The Cracow University of Technology is one of the best universities in Poland and is gaining a reputation worldwide. The modern study programme is also geared towards a foreign audience, who can count on a large dose of knowledge, taught in English, and recently also in Ukrainian.
The University has 77 years of experience shaping Polish scientific and technological thought. However, it does not remain stagnant but prides itself on its modern approach and openness to change, adapting to a dynamically developing world. The educational offer is constantly being extended and modernised, with new subjects appearing that meet the challenges of the 21st century. This was the case, for example, with the course Clean Air Engineering, which addresses the very topical issue of combating smog.
The students
The Cracow University of Technology (CUT) currently has 865 international students, including 718 in first- and second-level studies (full cycle). Many come under the Erasmus programme or the university’s bilateral agreements with universities worldwide. There is also a large group of foreign students at the University who are preparing for their studies in Poland in technical, architectural, economic, humanities and artistic faculties at the International Centre for Education. Graduates of the ICE are sent not only to the University of Technology, but also to other universities throughout Poland. The CUT International Centre of Education is one of only a few units in Poland authorised to run such courses. Amongst others, scholarship holders from the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) are referred to here – many are Government of the Republic of Poland scholarship holders. The ICE also conducts its recruitment of foreign candidates to study in Poland.
The offer
Several of the more than 30 faculties on offer at The Cracow University of Technology are taught in English. The offer includes four faculties of first-degree (engineering) studies in English: construction, architecture, landscape architecture, mechanics and machine construction; and nine faculties of second-degree (master’s) studies in English: construction, architecture, computer science, chemical technology, technical physics, power engineering, environmental engineering, landscape architecture, mechanics and machine construction. Foreigners are also offered education in English in doctoral studies as part of the PK Doctoral School. The University also runs a partial degree programme with partner universities (for a complete list, see bwz.pk.edu.pl/international-cooperation).
This year, nearly 100 refugee students from Ukraine are studying construction and transport in Ukrainian at the Faculty of Civil Engineering. It has prepared a special offer for this group of candidates in aid of Ukraine – to educate engineers in strategic specialities to reconstruct the country after the war for free. In the first semester of study, classes are conducted entirely in Ukrainian; in the second semester, they will be held in Ukrainian and Polish, followed by entirely Polish.
The international cooperation
The Cracow University of Technology is also developing thanks to international cooperation, realised, amongst others, through the Erasmus+ programme and its own relations. The University conducts scientific collaboration and student exchanges with several hundred universities from 54 countries worldwide. These include such thriving research centres as CERN in Switzerland, Purdue University in the USA, Technical University Berlin, Sapienza University of Rome in Italy, Kyushu University in Japan, Czech Technical University in Prague, the Guangdong University of Technology in Shanghai, Chung-Ang University in Seoul, amongst others. Student exchanges occur regularly, providing opportunities to gain knowledge and learn about other cultures. The Cracow University of Technology also educates Chinese students with the Białystok University of Technology and Tianjin Chengjian University, as part of the International School of Engineering jointly established by these universities. The Chinese students will study under Polish academics and receive a double degree (The Cracow University of Technology – architecture and landscape architecture, and the Bialystok didactics – construction and environmental engineering).
The future
The University has numerous plans. In the near future, another English-language course in second-degree studies will be launched – additive manufacturing at the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics. The University’s development strategy also includes other activities related to international cooperation, including collaboration with foreign scientists who teach as visiting professors.
The University of Technology also boasts modern study conditions. The laboratories operating here allow for research work and scientific development. Many of them have specialised apparatus, modern computers and audiovisual equipment. This makes it possible to study at a high level, matching the expectations of today’s students. It is also one of the leaders when it comes to innovative inventions.
