Prospective study abroad students should undertake a few steps before applying to the programme. Firstly, interested students should request that their Study Abroad Office contact our Study Abroad programs manager, Svetlana Baranova, directly. Secondly, students should review the eligibility requirements to determine whether the programme is a good fit for their personal and academic goals. Lastly, the application process is quick and easy. Below are some requirements to consider before getting started. The required application form may be found in the "Study Abroad Admissions" section.

Students may enjoy a selection of courses that focus on European and Central and Eastern European history, economics, politics, culture and society. While liberal arts or social science background may be useful, all applicants who can demonstrate an interest in European studies are encouraged to apply.

Although students may take courses outside of the Institute and in other departments, we would like to highlight that scheduling conflicts may occur, and the appropriate level of credits may be more difficult to obtain. Please be sure that your study abroad trip will not interfere with fulfilling your home university's academic requirements.

All candidates must be in good academic standing at their university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent). Those who do not meet this requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis, if his/her Study Abroad advisor is confident that the applicant will be able to succeed and enjoy the academic experience.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

If your first language is not English you should provide evidence that your level of proficiency is adequate for the programme of study. IES accepts the following English language certificates and scores:

Applicants who have had substantial education conducted in English are exempt from this requirement. Moreover, Polish language proficiency is not a requirement for the IES study abroad programme.

The application process is quick and easy for students interested in our study abroad programme. Prospective applicants should first consult with their Study Abroad advisor about their academic preparedness and personal aims for their semester or year abroad. 

When applying for the Study Abroad programme at the Centre for European Studies/Institute of European Studies, candidates must submit the following documents:

• Completed application: word document or pdf,
• Written approval to study at the Jagiellonian University from their academic adviser, study abroad counsellor, and/or Registrar of their home institution,
• Original transcript or other records of their academic achievements including degrees earned,
• Curriculum vitae (resumé),
• One passport photograph (35 mm x 45 mm) taken against a white background without a hat or head covering (these cannot be printed photos or xeroxed copies of photos),
• Proof of English proficiency (non-native speakers only).

All documents must be sent as postmarked at the latest by:

30 June 2023 for the autumn 2023 semester

31 December 2023 for the spring 2024 semester

to the following address:

Ul. Władyaława Reymonta 4, p.541

30-059, Kraków

Polska/Poland

Deadline extensions may be granted in rare cases and require a written recommendation by a full faculty member from their home university.

After an application has been considered, a candidate is sent a letter of acceptance or rejection. This letter will be mailed to the student's home institution no later than one calendar month after the deadline for the semester.   

In case of any questions, please contact the study abroad programs manager, Svetlana Baranova.

'Credit' is a method of measuring the student's courseload. 'Marks' (grades) are a diagnostic tool designed to indicate to the student's level of mastery of the course and its objective. All undergraduate transcripts will contain both the Polish system marks and the ECTS credits awarded for each class.

The Polish grading system

All instructors are obliged to explain their expectations and grading system at the start of the semester. The following grading system is used at Polish universities:

Grades are given from 2 to 5.

2.0 = unsatisfactory (fail) = "2" or "ndst"
3.0 = satisfactory = "3" or "dst"
3.5 = satisfactory = "+3" or "dst+"
4.0 = Good = "4" or "db"
4.5 = good plus = "+4" or "db+"
5.0 = very good = "5" or "bdb"

The ECTS credit system

The European Credit Transfer System is a Europe-wide system for counting and transferring the academic credit that a student has earned. The system was first launched in 1989 by the European Commission and is now the standard system for all higher education in Poland, as well as in 45 other countries that participate in the Bologna Process. ECTS makes credit earned at a Polish university more transparent and more easily transferable to other institutions.

The system assumes that the standard workload adds up to 60 ECTS per academic year (30 ECTS per semester). 'Courseload' takes into account homework and study time, as well as classroom time. A student may assume that each point of ECTS is earned by a total courseload of 25 to 30 hours of work.

Transfering grades and credits from Study Abroad

When transferring credit from the Jagiellonian University to another institution, grades will be issued on the Polish scale alone and credit points for each course will be given as ECTS points. Explanations of the Polish grading system and ECTS are included on transcripts.

Ultimately, it is the student's home institution that decides how the credits and grades earned at the Jagiellonian University will be entered into their home institution's records. Many US colleges, for example, consider 2 ECTS points to be 1 US 'credit hour'.

Some North American institutions use the following equivalences for grades:

2.0 = F
3.0 = C
3.5 = C+
4.0 = B
4.5 = B+
5.0 = A

Please consult your home institution before assuming that they will follow any specific system of interpretation or equivalence.