Programme description

The study programme Literary Translation is conducted jointly in cooperation with the Faculty of Polish Studies. The proposed curriculum concerns translation as a cultural phenomenon and is directly related to a comparative approach to literature, focuses on both linguistic and cultural education as well as takes into consideration a variety of styles related to the precise historical moment of language development and linguistic and literary conventions. For this approach, there are particularly significant theories and methodologies of modern translation studies connected to the so-called cultural turn.

• The philological part focuses on philological competencies as regards a foreign language and apart from translation abilities provides the student with perfect knowledge of a foreign language in all its aspects – there are available six language paths: English (performed in the Institute of English Studies), German (performed in the Institute of German Studies), French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese (performed in the Institute of Romance Studies).
• The part related to Polish Studies develops competencies concerning literary studies, anthropology and cultural studies, makes students more sensitive to nuances of Polish stylistics, enables extending their knowledge as regards translation, literary and cultural perspectives.

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, the study programme is offered by the Faculty of Philology, within one of the 3 institutes: the Institute of English Studies, the Institute of Germanic Studies, and the Institute of Romance Studies in cooperation with the Faculty of Polish Studies. The main units of the Faculty of Philology are located in the centre of Kraków in the modern complex of buildings Collegium Paderevianum equipped with language laboratories and leisure zones. 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 students’ academic associations at the Faculty of Philology. 

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

• Academic Club of the Institute of English Studies
• Student Government of the Faculty of Philology

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

More than 50% of books published in Poland consist of translated texts. Thus, there is a huge need for well-educated translators and translation editors. Graduates of Literary Translation provide an answer to such need, as they fluently know the leading language as well as have a wide knowledge of cultural, historical, social and political conditions of given linguistic areas. Graduates have a very good knowledge of the selected foreign language as well as orientation in literature and culture of a given linguistic area, with a particular focus on contemporary culture, they also are fluent users of Polish. They are well-oriented in contemporary Polish culture.

Graduates are aware of intercultural communication mechanisms. They have theoretical and practical knowledge of the process of translation as well as conditions for the translator’s work. For these reasons they can be employed as translators of literary texts and commentaries, editors in journals and publishing houses, linguistic editors of translations, translation critics as well as researchers in the area o translation studies.

Further education possibilities

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

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Faculty of Philology, within one of three institutes: the Institute of English Studies, the Institute of Germanic Studies, and the Institute of Romance Studies, and in cooperation with the Faculty of Polish Studies. The Faculty is located close to the Jagiellonian Library, Jordan Park, and Błonia Park. For more information, please contact:

filolog@uj.edu.pl

al. Mickiewicza 9A
31-120 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 43 72, 663 43 71

ifa.filg.uj.edu.pl
ifg.filg.uj.edu.pl
ifr.filg.uj.edu.pl
filg.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Translation Studies (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• Literary and Cultural Translation Studies (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• English Studies (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• German Studies (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• Spanish Philology (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• French Philology (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• Italian Philology (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• Portuguese Philology (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish