Study in Warsaw - Why Poland?

Students speak

Chopin is my favourite composer I am a pianist in the Artistic Stage. I did a Master's degree at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. I have always wanted to come to Chopin's country of origin. He has been my favourite composer since early childhood. At Summer Master Classes in Varna, Bulgaria, I met Prof. Kadlubiski who suggested that I continue my postgraduate studies in Poland under his guidance. This is truly a wonderful opportunity for me. Of course I like Warsaw with its great cultural heritage! The Polish people are wonderful and kind and I appreciate very greatly how the people at the Academy have assisted me. Inette Swart, a pianist from South Africa (The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw)

Why Poland?

Poland Poland is a fascinating country that serves as the geographical and cultural crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. Located at the center of the Northern European plain, Poland has been a nation of survivors since the foundation of the first Polish state more than 1,000 years ago. Through its turbulent history its people have managed to maintain their identity, and today, the country enjoys a crucial position as the largest of the former Eastern European states and the most populous new member of the European Union.

Poland, the largest country among the newest members of the European Union has one of Europe's youngest populations - half of its citizens ar less than 35 years old. Out of nearly 39 million Poles almost 2 million are university students.

Poland's education market has been the most dynamically developing one in Europe during the last ten years. The number of higher education institutions has quadrupled while the number of students increased five fold. Each year almost half a million young people begin their education at universities and colleges.

Polish academic traditions reach back to 14th century, some of the Europe's oldest universities can be found here. The Jagiellonian University of Cracow was established in 1364. Nicholas Copernicus and Marie Skłodowska-Curie are among great names of Polish scientists known and admired worldwide.

Today's Polish universities continue the glorious traditions of their predecessors. Warsaw University is ranked first in the Top Coder international IT ranking, it outperformed such great institutions as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A representative of Poland also leads the Top Coder individual ranking.

Polish universities offer high quality studies and are an integral part of the European education space. All leading universities offer programmes thought in English, these include medicine, engineering, humanities, business and finance. Poland takes active part in the Bolonia Process. Thanks to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) students can be fully mobile, and continue education in other countries.

Universities have special offices to take care of the needs of international students. Specially assigned Polish students help newcomers to adjust to the new environment.

Phenomenon unique to Poland's education market is the large share of it in the hands of private institutions of higher education. The composition of the Polish market is comparable to that in the USA. There are now 310 privately owned universities and colleges in Poland and 138 state schools of higher learning. Thanks to high level of competition the cost of studying is lower than in other European countries.

Studying in Poland offers a wonderful opportunity to get to know the rich culture, to see splendid historical monuments, to enjoy some of Europe's largest and most unspoilt natural habitats, and to sample great cuisine.

Students who decide to study in Poland in English can do so at one of more than 100 institutions. These include universities, technical universities, higher schools of engineering, agricultural academies, academies of economics and numerous other higher vocational colleges and teacher training colleges. HEI's in Poland emphasize the application of scientific knowledge for future professional needs. Strong focus is placed on fundamental and applied research, as well as on creative and artistic work. See more at: www.studyinpoland.pl

We hope to see you soon!

Poland in brief

Official name: Republic of Poland /Rzeczpospolita Polska (short form: Poland/ Polska)
Independence: 11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)
Government type: republic
Location: Central Europe
Border countries: Belarus 416 km, Czech Republic 790 km, Germany 467 km, Lithuania 103 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 210 km, Slovakia 541 km, Ukraine 529 km
Language: Polish
Capital city: Warsaw
Major cities: Gdańsk, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Wrocław
Population: 38 518 241 (July 2007)
Total area: 312 685 sq km (304 465 sq m - land, 8220 sq m - water)
Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Local time: GMT + 1 hr
Executive branch: head of state: President Lech Kaczynski (since December 2005); head of government: Prime Minister Donald Tusk (since November 2007)
Member of the European Union: Since 2004
Religions: Roman Catholic 89,8%, Eastern Orthodox 1,3%, Protestant 0,3%, other 0,3%, unspecified 8,3%
Monetary unit: zloty (PLN)
Approximate exchange rates: 1 EUR = 3,59 PLN; 1 USD = 2,45 PLN; 1 CHF = 2,17 PLN; 1 GBP = 4,87 PLN; 100 JPY = 2,19 PLN (actual exchange rates: www.nbp.pl)
GDP - per capita: 14 400 USD (2006)


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