Programme description

If you want to explore the secrets of your native (Polish) language, culture and literature, come to Gołębnik! Polish Philology—Teacher Training at the Jagiellonian University is based on three main pillars: literary studies, linguistics, and pedagogy related to didactics, psychology, and pragmatics of the teaching profession. You can engage in numerous scientific circles during your studies, participate in a dialectological camp, and participate in school internships. 

The definite advantage of Polish studies at the Jagiellonian University is... Kraków. After all, it is the UNESCO City of Literature, where there is no day without a literary event; many poets and writers also live and create here. You can continuously diversify classes by inviting them to workshops or organising an author's meeting. In addition, it is a programme that educates versatile graduates – not only future teachers (although there is a constant need to supply the labour market with a young, modernly educated Polish-speaking staff). Employers often seek philologists in media, advertising, public relations, culture, administration, and politics. Institutions such as publishing houses, editorial offices, and press offices also need employees to create, edit, and correct texts and use Polish correctly.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Polish Studies has category A granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. In 2018 two Faculty of Polish Studies students were awarded during the 'Studencki Nobel 'contest for the greatest Polish students; talented faculty students are winning the prestigious Diamond Grant programme. Study programmes at the Faculty of Polish Studies give a great chance for individual development under the supervision of the masters of modern Polish studies. The Faculty of Polish Studies has been collaborating with institutions concerned with culture and art, especially from Kraków and Małopolska province, for many years. Students engage in various activities of the Kraków Festival Office, theatres of Kraków, cultural centres and museums. The JU students' Linguistics Research Society organizes the Month of First Language – a regular project that includes the Kraków Dictation, advertisement contest, 'commentary and pitch', and linguistics workshops in schools. Particular study programmes collaborate with companies from the media sector during the realisation of the traineeships programme – the Faculty signed agreements with publishers, web portals and magazines and is responsible for the edition of 12 prestigious publications and 7 academic journals. The Faculty of Polish Studies consists of 17 Chairs, as well as the Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, and the School of Polish Language and Culture.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• 3rd place between 2019 and 2023 in the Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation
• Scientific category A in the main discipline of Literary 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 Polish Studies.

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 associations at the Faculty of Polish Studies
• Student Government of the Faculty of Polish Studies

From our lecturers

Prof. Anna Janus-Sitarz
Head of the Chair of Polish Teacher Education
If you want to be a Polish philologist-teacher, which students dream of, join Polish Philology—Teacher Training! The Faculty of Polish Studies is a place of education for creative people, open to diversity, challenges, and the joy of teaching and learning. The school needs intelligent and empathetic teachers, full of passion, ideas for educational adventures, and changing young people's lives for the better. The school needs you.

Dr Agnieszka Kania
Chair of Polish Teacher Education, Project Manager of 'Professional Polonist. Practice and personalisation'
The block of didactic, pedagogical and psychological subjects in Polish teacher's philology prepares not only for work in the profession of teacher and educator but also educates competencies useful in social life and many other professions. It is worth giving yourself a chance to experience a humanistic adventure, develop your interests and get to know yourself in this study programme.

Dr hab. Mirosława Mycawka, prof. UJ
Head of the Chair in Contemporary Polish Language, Vice-Dean for Development and Promotion of the Faculty of Polish Studies of the Jagiellonian University
Polish Philology—Teacher Training gives a unique chance to meet people with a diverse perspective on the world, literature and art, setting the humanistic view known in Poland and abroad from their scientific achievements and cultural activities. By undertaking Polish studies, we become part of this group and gradually gain the causative power to influence reality, teaching about Polish literature and language, animating cultural events, and consciously participating in public discourse. Instead of standing on the sidelines, it's better to change the world yourself – it's worth it!

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

An essential element of vocational preparation is mid-year internships in primary schools, various types of schools and secondary schools (in second-cycle studies). Graduates of first-cycle studies in Polish Philology—Teacher Training are prepared to perform the profession of a teacher of the Polish language in primary school, and graduates of second-cycle studies – to complete the career of a teacher of the Polish language in various types of schools (general education, techniques, industry and Polish diaspora schools), as well as employees of academic units in centres. They have also valued employees of publishing houses, editorial offices and press offices. They can also find employment in media, advertising, public relations, culture, administration, and politics.

Further education possibilities

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

What alumni say about us

Marcin
Very often I come up with ideas that are related to some texts read during my studies, ideas that I would not have come up with if I had not come across these texts before. Reading pays off. Obviously, I don’t just copy literary theories, but the fact that I once studied certain topics helps me to think creatively, to create certain solutions that I wouldn't be able to create if I hadn't studied, for example, structuralism, deconstructionism, if I hadn't encountered the theory of story, the structure of myth. If I hadn’t had these experiences, I probably wouldn’t be writing the stories I'm writing now, or they wouldn't be as good.

Agnieszka
What is your best memory of studying at the Jagiellonian University?
Definitely, the defence of my Master’s thesis and later my doctoral dissertation – both as the high point of several years of work, dreams, and activities. Other than that, everyday little things that made the time of my studies intense and interesting – fantastic classes and discussions, enrolment and waiting for classes, wonderful lecturers. And the Gołębnik restaurant, which I always pass by with a smile.

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 Faculty of Polish Studies, located in the historic centre of Kraków. For more information, please contact:

dziekanat.wpuj@uj.edu.pl

ul. Gołębia 16, pokój 43
31-007 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 14 28

polonistyka.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Polish Studies for Foreigners (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• Polish Language in Social Communication (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• Polish Studies: Anthropology and Culture (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish