2. JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY
The education of Polish society was a goal of rulers as early as 13th century. The
Jagiellonian University founded in 1364 in Kraków, is one of Europe’s oldest universities.
According to Polish Constitution everyone has the right to education which is compulsory
until the age of 18. Education in pubic schools is free.

4. This is the first step in the Polish education Children aged 6-7 years enter 1st class of
system for children aged 3 to 6 years. The primary school. Teaching at this stage is in
aim of the nursery schools is to provide the following subjects: Polish language,
children with appropriate conditions of the history, modern foreign languages, maths,
physical, intellectual, emotional and social natural science, music, art, IT, physical
development as well as to prepare them for education and religion. The level is basic. At
going to the primary school.
the end of 6th class when pupils are 13,
they take a compulsory exam.

5. Next step is a 3-year gymnasium which There are two types of secondary
is targeted at pupils aged 13 and 16. schools:
One of the aims of this stage is to 3-year general secondary school
indentify the abilities and interests of (students aged 16-19)
the students and to help them make a 4-year vocational secondary schools
rational choice of a further education (students aged 16-20)
route. It ends with a nationwide exam, The first one is focused in general
the results determine the upper education and preparation for a
secondary school they will attend. university or polytechnics, the second
one is more vocational and usually
more technical type. Both end with a
maturity examination and maybe
followed by several forms of higher
education.

6. The requirement to apply for admission to higher education studies is the Matura certificate.
Higher education institutions are targeted at teaching students at the vocational or Master
degree level and at preparing them for their professional careers. They can also offer
postgraduate courses, PhD studies, as well as special studies and courses.
Types of higher education institutions (including non-state institutions):
- Universities
- Technical universities
- Medical universities
- Agricultural schools
- Pedagogical universities
- Academies of music
- Academies of theatre and film
- Schools of economics
- Maritime schools
- Military schools
- Schools of theology
- Non-state schools of higher education