In Ostrava.
The University of London Recognised Teaching Centre in Ostrava is the sole institution of its kind not only in the Czech Republic but also in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. Situated at the heart of the European Union and within the Schengen Area, Ostrava holds a strategic geographical position.
Ostrava is a statutory, regional, and university city located in the Moravian-Silesian Region of north-eastern Czech Republic, near the borders with Poland and Slovakia. It is the third-largest city in the Czech Republic in terms of population and area, the second-largest city in Moravia, and the largest in Bohemian Silesia. With a population of approximately 300,000, the Ostrava metropolitan area expands to nearly one million residents, making it the second-largest urban agglomeration in the country after Prague. Together with Katowice in Poland, it forms the Silesian Metropolitan Area, encompassing 5.3 million inhabitants.
According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, the Czech Republic is ranked among the 12 safest countries globally, with a negligible risk of terrorism. Ostrava itself is recognised as the most dynamically developing city in the Czech Republic. The city is currently undertaking, or is poised to begin, several cultural, sports, and scientific-educational projects designed by world-renowned architects. Notable developments include a new philharmonic hall, a science education centre and library, sports stadiums, and various residential and cultural initiatives.
Ostrava is home to a vibrant cultural scene, including numerous theatres, galleries, and cultural centres. Prominent cultural events hosted in the city include the Colours of Ostrava and Beats for Love music festivals, the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival, the St. Wenceslas Music Festival, and the Shakespeare Festival. The city is also a hub for top-tier research, exemplified by the IT4Innovations supercomputing centre and a cutting-edge biotechnology research centre.
In the realm of sports, Ostrava hosts the prestigious Golden Spike athletics meet annually. The city was named the European City of Sport in 2014 and has a history of hosting major international events. These include the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in 2004, 2015, and 2024 (co-hosted with Prague), the European Figure Skating Championships in 2017, and the IAAF Continental Cup in 2018. Additionally, Ostrava co-hosted the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 2019 and 2020.
Ostrava is served by Leoš Janáček Ostrava International Airport, the third-largest airport in the Czech Republic. It is the only airport in the country accessible by passenger trains and offers regular international connections, including direct flights to London and Warsaw. The capital city of Prague is conveniently reachable by high-speed train within three hours.