Global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development

The national legislation sets general requirements for curriculum design but does not specify detailed curricular content (except for programmes for regulated professions) and, thus, does not define European, global or intercultural content to be incorporated into curricula (Law on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018, as subsequently amended / ustawa – Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce z 20 lipca 2018 r., z późn. zm.);  Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 27 September 2018 on degree programmes, as subsequently amended / Rozporządzenie Ministra Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego z dnia 27 września 2018 r. w sprawie studiów, z późn. zm.). See also information about higher education in Chapter 6.

Based on the data available in the POL-on System (Integrated Information System for Science and Higher Education), Polish higher education institutions (HEIs) provide in total 67 programmes (first-, second- and long-cycle programmes jointly) in the field of European Studies and related fields covering, for example, European or EU law, politics, economy and culture. Programmes in these fields are offered mainly by public universities, and by few technical universities and non-public HEIs. Various elements of the knowledge about Europe, the EU and / or the world are included in syllabi for compulsory and optional courses developed by HEIs in many other fields of study.

The Law on Higher Education and Science provides for the establishment of foreign HEIs and branches of foreign HEIs in Poland. HEIs may provide first-, second- and long-cycle programmes as joint programmes and joint doctoral training programmes, or operate joint doctoral schools, together with other Polish or foreign HEIs and research institutions. Graduates are awarded joint, double or multiple diplomas. 

In the last decades, Polish HEIs have also extended the range of degree programmes taught in a foreign language. According to the POL-on System, HEIs offer jointly 948 programmes in English, 11 programmes in French, 29 in Russian and 26 in Ukrainian, covering a wide variety of fields of study (aside from Language and Literature Studies and related fields where programmes are taught in the foreign language(s) concerned). Information about the programmes delivered in foreign languages is also available in the ‘Ready, Steady, Go Poland’ Portal managed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. 

Partnerships and Networks

The EU Erasmus+ Programme offers Polish higher education institutions (HEIs) most extensive opportunities for establishing transnational partnerships and networks. HEIs can also participate in other multilateral programmes, and projects co-funded by the EU and the national budget or national programmes which are aimed at the internationalisation of higher education and the enhancement of institutional capacities for international cooperation.

EU Erasmus+ programme

As part of projects under Erasmus+ (2021-2027), HEIs – like schools and other educational institutions – build their capacity for international collaboration and / or work jointly to enhance their performance (Cooperation Partnerships); carry out various activities to develop labour-market relevant skills (Centres for Vocational Excellence); and devise strategies, approaches and innovations for new skills development (Alliances for Innovation). HEIs also develop and test models of transnational collaboration and mobility in the area of initial and in-service teacher training (Teacher Academies); develop and provide joint Masters programmes (Erasmus Mundus Design Measures and Joint Masters); and provide training and conduct research in the field of European Union studies (for example, Chairs, intensive programmes, Centres of Excellence) (Jean Monnet Actions).

In the Capacity Building in Higher Education Action, HEIs from EU countries and countries associated to the Programme carry out projects with HEIs from third countries which are aimed at, for example, modernising higher education, facilitating access, improving the quality of education and bringing higher education closer to labour market needs in third countries. 

Erasmus+ also provides a large part of funding for European Universities alliances: transnational partnerships under the European Universities Initiative. In European Universities alliance projects, HEIs and their partners (public authorities, private sector and civic society organisations) develop long-term strategies for education, linked to research and innovation, for the benefit of the society, and campuses for study, training, research and innovation. 

Programmes / projects co-funded by the EU and the national budget

As part of its statutory responsibilities, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange administers several programmes co-funded by the European Funds for Social Development (2021-2027) and the national budget. 

• Support for European Universities 

The Programme offers additional support to Erasmus+-funded European Universities alliances (see above). Applications can be submitted by institutions which are full or associate partners of an ongoing European University alliance project or institutions which are full partners of a European University alliance whose project proposal has received a positive assessment but has not been awarded an Erasmus+ grant due to the limited funding.  

Grants can be used for, for example: organisation of student, doctoral student or staff exchanges; participation in study visits, internships, summer or winter schools, seminars, workshops, intensive courses and conferences, and organisation of conferences; development of educational resources; development or improvement of innovative teaching and learning tools and methods; activities aimed at the development of joint, double or multiple degrees and microcredentials; activities improving the quality of education and research; development of quality management systems for education; promotion of degree programmes and international image building; development and dissemination of joint research publications; networking and initiation of collaboration among partners of an European University alliance. 

• Katamaran (Catamaran): Establishing and conducting joint second-cycle studies 

The Programme supports internationalisation of Polish HEIs providing first-, second- or long-cycle programmes. HEIs can apply for grants for the development of programmes which lead to a joint, double or multiple degree (2-year projects) or for the delivery of such programmes together with a foreign HEI or research institution (4-year projects). 

• Spinaker (Spinnaker): Intensive transnational programmes

The Programme aims to support the internationalisation of Polish HEIs and other institutions training students and doctoral students. It awards grants to Polish institutions for the development or adaptation of transnational intensive programmes (for example, a summer or winter school, or a specialist course) of 30 to 150 hours, for Polish and international students and/or doctoral students. Programmes can involve physical, virtual or blended mobility. Currently, projects can last between 6 and 12 months. 

• Welcome to Poland

The Programme (information in Polish only) aims to boost internationalisation of Polish HEIs and other research institutions by building their capacity for hosting international students and staff. Grants are awarded for, for example, „internationalisation at home” activities; the development of skills and competences of administrative, academic and research staff in international cooperation and supporting incoming students and staff; the creation of support services for incoming students and staff; the development or purchase of digital tools for the implementation of projects; promotion and training activities; and activities fostering attitudes of openness and tolerance among students and staff. Projects can last 12, 18 or 24 months. 

Multilateral programmes 

• Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS)

For general information about CEEPUS, see Chapter 12.2 ‘Mobility in higher education’. HEIs from the participating countries establish cooperation networks for student and academic staff mobility; see Chapter 12.1 'Mobility in early childhood and school education'

• International Visegrad Fund

For general information about the International Visegrad Fund, see Chapter 12.2 ‘Mobility in higher education’. The Fund aims to promote regional cooperation. In addition to grants for student and academic staff mobility, the Fund awards Visegrad Grants and Strategic Grants for projects involving HEIs and other partners (for example, research institutions, companies, civic organisations and local authorities) from the V4 countries (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) and countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) or the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). The Fund does not predefine eligible activities or expected project outcomes, but projects should address at least one of the specified thematic areas (Visegrad Grants) or strategic priorities (Strategic Grants). 

National programmes / projects 

In addition to the programmes co-funded by the EU and the national budget (see above), the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange administers nationally funded programmes which are aimed at the internationalisation and quality improvement of higher education. 

• Strategic Partnerships

The Programme supports Polish HEIs and other research institutions in designing mechanisms for long-term cooperation in the areas of teaching, research and development within transnational strategic partnerships. Projects last between 12 and 24 months. Grants are available for, for example: mobility, study visits, internships, seminars, workshops and conferences involving students, doctoral students and staff; development of programmes leading to a joint, double or multiple degrees or microcredentials, and support for the delivery of such programmes; development of innovative teaching and learning materials, methods and tools; joint research and development work; development and implementation of a strategy for the dissemination of research results; development or enhancement of a quality assurance system; promotion activities; activities supporting joint research and research-and-development work; development and dissemination of joint research publications; networking and establishment of cooperation between partners. 

• STER (Rudder): Internationalisation of doctoral schools 

The Programme (information in Polish only) offers project grants for doctoral schools in Polish HEIs and other research institutions to improve the quality of education for doctoral students and their research activities. Projects can last 12 to 36 months. In cooperation with at least one foreign partner, a Polish institution can use the grant for, for example, scholarships for Polish and international doctoral students, activities related to “internationalisation at home”, and activities aimed at developing international cooperation between doctoral schools and attracting international doctoral students. 

Other initiatives

College of Europe campus in Warsaw-Natolin

Established in 1949, the College of Europe, based in Bruges, Belgium, is a university institute which offers Master’s degree courses in European studies. Its campus in Warsaw-Natolin, Poland, was established in 1992 with the financial support of the Polish Government and the European Commission. The Natolin campus provides Master’s degree programmes in European Interdisciplinary Studies and in Transatlantic Affairs in English and / or French.

Collegium Polonicum in Słubice

The Collegium Polonicum is a joint unit of the Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in Poznań, Poland, and the European University Viadrina (EUV) in Frankfurt, Germany. It offers first- and second-cycle programmes (in Polish Studies, German Studies, Law, Digital Entrepreneurship, and Governance of Organisations) and post-graduate programmes in Polish, German or English. Most of the degree programmes lead to a double AMU and EUV degree. The unit also conducts research, for example, on European integration and border regions, and supports collaboration between Polish and German academics. Based on the agreement signed between the Polish Minister of National Education and the Minister of Science, Research and Culture of the Federal State of Brandenburg in 2002, the Collegium hosts not only students from the partner universities undertaking a study period or following postgraduate courses, but also students and graduates from other HEIs.