Higher education in Poland
The academic year begins on October 1 and ends around mid-June. The studies are divided into semesters: winter and summer.
The condition for continuing education is passing a semester, i.e. receiving a positive grade in all the subjects that the student attended in a given semester.
One semester lasts approximately 4– 5 months.
Students are accounted for each subject in a semester – during the so-called exam session they must pass exams or obtain credits.
After graduation, graduation without submitting a diploma thesis (i.e. obtaining an entry confirming passing all exams and passing the subjects required by the study program), submitting a diploma thesis (bachelor’s, engineering, master’s) and passing the final exam, the university grants the student a professional title (bachelor’s, engineer’s, master’s).
Types of Studies and Academic Degrees in Poland
There are several types of studies in Poland. They differ in terms of the conditions that a student must meet in order to be admitted, the length of studies and the professional degrees that the student can receive upon completion.
First-cycle studies – professional studies that prepare for work in a specific profession and end with obtaining a bachelor’s or engineer’s degree.
Second-cycle studies – they are professional studies that end with obtaining the title of Master, Master’s degree in engineering or an equivalent title (e.g. the title of doctor, dentist, veterinarian).
First-cycle studies last from 6 to 7 semesters. In order to undertake such studies, one must graduate from high school and get a high school diploma (in Poland or abroad).
Second-cycle studies last 3– 4 semesters. Second-cycle studies require completion of first-cycle studies (in Poland or abroad).
Uniform Master’s degree studies – studies which end with obtaining the title of Master, Master of Science or an equivalent title. Studying at uniform Master’s studies lasts from 9 to 12 semesters and requires a high school diploma obtained in Poland or abroad.
The uniform master’s degree studies are available in such fields as, inter alia, pharmacy, law, psychology, medicine.
Doctoral and Postgraduates
Third-cycle studies, doctoral studies that enable obtaining advanced knowledge in a specific field or discipline. The studies prepare for obtaining a doctoral degree, a student may receive it after defending a doctoral dissertation.
A master’s degree obtained in Poland or abroad is a prerequisite for undertaking these studies; postgraduate studies, i.e. studies aimed at deepening knowledge in a given field or discipline of science. Postgraduate studies last from 2 to 4 semesters. Upon graduation, students receive a postgraduate certificate (not a diploma), but do not obtain any professional or academic title.
Foreigners – provided they meet the requirements for admission and undergoing studies – can study at all the above-mentioned types of studies.
