Programme description

Public health? It seems like everybody is familiar with it, but what about the studies? It is an interdisciplinary, exciting and unique field of study. No fields of study have similar effects on education at the JU. These studies are special nationally thanks to their multidirectional approach to health, population, and safety. A team of experienced academic teachers specialising in health, economic, legal, political, and management sciences is responsible for implementing the program. Uniqueness and the highest level of education are confirmed by the first places taken continuously for many years in the national ranking of Perspektywy.

Public Health programme combines theory and practices from various areas and disciplines of science, but most importantly, health and social sciences. An innovative, interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to the health of the population and its protection are the main advantages of this field of study offered by the JU. Are you wondering where you may work after these studies? The list is very long! You may work in management and individual positions in healthcare programs, health promotion, prevention, etc., at healthcare entities (public and private sectors), health inspection, entities offering health services, pharmaceutical and medical industries, or international organisations.

👉  Read more about Public Health programme

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Health Sciences is one of the best units in the country, educating professional staff in health protection. It is part of the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University – a unit of the Jagiellonian University consisting of medical faculties, the oldest and one of the largest units of this type in Poland. The high level of education at the faculty has been confirmed by awarding the scientific category A in the classification of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, by obtaining the title of the best university in the group of health care fields of study in the “Perspektywy” University Ranking in 2014-2018 and by distinguishing marks from the Polish Accreditation Committee.

The Faculty offers physiotherapy, nursing, obstetrics, public health, emergency medical services, electrobiology, and healthcare management. The department focuses on studying the human body and applying the acquired knowledge to protect the health, improve it and save lives. The faculty runs, among others, research in the field of preventive cardiology and creates programs aimed at changing eating habits. Students benefit from a modern educational base, and over 50% of classes are held in small groups in renowned clinical units. They are surrounded by professional career counseling, have the opportunity to conduct their diploma theses in consultation with potential and future employers, and co-create and implement innovative projects.

👉  Get to know the Institute of Public Health

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Positive evaluation of the study programme rating awarded by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA)
• 1st place in between 2019 and 2023 in the Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation
• Scientific category B+ in the main discipline of Health 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 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.

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 MOSTUM.

More than just studies

• Medical Library
• Student Government of the Faculty of Health Sciences

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

Students take part in traineeships to learn how to work at institutions in the healthcare sector (entities offering health services, public administration institutions, research institutions, NGOs, law firms, media, etc.). A first-cycle Public Health studies graduate should have skills to work in executive positions in healthcare programs, health promotion, prevention, etc., and healthcare entities, health inspection, and entities offering health services.

During second-cycle studies, students gain skills to work in management and individual positions in healthcare programs, health promotion, prevention, etc., and healthcare entities, health inspection, and entities offering health services.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School in Medical and Health Sciences
• Post diploma programmes
• Second-cycle programmes

What alumni say about us

Arkadiusz Michalak
After several years I may say that studying public health helped me gain many skills, which I now appreciate: critical thinking, work organisation, teamwork, and understanding of legal regulations. (...) It is worth mentioning the role of traineeships, which help gain the first experience at work and establish relationships with potential employers. (...) Currently, I manage a medical centre requiring many skills and expertise. (...) The interdisciplinarity of public health is helpful.

Adriana Szopa
Studying public health was one of the most significant decisions of my life. I organise and implement activities focused on preventive healthcare and establish health programs in the Małopolska region (Marshal's Office of the Małopolska Region). (...) Choosing this field of study was one of the most significant decisions of my life. Being a student and later on a specialist in public health is not just a position; it's a lifestyle. Frequent meetings with public health graduates confirm my belief.

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.

Academics of the Institute of Public Health offer classes for high school students under the "Licea" program. Visit the website of the Institute to learn more. Through our educational activity, we broaden the knowledge of the pupils of the high schools, young people, their families and relatives. We promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness in terms of public health and the functioning of the healthcare system. To arrange a date of classes for high school students, please get in touch with the Office of the Directorate at: sekretariat@izp.cm-uj.krakow.pl.

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 Public Health, a unit of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and is located in Kazimierz – a historical district of Kraków. For more information, please contact:

sekretariat@izp.cm-uj.krakow.pl

ul. Skawińska 8
31-066 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 433 28 01

izp.wnz.cm.uj.edu.pl
wnz.cm.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Healthcare Management (Faculty of Health Sciences) – programme in Polish
• Nursing (Faculty of Health Sciences) – programme in Polish
• Physiotherapy (Faculty of Health Sciences) – programme in Polish
• Medicine (Faculty of Medicine) – programme in Polish