University of Warsaw

Introduction

The University of Warsaw, established in 1816, is Poland's biggest and best public university, playing a major role in the intellectual, political and cultural life of the country and recognized throughout the world as one of the leading academic centres in Central-Eastern Europe. The basis of the University’s activity is the unity of teaching and research, and the harmonious development of all branches of knowledge represented in its curriculum. The University’s civic mission is the formation of elites through providing its students with high professional qualifications and preparing them for proper fulfilment of future public roles by shaping their attitudes and developing their personalities. The cultural mission of the University is a synthesis of universal and local values. This aim is achieved by combining the universal techniques of communication and knowledge with maintenance of respect for the historical and cultural identity of the region and the state. The University is a place of a diversity of scientific research, the output of which is propagated throughout the society regionally, nationally, and worldwide. THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION The University of Warsaw educates 36'000 undergraduate and graduate students, 1'900 Ph.D. students and almost 1'200 non-degree post-diploma students, not counting the UW Open University students of all ages, including children. The University employs 8'000 people, including over 4'000 academic staff. Currently, there are 25 faculties and 30 other academic and research units, including the Centre of New Technologies and University Technology Transfer Centre. Students are offered over 200 programmes of 1st, 2nd and long cycle Master’s studies in humanities, social, exact and natural sciences, numerous interdisciplinary programmes, as well as 44 English-language programmes and 22 double degree programmes run by UW and international partners. PhD education is conducted in four newly-established multidisciplinary doctoral schools, where the students implement an individual research plan. Students may learn 36 different languages and receive the Language Proficiency Certificate. The University System of Language Provision was distinguished by the European Union with the European Language Label of the Labels award. The quality of education is confirmed by the annual appraisals conducted by the University itself. Results demonstrate that the majority of students are satisfied with their selection of the university and the education programme and that having a diploma from the University of Warsaw is a definite asset in the job market; 90% of respondents find employment within a year of obtaining a degree. UNIVERSITY OF RESEARCH The high level of scientific research, as well as its connection with diversity and attractiveness of teaching methods determine the highest position of the University in the country and its strong reputation worldwide recognized also by prestigious international rankings. The University employs over 4'000 scholars. Their scientific enquiry extends over 1'300 research topics; students who they concurrently teach have the opportunity of joining in their research projects. The University of Warsaw is present in more than 20 countries in 5 continents through archaeological excavations, ethnography and cultural studies research. The archaeologists who investigate the ancient Egypt have at their disposal the University’s Research Station in Cairo. Polish telescopes operate at the Las Campanas Observatory in the Atacama Desert, Chile, where UW astronomers perform large-scale sky surveys. COOPERATION The University of Warsaw cooperates actively with over 1'000 foreign and national institutions and collaborates with 350 partners from 76 countries within direct cooperation agreements. The level of internationalization makes the University one of the leading academic institutions in Central-Eastern Europe. The University is a member of numerous international societies and research networks. The University belongs to the 4EU+ European University Alliance together with Charles University, Heidelberg University, Sorbonne University, University of Copenhagen, University of Milan, University of Geneva and Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. IN THE HEART OF EUROPE The University of Warsaw community includes 4'000 foreigners: students, doctoral students, employees and grantees of, among others, the Erasmus+ programme. According to the European Commission’s assessment of academic exchanges, the University of Warsaw is one of the leaders among over 3'000 institutions in the entire Europe. Located in Warsaw, the University is at the centre of political and economic life and has a lively social and cultural scene.