Programme description

We have been fascinated by Scandinavian countries for a long time – does the Scandinavian paradise really exist? Are there living the happiest people in the world? You can search for answers to these questions by studying Swedish Philology! You will learn Swedish and acquire the knowledge of the language, history and culture of Sweden and other Scandinavian countries as well as their significance for the European culture. During the two first years of study you will learn Swedish to the level which allows attending third-year classes conducted in Swedish. Upon completion of the first-cycle study programme, you will know Swedish at the C1 level and upon completion of the second-cycle study programme at the C2 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Moreover, during the study programme you will be offered the possibility to go to Sweden using a scholarship programme financed by the Swedish Institute or other Swedish organisations. Students may as well go to Sweden and Norway within the Erasmus+ Programme to universities in Lund, Växjö, Oslo, Høgskolen and Sørøst-Norge (HSN). The study programme offers as well the possibility to acquire advanced knowledge of a selected research area (linguistics, literary studies or translation studies) which enables employment in cultural institutions, diplomacy or services where fluent knowledge of Swedish is required.

Information regarding Faculty

Although it appeared in the structure of the university in 1951, the Faculty of Philology offers study programmes (fields of research) which have existed for a long time and tradition of which dates back by even five centuries. The Faculty offers over 20 philologies but teaches as many as 50 languages! It was granted the A category by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, study programmes conducted at the Faculty lead in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation “Perspektywy”, and talented students join the prestigious Diamond Grant program winners.

Studies at the Faculty of Philology have enjoyed unflagging popularity for years, allowing graduates to work, among others, as a translator, editor in publishing houses, teacher in schools, journalist, or employee of diplomatic or special services. Internships and paid internships offered by companies cooperating with the Faculty together with vocational courses and certified training, available to all interested students, can help in smooth entry to the labour market. Studies at the Faculty of Philology also include classes in small groups and the opportunity to work in more than 20 students’ academic associations.

The Faculty consists of 8 institutes, Swedish Philology study programme is conducted in the Institute of Germanic Studies. The main units of the Faculty of Philology are located in the centre of Kraków in the modern complex of buildings Collegium Paderevianum equipped with language laboratories and leisure zones. The library of the Faculty of Philology ensures access to national and worldwide sources of information – it is a modern information centre concerning foreign philologies, history of literature, linguistics, methods of teaching, history, culture, art and translation studies.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Scientific category B+ in the main discipline of Linguistics 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 more than 20 student associations at the Faculty of Philology, f.e. Scandinavian Academic Club.

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. What’s more, students of Swedish Philology are given the opportunity to go to Sweden to attend vacation courses or semester stays in so-called Higher Popular Schools (Folkhögskolor) founded by the Swedish Institute or other Swedish institutions. They can also appy for scholarship in Sweden with the aim of preparing diploma thesis.

More than just studies

• Student Government of the Faculty of Philology

From our students

Monika
I was fascinated by the Swedish language from the first hearing – as it was the sound of Swedish that made me decide in 2017 to choose it as a link to my future career. This is one of my best decisions and studying at the Jagiellonian University gives me a lot of satisfaction as well as broadens my horizons. You must be although aware – studying Swedish makes you constantly correct your friends and family members who incorrectly spell the names of IKEA stuff 😊

Konstancja
I didn’t choose Swedish Philology by chance. I knew what I wanted – to learn Swedish and broaden my knowledge of Swedish culture, literature and history. I was not disappointed – the first years of my study involved hard work and ‘not giving up’, on the other hand however I must recall the friendly atmosphere and the fact that studying in small groups made it even more effective – we all knew each other, we also had very good contact with our professors. Thank’s to a small number of students we had the possibility of direct contact with lecturers and professors who offered their support.

From our lecturers

Sophie Engström, Swedish language teacher
Poland and Sweden have always had something in common. We had a common monarch, we fought against each other and we loved each other. Our past and our present are closely bound. Also, Swedish Philology at the Jagiellonian University has a long history, as it has existed for nearly fifty years. By choosing this field of study you will be given the opportunity to learn from the best professors in Poland. What’s more, you will have classes with a lecturer from Sweden which makes a great chance for direct contact with Swedish. Välkommen till oss!

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

Graduates of Swedish Philology can be employed in positions requiring advanced knowledge of the Scandinavian cultural area in various, mostly cultural, institutions, in editorial offices, publishing houses and media, as well as economic and political institutions. Graduates of the second-cycle study programme can be employed as specialist texts translators, and upon meeting statutory requirements – as sworn translators. Moreover, graduates of the second-cycle study programme hold knowledge, skills and competencies which enable them to work as specialists in Scandinavian matters in cultural, political and economic institutions. They will also be able to work as foreign language lecturers. Upon completion of the education in a doctoral school – there is the possibility to work as a research employee or research and educational employee. 

Further education possibilities

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

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 Germanic Studies, a unit of the Faculty of Philology. The Institute is located close to the historic centre of Kraków, the Jagiellonian Library, Jordan Park, and Błonia Park. For more information, please contact:

anna.demkiewicz@uj.edu.pl, filolog@uj.edu.pl

al. Mickiewicza 9A
31-120 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 43 11

ifg.filg.uj.edu.pl
filg.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• German Studies (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• German Studies with English (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish
• English Studies with German (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish