In 1946, the study started thanks to the first post-war Rector of the University, the philosopher dr. Josef Ludvík Fischer (1894-1973). During World War II, Fischer was in hiding in the Netherlands. After the warm he became i. a. President of the Czechoslovak-Dutch Friednship Society. During the years 1951-1991, the lectureship was not staffed for political reasons.
In 1991, Olomouc Dutch Studies renewed its activities with just eight students, one lecturer, one book and four lessons per week in a little room that has been provided by the Institute for English Studies at Křížkovského 12. In the past period, this very small germ developed into a medium-sized institute with about 90 major students, 40 minor students, nine employees and more than 6,000 books. Compared with Dutch Studies departments outside the Netherlands and Belgium, the institute in Olomouc is one of the medium-sized departments. The Institute Dutch Studies in Olomouc is one of the few independent Institutes of Dutch Studies outside the native area..
Since its renewal in 1991, Dutch Studies in Olomouc grew rapidly. In 1993, the study achieved the status of an "elective foreign language", in 1995 a three-year minor study Dutch started, in 1997 a five-year master program Dutch Philology and in 2000 a three-year bachelor's program focused on terminology, the only one in Central Europe. Since 1999, students have the possibility to achieve a teacher’s certificate for secondary education. It is possible to do a post-gradual study Dutch Philology, ended with a state rigorous exam (Title PhDr.). Since September 1, 2003 Dutch studies is an independent unity.
Today, the Institute offers: three BA programs, two MA programs, one so-called rigorosum-program and a complete PhD-study program. Among the eligible subjects it is possible to study the basic principles of Afrikaans that is taught by a native speaker.
