Programme description

History – everybody knows it, but studying History is not all about dates, figures, and events (although you will still have to know them). Studying History is also about shaping the ability to critically look at reality, analytical work with documents, and conscious reception of cultural texts. It is about looking for the answer to a question: where do we come from, who are we, what are the origins of humanity, and most importantly, how do we know it? Historical research at the Jagiellonian University dates back to the 15th century. Since then, the study programme has been constantly modified to fit the changing social needs and the requirements of the educational market. First-cycle studies are available in three specializations: teaching, archiving, and historical anthropology and the second-cycle studies also include “Historical heritage and editing of sources.” Depending on the specialization, students have to do traineeships: at primary and secondary schools, museums, libraries, local cultural institutions, educational institutions, publishing companies, NGOs, national archives, local government bodies archives, and archives of institutions (such as the Home Army Museum, National Museum in Kraków, branches of Institute of National Remembrance).

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of History has the category A granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and is the best faculty of history in Poland according to the the ranking of ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation. In addition, the study programmes conducted at the Faculty have been at the forefront of this ranking for years. The Faculty of History is the right place for enthusiasts of ancient cultures and people interested in studying art, the preservation of cultural heritage and history. Programmes offered by the Faculty have a long tradition of teaching, yet the classes are conducted innovatively and respond to the current needs of students and employers.

The Faculty consists of 6 institutes. History classes are delivered at the Institute of History, located in the Collegium Witkowski building in the very center of Kraków. The Institute has its own library, one of the largest institute libraries of the Jagiellonian University.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Positive evaluation of the study programme awarded by Polish Accreditation Comittee (PKA)
• The Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation:
  • 2nd place between 2020 and 2023
  • 3rd place in 2019
• Scientific category B+ in the discipline of History 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 work 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. History Students Research Society is working at the Institute of History. Every student may find something interesting there. It consists of several sections related to eras, territory, and particular areas of history, e.g., the History Games Section. Members of this section try various games (board, figure, card) simulating historical events and processes and learn more about creating such games and their use in education and research activities. Many conferences, scientific trips (in Poland and abroad), meetings with witnesses of the history, and thematic sections meetings constitute a great addition to the institute's offer.

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

More than just studies

• Student Government of the Faculty of History

From our students

Marek, PhD student
How to take full advantage of your time during your studies? First, realize why you study and what you plan to do next. Answering these questions helps to find the ways to implement your plans. I spent my time well by participating in the Erasmus student exchange program at the Università del Salento in Lecce in Italy and the Royal Air Force Museum in Great Britain.

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

Your future career is related to the specialization you choose. History graduates may work at publishing companies, museums, exhibition centers, events related to history and culture, schools, educational institutions, national archives, and departmental archives.

Students, depending on the specialization, have to do traineeships, which prepare them for the future job: at primary and secondary schools, museums, libraries, local cultural institutions, educational institutions, publishing companies, NGOs, national archives, local government bodies archives, and archives of institutions (such as the Home Army Museum, National Museum in Kraków, branches of Institute of National Remembrance).

Further education possibilities

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

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 History offers the following events:

• Lectures for schools – the Institute of History runs the project called Annex to the history book, which organizes lectures for students of secondary schools. Professors and adjuncts of the Institute give the lectures. The topic of the lecture can be agreed by adapting it to the needs of a given group. The lectures may be held in the Collegium Witkowski or at schools.
• Visits to the Collegium Witkowski, the premises of the Institute of History.

Additional information regarding particular events, as well as contact details, are available on the website of the Institute of History.

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

historia@uj.edu.pl

ul. Gołębia 13
31-007 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 14 56

historia.uj.edu.pl
historyczny.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• History of Art (Faculty of History) – programme in Polish
• Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology (Faculty of History) – programme in Polish
• Archaeology (Faculty of History) – programme in Polish
• Comparative Studies in Civilisations (Faculty of Philosophy) – programme in Polish