Anglo-American University Prague: Accreditation and Academic Environment

Anglo-American University (AAU) in Prague stands as the oldest private university in the Czech Republic, distinguished by its offering of BA and MA programs with both Czech and American accreditation. Its uniquely international environment caters to students from over 70 countries, providing a diverse and enriching academic experience.

A Historical Overview

Founded in 1990 as the Anglo-American College by Jansen Raichl and his mother Vlasta Raichlová, shortly after the Velvet Revolution, AAU aimed to blend Central European university traditions with US and British academic principles. In 2010, AAU achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first university outside the United States invited to apply for institutional accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Academic Programs and Structure

AAU offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs entirely in English. The university's academic structure is organized into four Schools of Study:

Business Administration
International Relations & Diplomacy
Humanities & Social Sciences
Journalism, Media & Visual Arts

The university offers 17 undergraduate and graduate programs entirely in English.

Featured Master's Programmes include:

Read also: Anglo-Saxon Culture

International Business and Policy M.A. (Full-time, On-campus, 18 months)
International Relations and Diplomacy M.A. (Full-time, On-campus, 24 months)
Liberal Studies M.A. (Full-time, On-campus, 24 months)

Accreditation Details

All undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Anglo-American University are accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (with the exception of the Law and MBA programs). The Czech Republic's membership in the European Union also gives degrees obtained from AAU a wide recognition throughout Europe.

Most of AAU's programs are accredited by the National Accreditation Bureau in Czech Republic, except the Certificate of Higher Education in Common Law (CertHE Common Law), LLB, LLM, and the Chapman MBA program, which are offered in cooperation with international partners. The university is also accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, an American accrediting agency which evaluates public and private senior colleges and universities. The accreditation was granted in June 2016 for a period of six years. The MBA program offered in cooperation with Chapman University, California is globally accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

AAU is one of few universities outside of the United States to have received accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Campus Life and Facilities

AAU’s main campus is located in the newly restored Thurn-Taxis Palace, a cultural monument dating to the 17th century, previously owned by the German Thurn und Taxis noble family and now under the ownership of the city of Prague. Situated in the beautifully restored Thurn-Taxis palace in Prague’s historic Malá Strana district.

AAU has a university library with a collection of 19,000 books, predominantly in English. AAU students, staff and faculty also have access to the collections held by the Institute of International Relations Prague, the Institute for Contemporary History, Academy of Sciences, and other libraries in Prague. The AAU Library houses the largest English-language book collection of any private university in Prague. It also subscribes to a variety of periodicals and newspapers. The library predominantly specializes in areas studied at AAU: Business Administration, Humanities and Social Sciences, International Relations and Diplomacy, and Law.

Read also: Internship Guide

AAU has an exhibition gallery name |art| SPACE, which displays photography, paintings, installations, and sculptures by faculty and students. Portion of the John Lennon Wall Lennon Wall is AAU's student magazine, which takes its name from the John Lennon Wall, a monument to freedom of expression located near the university.

AAU offers its students the opportunity to live together with their classmates from different countries and cultures right in the heart of Prague. AAU’s housing is within 15 minutes of the AAU Campus in a lively district full of shopping opportunities, parks, and restaurants.

Student Services and Opportunities

The Student Services Center offers new and prospective students the information and assistance required for all types of registration. The Admissions, Registration, and Payments Specialists can all be found in this office. Students with Czech health insurance must announce the beginning, interruption and the end of their studies at AAU to their respective insurance company. In order to do so, a confirmation of studies is needed and can be obtained at the Student Services Center.

AAU students and alumni are invited to participate in this year’s Career Expo to meet potential employers, learn about the labor market and its trends, and how their skills and education fit into it to help them develop their own meaningful career path.

AAU cooperates with many local and international organizations to enrich students practical learning experiences outside of the classroom.

Read also: American Career College Anaheim

With an average of just 15 students per class, AAU places an emphasis on small, interactive classes.

Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.

Research Focus

Anglo-American University is a teaching institution that values faculty research as an integral part of teaching and academic advancement of the University. Research has an important and irreplaceable position within its concepts and structure and is a key objective and necessary condition for successful development of AAU.

Student Life and Community

The diversity at AAU creates a truly exceptional learning experience that is appreciated by our students and sets us apart from many other universities. AAU has a diverse and active student body whose interests stretch well beyond the classroom. We have a student newspaper (At the Lennon Wall) as well as our own Art Yard. A variety of early evening events featuring local artists, musicians and writers is hosted in the historic space of our Library. Regular sports activities and student clubs are run under the auspices of our Student Council.

Sports facilities include a basketball club and a football program.

Addressing Concerns

In response to A2larm.cz's articles alleging sexual harassment at AAU, WSCUC, the university's American accreditation body, reviewed AAU's rules and procedures in response to a complaint filed by a third party.

Global Recognition

The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence.

Student Reviews

Lukas Pastorello rated 4 out of 5 stars: "The university is in a great location, right in the heart of the old town, the commute is beautiful and easily accessible by public transport, which is incredibly cheap in Prague."
Maxwell rated 5 out of 5 stars: "Anglo American University cultivates a welcoming and diverse community, offering students a wealth of educational resources and opportunities to support their academic and personal development. This holistic approach equips students to thrive in every facet of their lives."
Tomas rated 4 out of 5 stars: "Anglo-American University in Prague presents a blend of challenges and triumphs. A hidden gem is the startup competition, where students can experiment with running a company. Mentorship from local industry experts offers both technical insights and cultural navigation tips for Czech life. Prague's rich history and architecture serve as an endless source of…"

tags: #Anglo #American #University #Prague #accreditation