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Summer can be spent in many ways. At the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, it is not a holiday camp instructor giving directions, but an animator with films to their name, an economist explaining logistics through real-life examples, an archaeologist working with drones in the field, or a scientist who analyses a world invisible to the naked eye. UWB summer schools are not suburban hobby clubs or trial courses. They are led by people who truly live and actively practise their disciplines.

International Summer Language School / 13–31 July 2026

The 36th International Summer Language School offers courses in Portuguese, German, English, Italian, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Czech for foreigners and, newly, Japanese and Korean. Participants of all ages can choose from courses at all language levels, both general and professionally oriented. Courses last one, two or three weeks, with some offered in morning-only or afternoon-only formats. Children aged 6 to 11 can once again join an active English day camp. Popular English courses for teenagers aged 12 to 17, as well as French courses for youth aged 12 to 17, are also available.

New this year, in addition to Japanese and Korean, are German courses for seniors aged 60+. “After last year’s strong interest among seniors in English courses, we decided to offer German as well. The added value is that participants feel comfortable learning among peers of a similar age. This helps prevent situations where someone might hesitate to enrol simply because they feel uncomfortable being in a classroom with much younger students,” says Zdeňka Hončarová, Chief Coordinator of ISLS. Detailed information, including the price list, is available at www.isls.zcu.cz, where applications can also be submitted. Applications are open from 1 March to 19 May.

Contact: Bc. Zdeňka Hončarová / zhoncar@ujp.zcu.cz/ +420 737 141 096

ArtCamp / 13–31 July 2026

For three weeks in July, the Sutnar Faculty will once again host summer courses for the public. The International Summer School of Art, ArtCamp, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Each year, more than 400 art enthusiasts aged 15+ take part. Applications open on 3 March, and courses fill up quickly. The most popular subjects traditionally include animation, figure drawing, illustration and digital media.

Every summer, students from the Czech Republic and abroad come to Sutnar to create together in studios and outdoors under the guidance of faculty teachers and guest artists. ArtCamp also includes a public programme of exhibitions, presentations and meetings.

“The 20th edition of ArtCamp will offer more than forty courses over three weeks, the chance to gain new skills and experience the atmosphere that attracts participants from across the Czech Republic and abroad. We will celebrate the anniversary, create and enjoy summer at Sutnar,” said ArtCamp Director Lenka Kodýtková. The wide range of courses is suitable for beginners, advanced participants and current or prospective art students alike.

Applications are open until 31 May 2026. Detailed information and the application form are available on the ArtCamp website.

Contact: PhDr. Lenka Kodýtková / lkody@fdu.zcu.cz/ +420 732 636 707

Homo Economicus / 13–17 July 2026

For the fifteenth time, primary school pupils and lower secondary grammar school students can apply for the Faculty of Economics summer school Homo Economicus, held from 13 to 17 July 2026 at the Bory campus in Pilsen and in Cheb in the Karlovy Vary Region.

This year’s subtitle, Logistics in Motion: When the Economy Moves, shows children that economics is not only about numbers, but above all about intelligent decision-making, cooperation and movement. For five days, participants symbolically become university students and pass through five “years” of study – from the history of transport to modern logistics systems that connect the world today. The programme includes team games, interactive workshops, outdoor activities and a thematic excursion. “We look forward to welcoming new faces as well as returning students. The fact that many of them come back repeatedly is the best feedback we could receive,” said organiser Olga Martinčíková Sojková. The application deadline is 19 June 2026. More information is available at lsfek.zcu.cz.

Contact Pilsen and Cheb: Zuzana Marie Hladká / lsfek@fek.zcu.cz / +420 377 633 025

JuniorFEL / 24–28 August 2026

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering is preparing another edition of JuniorFEL at the end of August. The five-day summer school is intended for lower secondary school pupils and students from the first four years of multi-year grammar schools interested in technology and modern technologies. Participants will explore how electricity works in everyday life, what causes lightning and how to assemble a simple electric circuit. The programme also includes activities focused on transport, robotics and practical tasks related to electricity generation.

“The JuniorFEL Summer University offers children the opportunity to discover electrical engineering and electronics through practical demonstrations and work in the faculty’s specialised laboratories. The programme is designed to introduce technical fields while allowing participants to experience the university environment,” added Iveta Pangrácová from the organising team. The summer school concludes with a graduation ceremony and diploma presentation attended by parents and partners. Applications can be submitted via juniorfel.zcu.cz by 30 April at the latest. Confirmation and detailed participation information will be sent in May. Participation fee: CZK 1,200.

Contact: Bc. Martina Nováková / novakmar@fel.zcu.cz / junior@fel.zcu.cz / +420 377 634 011

SingleCell Summer School / 2–10 September 2026

The SingleCell Summer School, intended for PhD students and graduates, focuses on all key steps in immune cell processing, sample preparation and data analysis. The programme was established through long-term cooperation between Charles University and the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, as well as London South Bank University, the Medical University of Vienna, the University of Warsaw, the University of Pennsylvania and the CiRT consortium.

This nine-day intensive practical course is suitable for secondary school and university students interested in medicine and medical data processing. The programme covers experimental design, sample selection and preparation, quality control, understanding NGS data formats, sequence editing, read mapping, data interpretation and troubleshooting.

Contact: Ing. Lucie Houdová, Ph.D. / houdina@kky.zcu.cz / +420 377 632 544

Campo Arduino / 3–7 August 2026

Campo Arduino is a cybernetics summer camp organised by the Faculty of Applied Sciences. It introduces participants to basic tasks using selected robotic kits. “On the first day, we get to know the robot and take the first steps. In the following days, we gradually learn to use various sensors and teach the robot to operate independently,” said Miroslav Jiřík from FAS UWB.

Each day includes several small competitions contributing to the overall camp game. The week culminates in a major Friday challenge where teams demonstrate what they have learned. Friday afternoon is traditionally open to family members, who can see the results and support participants. The first round of applications closes on 20 March.

Participation fee: CZK 3,400 (includes lunch and snacks).
More information and applications: campoarduino.zcu.cz

Contact: Ing. Miroslav Jiřík, Ph.D. / mjirik@kky.zcu.cz / +420 377 632 569

Campo Lampone Hackathon / 17–19 August 2026

After eight years as a summer school, Campo Lampone at the Faculty of Applied Sciences is transforming into its first-ever hackathon. Held in the third week of August, it focuses on autonomous driving, transport and smart cities. Participants, individually or in teams, can choose whether to program autonomous model cars, manage traffic in a model city or build a barrier system capable of automatic license plate recognition using a camera.

The hackathon is primarily intended for secondary school students. The maximum capacity is 30 participants. Participation fee: CZK 1,500. More information and registration are available at campolampone.zcu.cz.

Contact: Ing. Petr Neduchal, Ph.D. / neduchal@kky.zcu.cz / +420 377 632 145

GeoCamp / 24–26 August 2026

GeoCamp is a summer school organised by the Department of Geomatics at the Faculty of Applied Sciences for lower secondary and secondary school students. Participants can look forward to geodetic measurements and field surveying, an introduction to geographic information systems, quadtree indexing and other engaging projects, including a visit to the Techmania Science Center in Pilsen. The main goal is to foster interest in geomatics through experiential learning. Applications are open until 30 May or until capacity is reached.

There is no participation fee. More information is available on the GeoCamp website.

Contact: Bc. Petra Bláhová / blahovap@kgm.zcu.cz

Summer School of Informatics / 24–28 August 2026

The Summer School of Informatics at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, is a week-long educational programme designed to promote computer science among secondary school students and prospective applicants. Participants explore two main tracks: artificial intelligence and computer graphics, including game development and virtual reality, both led by faculty members and experienced students. The programme is interactive and includes lectures, team-based practical tasks and technical workshops.

“The Summer School of Informatics at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen is an intensive one-week programme that opens the world of modern technologies to secondary school students, from artificial intelligence to computer graphics. It helps them prepare for university studies or a future career in IT,” explained programme head Libor Váša. Applications are open until 30 June or until capacity is reached. Participation fee: CZK 2,500. Information and the registration form are available on the website.

Contact: prof. Ing. Libor Váša, Ph.D. / lvasa@kiv.zcu.cz/ +420 377 632 424

STAV FAV Camp / 7–8 September 2026

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is once again organising its civil engineering summer school, STAV FAV Camp. Held at the beginning of the academic year, the programme is intended for secondary school students, not only those specialising in construction. Participants can expect two days of lectures, excursions, workshops and competitions. Applications are open until 14 June. Information and the registration form are available on the website. Participation fee: CZK 100.

Contact: Ing. Jan Kubát, Ph.D. / jkubat@kme.zcu.cz / +420 777 214 727

Summer School eNCéčko – Beginners / 13–17 July 2026
Summer School eNCéčko – Advanced / 17–21 August 2026

The eNCéčko Summer School offers secondary school students (3rd and 4th year) and grammar school students the opportunity to enter the world of CNC technologies, learn to programme advanced manufacturing machines, and gain valuable experience for further study and professional practice. Organised by the Department of Machining Technology at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the programme is expanding this year following a successful first edition. It now offers two terms and is open to both complete beginners and to advanced participants with prior experience.

“As last year, we will cooperate with SolidCAM, enabling participants to obtain an internationally recognised certificate. We will do our best to help them achieve it,” said Jiří Hruška, lecturer and FME student. Applications are open until 30 June. Participation fee: CZK 1,000. More information and registration are available on the eNCéčko website.

Contact: Ing. Lucie Brůžková / bruzkov@fst.zcu.cz/ +420 735 715 854

3D Print Camp / 24–28 August 2026

The 3D Print Camp is intended for secondary school and grammar school students. “At the camp, creative students who enjoy designing and making things will learn the basics of 3D modelling, design their own pendant, accessory or gaming gadget, prepare it for printing, print it and take it home. They will also learn how a 3D printer works, what materials are used and what can be printed,” described Zdeněk Chval, Head of the Department of Machine Design at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

The summer school will open with a minimum of ten participants. Applications are open until 30 June. Participation fee: CZK 2,000. More information is available on the website.

Contact: Ing. Lucie Brůžková / bruzkov@fst.zcu.cz/ +420 735 715 854

Summer School of Aerial Archaeology / June 2026

The first Summer School of Aerial Archaeology will take place at Sazená Airport. University archaeology students will receive practical training using drones and aerial platforms acquired by the recently established Centre of Digital Archaeology at the Faculty of Arts. The programme is also open to participants from other universities in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Contact: prof. PhDr. Martin Gojda, CSc., DSc. / gojda@ff.zcu.cz

AI Summer Philosophy School  / 24–28 August 2026

The AI Summer Philosophy School, organized by the Department of Philosophy at the University of West Bohemia, offers an intensive five-day program during the last week of August for high school students who want to look beyond the media hype surrounding artificial intelligence. They can expect critical thinking, boundary-pushing questions, and genuine philosophical problems.

The program will be interactive: work in small groups, mock debates, analysis of specific cases, and debate challenges. “Among other things, we will explore what it actually means to think, understand, or be conscious, and whether these words can meaningfully be applied to current language models like ChatGPT. We will open a debate on whether AI is a tool, a partner, or a future competitor,” explained Michal Hubálek, an organizer from the Faculty of Arts at the University of West Bohemia. 

Contact: Michal Hubálek, Ph.D. /  hubalek.michal.42@gmail.com

English Unleashed / Speak UP! / July 2026

The Faculty of Arts is preparing a summer school for secondary school students focused on contemporary British and American society, literature, Anglophone popular culture and the interpretation of academic texts. The language of instruction is English. The opening of the summer school depends on funding from the Pilsen Region. Further details will be published in May.

Contact: PhDr. Ivona Mišterová, Ph.D. / yvonne@ff.zcu.cz

Summer of Science at NTC / Summer Holidays 2026

For the third time, the New Technologies Research Centre (NTC) is opening its laboratories to secondary school students. The Summer of Science programme offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research in quantum technologies, energy storage, and bio-inspired materials through paid internships. This year’s edition also expands cooperation with other faculties of the University of West Bohemia.

Last year, 14 selected students completed the programme. Applicants are selected based on motivation letters. NTC will publish details about topics and internship dates at the turn of April and May.

Contact: Blanka Čechurová / bcechuro@ntc.zcu.cz / +420 377 634 784

University of the Third Age Summer School / 13–24 July 2026

Participants of the University of the Third Age at UWB will once again have the opportunity to spend time with peers and take part in activities led by university lecturers they meet during the academic year. The programme includes excursions around the Pilsen Region, a photography workshop, a guided historical walk through Pilsen, exercise sessions, archaeological fieldwork and an art course in the field. The detailed programme and enrolment information will be published in May. More information will be available at u3v.zcu.cz.