Programme description

Pedagogical studies broaden horizons, deepen self-awareness and teach relationships with other people. They combine knowledge regarding pedagogy, psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Special Pedagogy meets two basic needs: the need of the labour market and the need to improve the education quality of students prepared to work with a child with special educational needs. Educational process focuses on seven areas: general education, psychological and pedagogical preparation, education oriented towards professional activity, inclusive education, specialist preparation and support modules (including communication and vocal pedagogy), as well as a diploma module on research methodology.

The Institute’s Pedagogical Counselling provides psychological, pedagogical and legal support as well as mediation consultations. It helps in meeting educational and professional challenges as well as finding oneself in difficult (new) life situations.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Philosophy is one of the oldest faculties of our university, founded in 1364. The A+ category was granted to the Faculty by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Study programmes conducted at the Faculty lead in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation “Perspektywy”, talented students win the prestigious Diamond Grant programme every year and succeed in Polish and international contests. The Faculty of Philosophy is the place where a human being is in the centre of research interest. Studies are an excellent opportunity to learn more about oneself, other cultures and religions as well as understand the world, an individual, and society.

The Faculty consists of 5 institutes: Institute of Philosophy, Institute of Pedagogy, Institute of Psychology, Institute of Religious Studies, Institute of Sociology and Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations. Classes are taught in the Institute of Pedagogy, the central premises of the institute is located on Batorego 12 Street in the “Pod Stańczykiem” villa. The JU Institute of Pedagogy cooperates with cultural and research institutions, including the History of Ideas Research Centre, the National Museum in Kraków, the Museum of Kraków as well as research and educational centres in Poland and abroad. There is the Pedagogical Diagnoses Workshop working under the Institute where students may use the collected tests database, check chosen tools, borrow books for the tests, consult the tools to be used while conducting a research project, as well as determine legal and financial conditions of applying the selected tool. The library of the Institute of Pedagogy is one of the best equipped institutional libraries in Poland.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• The Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation:
  • 1st place in 2022 and 2023
  • 3rd place in 2021
• Scientific category B+ in the main discipline of Education 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 Philosophy.

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 Philosophy

From our lecturers

Dr Małgorzata Turczyk, the Institute of Pedagogy
I am a teacher passionate about meeting students in didactic situations and researching the reality of children’s human rights. I enjoy meetings with children at the University, during which I take them on an extraordinary journey through the world of science, play and history.

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

Special Pedagogy study programme prepares for professional pursuing the role of a skilled pedagogue. This includes the ability to solve educational problems and provide pedagogical support in various educational environments with the appliance of adequate educational strategies as well as methods and forms of undertaken activities.

Students' pedagogical and professional placements are an integral part of the education of students at the institute. They are conducted in the form of visitation and assistant placement (visitation and assistant placements – in rehabilitation centres and assistant placements – in special institutions) and prepare students for work in the future profession. A graduate may work as a teacher/educator well-prepared to work with a child with special educational needs, particularly in public schools, integration and special schools, voluntary labour corps, occupational therapy workshops, day support facilities, social therapy institutions, diagnostic and consultation centres, advice centres, psychological and pedagogical counselling centres, emergency care and educational institutions, youth social therapy centres, youth educational centres, police emergency centres for children, as well as shelters for minors and correctional facilities. Completing the study programme also provides the possibility to apply for a job in the probation court service, particularly in working with families and children.

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.

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 Pedagogy, a unit of the Faculty of Philosophy. The Institute is located in the historic centre of Kraków. For more information, please contact:

ipedagog@uj.edu.pl

ul. Batorego 12
31-135 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 634 15 48 12, 634 03 93

pedagogika.uj.edu.pl
phils.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Pre-School and Early School Pedagogy (Faculty of Philosophy) – programme in Polish
• Pedagogy (Faculty of Philosophy) – programme in Polish
• School Pedagogy with Pedagogical Therapy (Faculty of Philosophy) – programme in Polish