INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
Uniwersytety (University)
Politechniki (Technical University)
Akademie Medyczne (Academy of Medicine)
Akademie Pedagogiczne (Teacher Training Academy)
Akademie Rolnicze (Academy of Agriculture)
Akademie Ekonomiczne (Academy of Economics)
Akademie Muzyczne, Sztuk Pięknych,Teatralne i Filmowe (Academy of Music, Fine Arts,Theatre,and Cinematography)
Wyższe Szkoły Pedagogiczne (Teacher Training School)
Akademie Wychowania Fizycznego (Academy of Physical Education)
Akademie Teologiczne (Academy of Theology)
Szkoły Morskie (Merchant Navy School)
Szkoły Wojskowe (Military School)
Schools supervised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration
Państwowe Wyższe Szkoły Zawodowe (State School of Higher Professional Education)
Niepaństwowe Szkoły Wyższe (Non-State School)
Niepaństwowe Wyższe Szkoły Zawodowe (Non-State School of Higher Professional Education)
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Świadectwo dojrzałości
Świadectwo ukończenia (of a given kind of secondary school)
Dyplom ukończenia szkoły pomaturalnej
Dyplom uzyskania tytułu zawodowego
Świadectwo ukończenia szkoły policealnej
Dyplom ukończenia studiów wyższych zawodowych
Inżynier
Inżynier architekt
Licencjat
Licencjat pielęgniarstwa
Licencjat położnictwa
Dyplom ukończenia jednolitych studiów magisterskich
Dyplom ukończenia studiów wyższych
Lekarz
Lekarz dentysta
Lekarz stomatolog
Lekarz weterynarii
Magister
Magister edukacji
Magister inżynier
Magister inżynier architekt
Magister pielęgniarstwa
Magister połoŻnictwa
Magister sztuki
Dyplom ukończenia uzupełniających studiów magisterskich
Świadectwo ukończenia studiów podyplomowych
Doktor
Doktor sztuki
Kwalifikacje pierwszego stopnia
Doktor habilitowany
Doktor habilitowany sztuki
Kwalifikacje drugiego stopnia
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 18
Structure of school system:
Pre-Primary
Type of school providing this education: Nursery School (Przedszkole) or Nursery Division at Primary Schools
Length of program in years: 1
Age level from: 6 to: 7
Primary
Type of school providing this education: Primary School (Szkoła Podstawowa)
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 7 to: 13
Certificate/diploma awarded: Świadectwo ukończenia szkoły podstawowej - Certificate of Completion of Primary School Education
Basic Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Basic Vocational School (Zasadnicza Szkoła Zawodowa)
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 16 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Świadectwo ukończenia szkoły zasadniczej (Certificate of Completion of Education in the Basic Vocational School)
Lower Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Gymnasium (Gimnazjum)
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 13 to: 16
Certificate/diploma awarded: Świadectwo ukończenia gimnazjum (Certificate of Completion of Education in the Gymnasium)
Technical Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Technical Secondary School (Technikum)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 16 to: 20
Certificate/diploma awarded: Świadectwo dojrzalości technikum (Maturity Certificate of the Technical Secondary School) or świadectwo ukończenia technikum (Certificate of Completion of Education in the Technical Secondary School)
Upper Secondary
Type of school providing this education: General Lyceum (Liceum Ogólnokształcące)
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 16 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Świadectwo dojrzalości liceum ogólnokształcącego (Maturity Cetificate of the General Lyceum) or świadectwo ukończenia liceum ogólnokształcącego (Certificate of Completion of Education in the General Lyceum)
Vocational Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Specialized Lyceum (Liceum Profilowane)
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 16 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Świadectwo dojrzałości liceum profilowanego (Maturity Certificate of the Specialized Lyceum) or świadectwo ukończenia liceum profilowanego (Certificate of Completion of Education in the Specialized Lyceum)
School education:
Before the 1999 reform, primary education lasted for 8 years and led to the świadectwo ukonczenia szkoly podstawowej (Certificate of Completion of Primary School Education). Secondary general education was provided in the four-year general lyceum (liceum ogólnokształcące). Secondary vocational education was provided by a range of schools , i.e. four-year liceum ( lyceum), liceum zawodowe (vocational lyceum), liceum techniczne (technical lyceum) and a 5-year technikum (secondary technical school). The graduates of all secondary schools were awarded either the świadectwo dojrzałości (Maturity Certificate of a given kind of secondary school) or the świadectwo ukończenia (Certificate of Completion of Education in the given kind of secondary school). In addition, there were basic vocational schools (zasadnicza skola zawodowa) whose graduates obtained the świadectwo ukończenia szkoly zasadniczej (Certificate of Completion of Education in the basic vocational school). After the 1999 reform, 6-year primary schools and 3-year gymnasia were introduced. Secondary education is provided in 3-year general lyceums (liceum ogólnokształcące) or in vocational secondary schools such as the 3-year liceum profilowane (specialized lyceum) and 4-year technikum (secondary technical school). In addition, there are 2-3-year basic vocational schools (zasdnicza szkoła zawodowa) whose graduates obtain the świadectwo ukonczenia zasadniczej szkoły zawodowej (Certificate of Completion of Education in the Basic Vocational School). The secondary school credentials of the former system will be issued until 2005. In the transition period, both the former and the new types of secondary school will co-exist. The credential that gives right to access higher education before and after the reform is the świadectwo dojrzałości issued after completion of education in a secondary school and passing the Maturity examination (egzamin dojrzałości/matura).The only type of post-primary school that does not give access to higher education is the basic vocational school, both in the old and new system. The graduates of these schools may continue their education in different types of complementary secondary schools: liceum uzupełniające (complementary lyceum) or technikum uzupełniające (complementary technical secondary school). Following completion of education in these schools they can pass the maturity examination and obtain a Maturity Certificate and thus become eligible for entrance to higher education
Higher education:
The present organization of higher education is based on the law on higher education of July 27th, 2005. The higher education system comprises both public and non-public institutions. Before 1990, there were only state higher education institutions (with the exception of the Catholic University of Lublin). The Higher Education Act, introduced in 1990, enabled the creation of non-state higher education institutions. When the Schools of Higher Professional Education Act came into force in 1997, courses of higher professional education were created. Thus, at present, there are both university-type and non-university type (professional education) institutions in Poland. Graduates of the first level courses (studia pierwszego stopnia) are awarded the professional title of licencjat or inżynier (or equivalent) after 3-4 years' study. Graduates of the second level courses (studia drugiego stopnia) are awarded the professional title of magister or equivalent after 1.5 to 2-year complementary magister level courses. There are also uniform 5-year magister level courses (jednolite studia magisterskie). Most higher education institutions are under the responsibility of the Ministry of National Education and Science. Some, however, are under the control of other competent Ministries: Ministry of Health (Academies of Medicine) and Ministry of Culture (Academies of Music, Fine Arts, Theatre, and Film Studies). There are also schools that are supervised by the Ministry of National Defence (military schools), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration (main school of fire service, school of police) and the Ministry of Infrastructure (merchant navy schools).The total number of state higher education institutions is 129 and there are 303 non-state higher education institutions. The credential giving access to higher education is the świadectwo dojrzałości (Maturity Certificate) of a given kind of secondary school. Admission to higher education is based on the result of the Maturity examination. Higher education institutions may also organize entrance examinations and check the knowledge and abilities which were not tested in the Maturity examination.
Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Act on Academic Titles and Degrees of 14th March Year: 2003
Concerns: Requirements for awarding the academic degrees of Doktor, Doktor Habilitowany, Doktor sztuki, Doktor habilitowany sztuki and the academic title of Profesor.
Decree: Law on Higher Education of July 27th Year: 2005
Concerns: Civilian, state higher schools; non-public schools
Academic year:
Classes from: Oct to: Jun
Long vacation from: 1 Jul to: 30 Sep
Languages of instruction: Polish
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
Non-university level education in Poland is provided by szkoły policealne and szkoły pomaturalne. The szkoły policealne train students in a variety of vocational fields. The graduates obtain the świadectwo ukończenia szkoły policealnej (certificate of completion of education in post-secondary school), and can then take a vocational examination and obtain the dyplom uzyskania tytułu zawodowego (vocational title diploma). The vocational training in this type of schools lasts between 1 and 2.5 years, depending on the field of studies. The szkoły pomaturalne train only nurses and midwives, and the graduates are awarded the dyplom ukończenia szkoły pomaturalnej (diploma of completion of education in the post-secondary school). The duration of education is 2.5 years. Since 1999 the training of nurses and midwives is organized as higher studies.
University level studies:
University level first stage:
First level studies are organized both by university-type higher education institutions and the institutions of higher professional education (wyższe szkoły zawodowe). The graduates are awarded the professional title of licencjat (after 3 years of study) or inżynier (after 3.4 or 5 years of study) following a thesis or diploma project. Until 2004, they obtained the dyplom ukończenia studiów wyższych (diploma of completion of higher studies). Since 2005 the name of the qualification awarded is dyplom ukończenia wyższych studiów zawodowych (diploma of completion of higher professional studies). The graduates can continue their education at university-type institutions and non-university-type institutions in complementary courses of the second level and obtain the title of magister or equivalent. The professional title of licencjat has been awarded since 1992. Additionally, since 2005 the title of licencjat położnictwa is awarded to graduates of higher professional studies in midwifery and the title of licencjat pielęgniarstwa in nursing. The graduates of higher professional studies in architecture are awarded the title of inżynier architekt.Military schools and the School of Police award the title of oficer dyplomowany to the graduates of first level studies. The Main School of Fire Service grants them the title of inżynier pożarnictwa.
University level second stage:
The studies of the second stage are organized in the university-type and non-university-type higher education institutions as uniform studies lasting for 5-6 years or as complementary studies lasting for 1.5 - 2 years. They are offered to holders of the professional titles of licencjat or inżynier or equivalent. The graduates are awarded the title of magister or one of its equivalents after submitting and defending a thesis or a diploma project (with the exception of studies in medicine). Until 2004, the graduates of magister-level courses obtained the dyplom ukończenia studiów wyższych (diploma of completion of higher studies). Since 2005, the graduates of uniform magister-level studies obtain the dyplom jednolitych studiów magisterskich (diploma of completion of uniform master-level studies) and the graduates of complementary magister-level courses obtain the dyplom ukończenia uzupełniających studiów magisterskich (diploma of completion of complementary magister-level studies). The holders of the title of magister or its equivalent may continue their education at postgraduate level.The professional titles that are equivalent to the title of magister are awarded by different kinds of second level higher education after studies usually lasting for 5 years.
University level third stage:
The academic degree of doktor can be obtained in two ways: by students of third level (postgraduate) studies that usually last for 3-4 years, or by persons who combine their professional work with academic research and the elaboration of a dissertation. All candidates must hold the professional title of magister or equivalent. To be awarded the degree of doktor, the candidate must submit and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation that is assessed positively by two supervisors and pass doctorate examinations.The degree of doktor can be conferred either by higher education institutions or by research institutes entitled to award it. Since March 2003, the name of the qualification awarded as an equivalent to the degree of doktor in artistic disciplines is doktor sztuki (former name: kwalifikacje pierwszego stopnia).
University level fourth stage: Doktor habilitowany:
The degree of doktor habilitowany is awarded to candidates who already hold the degree of doktor. It can be obtained either by academic staff of higher education institutions and research units, or by persons who combine their research work with other professional activities. To be awarded the academic degree of doktor habilitowany the candidate must: have remarkable scientific or artistic achievements; submit a habilitation dissertation which contributes to the development of a given scientific discipline; receive a favourable assessment of his/her dissertation from three supervisors; pass a habilitation examination and deliver a favourably assessed habilitation lecture.Since March 2003, the name of the qualification awarded in artistic disciplines as an equivalent to the degree of doktor habilitowany is doktor habilitowany sztuki (former name: kwalifikacje drugiego stopnia).The holders of the doktor habilitowany degree are eligible for the academic post of professor at higher education institutions and can be awarded the academic title of profesor conferred by the President of the Republic of Poland.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Since 1990, teacher training in Poland has been organized as tertiary education. Primary school and gymnasium teachers are trained in a kolegium nauczycielskie (teacher training college). There are also foreign language teacher training colleges (nauczycielskie kolegium języków obcych). The graduates are awarded the dyplom ukończenia kolegium nauczycielskiego and the professional title of licencjat (conferred by the higher education institution which supervises the given college).Before 1990, the education of pre-primary and primary teachers was organized in a range of secondary/postsecondary teacher training schools. The qualification awarded was świadectwo dojrzałości (maturity certificate) and/or dyplom ukończenia … of a given kind of school (diploma of completion of education in …. institute). The education of the graduates of primary schools who wanted to become teachers lasted from 4 to 6 years, and that of graduates of secondary schools 2 or 3 years. The names of those teacher training schools and institutes are: liceum pedagogiczne (teacher training lyceum), studium nauczycielskie (teacher-training institute), studium wychowania przedszkolnego (pre-primary education institute), studium nauczania początkowego (beginning learning institute), pedagogiczne studium techniczne (technical teacher training institute).
Training of secondary school teachers
For secondary school teachers, holders of the degree of magister or its equivalent who have pursued a pedagogical course are eligible. Since 1990 secondary school foreign language teachers can also be trained in foreign language teacher training colleges (nauczycielskie kolegium języków obcych). The graduates are awarded the dyplom ukończenia kolegium nauczycielskiego and the professional title of licencjat (conferred by the higher education institution which supervises a given college).
Training of higher education teachers
Academic teachers are recruited among the holders of the doktor and doktor habilitowany degrees. The academic teachers of lower grade can be graduates of higher education institutions, i.e. holders of the degree of magister or its equivalent, who are preparing for the doctorate.
Non-traditional studies:
Lifelong higher education
Higher education institutions and research institutes can organize courses for holders of higher education diplomas (magister equivalent), the aim of which is to update or develop their professional or academic knowledge. Graduates of these courses are awarded the świadectwo ukończenia studiów podyplomowych (certificate of completion of postgraduate studies). The duration of the programme depends on the field of study and the institution.
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki (Ministry of Education and Science)
Head: Michał Seweryński, Minister
al.
Szucha 25
00-918 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 5224100
Fax: +48(22) 6283504
EMail: minister@menis.gov.pl
WWW: http://www.men.gov.pl
Role of governing body: Elaborating educational policies at the national level, coordinating other governing bodies, controlling higher education institutions supervised by this Ministry.
KRASP (Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland)
Head: Tadeusz Luty, President
Administrative officer: Andrzej Kraúniewski, Secretary-General
Biuro
KRASP
Jagiellonian University
ul. Straszewskiego 27
31-113 Kraków
Poland
Tel: +48(12) 4218290
Fax: +48(12) 4218290
EMail: biuro@krasp.uj.edu.pl;rektor@adm.uj.edu.pl
WWW: http://www.krasp.org.pl
Rada Główna Szkolnictwa Wyższego (Central Council of Higher Education)
Head: Jerzy Błażejowski, President
al.
Szucha 25
00-918 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 6218478
Fax: +48(22) 6218478
EMail: rzecznik1@autograf.pl
WWW: http://www.rgsw.edu.pl
Role of governing body: Cooperates with the Minister of National Education and the other national bodies in the implementation of tasks concerning higher education; in particular, defines the requirements for organizing new fields of study an the conferring of professional titles, as well as minimum curriculum requirements for each field of study.
Państwowa Komisja Akredytacyjna (State Accreditation Commission)
Head: Zbigniew Marciniak, President
Administrative officer: Mieczysław Wacław Socha, Secretary
ul.
Żurawia 32/34
00-515 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 6220718
Fax: +48(22) 6211584
WWW: http://www.pka.edu.pl/
Role of governing body: Quality assurance, advisory and controlling tasks in establishing new higher education institutions and award of licences to organize new fields of study in the existing ones.
Centralna Komisja do Spraw Stopni Naukowych i Tytulu Naukowego (Central Commission for Academic Degrees and Titles)
Head: Janusz Tazbir, President
Administrative officer: Osman Achmatowicz, Secretary
Pałac
Kultury i Nauki
pl. Defilad 1
00-901 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8268238/ 6203324
Fax: +48(22) 6203324
EMail: bck@pan.pl
WWW: http://www.pan.pl/ck/
Role of governing body: Supervises the conferring of the academic degrees of Doktor and Doktor habilitowany; entitles the faculties of the higher education institutions and research units to award these academic degrees.
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Świadectwo dojrzałości
Minimum score/requirement: 30% in the grading system introduced in 2005 (grade 2 before)
For entry to: Szkoła pomaturalna
Name of secondary school credential required: Świadectwo ukończenia (of a given kind of secondary school)
Minimum score/requirement: 30% in the grading system introduced in 2005 (grade 2 before)
For entry to: Szkoła policealna
Entrance exams required:
There is an entrance examination for some courses (according to the institution). Some institutions also have qualifying tests or qualifying interviews for access to some of their courses.
Other admission requirements:
Sometimes the physical and mental predisposition of candidate to exercise a given profession must first be ascertained.
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Świadectwo dojrzałości
Minimum score/requirement: 30% in the grading system introduced in 2005 (grade 2 before)
For entry to: all institutions of higher education
Entrance exams required: There is an entrance examination for some courses (according to the institution). Some institutions also have qualifying tests or qualifying interviews for access to some of their courses. Specific ability requirements are demanded for artistic studies, physical education and architecture, as well as for military and police schools.
Numerus clausus/restrictions: Higher education institutions are autonomous in this matter. The number of students is decided by the senate of each institution.
Other admission requirements: Prize-winners of national competitions (olimpiada) in various secondary-school subjects are exempt from entrance examinations.
Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: A person enrolled at a Polish higher education institution who is not a permanent resident of Poland
Admission requirements: Candidates must hold a Secondary School-leaving Certificate entitling them to enter higher education in their country. It must be officially recognized as being equivalent to a Polish Maturity Certificate by Polish local educational authorities or on the basis of a bilateral agreement on recognition. There are no entrance examinations for foreign students. However, in the case of fields of study in which special abilities are required, applicants must prove they possess them.
Entry regulations: Students must be in possession of a valid passport and a student visa or other document entitling them to stay in Poland. Polish diplomatic missions abroad offer information on studies in Poland (application forms) and assistance in applying.
Health requirements: Candidates seeking to be admitted to higher studies should submit a health certificate enabling them to study in the selected discipline.
Language requirements: Candidates must attend a Polish language course preparing for higher studies organized by one of the institutions recommended by the Minister of National Education and Sport or obtain confirmation of the host institution that their command of Polish is sufficient to enrol. Some faculties also offer courses in foreign languages (mostly English or German).
Application procedures:
Apply to:
Biuro Uznawalności Wykształcenian i Wymiany Międzynarodowej / Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange via Embassy/Consulate
Smolna 13
00-375 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8267434
Fax: +48(22) 8262823
EMail: biuro@buwiwm.edu.pl
WWW: http://www.buwiwm.edu.pl
Application closing dates:
For non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: 15 Jun
For university level studies: 15 Jun
For advanced/doctoral studies: 15 Jun
Recognition of studies & qualifications:
Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The State Accreditation Commission (Państwowa Komisja Akredytacyjna) is responsible for quality assurance, the supervision of the foundation of new higher education institutions and branch campuses of the existing ones. Study programmes of higher education institutions must fulfil the requirements of the Central Council of Higher Education. The Minister of Education decides on the basis of the State Accreditation Commission statement.
Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Science
Head: Hanka Matuszak, Director
al.
Szucha 25
00-918 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 5224100
Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession
Services provided & students dealt with: Confirmation of recognition of credentials issued by higher education institutions from countries with which Poland has signed bilateral/multilateral agreements on mutual recognition, definition of the policy in the field of recognition of education, creation of the system for the recognition of foreign credentials by negotiating bilateral and multilateral agreements, coordination of the general system for recognition of EU/EEA professional qualifications.
ENIC/NARIC, Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange
Head: Ewa Majdowska
ul.
Smolna 13
00-375 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8287434
Fax: +48(22) 8262823
EMail: biuro@buwiwm.edu.pl
WWW: http://www.buwiwm.edu.pl
Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession
Services provided & students dealt with: Information and guidance; confirmation of recognition of credentials issued by higher education institutions from countries with which Poland has signed bilateral/multilateral agreements on mutual recognition of studies
Other information sources on recognition of foreign studies: The bodies responsible for the recognition of foreign credentials (higher education diplomas) are higher education institutions, and particularly the councils of faculties entitled to confer the academic degree of doktor. The recognition of foreign academic degrees can also be obtained in a higher education institution: these rights are given to a council of faculty entitled to award the academic degree of doktor habilitowany. The above refers to cases of credentials obtained in the countries with which Poland has not signed bilateral agreements on recognition of education. When such an agreement exists, no formal recognition procedure is required, though the holder of a foreign credential issued in one of these countries can obtain a confirmation of the recognition of his/her qualifications in the appropriate ministry (depending on the fields of study): in artistic disciplines – Ministry of Culture and National Heritage; medical studies – Ministry of Health; merchant navy schools – Ministry of Infrastructure; military schools – Ministry of National Defence etc. Other graduates should apply to the Ministry of Education and Science via Polish ENIC/NARIC.
Special provisions for recognition:
For access to non-university post-secondary studies: All applicants must submit a secondary-leaving certificate recognised as equivalent to Polish maturity certificate or with Polish certificate of completion of education in a secondary school. Local educational authorities provide the recognition of foreign certificates from the countries with which Poland has not signed any bilateral/multilateral agreements on the mutual recognition of education credentials. Credentials issued in the latter countries do not need to be submitted to any recognition procedure and will be accepted by the education institutions as equivalent to the Polish ones.
For access to university level studies: All applicants must submit a secondary-leaving certificate recognised as equivalent with Polish maturity certificate, either on the basis of a bilateral/multilateral agreement on mutual recognition of school credentials, or if such an agreement does not exist the certificate must be recognised by the appropriate local educational authority – kuratorium oświaty.
For access to advanced studies and research: All applicants must submit complete official academic documents together with their application form to the higher education institution or research institute. In case there is no bilateral agreement between Poland and the country in which the credentials were issued, his/her studies must first be recognised as equivalent with a given kind of studies in Poland. For access to complementary magister-level courses, the applicant can be exempted from the recognition procedure. For access to doctoral studies, only the applicants from EU/EEA can be exempted from recognition procedure provided their credentials give right to access similar studies in their home country.
For the exercise of a profession: In the case of graduates from countries with which Poland has signed bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of education, the applicants must present relevant documents to the appropriate Ministry (see above), and in some cases (e.g. medical professions) fulfil the requirements of the professional body conferring rights to exercise the given profession. In case of regulated professions, the qualifications of EU/EEA citizens are recognized under the special EU recognition provisions. The graduates from other countries must have their credentials recognized at a higher education institution first, and then fulfil the requirements of professional bodies.
Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: European Convention on the Academic Recognition of University Qualifications
Year of signature: 1994
Name of agreement: European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas Leading to Admission to Universities
Year of signature: 1994
Name of agreement: European Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of University Studies
Year of signature: 1994
Name of agreement: Lisbon Convention. Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region (in force since 1st May 2004)
Year of signature: 1997
Name of agreement: Paris Convention. Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education in the States Belonging To the Europe Region.
Year of signature: 1979
Name of agreement: Rome Convention. European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University Study
Year of signature: 1994
Bilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign credentials
Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of Poland and Austria on equivalences in higher education
Year of signature: 1995
Country/state involved: Austria
Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of Poland and Germany on equivalences in higher education
Year of signature: 1997
Country/state involved: Germany
Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of Poland and Libya on the mutual Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas and Academic degrees
Year of signature: 1987
Country/state involved: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of Poland and Lithuania on the mutual recognition of the docuemnts giving admission to higher studies and the periods of studies, professional titles, academic degrees and degrees awarded in the field of Arts.
Year of signature: 2005
Country/state involved: Lithuania
Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of Poland and the Arab Republic of Syria on the mutual Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Academic Degrees
Year of signature: 1985
Country/state involved: Syria
Name of agreement: Agreement between the governments of Poland and the Czech Socialist Federal Republic on the equivalence of documents on education and academic degrees and titles
Year of signature: 1987
Country/state involved: Czechoslovakia
Name of agreement: Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation
Year of signature: 1993
Country/state involved: Kyrgyzstan
Name of agreement: Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation
Year of signature: 1998
Country/state involved: Armenia
Name of agreement: Protocol on Mutual Recognition of Equivalence of Documents of Completion of Education in Secondary Schools, Secondary Vocational Schools and Higher Education Institutions, as well as Academic Degrees and Titles
Year of signature: 1992
Country/state involved: Latvia
Name of agreement: Protocol on Mutual Recognition of Equivalence of Documents of Completion of Education in Secondary Schools, Secondary Vocational Schools and Higher Education Institutions, as well as Academic Degrees and Titles
Year of signature: 1992
Country/state involved: Estonia
STUDENT LIFE
Main student services at national level
Polish National Career Services Network
ul. Zwierzyniecka 7 c
60-813 Poznań
Poland
Tel: +48(61) 8292495/ 8292496
EMail: bkarier@amu.edu.pl
Category of services provided: Social and welfare services; Employment services
Services available to foreign Students: Yes
Section of Student Affairs, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Science
Al. Szucha 25
00-918 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 5224100
Category of services provided: Social and welfare services
Services available to foreign Students: No
National student associations and unions
Independent Student Association, National Committee (Niezależne Zrzeszenie Studentów, Zarząd Krajowy)
Corazziego 7, 4th
floor
00-087 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8279465
Fax: +48(22) 8278938
EMail: poczta@nzs.com.pl
WWW: http://www.nzs.org.pl
Parliament of Students of the Republic of Poland, National Council (Zrzeszenie Studentów Polskich, Rada Naczelna)
Al. Szucha 25/3
00-918 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 6215519
Fax: +48(22) 6252030
EMail: biuro@psrp.org.pl
WWW: http://www.psrp.org.pl
Polish Students Association, National Council (Zrzeszenie Studentów Polskich, Rada Naczelna)
ul. Ordynacka 9
00-364 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8283992
Fax: +48(22) 8283990
EMail: zsp@zsp.org.pl
WWW: http://www.zsp.org.pl
Health/social provisions
Social security for home students: Yes
Cost/fee (per year): 400 (Zloty)
Social security for foreign students: Yes
Cost/fee (per year): 400 (Zloty)
Special student travel fares:
By road: Yes
By rail: Yes
By air: Yes
Available to foreign students: Yes
Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Average living costs: 4200 (Euro)
Type of financial aid available:
Scholarships/grants/fellowships:
Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes
First Degree studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes
Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: Yes
Loans:
Higher vocational/technical studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: No
First degree studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: No
Advanced/doctoral studies:
Home: Yes
Foreign: No
Bodies providing information on student financial aid:
Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange
Smolna 13
00-375 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8267434
Fax: +48(22) 8262823
EMail: biuro@buwiwm.edu.pl
WWW: http://www.buwiwm.edu.pl
Deals with: Grants
Category of students: Scholarships only granted on the basis of the agreements on scientific and cultural cooperation signed between the government of the particular country and the government of Poland; allocates scholarships in the following programmes: CEEPUS, Kościuszkowski Foundation and Fulbright programme.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES
Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:
Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange
ul. Smolna 13
00-375 Warszawa
Poland
Tel: +48(22) 8267434
Fax: +48(22) 8262823
Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes
Name of exchange programme: Ceepus
Name of exchange programme: Erasmus
Name of exchange programme: Socrates
Name of exchange programme: Tempus
GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: 6-1: excellent (celujacy); very good (bardzo dobry); good (dobry); satisfactory (dostateczy); acceptable (dopuszczający); unsatisfactory (niedostateczny) - fail; themarks "+" and "-" are often added to the principal grade. Grading system for the maturity certificate (Świadectwo dojrzałości). Since 2005: 0-100 %Before 2005: 6 - 1 (excellent (celujacy), very good (bardzo dobry), good (dobry), satisfactory (dostateczy), acceptable (dopuszczający); unsatisfactory (niedostateczny) - fail; often, the marks '+' and '-' are added to the principal grade.
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: 5 - 2 (5 very good, 4 good, 3 satisfactory, 2 unsatisfactory)
Highest on scale: 5 (very good)
Pass/fail level: 3 (satisfactory)
Lowest on scale: 2 (unsatisfactory)
Other main grading systems
For non-final exams, the marks '+' and '-' are often added to the principal grade. In some schools, the grade 6 (excellent) exists.
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2005-2006
Source: IAU from Bureau for Academic Recognition and International Exchange, Polish ENIC/NARIC, Poland, 2006
Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also military colleges, a military university and seminary schools.