Programme Guide - Study in Poland

Higher education system in Poland
Obtained Abroad (December 10, 1991). On the
webpage of the Bureau for Academic Recognition
and International Exchange (www.buwiwm.edu.pl) you
can find the legal regulations concerning the validation
of diplomas gained abroad, including a list of
countries with which Poland has signed agreements
for the mutual recognition of diplomas. If a given
diploma is covered by such an agreement, it is automatically
validated, in accordance with the content of
the agreement. If a given diploma/certificate is not
covered by an interstate agreement, or was issued in
a country with which Poland has not signed an agreement
regarding the mutual recognition of educational
levels, then it becomes the subject of the Decree
regarding the nostrification of diplomas acquired
abroad. The given diploma must be presented at the
local Ministry of Education Office (Kuratorium). The
addresses of the local Offices can be found on the
Ministry of Education website (www.men.gov.pl).
Fees
In Poland full-time education at state institutions of
higher education is free for Polish citizens. It is also
free for foreigners who commence studies in at
state HEIs on terms applicable to Polish citizens. All
other foreigners are required to pay tuition fees.
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Abbreviations of academic degrees used in this Guide:
BA Bachelor of Arts
BSc Bachelor of Science
DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery
LLB Bachelor of Laws
LLM Master of Laws
MBA Master of Business Administration
The Academic Year
In most cases, the academic year consists of about
thirty weeks of courses. Every week students have
about thirty hours of teaching. The academic year is
structured into two semesters: the fall semester and
the spring semester. The fall semester starts in the
beginning of October and includes the winter examination
period. The spring semester begins in mid
February, it lasts till the end of June and covers the
summer examination period. Teaching is given in the
form of lectures, classes, seminars, laboratory classes
and discussions groups.
Examinations
To successfully complete a semester student must
receive passing marks for all examinations consisting
of written and/or oral exams in the subjects covered
by his programme. Each HEI identifies its grading
scale in its Study Rules. The most common scale
comprises the following marks: very good (5); good
plus (4,5); good (4); satisfactory plus (3,5); satisfactory
(3); failing (2).
Under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
a certain number of credits is allocated to a given
subject, independently of marks received on exams.
MA Master of Arts
MD Doctor of Medicine
MSc Master of Science
PharmD Doctor of Pharmacy
PhD Doctor of Philosophy