I. System of higher education in Poland
1. Institutions of higher education
The higher education system in Poland before 1990 comprised only state institutions, the sole exception being the non-state Catholic University in Lublin (KUL). In 1990, the new Act on Schools of Higher Education laid down rules for establishing non-state institutions of higher education, whose number has been steadily growing since then. In the academic year 1999/2000, there are 116 state and 182 non-state schools of higher education in Poland. They all offer the following types of studies:
vocational courses - graduates are granted bachelor level titles of: licencjat (lic.) or inżynier (inż).;
complementary magister-level courses for holders of the above mentioned professional titles, the graduates obtain the title of magister or equivalent;
uniform magister-level courses - graduates are granted master level titles of: magister (mgr), magister edukacji (mgr ed.), magister sztuki, magister inżynier (mgr inż.), magister inżynier architekt (mgr inż. arch.), or lekarz (lek.), lekarz stomatolog (lek. stom.), lekarz weterynarii (lek. wet.) depending on the profile of the school;
PhD studies for magister-level graduates; graduates obtain the academic degree of doktor;
post-graduate studies.
Higher education courses are provided in various modes of study, including regular daily studies as the predominant arrangement as well evening and extramural studies, and those offered in the distance-learning system.
Until 1990 the distinction between university and non-university higher education did not exist. All higher education institutions were of university type, focusing not only on teaching but also on scientific research. Most of their faculties were entitled to award the academic degrees of doktor and doktor habilitowany. Even though few of them offered vocational studies (leading to a higher vocational education diploma), most of their students completed magister-level studies, which gave them the right to apply for admission to PhD studies.
At present, the following two types of institutions may be distinguished:
higher education institutions, operating under the Higher Education Act of 12 September 1990 and the Act on Academic Title and Degrees of 12 September 1990, which offer both university-type and vocational education. Most of these institutions, and state ones in particular, carry out scientific research and have the right to award both professional titles and academic degrees;
schools of higher vocational education, established on the basis of the Act on Schools of Higher Vocational Education of 26 June 1997, which provide only vocational education and have the right to award only the titles of licencjat and inżynier. Those graduating from these schools may continue their studies in university-type institutions and subsequently obtain the title of magister or magister inżynier.
1.1. University-level higher education
University-type higher education institutions are divided into the following categories:
universities
technical universities and academies
academies of agriculture
academies of economics
teacher training schools and academies
academies of medicine
academies of fine arts, music, drama, film and TV
academies of physical education
academies of theology
merchant navy schools
military academies
schools of police
fire service school
University education aims to train independent professionals who are able to undertake fundamental and applied research or creative artistic work. Students learn to make use of scientific research and gain research-based knowledge and experience. Moreover, university-type institutions provide all of the above-mentioned types of studies, which does have an impact on the content of some courses: while they remain concrete in approach and are more focused on professional skills, a strong emphasis is placed on applying scientific knowledge for professional needs. The other basic tasks of university-type institutions are:
training holders of professional titles to supplement their general and specialist knowledge;
developing and promoting national culture and technological advancement.
For the list of fields of study in university-type higher education institutions see Appendix I.
1.2. Non-university higher education
These institutions train students in specific vocational areas and prepare them to practise particular professions. The other basic tasks of the schools of higher vocational education are:
supplementing professional skills and specialist knowledge;
retraining within a given vocational specialist option;
educating students in the spirit of respect for human rights, patriotism, democracy and responsibility for the well-being of society, the State and one’s place of work.
Courses include at least six semesters of teaching classes and at least 15 weeks of practical placement.
For the list of specialist options in higher vocational education institutions see Appendix II.
2. Number of students
In 1999, 1 421 277 students were enrolled in all types of higher education institutions, this total number including 5 439 foreign students (Szkolnictwo Wyższe Dane Podstawowe, 2000).
The Act on Schools of Higher Education (1990) introduced the possibility of undertaking bachelor level vocational studies which end with the title of licencjat or inżynier. Furthermore, the new Act on Schools of Higher Vocational Education passed in 1997 provided the basis for establishing a large number of schools of higher vocational education. These two Acts led to an increase in the number of students enrolled in vocational studies. Some graduates continue their studies in complementary magister level courses.
The distribution of graduates by type of studies is given in the table below.
Graduates of uniform magister courses, vocational courses and complementary magister courses in 1999
uniform magister courses
vocational courses
complementary magister courses37%
43%
20%Statistics for state, non-state, vocational and university-type higher education institutions in Poland are shown in the table below.
Total number of students by type of higher education institution in 1999
State University type higher education institutions
Non-state higher education institutions
State higher vocational education institutions
Non-state higher vocational education institutions
1 006 341
385 966
11 747
17 223The most popular modes of study are daily studies and extramural studies. The distribution of students by mode of study is given in the table below.
Percentage of students by mode of study in 1999
Students at daily studies
Students at evening studies
Students at studies provided under a distance-learning system
Students at extramural studies44%
5%
1%
50%All the above data refer to the last quarter of 1999.
3. PhD studies and habilitation
Doctoral studies are the next stage of education after which students are awarded the academic degree of doktor (PhD). The permission to award the academic degree of doktor may be obtained by an organisational unit which has at least eight full-time employees who hold the academic title or degree of doktor habilitowany and represent the discipline of science in which the organisational unit is to obtain the permission. The number of students granted doctoral scholarships is illustrated in the following breakdown.
Year Number 1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
1868
1490
1644
1921
2412
5393
7753
9481
11359
12364
The permission to award the academic degree of doktor habilitowany may be obtained by an organisational unit which has at least twelve full-time employees who hold the academic title or degree of doktor habilitowany, including at least six persons holding an academic title, and represent the field of science in which the organisational unit is to obtain the permission. The number of people granted doktor habilitowany scholarships is illustrated in the following breakdown:
Year Number 1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
1692
1356
1128
1085
1142
1130
1120
1109
1152
1034
4. Organisation of studies
Most state universities offer magister-level programmes (5-6 years). In order to obtain the title of magister (mgr) or its equivalent, students are required to write a master thesis (project) and pass an examination which includes defending of the thesis (project).
Bachelor level programmes (3-4 years) lead to the title of licencjat (lic.) or inżynier (inż.) which allows students to continue their education at magister-level courses.
Non-state higher education institutions usually offer bachelor level programmes. Some of them, however, provide magister-level programmes and one of them, at present, has the right to award the doktor degree.
PhD studies (3-4 years) are also available at many faculties in state universities. In order to be admitted, candidates must hold the title of magister. The degree of doktor may also be awarded to those who have worked in a university for several years and have not been enrolled in PhD studies. In both cases the doctor's degree (doktor, dr) is granted on the basis of a successfully defended dissertation. Degrees are awarded by the authorised faculty councils.
Institutions of higher education may offer other post-graduate programmes on a non-regular basis.
A. Academic year
The academic year, covering 30 course weeks and ca. 30 hours of instruction per week, is divided into two semesters:
the winter semester, lasting from 1 October to circa 15 February in the next calendar year, includes 15 weeks of instruction, Christmas holidays, a winter examination session and winter holidays;
the summer semester (from circa 16 February to 30 September), includes 15 weeks of instruction, Easter holidays, a summer examination session and summer holidays;
One month during the summer break is usually devoted to a practical placement related to a given professional field.
Instruction is provided in various forms, including lectures, classes, seminars, tutorials and laboratory work conducted throughout the course week.
In addition to formal (obligatory) courses, students who wish to focus on various subjects may participate in extra-curricular academic activities as well as activities organised in other departments.
B. Admission procedures
The minimum requirement for gaining access to higher education is the matriculation certificate (świadectwo dojrzałości) or its foreign equivalents (recognised on the basis of a bilateral agreement or in the local educational authorities - kuratorium oświaty).
Foreign students are required to have some knowledge of the Polish language as special courses for foreign students in the English language are not offered in all higher education institutions. Relevant information is available at all universities and other higher education institutions.
Foreign students wishing to continue their studies in Poland are required to submit transcripts of their academic records from home universities.
Admission procedures for candidates in individual fields of study are established by senates of higher education institutions.
C. Study programmes (fields of study and curricula)
In accordance with the Act on Schools of Higher Education, a list of official names of study fields is drawn up by the Central Council of Higher Education (see: Appendixes I and II).
The Central Council of Higher Education also establishes the minimum curricular requirements for individual fields of study. Formally, curricula are adopted by faculty councils.
The language of instruction is Polish, but some subjects are available in English, and in some cases full study courses are offered in a foreign language (English, French, German).
University courses may be undertaken in two cycles. The first cycle lasts 3-4 years; the second cycle lasts 2 years. The initial cycle provides general theoretical knowledge and training. The second cycle provides mainly broad, more specialised academic training which ends with a thesis or a project paper and examination (research work in preparation for a dissertation).
Curricula and study regulations specify the minimum period of study for each cycle in each discipline. The student should successfully complete each semester before being admitted to the next semester.
D. Examinations (assessment of student progress)
During their studies, students are examined in each subject separately.
Examinations are written or oral (asking questions, checking written papers or a combination of both). Examinations held to assess practical skills consist mainly of exercises, individual and team project work, and practical placements.
To complete a semester students are required to achieve passing grades in all courses specified in the curriculum as well as to receive at least satisfactory grades in all examinations and final tests.
To complete a full academic year and be admitted to the next one, students are required to complete both semesters. Students may in some cases follow individual study programmes defined and approved by the faculty council.
Candidates who fail in the first examination session may repeat an examination in the second session. Re-sit and verification exams in front of a special board are also possible. Those failing in such an examination must repeat the year in whole or in part.
Each school of higher education establishes its own grading system, the most common one is, however, given below. Some schools also use the so-called half-marks [4+ (4,5); 3+ (3,5);]
The most common grading scale is as follows:
bardzo dobry (very good) 5
dobry (good) 4
dostateczny (satisfactory) 3
niedostateczny (unsatisfactory) 2 (fail)
Some higher education institutions (universities, technical universities and academies) are now introducing credit systems (e.g. ECTS).
5. Diploma thesis and diploma exam
Students enrolled in all types of courses (university-type and higher education vocational courses) and all fields of study (except medical studies) write a diploma thesis (project) and defend it during a diploma examination. The examination board consists of faculty teachers.
To be admitted to a diploma examination, the student must usually have:
completed successfully all subjects and practical placements, etc. as prescribed for a given field of study;
submitted by the specified deadline his/her diploma thesis/project approved by his/her supervisor; and
obtained from his/her supervisor a passing grade for the thesis/project.
In most higher education institutions, a final examination (except in medical studies where prospective graduates are not required to write a diploma thesis) consists of two part. The first one is held to examine the knowledge prescribed in the curriculum for a given field of study, and the second one is devoted to the defence of a diploma thesis (project).
Final examinations are marked according to the grading scale outlined above.
The final grade covers the following elements:
the average of all grades obtained in the course of studies,
the grade for a diploma thesis/project,
the grade for a final exam.
This grade is usually calculated as an arithmetical average of the above-mentioned grades. Final grades which appear on a diploma are normally rounded up to full marks. The system outlined above is currently being modified in many schools in accordance with study regulations approved by senates of higher education institutions.