In this part of the website you can find details on international projects which the Masaryk University Centre for International Cooperation coordinates or participates in.
EDUcardS
The EDUcardS strategic partnership in higher education is presented by the EDUC alliance, which is constituted of five Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from four countries: The Czech Republic, France, Germany and Italy.
The objective is to set up, in the mobility space that the EDUC alliance offers, the European Student Card (ESC) and to test a methodological framework for its deployment during an experimental phase, to identify any potential difficulty and to come up with solutions to overcome potential problems. Beyond its implementation in an alliance with a total of 160,000 students, the use of the ESC will be evaluated, experienced and will encompass the provision of several related services such as access to libraries, restaurants, housing and public transport provided by university cities.
What is European Student Card?
European Student Card (ESC) is a regular student card issued by the home institution upgraded with a European scope. Its principle is that anywhere in Europe, your student status will be recognized by another European institution. This is done by:
- graphic identity thanks to a European hologram on the student card, which allows a quick visual check
- European Student Identifier (ESI) which identifies the student across all applications and services developed
- QR code which allows the student's "student status" and its validity to be certified via a smartphone or a simple QR code reader
Its objective is to facilitate your mobility in Europe and give you access to university services as simple as possible and to allow:
- simplified access to services and student tariffs.
- simplified administrative procedures (data exchange between institutions)
- access to student life services (university restaurant, student room, libraries, etc.)
- access to city services at student rates (transport, sport, culture)
Outgoing students from MU
Since academic year 2022/2023 all new Masaryk University students will receive the European Student Card equipped by QR code and hologram, though the MU card infrastructure is exclusively based on chip technology.
ESC at Masaryk University - ISIC
In case of Masaryk University students, the European Student Card is represented by International Student Identity Card (ISIC) with added European identificators. ISIC card basically allows access to all services at MU such as entering buildings, lecture halls, libraries, and other premises, and they also serve for identification in catering system of university restaurants and when using copy machines, printers, and other devices.
Your student identity card has the following functions at Masaryk University:
- student identification and MU affiliation
- access to buildings and classrooms
- access to university computer rooms
- access to libraries and library services
- access to copy and print services in libraries and computer rooms
- access to catering services in university canteens.
How to obtain your ESC/ISIC
The first release and all other card-related actions (re-issue after change of personal information or loss or damage to the card) is for the students provided by the Office for Studies of the relevant faculty. The first issue of the ID card usually takes place automatically at the beginning of the study at MU and is free of charge. The condition for issuing the card is to photograph the applicant. The student collects the completed card at the authorized workplace; unless otherwise stated, the card is usually ready within 3-4 days from taking the photograph.
In order to obtain an ISIC student identity card, you need to:
- enrol in studies
- obtain an official photograph. Identity card photographs are taken at enrolment, but you may arrange an alternate time with the Institute of Computer Science
- order your identity card via the MU Information System (Czech only) and pay the associated fee (if applicable)
With your ISIC card, you have been automatically given a European Student Identificator as well as European Student Card Number (ESCN) for your card. In order to fully activate your also your ESC card, you need to:
- give consent for data transfer to European Student Card Router via MU Information System. Your consent can be again withdrawn anytime at the same link.
- ESI, your e-mail address and academic level will be sent to the Router automatically
You may find detailed “How to” and “FAQ” section at IT MUNI dedicated website in case you need any help with your card and related issues at MU. You can also see how the ESC data transfer works through European Student Card Initiative website.
External use of ESC/ISIC
External services and discounts accessible to MU students can be found at ISIC website. ISIC holders are eligible for a number of student discounts outside of the university, including discounts in restaurants, cafés, bakeries, outdoor sport shops, pharmacies, optical shops, museums, galleries, bookshops, copy centres, selected driving schools, transportation providers such as Student Agency, etc. The ISIC is valid in over 100 countries worldwide and may thus be used for discounts around the globe. This may be further extended by the European Student Card recognition.
An ISIC card issued by MU is only valid outside of the university until 31 December of the following year. In order to continue enjoying its benefits, it is necessary to acquire a revalidation sticker. The sticker may be ordered via the IS MU Shopping Centre. It is valid for 16 months, i.e. from 1 September to 31 December of the following year.
Use of ESC/ISIC at foreign universities
MU, in partnership with the universities of the EDUC Alliance, is currently experimenting with the ESC and its interoperability abroad within Erasmus+ EDUCardS project. The aim is to allow access to university services and student life throughout Europe with a single card. The current focus is at library access and provided services. If activated, your card is currently ready to be used as anticipated and it depends on the university infrastructure whether they have developed related services. You should be aware that ESC is relatively new agenda and therefore not many institutions can provide sufficient services.
Besides EDUC Alliance, you can also check institutions that are connected to ESC or cooperating on the implementation of those and ask for available services while undertaking your mobility there. The list of institutions is available at European Student Card Initiative site.
Incoming students to MU
While carrying out student mobility at MU, all incoming students are issued a MU ISIC card. It serves as the MU chip card as well as a worldwide-recognized student card. You will need it among other things for your identification within MU, for catering services and for rent payment with the SUPO system. As such, this card allows the access to all services of MU available to regular MU students.
The card costs 380 CZK, the payment is to be made online in the IS Shopping centre (instructions usually sent to students by e-mail). Students of the following programmes (CESP, TESOL TE, ISEP and ISEP-Direct) will be given the card for free. Students coming to Masaryk University through other programmes (e.g. CEEPUS, MIBP PECO, freemover, etc.) will receive this card at the international department of the particular faculty that has arranged their period of study here.
This card allows you to:
- buy meals in the student canteens. You have to deposit money on your card first – this can be done in the canteen. See the Catering Services.
- access the Central Computer Centre in the building of the former Faculty of Medicine at Komenského nám. 2.
- print and make photocopies at faculties. You will have to deposit money on your card first, using devices called "SUPO machine” (top-up machine). The account where you deposit money on your card for the photocopies is different than the one for the canteens, but the same as the one for the dormitories. You can transfer money from one to the other here. The minimum amount that must be deposited at the beginning is 50 CZK.
- enter rooms at the university that are ISIC access-only, including the dormitories.
- borrow books both in-house and home
MU as EDUCardS project member has been experimenting with implementation of ESC cards from other institutions but due to MU chip-based card reader infrastructure, it is now unfortunately impossible to implement fully all the services.
While presenting your ESC card, this can be visually recognized and allows you to use basic library services such as access to university libraries and using the library study rooms, access to library catalogue and search engine, and borrowing books in-house for your studies. We hope to be able to provide more services for ESC holders in future.
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