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The University of Silesia in Katowice is one of the largest and most dynamically developing public universities in Poland. Founded in 1968, the University of Silesia quickly established a reputation as a vibrant academic institution and an important interdisciplinary research hub. With a tradition of launching new programs to best meet the needs of rapidly changing labor markets, the University of Silesia offers students a variety of programs and specialized fields of study. With outstanding research teams and well-equipped laboratories, we are an important player in the global research arena. We actively participate in European Commission initiatives focused both on educational and scientific development, and realize projects within the frame of programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020. The University of Silesia in Katowice gives its students a unique possibility to develop their interests, fulfill their passions and gain practical skills necessary in the constantly changing job market. Every academic year we offer over 70 programs and over 240 specializations, that are designed to help our students and alumni meet the challenges of changing reality and the labor market. We provide a stimulating learning environment where individual interests can be pursued and academic ambitions achieved. The University of Silesia serves almost 25,000 intramural and extramural students and it already has 250,000 proud alumni, among which there are outstanding personalities in many fields. Our community consists also of more than 2,000 teachers and researchers. The roots of the University of Silesia date back to 1928 when the Institute of Pedagogics was established in Katowice. The institute was later reformed to National Pedagogical University in 1950, however, the first preparations for the formation of what would later become the University of Silesia were taken just after the finish of the Second World War. In June 1962, a branch of Jagiellonian University was settled in Katowice, which concentrated, apart from humanities, on mathematics, physics, and law. Together with the National Pedagogical University, these are the foundations of what came to life in 1968 as the University of Silesia. And so on October 1, 1968, the University (comprising of four faculties) had its first academic year inaugurated, providing almost 6,000 students with twelve programs, such as philology, pedagogics, psychology, history, law, administration, mathematics, physics, chemistry, physical education, electrotechnics, and mechanics. Two years later, the branch of the University in Cieszyn was established, and in the following years (1974-1978) six new faculties were opened. We are currently teaching almost 25,000 students on over 70 programs and 240 specializations on bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. With almost 50 years of its tradition, the University of Silesia has gathered well over 250,000 alumni to this day and has its units located in 4 different cities. Having renown among international students, the University of Silesia makes its best efforts to provide them with a profound and satisfying learning experience supported not only with the sole transfer of knowledge but also by emphasizing students' personal development. The University of Silesia warmly welcomes international students and candidates willing to undertake studies in our institution either in Polish or in a foreign language. Our broad and diverse educational offer ensures us that we can develop specialists in almost every possible field of science - from arts and linguistics to molecular physics. "The University of Silesia, operating under the ethos of European scholarship, assumes that as a commu­nity of scholars and students bound up with mutual respect and trust it not only responds to the increasing educational needs by providing instruction at the best possible level and conducting research which respects the elementary right of academic freedom in the pursuit of Truth but also carries out a significant social mission consisting in encouraging self-development as well as the formation of creative attitudes and spiritual aspirations, whereby it helps shape the cultural image of the Region and Poland. Whilst being committed to both preserving and dissemi­nating knowledge which is a legacy of past generations, the University of Silesia also actively contributes to the cultural heritage of society through the pursuit of art and creative rese­arch, the interpretation of contemporary reality, and the analysis of the evolution of values which shape the immediate envi­ronment. Both the geographical and cultural situation of the University, at a junction of regions to every one of which History assigned a different course, yet which for centuries have developed their culture through interpenetration and dialogue, endows the University with a European dimension and enables it to define itself as a place whose identity is constituted not by its isolation, but by its readiness to wel­come the Other and Different." View full university

The University of Economics in Katowice was founded in 1937 and is the biggest and oldest business school in the region, one of the top universities in Poland. Each year over 11 000 Polish and international students follow our degree programs at the Bachelor, Master, Doctoral, and Post-diploma levels at our five faculties: Business, Finance and Administration, Economics, Finance and Insurance, Informatics and Communication, and Management. Our students and graduates mature in a thriving metropolis engage in the development of the region in the course of their professional lives: managing companies, organizing socioeconomics life, taking part in a wide range of business activities. Our educational offer and lifelong learning programs attract students from all over the world and from every generation. Due to the balance between academic strength and soft skills in our courses as well as professional career services the employability of our graduates is very high. We cherish relations with our local and international alumni engaging them in many activities on campus and on social media. We are proud to create today's managers for tomorrow's challenges. View full university

The Academy of Physical Education in Katowice is one of six such academies in Poland and the only one in the Silesia region. It specializes in educating teachers of physical education, coaches, specialists in physical rehabilitation, and specialists in recreation and tourism. International students may be offered individual consultation in English. The teaching staff of the academy is composed of lecturers with established research and teaching qualifications, who in many cases are also active athletes or coaches. As a result, the staff of the academy provides not only theoretical knowledge but also develops the spirit of sportsmanship in students. The academy can be proud of its modern and well-developed infrastructure which includes a multifunctional sports hall with two swimming pools, a squash court, a sports shooting range, a dance and fitness hall, a judo hall, three beach volleyball and handball fields, a 12-meter-high and 25-meter-wide artificial climbing wall, a team sports hall with a full-size handball field, volleyball, football and basketball training fields and two weight lifting and fitness halls. It also has sports halls fully adapted for the needs of disabled people. The latest investments of the Academy are a new track and field stadium and modern library. View full university

Katowice School of Economics (KSE) is a non-state academic Higher Educational Institution - placed in the state Register of Non-Public Schools of Higher Education and the Union of Non-Public Schools of Higher Education, run by the Minister of Science and Higher Education, under the consecutive number 36. Scientific research, as well as high standards of education, make KSE one of the top Polish business schools. The educational offer is composed of 15 fields of study at first (bachelor) and second (master) cycle programs. Moreover, KSE conducts doctoral seminars and is awarded the right to confer the doctorate title in economics studies in the field of management. Since 2016 KSE is also entitled to confer the "Doktor habilitowany" (habilitation) tile in economics studies in the field of management, this means we are granted full academic rights. KSE has already 50 000 graduates. The main campus of KSE is situated in Katowice and other cities of Silesia. KSE offers also studies in Vienna for the Polish community abroad and Ostrava for the local community. Our study programs are accredited by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (PKA). Quality is confirmed also by the state and international accreditations. KSE cooperates with many universities in Poland and abroad, offers students’ placements abroad, academic exchanges, summer schools, international scientific seminars, and others. We equip our students with creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial skills, as well as the ability to follow the rules of ethics. Katowice School of Economics reaches top positions in the rankings of non-public universities in Poland every year. KSE was also said to be at the top of the most prestigious Polish non-public universities in a report made by “The Economist Intelligence Unit” and in the rankings of “Business Magazine. View full university

The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice was founded in 1929. Located in a beautiful neo-Gothic building the Academy holds a variety of artistic events such as concerts, master classes, workshops, competitions, and conferences both on national and international levels, combined with didactic activities. The Academy offers full-time as well as part-time BA, MA, post-graduate and doctoral studies adjusted to European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The organizational structure of the Academy consists of two departments: Composition, Interpretation, Education and Jazz Department, and Vocal-Instrumental Department. Studies are offered in many fields: composition, conducting, music theory, eurhythmics, music education, music therapy, jazz interpretation, instrumental and vocal performance. The school prides on its spectacular Concert Hall for 480 people which meets the latest spatial and acoustic requirements. The building is also the seat of one of the largest music libraries in Poland.Being a member of AEC (Association Européenne des Conservatoire, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen) and other music organizations The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice is very active on national and international arena. This includes co-operation with numerous music schools all over the world including more than 30 partner institutions within LLP-Erasmus Programme. Since the academic year 2011/2012, the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice has been offering paid studies in given specialties in the English language. Bachelor’s degree programs in the field of instrumental performance last six semesters after the completion of which the bachelor’s degree is awarded. It enables access to master’s programs. Master’s degree programs in the field of instrumental performance last 4 semesters after the completion of which the master’s degree is awarded. It enables access to the third-cycle studies. If you want to spend a part of your studies in the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice as an exchange student, you should apply through the international coordinator at your home institution. You should contact your international coordinator well in advance as it may take some time to prepare your application. The deadline for applications for both semesters in our school is 30 April of the previous academic year. Until then your local international coordinator should have forwarded your application to us. The application along with the recording is forwarded to the Academy Selection Committee / Head of Department who evaluate it. They decide if the applicant has the sufficient level to be admitted. The result of your application is sent to your international coordinator. Please be aware that even though you have spoken with a teacher here at the Academy and he/she has expressed interest in accepting you in his/her class it is not certain that we can offer you a study place. It is only when you have an official letter from our Erasmus coordinator offering you a study place that you have been accepted. European Credit Transfer System has been designed by the European Commission to prepare procedures to guarantee recognition of periods of study abroad. This system allows higher education institutions to recognize students’ achievements by using clear “measures”- credits. ECTS credits are allocated to course units based on the workload students need to achieve expected learning outcomes. They reflect the workload each course unit requires in comparison with the entire workload a student needs to complete an academic year in a given institution which includes: lectures, practical work, seminars, exams, and other forms of assessment. ECTS credits are a relative, not an absolute measure of the workload required from a student. Within ECTS 60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a full-time year of formal learning (academic year) and usually 30 credits – to the workload of a semester. ECTS credits are allocated to course units, and they are granted to students who have met the requirements to complete them. According to the Regulations of the Academy, it is necessary to obtain 30 credits to complete a semester. The Academy of Music's building where the Concert hall, the Library, and the patio are situated, is completely adjusted to the needs of the physically handicapped. To benefit from the free health care service, foreign citizens studying in Poland have to be insured from illness and accidents or to hold a valid European Health Insurance Card or to be insured in the NFZ (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia - National Fund for Health). Because of the differences in health insurance regulations in the countries of the EU and outside, future students are advised to check those regulations in their homeland, before coming to Poland. Students of the Academy of Music have the possibility of using practice rooms. Students wishing to do that are supposed to pay a Music Fund charge at the Information Desk (from Monday to Friday) or in the dormitory. The Main Library of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music is the oldest and the largest music library in Upper Silesia. Nowadays, the Library has 140 000 books, scores, magazines, periodicals, discs, and other documents. The Karol Szymanowski Music Academy in Katowice cooperates with many foreign universities and academies of music. The school is a member of the AEC (Association Européenne des Conservatoirea, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen).The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music cooperates with the School of Polish Language and Culture University of Silesia in Katowice. Within this cooperation, the school offers regular language courses with a discount for our Erasmus students. To learn about details contact our Erasmus coordinator. View full university