Recruitment principles

Information on converting grades from certificates obtained abroad in the 2022/2023 recruitment

Detailed rules for converting grades from certificates obtained abroad can be found in Appendix No. 2 to Resolution No. 75/2021 of the Senate of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw of June 24, 2021, Conditions and mode of admission to studies of candidates with a secondary school certificate obtained abroad or a foreign diplo.

NOTE: Persons who are exempt from verification of knowledge of the Polish language:

1. have completed a one-year preparatory course (at least at B2 level) to study in Polish in units designated by the minister responsible for higher education after delivering confirmation of completion of this course to the Recruitment Office. A scan of the document should be sent electronically in advance to the following e-mail address: admission@uksw.edu.pl or
2. have a certificate of knowledge of the Polish language (at least at B2 level) issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (a scan of the document should be sent in advance by e-mail to the following e-mail address: admission@uksw.edu.pl)

The following link refers to the Polish language schools recommended by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education: Polish language schools for foreigners.

Rules for admitting candidates with a foreign high school diploma (both with foreign and Polish citizenship) for studies in all fields of study.

Candidates holding a foreign high school diploma from countries with which Poland has signed an agreement on the equivalence of education (list of countries) must present a certificate (original) and a translation of this certificate into Polish made by a sworn translator entered on the List of the Ministry of Justice or a translation certified by the consul of the Republic of Poland in office in the country where the document was issued. Additional information on the recognition of education on the website.

In the case of having a secondary school-leaving certificate obtained abroad, it is necessary to submit a document certifying the legality of the certificate (legalization or apostille) and an administrative decision to recognize the secondary school-leaving certificate obtained in a foreign education system as entitling to study in the higher education system of the Republic of Poland, provided the recognition of the secondary school certificate obtained abroad as equivalent to the Polish secondary school certificate does not take place under Article 93(1-2) of the Education Act.

Information about Apostille and legalization

It is necessary to have a certificate translated into Polish by a sworn translator or certified by the consul of the Republic of Poland in the country where the document was issued in the case of studies conducted in Polish.

The list of sworn translators is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice.

Matriculation certificates which are recognized in Poland by law:

“Matura” matriculation certificates obtained in the education systems of the European Union countries, the European Free Trade Agreement – European Economic Area and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), i.e. high school graduation certificates or diplomas, matriculation certificates or diplomas or other documents that entitle you to apply for admission to higher education in the country whose education system issued them and have been issued by a school or educational institution recognized by the state on whose territory or in whose educational system the school or institution operates. Applicable countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, PRC, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, USA, Hungary, UK, Italy.

Certificates covered by international agreements – Belarus, China, Ukraine.

Recognition of education by the decision of the curator of education – other countries; Curatorial offices addresses.

Candidates for first-cycle or uniform master’s studies who obtained their high school diploma abroad are asked to send a scanned file (format: ‘jpg’ or ‘gif’ or ‘pdf’):

• matriculation certificate translated by a sworn translator into Polish (in the case of applyingfor admission to first-cycle studies, uniform master’s studies conducted in Polish to the following address: admission@uksw.edu.pl (it is acceptable to send a clear photo of the certificate in the file)
• matriculation certificate translated into English (if applying for admission to the English major, it is allowed to send a scan translated into Polish or English to the following address:

Note: candidates whose documents contain a grading scale unavailable in the recruitment rules are asked to send information about the grading scale and their conversion applicable in the country where the document was issued.

• Legalization and apostille
• Addresses of education offices
• Polish Language School
• List of sworn translators
• List of entities authorized to organize exams in Polish as a foreign language

Studies for which the qualification procedure is carried out (i.e. a ranking list is created on the basis of certain criteria), with the exception of specialist theological studies, where admission is determined by the order of submitted documents.

Candidates for second-cycle studies in the recruitment process must send a scanned diploma of graduation. Persons who have a foreign diploma must attend interviews on the dates specified in the recruitment schedule.

Candidates with a Polish matura exam and foreigners with a diploma from a Polish university are exempt from the Polish language exam. Candidates with citizenship other than Polish proceed to the verification of knowledge of the Polish language organized by the Faculty of Humanities of UKSW. Details in the recruitment schedule.

Persons who have a document confirming knowledge of the Polish language at B2 level or higher issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language or one of the Polish language schools for foreigners are exempt from the test. Link to the Polish language schools recommended by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Theses for competence interviews for full-time second-cycle studies (in the case of all candidates with a foreign diploma):

Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences

major: biology

An interview during which the general knowledge of biology in the field of undergraduate studies and the candidate’s motivation to study in this field are assessed.

major: environmental engineering

The interview covers issues in the field of water and sewage management, environmental protection and monitoring, waste management and renewable energy sources (RES). The motivation of the candidate to take up studies in this field is also assessed.

Faculty of Christian Philosophy

major: philosophy

Theses of the interview include: main contemporary philosophical trends and representatives of personalism.

major: environmental protection

During the interviews, candidates answer the following questions: What is sustainable development? What are the basic assumptions of the idea of sustainable development? What is the greenhouse effect? They are also asked to list the most important threats to the natural environment.

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. School of Science

major: chemistry

Topics for the interview include:

• Basic chemical calculations.
• Basic terminology, nomenclature of chemical compounds, common conventions and chemical units.
• Main types of chemical reactions and their characteristics.
• Basics of procedures used in chemical analysis and to determine the properties of substances.
• Thermodynamics in chemistry.
• Kinetics of chemical transformations, catalysis and mechanistic interpretation of chemical reactions.
• Characteristic properties of elements and their compounds, including group similarities and variation sequences in the periodic table.
• Properties and reactivity of organic compounds.
• Basic synthesis methods in organic chemistry.

major: physics

• Band structure of solids and its influence on physical properties.
• Principles of thermodynamics and their application.
• The structure of matter and experimental methods for its characterization.
• Basic principles of quantum mechanics.
• States of matter and basic theories of their description.
• Computational methods of quantum physics.
• Nuclear reactions and elementary particles.
• Measurement methods used in classical physics.

major: computer science

• Structured and object-oriented programming: basic programming constructs as well as syntax and semantics of programming languages.
• Basic data structures used in programming and how to use these structures.
• Basic methods of designing, analyzing and programming algorithms; computational methods and algorithms used to solve typical IT problems (actions on heaps, queues and graphs).
• Database systems, data modeling, information storage and retrieval.
• Operating systems with particular emphasis on Unix and Windows class systems.
• Network technologies and network security rules.

major: mathematics

• Basic concepts and theorems of set theory: operations on sets, equivalence relation, order relation, functions, equality.
• Number sequences and series: definition of convergence, criteria for convergence of numerical series.
• Basics of the differential calculus of functions of one and many variables along with the study of the course of function variability and the search for local and global extremes.
• Fundamentals of integration of functions of one and many variables, geometric interpretation and application to the calculation of smooth surface areas and volumes.
• Basics of linear algebra: linear space, basis, linear map, linear map matrix, matrices and determinants, solving systems of linear equations with constant coefficients.
• Topological properties of subsets of Euclidean spaces and metric spaces.
• Basics of probability theory: probabilistic space, conditional probability, total probability and the Bayesian formula, independent events, random variable and its distribution characteristics, basic distributions (binomial, geometric, Poisson, exponential, normal).

Faculty of Historical Sciences

major: archaeology

During the interview, candidates are asked to present a bachelor’s thesis outline and further plans related to second-cycle studies (scientific interests, possible proposals for a master’s thesis topic). Candidates should be prepared on the following topics: archeology of Europe and the Mediterranean basin, legal and administrative framework for the protection and management of cultural heritage.

major: archiving and documentation management

During the interview, candidates are asked to present a bachelor’s thesis outline and further plans related to second-cycle studies (scientific interests, possible proposals for a master’s thesis topic). Candidates should be prepared with the following issues: knowledge of basic concepts and archival principles as well as types of documentation throughout history.

major: history

During the interview, candidates are asked to present a bachelor’s thesis outline and further plans related to second-cycle studies (scientific interests, possible proposals for a master’s thesis topic). Candidates should be prepared on the following issues: the history of Polish statehood throughout history and the history of Europe and the world in the 20th century.

major: history of art

During the interview, candidates are asked to present a bachelor’s thesis outline and further plans related to second-cycle studies (scientific interests, possible proposals for a master’s thesis topic). Candidates should be prepared with the following issues: specialist terminology in the history of art (architecture, painting, arts and crafts, with particular emphasis on terms related to the subject of the bachelor’s degree), methodology and the ability to write a description of a work of art. The conversation will also cover the knowledge of Polish and European art history and the history of Poland (10th-20th century).

major: cultural heritage management

During the interview, candidates are asked to present a bachelor’s thesis outline and further plans related to second-cycle studies (scientific interests, possible proposals for a master’s thesis topic). Candidates should be prepared with the following issues: basic knowledge of specialist terminology in archaeology, history of art, cultural studies, museology. The conversation will also cover Polish, European and cultural knowledge.

Social and Economic Department

field of study: managerial economics, sociology, political science

Topics for the interview include:

• Definition of the concept of nation as well as an exchange and description of nation-building factors.
• Characteristics of the local government, legislative, judiciary and executive authorities.
• Ecological problems of modern, developed societies and the participation of science of ecological organizations in raising awareness of the threats resulting from environmental pollution.

Faculty of Humanities

major: Polish philology, philology – Italian philology, philology – classical philology, cultural studies

Topics for the interview include:

connections between Polish literature and culture and the literature and culture of the candidate’s country of origin (personal contacts of artists, people of culture; literature, history, culture and landscape of a given country, region in Polish literature; literature, history, culture and landscape of a given country, region in literature, Polish in literature of a given country; aesthetic trends, artistic styles, literary schools as a sphere of mutual cultural influences, intertextuality as an area of shaping intercultural relations).

Faculty of Pedagogical Sciences

major: pedagogy (2nd cycle studies, full-time and part-time studies)

Topics for the interview include:

• Children’s rights and their importance in the modern world.
• Problems of modern youth, their origins and ways to solve them.
• Planning your own professional career and the conditions appearing on the labor market.
• List of educational institutions known to the candidate and their characteristics.
• Motives for choosing the field of study by the candidate.

Faculty of Law and Administration

major: administration, relations and international law, security in the digital economy

Topics for the interview include the history of Poland and the political and social system of the Republic of Poland.

Faculty of Family Studies

major: family studies

Topics for the interview include:

• Interdisciplinary explanation of the understood terms: marriage and family.
• Explanation of what the sacrament of marriage is and for whom and why it is important.
• Explanation of the characteristics of mature love.
• Characteristics of the basic functions of the family.
• Upbringing and caring for a child in the family.
• Explanation of what the development of a healthy and integrated personality is.
• Characteristics of a person’s biological, mental and social maturity.
• What is fertility? What are the methods of fertility recognition?
• What does the “pro-life” attitude mean? How does the candidate evaluate contraception, abortion, in vitro fertilization?
• Socio-political conditions of family functioning.

Faculty of Theology

major: journalism and social communication, specialty: media and marketing communication, specialist theological studies (2nd cycle studies)

Topics for the interview include:

• Elements of non-verbal communication in audiovisual messages.
• The phenomenon of television as a carrier of propaganda content.
• Threats and challenges of iconic civilization in relation to verbal culture.
• The need for media education in modern society.
• The problem of addictions to the use of media.
• Fake news as a problem of contemporary journalism.
• Transformation of internet communication in the era of Web 2.0.
• Social apps: a new stage of communication.
• Qualitative and quantitative methods of social and marketing research.
• Branding tools.
• Characteristics of commercial, political and social advertising.
• Ethics and ethical codes in public relations.
• The media market in my country.

• • Information on the recognition of a foreign diploma for the purposes of recruitment for second-cycle studies in Poland.
  • Candidates who have a diploma entitling them to continue education at higher-level studies in the higher education system of which the university issuing the diploma operates may continue education at the appropriate level (second-cycle studies) in Poland. The legal basis for the recognition of the diploma is then Article 326(1) and (2) of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science(Journal of Laws 2018, item 1668, as amended)
  • A foreign diploma may authorize further education in Poland also on the basis of an international agreement (pursuant to Article 327(1) of the Act).
  • A candidate who would like to study in Poland, and whose diploma does not give direct access to higher-level studies in the country of obtaining it, must submit the diploma to the recognition procedure in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of September 28, 2018 on the recognition of foreign diplomas and confirmation of completion of studies at a specific level (U.2018 poz. 1881 ).
  • Nostrification may only be carried out by a university that has an A+, A or B+ scientific category in the discipline to which the application for nostrification applies (Article 327(4) of the Act).

• • Legalization and apostille
  • Addresses of education offices
  • Polish Language School
  • List of sworn translators
  • List of entities authorized to organize exams in Polish as a foreign language
  • Nostrification

The basis for admission to part-time first-cycle studies and uniform master’s studies is the submission of the required documents (after registration in IKR). They should be submitted by the specified dates to the given faculty of the University, until the limit of places is exhausted. Persons who do not have a certificate of Polish language proficiency at B2 level must take part in an internal verification of Polish language proficiency organized by UKSW (link to the schedule).

The exceptions are studies in the following fields: psychology, medical field, pedagogy, pre-school and early childhood education, special education. The qualification procedure is carried out in the listed fields of study (i.e. a ranking list is created on the basis of certain criteria). The recruitment rules are the same as in the case of full-time studies, where the qualifying procedure is carried out (link to first-cycle full-time studies and uniform master’s studies).

Rules for admission of candidates with a foreign high school diploma (both with foreign and Polish citizenship) for studies in all fields of study

• Candidates holding a foreign high school diploma from countries with which Poland has signed an agreement on the equivalence of education must present a certificate (original) and a translation of this certificate into Polish made by a sworn translator entered on the List of the Ministry of Justiceor a translation certified by the consul of the Republic of Poland in the country in which the document was issued. List of countries with which Poland has signed agreements on equivalence of education. Additional information on recognition of education: recognition of education obtained abroad
• In the case of having a secondary school-leaving certificate obtained abroad, it is necessary to submit a document certifying the legality of the certificate (legalization or apostille) and an administrative decision to recognize the secondary school-leaving certificate obtained in a foreign education system, which entitles to study in the higher education system of the Republic of Poland, provided the recognition of the secondary school certificate obtained abroad as equivalent to the Polish secondary school certificate does not take place pursuant to Art. 93(1-2) of the Education Act. Information about apostille and legalization
• In the case of studies conducted in Polish, it is necessary to have a certificate translated into Polish by a sworn translator or certified by the consul of the Republic of Poland in the country where the document was issued. The list of sworn translators is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice.

Świadectwa maturalne, które uznaje się w Polsce z mocy prawa:

• Matriculation certificates which are recognized in Poland by law:

“Matura” matriculation certificates obtained in the education systems of the European Union countries, the European Free Trade Agreement – European Economic Area and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), i.e. high school graduation certificates or diplomas, matriculation certificates or diplomas or other documents that entitle you to apply for admission to higher education in the country whose education system issued them and have been issued by a school or educational institution recognized by the state on whose territory or in whose educational system the school or institution operates. Applicable countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, PRC, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, USA, Hungary, UK, Italy.

Certificates covered by international agreements – Belarus, China, Ukraine.

Recognition of education by the decision of the curator of education – other countries; Curatorial offices addresses.

Candidates for first-cycle studies or uniform master’s studies who obtained their high school diploma abroad are required to send:

• scanned to a file (format: ‘jpg’ or ‘gif’ or ‘pdf’)
• śmatriculation certificate translated by a sworn translator into Polish (in the case of applying for admission to first-cycle studies, uniform master’s studies conducted in Polish to the following address: admission@uksw.edu.pl (it is acceptable to send a clear photo of the certificate in the file)
• matriculation certificate translated into English (if applying for admission to a major taught in English, it is allowed to send a scan translated into Polish or English to the following address: admission@uksw.edu.pl
  Note: candidates whose documents contain a grading scale unavailable in the recruitment rules are asked to send information about the grading scale and their conversion applicable in the country where the document was issued.

• Legalization and apostille
• Addresses of education offices
• Polish Language School
• List of sworn translators
• List of entities authorized to organize exams in Polish as a foreign language

Second-cycle part-time studies are mostly studies, for which admission is determined by the order of submitted documents.

The basis for admission to second-cycle part-time studies is the submission of the required documents (after registration in the IRK). They must be submitted within the designated dates, until the limit of places is exhausted. Persons who do not have a certificate of Polish language proficiency at B2 level must take part in an internal verification of Polish language proficiency organized by UKSW (link to the schedule).

The exception is studies at the Faculty of Pedagogical Sciences, where the qualification procedure is carried out (i.e. a ranking list is created on the basis of certain criteria). The recruitment rules are the same as in the case of full-time studies where the qualification procedure is carried out (link to second-cycle full-time studies).

Information on the recognition of a foreign diploma for the purposes of recruitment for second-cycle studies in Poland.

Candidates who have a diploma entitling them to continue education at higher-level studies in the higher education system of which the university issuing the diploma operates may continue education at the appropriate level (second-cycle studies) in Poland. The legal basis for the recognition of the diploma is then Article 326(1) and (2) of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1668, as amended)

A foreign diploma may authorize further education in Poland also on the basis of an international agreement (pursuant to Article 327(1) of the Act).

A candidate who would like to study in Poland, and whose diploma does not give direct access to higher-level studies in the country of obtaining it, must submit the diploma to the recognition procedure in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of September 28, 2018 on the recognition of foreign diplomas and confirmation of completion of studies at a specific level (Dz.U.2018 poz. 1881 ).

Nostrification may only be carried out by a university that has an A+, A or B+ scientific category in the discipline to which the application for nostrification applies (Article 327(4) of the Act).

• Legalization and apostille
• Addresses of education offices
• Polish Language School
• List of sworn translators
• List of entities authorized to organize exams in Polish as a foreign language
• Nostrification