University of Silesia in Katowice

The University of Silesia is one of the largest institutions of higher education in Europe.

The University has 12 faculties: Fine Arts and Music; Biology and Environmental Protection; Ethnology and Educational Science; Philology; Computer Science and Materials Science; Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Social Sciences; Pedagogy and Psychology; Law and Administration; Theology; and Radio and Television, which faculty has been named in honor of one of the most eminent of Polish film directors, Krzysztof Kieślowski. Owing to the flexibility of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), within the frames of which the University works, inter-faculty and general studies degrees are also available.

The University has almost 40,000 intramural and extramural students at the BA, MA, postgraduate and Ph.D. level students following 46 undergraduate and postgraduate programs subdivided into over 130 specializations. All courses are recognized by the ECTS, which facilitates international student exchange.

Internationalization is a priority for the University of Silesia. Our efforts in this regard translate into a variety of EU financed initiatives directed at students and academics alike. These undertakings focus upon the development and upgrading of our research and educational infrastructure and, simultaneously, are oriented toward the advancement of learning that caters directly to the development of the region.

Currently, the University of Silesia is running 1,200 of its own projects, in addition to almost 600 research projects carried out in conjunction with various outside institutions, both domestic and foreign, including business organizations. A substantial part of our research prioritizes innovation and practical applications for the economy.

About us - in one sentence

• One of the largest state-owned universities in Poland and Europe.
• The mission it performs is based on values such as the truth and knowledge.
• The University of Silesia is already present in five towns and cities: Katowice, Sosnowiec, Chorzów, Cieszyn and Rybnik.
• The University educates approximately 35 thousand domestic and international students in 50 programmes which are available in the full-time, part-time or extramural study mode. It also offers inter-faculty programmes, as well as postgraduate and doctoral degree programmes.
• The University creates new faculties, launches new programmes and specialisations, including such which are elsewhere unavailable, and strives to adjust its educational offer to the ever-changing needs of the labour market.
• Many of the programmes have been certified by the Conference of Rectors of Polish Universities for excellent quality of education.
• All programmes carry a European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credit ranking.
• The University keenly participates in international research and educational programs and is very active in the field of international cooperation.
• The University conducts lifelong learning programs and distance learning programs.
• The University has a Library which acts as the regional multidisciplinary scientific information centre and which offers an inexhaustible collection of electronic and printed publications.
• The University provides its students with complex social facilities in the forms of dormitories, canteens and snack bars.
• The University enables its students to pursue their academic passions through participation in some of the student research, art or sport clubs of which there are over two hundred.
• The University supports disabled students through its Office for Students with Disabilities.
• The University’s Career Centre helps students and graduates find their way around the job market.
• Through the Association of Friends of the University of Silesia the University maintains contacts with its graduates.
• The University remains open to dialogue with state and local government administration as well as with business and industry.
• The University performs the creditable role of an initiator of cultural activities and patron of the arts.