Programme description

The Slavonic Philology at the Jagiellonian University is the oldest in Poland. It was established in 1818 and it is well known and esteemed in the international academic world. 

We educate students within Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Serbian and Slovakian Philology, as well as within Bulgarian Philology with English and Slovakian Philology with English (new tracks from 2023/2024 academic year) in order to prepare specialists in the area of languages, literature and culture of Western and Southern Slavs. Graduates of Slavonic Philology can be employed in cultural institutions, publishing houses and companies cooperating with Slavonic countries, work as translators (both of literature and commercial texts), their knowledge and skills are highly valued by employers operating in various sectors of culture and business.

Slavonic studies involve, i.e. learning of the selected foreign language: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Serbian or Slovakian with native speakers to the C1 level at the first-cycle study programme and C2 at the second-cycle study programme, learning another selected Slavonic language, learning English to the B2+ level (as part of two tracks: Bulgarian Philology with English and Slovakian Philology with English), as well as education delivered by outstanding researchers in literature, language, culture and history.

You are invited to study Slavonic Philology – study with tradition and future!

Information regarding Faculty

Although it appeared in the structure of the university in 1951, the Faculty of Philology offers study programmes (fields of research) which have existed for a long time and tradition of which dates back by even five centuries. The Faculty offers over 20 philologies but teaches as many as 50 languages! It was granted the A category by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, study programmes conducted at the Faculty lead in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation “Perspektywy”, and talented students join the prestigious Diamond Grant program winners.

Studies at the Faculty of Philology have enjoyed unflagging popularity for years, allowing graduates to work, among others, as a translator, editor in publishing houses, teacher in schools, journalist, or employee of diplomatic or special services. Internships and paid internships offered by companies cooperating with the Faculty together with vocational courses and certified training, available to all interested students, can help in smooth entry to the labour market. Studies at the Faculty of Philology also include classes in small groups and the opportunity to work in more than 20 students’ academic associations.

The Faculty consists of 8 institutes, Slavonic Philology study programme is conducted by the Institute of Slavonic Studies, which is located at Ingardena 3 Street, close to the Historic Centre of Kraków, the Jagiellonian Library and Błonia Park. The library of the Faculty of Philology ensures access to national and worldwide sources of information – it is a modern information centre concerning foreign philologies, history of literature, linguistics, methods of teaching, history, culture, art and translation studies.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Scientific category B+ in the main discipline of Linguistics 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 more than 20 student associations at the Faculty of Philology, f.e. Slavist Students Academic Association.

Slavist Students Academic Association has conducted its work for several decades, acting in favour of extending knowledge, developing interests in Slavonic issues, and integrating students’ environment. The operation of the Association covers mostly organising academic meetings (sessions, conferences), travels to linguistic training and campuses, providing younger colleagues with culture and habits of Slavonic countries. The association organises as well national contests in translations from Slavonic languages. Students may publish their research papers in “Students’ Academic Journal of the Institute of Slavonic Studies”, and other texts in the online journal IMAGINARIA (the journal accepts popular and scientific texts, commentaries, reportages, essays, reviews, portraits as well as poetry).

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

More than just studies

• Student Government of the Faculty of Philology

From our students

Jessica, Czech Philology
How to use your study time properly? Just use! Attend classes, also the optional ones, internships, professional training, travels, additional activities – e.g. the self-governing students’ organisation, participate in various interesting initiatives, and there is plenty of such at the University. Please, remember that experience is of vital importance and your today actions will have an impact on your future.

Mikołaj, Serbian Philology
What is the difference between studying and going to secondary school? It’s freedom. At the University you are not treated as a child which gives you flexibility but also requires responsibility!

Gabriela, Croatian Philology
Slavonic Philology is exceptional and unique. We study in small groups, what involves a very individual approach toward each student, making communication with our teachers easier. Interaction with people involved in Slavonic Philology is the best experience.

Mateusz, Slovakian Philology
Studying Slavonic Philology gives me the possibility to learn about cultures which remain unknown to us although they are geographically close. One of these cultures is the culture of Slovakia. The programme gives me the opportunity to learn Slovakian as well as acquire knowledge of Slovakian culture.

Natalia, Bulgarian Philology
I love the academic atmosphere! It is full of kindness and friendly. Thank’s to my Slavonic Philology programme I have experienced unforgettable moments and felt united with other Slavonic specialists.

From our lecturers

Dominika Kaniecka, PhD, Chair for Croatian and Slovenian Philology
Studying is firstly an intellectual adventure. At Slavonic Philology, we support the development of individual humanistic interests, create sensibility and teach openness to the unknown.

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

Graduates of the Slavonic Philology are going well in the labour market and find employment in institutions and companies which, due to the international character of their operation – are looking for people with very good knowledge of languages and cultures of Western and Southern Slavs. Fluent knowledge of at least one Slavonic language (Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Serbian or Slovakian), good knowledge of another Slavonic language together with English, German, Russian or French (which are taught during the study programme), as well as specialist knowledge of the culture of Slavonic countries – these factors ensure finding good and satisfying employment.

Outsourcing companies (Kraków has become recently a real headquarters of them) like Shell, Deloitte, IBM, Comarch, Capgemini, Heineken or Philip Morris give employment to our graduates (translations, accountancy, projects and logistics management). Since many years our graduates find employment in the touristic sector, publishing houses, diplomacy, cultural institutions related to Bugaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Slovakia as well as international companies operating in these countries’ markets. Professional activity of our graduates involves as well interpreting, translating legal and economic texts, preparing translations of applied texts as well as translations of literature from Slavonic languages which have been recently published by Polish publishing houses.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School in the Humanities
• Post diploma programmes
• Second-cycle programmes

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

The Institute of Slavonic Studies offers lectures for schools concerning Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Slovakia – their literature and culture, as well as events promoting issues related to Central Europe and the Balkans. Complete offer you may find at the Institute's website.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Institute of Slavonic Studies, a unit of the Faculty of Philology. The Institute is located close to the historic centre of Kraków, the Jagiellonian Library, Jordan Park, and Błonia Park. For more information, please contact:

katarzyna.czarnecka@uj.edu.pl, filolog@uj.edu.pl

ul. Ingardena 3
30-060 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 27 24

ifs.filg.uj.edu.pl
filg.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Ukrainian Philology with the Russian Language (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• Carpathian Region: Ethnolinguistics and Cultural Studies (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• Russian Philology (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish