Studies in Poland

International co-operation is one of the major objectives that The Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University College undertakes. This area of the College's development entails initiatives aiming at preparing students to be successful in pursuing their careers in the international environment. We do not, however, restrict ourselves to this kind of activities. Through the implementation of various programmes along with our foreign partners we have created an intercultural area, in which the academic community has opportunities to develop multifaceted forms of co-operation.

In addition to the most obvious benefits of studying, like acquiring knowledge and computer skills or taking part in practical training, students have an opportunity to study foreign languages on all levels of advancement. They can learn English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, French, Arabic, Chinese or Japanese. The Foreign Languages Centre at The Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University College has organised TELC examinations in English and German for the past few years and it achieved the status of TELC Examination Centre in 2005.

As far as the international co-operation is concerned, it is essential that one acquires the skills of communicating in foreign languages, because this is a basic factor influencing successful implementation of various activities. Thus, in addition to teaching languages, we put an emphasis on providing both students and academic staff with opportunities to keep in touch with foreign tongues in order to improve their language skills and increase the potential for conducting all kinds of research work. With this in mind, we have been successively increasing the number of foreign literature at our library. In addition to ca. 40 000 volumes in Polish, we have gathered over 15 000 volumes of specialist literature in foreign languages. This stock was acquired inter alia from the Bochum University, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Beverley (England), Japan Foundation, US Department of State, Sejm Library, Library of Polish Academy of Sciences and various institutions of the European Union.

Moreover, The Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University College has singed many agreements with foreign higher education institutions and has maintained linkages with various academic centres abroad. We organise international conferences, participate in the European programs like CEEPUS, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, hold meetings with foreign scholars and diplomats, implement teacher and student exchanges, offer internships abroad, conduct and publish cross-cultural and combined research with the contribution of professors from various countries, and run semester-long lectures in foreign languages.

Due to the dynamic development of the international co-operation, the College received the Erasmus University Charter awarded by the European Commission. It enables The Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University College to participate in academic exchange programmes with the higher education institutions from countries in the European Union and European Economic Area. In order to foster the continuation of education abroad, the Diploma Supplement in several languages was introduced. The purpose of this document is to provide sufficient independent data to improve the international 'transparency' and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications. It is designed to provide a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed by the individual to whom the supplement is granted. Additionally, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is being prepared now. This system helps to accept on equal basis the courses taken at other schools of higher education in Poland or abroad in the place where the students decide to continue their education. Within this framework, they are also able to adjust the pace of studies to their needs and capacity.

We have presented a consistent approach in the process of internationalisation of The Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University College since the foundation of our institution in 2000. This approach stems from the need to face modern challenges posed by the processes of globalisation. We contribute a lot of effort and resources to the development of international co-operation on many levels in order to prepare students to successfully function on competitive markets in Poland and abroad. The Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University College creates many opportunities for the academic staff to increase their scientific potential and improve knowledge and skills in an international environment.