=26 March 2013|title=Home|url=https://www.ff.cuni.cz/home/|access-date=31 August 2021|publisher = Faculty of Arts, Charles University | location = Prague}}</ref> * Faculty of Science<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faculty — Přírodovědecká fakulta UK|url=https://www.natur.cuni.cz/eng|access-date=31 August 2021|website=natur.cuni.cz}}</ref> * Faculty of Mathematics and Physics<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faculty of Mathematics and Physics|url=https://www.mff.cuni.cz/en|access-date=31 August 2021|website=mff.cuni.cz}}</ref> * Faculty of Education<ref>{{Cite web|title=Root|url=http://pedf.cuni.cz/PEDFEN-1.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Faculty of Education}}</ref> * Faculty of Social Sciences<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fakulta sociálních věd UK|url=https://fsv.cuni.cz/|access-date=31 August 2021|website=fsv.cuni.cz|language=cs}}</ref> * Faculty of Physical Education and Sport * Faculty of Humanities<ref>{{Cite web|title=Root|url=http://fhs.cuni.cz/FHSENG-1.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Faculty of Humanities, Charles University}}</ref>

=== Academic Institutes === * Institute of the History of Charles University and Archive of Charles University * Center for Theoretical Study * Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE-EI) together with Czech Academy of Sciences * Environment Center

=== Other units === * Computer Science Centre * Centre for Transfer of Knowledge and Technology * Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies * Central Library of Charles University * Agency of the Council of Higher Education Institutions

=== Joint research centres of Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences === * BIOCEV * Centre for Biblical Studies * Centre for Medieval Studies * Center for Theoretical Study

=== Subsidiary companies === * Charles University Innovations Prague (technology transfer office) *Charles Games (video game development and distribution) *LAM-X (nanomaterials development) *GeneSpector (development and distribution of kits for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and other viral agents) *FlexiCare (implementation of telerehabilitation systems) *GeneSpector Innovations (development and distribution of technologies for medical diagnostics)

==Rankings== {{Infobox university rankings | THE_W = 401–500 | THE_W_year = 2024 | THE_W_ref = <ref name="World University Rankings-2023">{{Cite web | url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/charles-university | title=World University Rankings| date=19 April 2023}}</ref> | THE_W_Reputation = | THE_W_Reputation_year = | THE_W_Reputation_ref = | QS_W = =265 | QS_W_year =2026 | QS_W_ref = <ref name=":QSW2026">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings|title=QS World University Rankings |date=6 November 2025 }}</ref> | ARWU_W = 301–400 | ARWU_W_year = 2025 | ARWU_W_ref = <ref name="shanghairanking.comb">{{Cite web |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/charles-university-in-prague |title=Academic Ranking of World Universities - Charles University|access-date=21 January 2026 |website=shanghairanking.com}}</ref> | USNWR_W = 226 | USNWR_W_year =2023 | USNWR_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/search?region=europe&country=czech-republic&name=charles |title=Search U.S. News Best Global Universities |website=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=19 April 2023}}</ref> | Reuters_W = | Reuters_W_ref = | RUR_W = | RUR_W_year = | RUR_W_ref = | CWTS_W = 197 | CWTS_W_year = 2022 | CWTS_W_ref = <ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2018/list | title=CWTS Leiden Ranking}}</ref> | QS_N = 1 | QS_N_year | QS_N_ref = <ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings | title=QS World University Rankings 2025| date=28 November 2024}}</ref> | ARWU_N = 1 | ARWU_N_year= | ARWU_N_ref = <ref name="shanghairanking.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2018.html |title=Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020 |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-date=16 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816224432/http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2020.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> | THE_N = 1 | THE_N_year | THE_N_ref = <ref name="World University Rankings-2023"/> | QS_EECA =2 | QS_EECA_year =2022 | QS_EECA_ref =<ref name="QS World University Rankings 2022">{{Cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/eeca-rankings/2022 |title=QS World University Rankings-Emerging Europe & Central Asia |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref> | QS_Europe =79 | QS_Europe_year =2025 | QS_Europe_ref =<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/charles-university |title=QS World University Rankings-Charles University}}</ref>}}

Charles University ranks 1st in Eastern Europe in the QS World University Rankings and 246 globally.<ref>{{cite web |title=Charles University |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/charles-university |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=QS World University Rankings |publisher=QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles University in Prague |url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/charles-university-in-prague |accessdate=29 June 2023 |website=Shanghai Ranking |publisher=Shanghai Ranking Consultancy}}</ref> It was ranked in 2013 as 201–300 best in the World among 500 universities evaluated by Academic Ranking of World Universities, 351–400 among 400 universities in Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 485th in CWTS Leiden Ranking of 500 universities. Earlier rankings are presented in following table.<ref name="universityrankings.ch">{{cite web |author=Scimetrica, www.scimetrica.com – © 2014 |title=Charles University Prague, Czech Republic – Institutions |url=http://www.universityrankings.ch/institutions/id1275-charles_university_prague-czech_republic |access-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=UniversityRankings.ch}}</ref>

According to Academic Ranking of World Universities, Charles University ranked in the upper 1.5 percent of the world's best universities in 2011. It came 201st to 300th out of 17,000 universities worldwide.<ref name="iforum.cuni.cz">{{cite web |title=Shanghai Ranking: Charles University among 1.5 per cent of world's best universities |url=http://iforum.cuni.cz/IFORUM-11321.html |access-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=iForum}}</ref> It is the best university in the Czech Republic and one of the best universities in Central and Eastern Europe only overtaken by Russian Lomonosov Moscow State University at 74th place.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chau |first=Abby |date=20 September 2011 |title=QS Intelligence Unit &#124; Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the 2011 QS World University Rankings |url=http://www.iu.qs.com/2011/09/eastern-europe-and-central-asia-in-the-2011-qs-world-university-rankings/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531182226/http://www.iu.qs.com/2011/09/eastern-europe-and-central-asia-in-the-2011-qs-world-university-rankings/ |archive-date=31 May 2017 |access-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=Iu.qs.com}}</ref><ref name="Webometrics.info">{{cite web |title=Central & Eastern Europe &#124; Ranking Web of Universities |url=http://www.webometrics.info/en/ranking_europe/central_eastern_europe |access-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=Webometrics.info}}</ref> It was placed 31st in Times ''BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2014'' (after 23rd University of Warsaw).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2014 |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2014/brics-and-emerging-economies |access-date=12 August 2014 |magazine=Times Higher Education}}</ref>

Rector of the University Václav Hampl said in 2008: "I am very pleased that Charles University achieved such a great success and I would like to thank to all who have contributed to it. An overwhelming majority of schools with a similar placement like Charles University have incomparably better financing and therefore this success is not only a reflection of professional qualities of our academics but also their personal efforts and dedication."<ref>{{cite web |title=Charles University belongs among top ranking world universities – First Faculty of Medicine |url=http://www.lf1.cuni.cz/en/charles-university-belongs-among-top-ranking-world-universities |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213635/http://www.lf1.cuni.cz/en/charles-university-belongs-among-top-ranking-world-universities |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=Lf1.cuni.cz}}</ref>

=== Subject rankings === According to the QS Subject Ranking, Charles University is among the 150 best universities in the world in geography and linguistics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topuniversities.com/node/2271/ranking-details/university-subject-rankings/2023 |title=Charles University Rankings |publisher=Top Universities |access-date=19 April 2023}}</ref> {| class=wikitable |- !QS Subjects<ref name="universityrankings.ch"/> !! 2011 !! 2018 !2020!!2023 !2025 |- |Natural Sciences||174||{{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;197}} |{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;228}}||{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;161}} |198<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Natural Sciences 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/natural-sciences?search=charles |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |- |Engineering & Technology||325||{{Center|1={{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;401–450}} |{{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;401–450}}||{{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;401–450}} |451–500<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Engineering & Technology 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/engineering-technology?search=charles |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |- |Arts & Humanities||184||{{Center|1={{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;193}} |{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;189}}||{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;143}} |129<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Arts and Humanities 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/arts-humanities?search=Charles |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |- |Social Sciences & Management||229||{{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;302}} |{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;286}}||{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;258}} |326<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Social Sciences & Management 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/social-sciences-management?search=charle |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |- |Life Sciences & Medicine||250||{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;219}} |{{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;224}}||{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;177}} |201<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Life Sciences & Medicine 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/life-sciences-medicine?search=charles |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |- |Medicine | | | |151–200<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Medicine 2023 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/medicine/2023?search=charles |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |185<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2025 |title=QS World University Rankings for Medicine 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/medicine?search=charles |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> |}

{| class=wikitable |- !Shanghai Subject Fields<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/World-University-Rankings/Charles-University-in-Prague.html |title=Charles University in Prague in World Top 500 Universities |publisher=Shanghairanking.com |access-date=12 August 2014 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414191212/http://www.shanghairanking.com/World-University-Rankings/Charles-University-in-Prague.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>!! 2012 !! 2018 |- |Mathematics||151–200||{{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}} |- |Physics||151–200||{{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;76–100}} |}

== International cooperation == Charles University is a founding member of the 4EU+European University Alliance along with the University of Heidelberg, Sorbonne University and the University of Warsaw and a member of the Coimbra Group, the International Association of Universities and the International Forum of Public Universities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mezinárodní spolupráce |url=https://cuni.cz/UK-10986.html |website=Univerzita Karlova |access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref> It participates on Erasmus Programme and has numerous inter-university agreements with the universities around the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Přehled meziuniverzitních dohod |url=https://cuni.cz/uk-12224.html |website=Univerzita Karlova |access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref> In Germany, Charles University cooperates, among others, with the Goethe University Frankfurt. Both cities are linked by a long-lasting partnership agreement.<ref>[http://www2.uni-frankfurt.de/38446421/strategisch1.html ''International cooperation'' – Germany]. Web page of Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main. Date accessed: 22. November 2012</ref>

==People== ===Alumni=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Undivided, before 1882 ! Czech University <br />(1882–1939 and 1945–present) ! German University <br />(1882–1945) |- | * James Bellak, musician * Bernard Bolzano, mathematician and philosopher * Jonas Bondi, rabbi and newspaper editor * Vincenz Czerny, surgeon * Josef Dobrovský, philologist and historian * Samuel Fritz, missionary and cartographer * Anton Gindely, historian * Jan Hus, theologian<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Legacy of John Hus |url=https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/the-legacy-of-john-hus/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=C.S. Lewis Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> * Karel Hynek Mácha, poet and writer<ref>{{Cite web |title=LIS |url=https://lis-map.eu/authors/m%C3%A1cha/discover |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=lis-map.eu}}</ref> * Giovanni Kminek-Szedlo, Egyptologist * Jan Marek Marci, physician * Jan Evangelista Purkyně, physiologist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jan Evangelista Purkyne (1787-1869) {{!}} Embryo Project Encyclopedia |url=https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/jan-evangelista-purkyne-1787-1869 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=embryo.asu.edu |language=en}}</ref> * Agustín Stahl, scientist * Jan Štěkna, Cistercian monk * Ferdinand Stoliczka, paleontologist * Matthias of Trakai, Bishop of Vilnius * Jan Erazim Vocel, poet and historian | * Václav Bělohradský, philosopher<ref>{{Cite web |last=Transitions |date=2000-05-15 |title=Václav Bělohradský |url=https://tol.org/client/article/11795-vclav-blohradsk.html |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Transitions |language=en-US}}</ref> * Antonín Holý, chemist<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Watts |first=Geoff |date=2012-09-15 |title=Antonín Holý |url=https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(12)61527-X/fulltext |journal=The Lancet |language=English |volume=380 |issue=9846 |pages=970 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61527-X |issn=0140-6736}}</ref> * Bohumila Bednářová, astronomer<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bednářová-Nováková |first=Bohumila |date=1964-03-01 |title=A contribution to the question of the sources of corpuscular geomagnetically active solar radiation |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02607049 |journal=Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica |language=en |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=63–71 |doi=10.1007/BF02607049 |bibcode=1964StGG....8...63B |issn=1573-1626|url-access=subscription }}</ref> * Edvard Beneš, sociologist, second president of Czechoslovakia<ref name=":2">{{Cite web | title=Former Presidents: Edvard Benes |url=https://www.hrad.cz/en/president-of-the-cr/former-presidents/edvard-benes |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Prague Castle |language=en}}</ref> * Adalbert Czerny, paediatrician<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adalbert Czerny - Biography, Facts and Pictures |url=https://www.famousscientists.org/adalbert-czerny/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> *Rudolf Rabl, lawyer * Karel Čapek, writer<ref>{{Cite web | title=Karel Čapek |url=https://karelcapek.cz/en/life-and-creation/karel-capek |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Karel Čapek |language=en}}</ref> * Eduard Čech, mathematician * Stanislav Grof, psychologist * 18px|Nobel prize Jaroslav Heyrovský, chemist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1959 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1959/heyrovsky/biographical/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US}}</ref> * Václav Hlavatý, mathematician * Miroslav Holub, writer and immunologist * Milada Horáková, women's rights activist, freedom-fighter * Bohumil Hrabal, writer * Jan Janský, discoverer of blood types * Charles I of Austria, last emperor of Austria and king of Bohemia * Jan Kavan, politician * Luboš Kohoutek, astronomer * Henry Kučera, linguist and cognitive scientist * Martin Kukučín, Slovak writer * Milan Kundera, writer<ref>{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Kate |date=2023-07-12 |title=Milan Kundera obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/12/milan-kundera-obituary |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> * Lyubomir Miletich, academician *Vera Nikodem, molecular biologist * Emanuela Nohejlová-Prátová, numismatist * George Placzek, physicist * Jan Stráský, politician * Ota Šik, economist<ref>{{Cite news |agency = AP |date=2004-08-25 |title=Ota Sik Is Dead at 84; Czech Reform Economist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/25/world/ota-sik-is-dead-at-84-czech-reform-economist.html |access-date=2026-04-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> * Andrej Sirácky, sociologist and philosopher * Vladimír Škutina, writer and playwright * Vavro Šrobár, physician and politician * Milan Rastislav Štefánik, astronomer and politician * Peter Tomka, judge * Ivana Trump, socialite and entrepreneur<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-14 |title=Ivana Trump obituary: model-turned-businesswoman who coined 'The Donald' |url=https://theweek.com/donald-trump/78636/ivana-trump-what-is-the-presidents-ex-wife-doing-now |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> * Vladislav Vančura, writer * Michał Vituška, leader of the ''Black Cats'' * Wilhelm Winkler, statistician * David Navara, chess grandmaster * Li Tieying, Chinese politician<ref>Obuchová, L'ubica. , "History of Charles University in Chinese Language," Archív Orientální 65, no. 1 (1997): 121.</ref> * Ferdinand Blumentritt, ethnographer * Johann Böhm, chemist * Max Brod, writer * 18px|Nobel prize Carl Ferdinand Cori, biochemist<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Carl Ferdinand Cori and Gerty Theresa Cori |url=https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/scientific-biographies/carl-ferdinand-cori-and-gerty-theresa-cori/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Science History Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> * 18px|Nobel prize Gerty Cori, biochemist<ref name=":3" /> * Carl Friedrich Heinrich Credner * Karl Deutsch, social and political scientist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mace |first=Emily |title=Deutsch, Karl W. (1912-1992) {{!}} Harvard Square LibraryHarvard Square Library |url=https://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/biographies/karl-w-deutsch/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Viktor Fischl, poet and diplomat * Karl Hermann Frank * Hermann Grab * Erich Heller * Friedrich Hopfner * Franz Hofmeister * Franz Kafka, writer<ref>{{Cite web | title=Biography |url=https://kafkamuseum.cz/en/university |access-date=2026-04-17 |work= Franz Kafka Museum |language=en}}</ref> * Egon Erwin Kisch, writer * Wilhelm Klein * Paul Kornfeld * Arthur Mahler * August Leopold von Reuss * Rainer Maria Rilke, poet and writer * Johannes Urzidil, writer and journalist * Felix Weltsch * Max Wertheimer, psychologist * Wolf W. Zuelzer, pediatric pathologist | * Bernard Hausner, diplomat and member of the Sejm |}

===Academics=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! undivided before 1882 ! Czech University <br />(1882–1939 and 1945–present) ! German University <br />(1882–1945) |- | * Matthew of Cracow, theologian, diplomat, bishop of Worms * Jan Gebauer * Anton Gindely * Jan Hus, religious reformer<ref name=":1" /> * Jan Jesenius, physician and politician of Slovak origin * Jacob of Mies, theologian of the Bohemian Reformation * Ignatz Mühlwenzel, mathematician and optician * Jan Rokycana, Hussite theologian * František Josef Studnička * Johannes Vodnianus Campanus, playwright * Stanislav Vydra * Bohuslav Balcar * Václav Bělohradský * Edvard Beneš, 2nd president of Czechoslovakia<ref name=":2" /> * Eduard Čech * Karel Domin * Miroslav Fiedler * Jan Gebauer * František Graus * Jan Hajič * Eva Hajičová * Václav Hampl * Miroslav Hroch, historian of nationalism * Bedřich Hrozný, orientalist and linguist * Vojtěch Jarník, mathematician * Konstantin Josef Jireček * Erazim Kohák<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erazim V. Kohák {{!}} Philosophy |url=https://www.bu.edu/philo/profile/erazim-v-kohak/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=www.bu.edu}}</ref> * Karel Kosík<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karel Kosík and the Dialectics of the Concrete |url=https://www.historicalmaterialism.org/book-series/karel-kosik-and-the-dialectics-of-the-concrete/ |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Historical Materialism |language=en}}</ref> * Tomáš Masaryk, philosopher, 1st president of Czechoslovakia<ref>{{Cite web | title=Tomas Garrigue Masaryk: Curriculum Vitae |url=https://www.hrad.cz/en/president-of-the-cr/former-presidents/tomas-garrigue-masaryk/curriculum-vitae |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=Prague Castle |language=en}}</ref> * Vilém Mathesius * Josef Matoušek * Jan Měšťák * Jan Mukařovský, literary theorist, linguist * Alois Musil, orientalist * Milan Nakonečný * Jaroslav Nešetřil, mathematician * Jan Patočka, philosopher * Josef Ladislav Píč * Petr Pokorný, theologian * Antonín Rezek * Vojtěch Šafařík * Stanislav Segert * Petr Sgall * František Šmahel * Vaclav Smil * Věra Sokolová * František Josef Studnička * Pavel Tichý * Dušan Třeštík * Petr Vopěnka * Ivan Wilhelm * Zdenek Herman | * Friedrich Adler * Alfred Amonn * Gustav Becking * Libuše Dušková * 18px|Nobel prize Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albert Einstein |url=https://utf.mff.cuni.cz/Relativity/Einstein.htm |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=utf.mff.cuni.cz}}</ref> * Phillip Frank, theoretical physicist * Gerhard Gentzen * Heinrich Hilgenreiner * Martin Hilský * Otto Kahler * Aleš Klégr, linguist * Gustav Karl Laube * Ernst Mach, theoretical physicist * Günther von Mannagetta und Lërchenau Beck * Hans Petersson * Josef Pfitzner, Nazi politician and historian * Ernst Pringsheim * Ernst Pringsheim Jr. * Justin Quinn, poet, translator, literary critic * Friedrich Reinitzer, botanist and chemist, discoverer of liquid crystals * Samuel Friedrich Stein * Friedrich Weleminsky * Moritz Winternitz * Alfred Woltmann | * Hans Kelsen, jurist, legal philosopher and political philosopher<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Malý |first=Karel |date=2017-12-20 |title=Profesor Hans Kelsen v archivních dokumentech Karlovy univerzity v Praze |url=https://karolinum.cz/en/journal/auc-iuridica/year-63/issue-4/issue-year-2017/article-4463 |journal=AUC Iuridica |language=en |volume=63 |issue=4 |pages=23–29 |doi=10.14712/23366478.2017.18 |doi-access=free }}</ref> |}

==See also== * CDE Poděbrady * List of Charles University rectors * List of medieval universities

== Footnotes == {{Reflist}}

== References == {{refbegin|2}} * F. Čapka: ''[http://libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/main.html Dějiny zemí Koruny české v datech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027064006/http://libri.cz/databaze/dejiny/main.html |date=27 October 2017}}'' {{in lang|cs}} * ''[http://www.libri.cz/databaze/kdo18/ KDO BYL KDO v našich dějinách do roku 1918] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710093258/http://www.libri.cz/databaze/kdo18/ |date=10 July 2017}}'' {{in lang|cs}} * ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080206204618/http://www.psp.cz/eknih/ Digitální parlamentní knihovna]'' {{in lang|cs}} * ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080316031601/http://senat.cz/zajimavosti/tisky/1vo/ Historické senátní tisky]'' {{in lang|cs}} * {{CathEncy|wstitle=University of Prague}} (with a lot of factual mistakes) * Ludmila Hlaváčková: ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080316124541/http://vesmir.cz/clanek.php3?CID=3894 Německá lékařská fakulta v Praze (1883–1945)]'' {{in lang|cs}} * ''[http://www.cuni.cz/IFORUM-2430.html 17. listopad 1939 je opředen mýty, říká historik Petr Koura]'' {{in lang|cs}} * Josef Chalupský: ''[http://www.parazitologie.cz/zpravy/10-4/cl-10.html 17. listopad 1939] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515232220/http://www.parazitologie.cz/zpravy/10-4/cl-10.html |date=15 May 2021}}'' {{in lang|cs}} * ''[http://www.cuni.cz/UK-145.html Littera fundationis Universitatis Carolinae Pragensis. 7. Aprilis 1348]'' {{in lang|la}} * ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=EEABAAAAYAAJ Album, seu Matricula Facultatis juridicae, 1372–1418]'' {{in lang|la}} * ''[http://www.cuni.cz/UK-1584-version1-history_of_UK.doc History of Charles University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326161820/http://www.cuni.cz/UK-1584-version1-history_of_UK.doc |date=26 March 2020}}'' DOC file with pictures * ''[http://johannes-urzidil.cz/ Page about Johannes Urzidil]'' {{in lang|cs}} * [http://www.collegium-carolinum.de/ Official page of Collegium Carolinum] * ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928140421/http://www.mhadie.it/ Measuring Health and Disability in Europe]'' {{in lang|cs}} {{refend}} * Hruška Emil, ''Nacisté a české poklady''. Praha: Epocha, 2016. {{isbn|978-80-7557-005-5}}.

==Further reading== * Chad Bryant: ''Prague in Black. Nazi Rule and Czech Nationalism''. Harvard Press * {{ill|František Kavka|cs|František Kavka}}: ''The Caroline University of Prague. A short history'' * Peter Demetz: ''Prague in Black and Gold. Scenes from the Life of European City''

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikisource portal|Charles University in Prague}} * {{Official website|http://www.cuni.cz/UKENG-1.html}} ** [http://www.cuni.cz/UKENG-181.html Official history of CU] (short) ** [https://web.archive.org/web/20080316193932/http://ipc1.cuni.cz/iis/6.htm From the History of Charles University in Prague] (timeline) ** [http://forum.cuni.cz/foruma/historia.html Notes on the Founding Charter of Charles University, Prague, 7 April 1348] * [http://www.prague-life.com/prague/charles-university A University Fit for a King] – information about history and presence * [http://einstein-website.de/z_biography/prague.html Albert Einstein's years in Prague]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202152111/http://www.einstein-website.de/z_biography/prague.html |date=2 February 2016}}. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091117013559/http://www.ethbib.ethz.ch/exhibit/pauli/mach.html Timeline of Ernst Mach's life] * [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3906253?dopt=Abstract Rise and fall of the German University Eye Clinic in Prague] * [http://veritas.evangnet.cz/download/bulletin7-1998.pdf Universita Karlova od počátků husitství do Bílé hory] (PDF) {{in lang|cs}} * [http://www.bsz-bw.de/depot/media/3400000/3421000/3421308/01_0384.html Prager Professoren 1938–1948] {{in lang|de}} * [https://www.czechuniversities.com/live-and-study/ Live and Study in the Czech republic] {{in lang|en}} * [https://ojs.uclouvain.be/index.php/RETE/article/view/82853 Scholars and Literati at the University of Prague (1348–1800)], in Repertorium Eruditorum Totius Europae/[https://ojs.uclouvain.be/index.php/RETE/index RETE]. {{Charles University}}{{UNICA}}{{4EU+ Alliance}}{{Europaeum}} {{Coimbra Group}} {{International Forum of Public Universities}} {{Public universities in the Czech Republic}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Charles University In Prague}} Category:Charles University Category:Educational institutions in Prague Category:Educational institutions established in the 14th century Category:Universities in the Czech Republic Charles University Faculty of Law (Prague, 1347) Category:1340s establishments in the Holy Roman Empire Category:1348 establishments in Europe Category:14th-century establishments in Bohemia