Programme description

New programme in 2026/27 academic year

Strategic Studies: Asia and Africa is a second-cycle (Master’s) programme offered by the Institute of the Middle and Far East at the Jagiellonian University, focused on the key challenges of the contemporary world: international politics, security and economic developments in the regions of Asia and Africa. The programme combines an academic perspective with practical experience—some courses are taught by expert practitioners, and students gain insight into real decision-making processes within governmental institutions, international organisations, think tanks and companies operating in Asian and African markets.

A core element of the programme is the intensive study of one of five regional languages—Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Swahili (with the target level of B2+)—as well as strong encouragement of international mobility, ideally including one semester at a foreign university. The programme is demanding, offering fewer but more intensive courses, and is designed to develop advanced analytical and expert skills, including the preparation of reports, comparative analyses and academic texts. A substantial pool of elective courses (some of which may be completed abroad) allows students to flexibly shape their own specialisation, for example in military, energy and environmental security, migration, cybersecurity, media, regional integration, or the functioning of enterprises in Asia and Africa.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of International and Political Studies is the most international and interdisciplinary unit at the Jagiellonian University. It offers unique programmes conducted in English, many of which are delivered under agreements with foreign universities. The Faculty provides students with an opportunity to study in a nationally and culturally diverse environment, both in Polish and foreign languages. This creates the space for getting to know each other and supports students' development during their studies and in their professional careers. The Faculty’s complex structure reflects the diversity of scientific research conducted in this unit. Therefore, students have an opportunity to study among specialists dealing with matters from almost every corner of the globe.

Strategic Studies: Asia and Africa are conducted by the Institute of the Middle and Far East in a newly renovated building at ul. Oleandry 2a. The Institute is surrounded by green areas like Błonia Park and Jordan Park, near the Jagiellonian Library. It has modern teaching equipment with comfortable conditions. The Institute of the Middle and Far East is the leading Polish centre for studies on contemporary societies. The Institute operates the first and largest Confucius Institute in Poland, as well as the Taiwan Research Centre.

👉  Few reasons why you should choose the Faculty of International and Political Studies

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Scientific category A in the main discipline of "Political Science and Public Administration" awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations operate at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences, and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. There are many student associations at the Faculty of International and Political Studies.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+, CEEPUS, Utrecht Network, bilateral exchange programmes, European university Una Europa, or the domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• Student associations at the Institute of the Middle and Far East
• Student associations at the Faculty of International and Political Studies
• Student Government of the Faculty of International and Political Studies

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

A graduate of Strategic Studies: Asia and Africa possesses advanced knowledge of politics, security and economic developments in the regions of Asia and Africa and understands contemporary strategic challenges from an international perspective. They are able to analyse complex political, economic and security processes—including military, economic, energy, environmental and cultural dimensions—critically assess sources and data, and formulate conclusions applicable to expert and analytical work. Graduates are prepared to produce reports, expert opinions and comparative analyses, as well as to write high-quality academic texts in the fields of political science and international relations. They possess strong intercultural and communication competencies, including proficiency in a selected regional language at the B2+ level, which facilitates cooperation with partners from Asian and African countries.

As a result, graduates are well prepared for employment in public administration (including diplomacy and security-related institutions), international organisations (such as the EU, the UN and NATO), think tanks, media outlets and analytical institutions, as well as in companies expanding their operations in Asian and African markets.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Social Sciences
• Post diploma programmes
• Second-cycle programmes

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Institute of the Middle and Far East, a unit of the Faculty of International and Political Studies. The Institute is located in the new building, close to the Jagiellonian Library, Jordan Park, and Błonia Park. For more information, please contact:

sekretariat-orient@uj.edu.pl

ul. Oleandry 2a
30-063 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 26 05

orient.uj.edu.pl
wsmip.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Middle East Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Asian Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Studies on China (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Studies on Japan (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Studies on Korea (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Eurasian Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish