Micro-certificates gain popularity in Czechia—could they boost your career?

The abridged courses—endorsed by the EU and in many cases offered in English—tend to last for a matter of weeks or months.

Thomas Smith

Written by Thomas Smith Published on 20.01.2025 15:55:00 (updated on 22.01.2025) Reading time: 2 minutes

Micro-certificates, also known as mini-certificates, for short-form and specialized university courses are becoming increasingly popular nationwide, with over 700 being issued in the last six months. Experts say that these diploma-type certificates are particularly appealing to students and professionals looking to enhance their qualifications in a rapidly evolving job market.

Only a few educational institutions offer these short-form courses, which cover topics such as Plastics and Technologies for Society in the 21st Century or Applied Artificial Intelligence for Technical Innovation. 

The courses tend to vary in length from a few days to several months and are offered in both Czech and English. For example, Charles University offers a mix of in-person and distance-learning courses.

The Study in Czechia portal allows users to explore universities offering micro-certificates and view available courses. It has an English-language version.

The micro-certificates are “a flexible tool to demonstrate skills in the [job] market during turbulent and dynamic times,” Martin Dobeš, EU project manager at the National Pedagogical Institute, told Czech Television this week. 

Micro-certificates seem widely accessible, with some courses requiring only a high school diploma. Participants typically bear the costs for these programs, though some courses are currently free of charge during trial phases. 

For example, one major Czech university offers a two-semester course entitled Programming Basics, which is free and conducted in person. On the flipside, Czech Technical University (CTU) offers a three-month real estate development course for around CZK 45,000.

Employers are beginning to recognize the potential of micro-certificates for upskilling their workforce, experts say. However, they caution that broader acceptance will require guaranteed quality and widespread recognition.

“Micro-certificates will only be truly recognized by employers if they have a clearly guaranteed quality and gain general trust and prestige,” Dobeš stated in a blog post for the European Commission. He added that the current emphasis on course completion over skill acquisition limits their immediate impact on the job market.

The EU has been a strong advocate for micro-certificates. They are part of the EU's broader education and employment strategies, including the European Skills Agenda and Digital Education Action Plan. As the program grows, universities and policymakers at home are working to establish the credibility and reputation of micro-certificates. 

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