Programme description

Geography is a study programme for those who keep asking questions about their surroundings – it is a field for people curious about the world. Students choose one of the following paths:

• Functioning of the natural environment and environmental management
• Socio-economic geography
• Hydrology, meteorology, and climatology
• Spatial management and regional development
• Tourism
• Geographic Information Systems

After choosing the path, students decide on the individual study program with their supervisor. Geography students participate in international exchanges under ERASMUS+, CEEPUS, ERASMUS MUNDUS, International Visegrad Fund. This variety leads to a wide array of professional careers to choose from.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Geography and Geology was established in 2017. It is one of the youngest faculties at the oldest Polish university, which, drawing on tradition, uses modern solutions. It was granted the category A by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Programmes conducted at the Faculty have been leading in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation “Perspektywy” for many years.

Research conducted by the scientists from the Faculty of Geography and Geology uses the potential of geographic and geological sciences by addressing the current problems, dilemmas of our civilisation, and the needs of the modern human. The areas of interest of research projects are, i.e. the human impact on the environment, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, or the study of Mars.

The Faculty of Geography and Geology is located at the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival. The Faculty consists of two institutes: the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management and the Institute of Geological Sciences. Classes are taught in the Faculty’s buildings using cutting-edge research and didactic infrastructure (i.e., specialised labs and analysis equipment labs)  and in the form of field activities in Poland and abroad.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• The Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation:
  • 1st place in 2019
  • 2nd place in 2021
  • 3rd place in 2020, 2022 and 2023
• Scientific category A in the main discipline of Earth and Environmental Sciences 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 few student associations at the Faculty of Geography and Geology. Students can join European Asocciation for Students and Young Geographers (EGEA) organisation.

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

• European Geography Association for Students and Young Geographers (EGEA)
• Student Government of the Faculty of Geography and Geology

From our students

Maciej
I often take part in field activities in the Polish mountains and abroad. I took part in a research camp in Slovenia last year. But it is not the only country that members of the JU Geography Students Research Society can visit. The university cooperates with universities from Czechia, Croatia, Turkey, Romania, and the Netherlands.

Magdalena Jasionek
– How to make good use of your time at university?
– It is really worth joining students research society. This gives you the opportunity to meet people not only from your own academic year, but also younger and older students, even from other faculties. I also recommend engaging in research projects on various topics. This way, you can find out what interests you more and what less. (...) It is especially worth taking part in Juwenalia, after all, it is a students' feast!

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

Geography graduates have the knowledge and skills to work in various public institutions and private companies. They are ready to work in units researching the interdependence between elements of the geographical environment, environmental protection and shaping, local and regional development management which takes into consideration the principles of sustainable development, organisation and management of tourism, natural and cultural heritage protection, state hydrological and meteorological service, local and central government administrative bodies, companies dealing with spatial planning and obtaining funding from EU structural funds, local and regional development agencies, tourist traffic management units, institutions and companies dealing with the collection, processing, and visualisation of spatial data (geographical). After finishing the optional teacher’s training module, graduates are certified to teach geography at schools.

Our graduates use their gained knowledge and skills in the areas such as spatial data processing, management of protected areas, spatial and strategic planning, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting of socio-economic processes and phenomena, environmental protection, environmental education, local and regional development management, public administration, organisation and management of tourism, cultural and natural heritage conservation, school education.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences
• Post diploma programmes
• Other second-cycle programme

What alumni say about us

Alumni Stories: Kasia Wicher
I am responsible for creating aeronautical charts presenting procedures used during takeoff and landing for IFR flights (...). I work on a computer with graphics programs, analysing data based on which the charts are being created. [...] Above all, I think that the studies helped me develop the skills necessary for data analysis, drawing, and formulating conclusions. I owe a lot to GIS and cartography classes focused on practical skills. I gained experience working with the programs I use at work or similar and learned how to work on a project within a team.

Alumni Stories: Maciej Sznajder
My subject allowed me to choose the courses myself, which turned out to be crucial. In the second year of my studies, I became interested in GIS and joined almost all the courses related to it. (...) This approach and the knowledge I’d gained were a big help in my current work. Thanks to this, I also got into the UNIGIS postgraduate studies in Manchester without any problems. My interest in GIS programming during my studies drove me to seek out more courses when I had a full-time job, and so the knowledge that I gained there continues to serve me well till this day.

Alumni Stories: Iwona Fluda
My best memories are related mainly to the faculty members from whom I had the privilege to learn. It is all the people who, with their desire to share knowledge, also outside of working hours, their modesty and class created an amazing atmosphere. My most distinct memories include discussions with the professor of sociology, amazing conversations with professors of soil geography and soil science, astronomy and tourism.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, a unit of the Faculty of Geography and Geology. The Institute is located in the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival, so-called the Third Campus, in Kraków’s district – Ruczaj. For more information, please contact:

sekretariat@geo.uj.edu.pl

ul. Gronostajowa 7
30-387 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 664 52 50

geo.uj.edu.pl
wgig.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Geography and Spatial Planning (Faculty of Geography and Geology) – programme in Polish
• Geology (Faculty of Geography and Geology) – programme in Polish
• Natural Resources Management (Faculty of Biology) – programme in Polish
• Biology (Faculty of Biology) – programme in Polish