Programme description

Buddhist Studies is the only such study programme in Poland. Together with Comparative Studies in Civilisations the programme creates a unique offer for people interested in the world and its culture. In addition to the theoretical foundations (methodology, anthropology, sociology, religious studies, Indian and Chinese philosophy, etc.), students also learn one of the classic languages for this discipline - Tibetan, Chinese or Sanskrit. Most of the specialisation courses concern the cultures of individual countries: Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Tibet, India, China. These studies also provide the possibility of further trip in order to verify the content heard during the classes. Students go to perform field research, e.g. to Nepal.

Does it sound inviting? To the above package, let us add lecturers who can share their accumulated knowledge and experience from numerous field trips in an extraordinary way, deviating from the stereotypical image of a sad professor. We will help you develop your passion as well as believe that it does not necessarily have to crash into the hard surface of professional reality!

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, where the classes are taught. There is only one such research and teaching centre in Poland and only few in the world. An interdisciplinary approach and practical knowledge of oriental languages (Japanese, Tibetan, Arabic, Hindi) give students a comprehensive comparative understanding of selected cultures and civilisations. The staff of the Centre includes great educators and specialists familiar with various problems and cultures, providing the future culture experts with a chance to explore the issues they are interested in during their studies.

👉  Learn more about Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Scientific category B+ in the main discipline of Culture and Religion Studies 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. MASKA is an interdisciplinary scholarly journal publishing research conducted by students, post-graduate students and junior researchers in the fields of humanities, cultural studies and anthropology. It has been published quarterly since 2007 by the Centre  for Comparative Studies of Civilizations at the Jagiellonian University. Each issue focuses on a different topic and is available as hard copies and electronic documents. The journal accepts texts in the Polish and English language.

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

• MASKA. Anthropology Sociology Culture
• Student Government of the Faculty of Philosophy

From our students

Jagoda: form Kraków to India
In 2014, I went to India. (...) This trip was invaluable for me in terms of acquired knowledge and experience. It was an excellent summary of what I learned during my studies and allowed me to confront the acquired theoretical knowledge with actual practice. It was a powerful experience.

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

Completing studies at the Centre of Comparative Studies in Civilisations entitles the graduate to apply for a job in institutions and organisations' activity profile of which includes issues related to international cooperation, both in the cultural, economic and political dimensions. The study programme allows you to acquire knowledge and skills useful in working in cultural and tourist institutions as well as advisory and research centres. As shown by the diverse achievements of our students, the possibilities are enormous.

Graduates of Buddhist Studies are mainly focused on working in an intercultural environment as persons educated to recognise, analyse and interpret the products of Asian Buddhist cultures through knowledge of various research methods and acquired language competencies. Thanks to internships carried out during their studies in Poland and abroad, graduates of the faculty have the foundations of ethical and practical operation in cultural and educational institutions, public utility units as well as institutions of the socio-economic sector focused on international cooperation.

Further education possibilities

• Second-cycle programmes, f. e. Contemporary Buddhist Studies or Comparative Studies in Civilisations
• Post diploma 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 Centre of Comparative Studies of Civilisations cordially invites high school students and teachers to participate in workshops and lectures on civilisation, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity. During our meetings, you will learn about the history and the present, customs and peculiarities, art and pop culture, rituals and fashion of Asian and American regions.

More information about the event and contact details are available on the Centre’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 Centre for the Comparative Studies of Civilisations, a unit of the Faculty of Philosophy. The Centre is located in the historic centre of Kraków. For more information, please contact:

kpsc@uj.edu.pl

ul. Grodzka 52, II floor
31-044 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 17 55

www.psc.uj.edu.pl
phils.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Contemporary Buddhist Studies (Faculty of Philosophy) – programme in Polish
• India and South Asia Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish
• Comparative Studies in Civilisations (Faculty of Philosophy) – programme in Polish
• International Cultural Studies (Faculty of International and Political Studies) – programme in Polish