University of Warsaw
Institute of Political Science

Undergraduate Programme in Political Science

Undergraduate Programme in Political Science is addressed primarily to the high school graduates. The Programme is fee-paying. The language is English.

The courses within the studies are both theoretical (aimed at developing the theoretical knowledge of political science issues) and practical, including courses preparing students to do research. The Programme consists of obligatory and optional courses (the latter enables students to develop their individual path of studies). The particular emphasis is placed on issues concerning the European integration, Poland and Central and Eastern Europe as well as globalization.

Our students apart from regular courses take part actively in the academic life, participating in different political science associations; conferences, debates and lectures of distinguished guests from all over the world invited often by our university as well as social events. Thanks to knowledge and skills developed during our studies they can win scholarships and awards within different competitions, e.g. for the best foreign students in Poland.

Graduates of Undergraduate Programme in Political Science will acquire the intellectual qualifications necessary for analysing political problems from an international perspective. Thanks to skill building activities provided during courses, they will be well trained in the art of communication, negotiation and persuasion. In order to receive a Bachelor's degree, the graduates will be required to write the BA thesis and pass the examination.

FIRST YEAR Semester I Subject Lecture Classes Tutorial Form of completion ECTS Introduction to Political Science 30 h 30 h   Exam 6 Research Methodology I   30 h   Credit/grade 4 Political Economy 30 h Exam 4 Introduction to Sociology 30 h   Exam 4 European Integration – Theory and Empirical Studies 15 h 15 h   Credit/grade 4 Politics in Central and Eastern Europe – Theory and Research   30 h  Exam 5 Foreign Language     60 h   2 BHP (Health and Safety course) Internet course Credit 0,5 Protection of Intelectual Property Lecture (3 hours) Credit 0,5 Sport course   30 h   Credit              Total (per semester): 300 hours, 30 ECTS Semester II Subject Lecture Classes Tutorial Form of completion ECTS Introduction to Political Theory    30 h Credit/grade 5 EU Political System     30 h Credit/grade 5 Global Studies – Theory and Empirical Studies 30 h  30 h   Exam 7 Contemporary Political Systems – Theory and Empirical Studies 30 h 30 h Exam 7 Foreign Language     60 h Credit/grade 2 Research Methodology II   30 h   Credit/grade 4 Sport course   30 h   Credit                 Total (per semester): 300 hours, 30 ECTS SECOND YEAR Semester III Subject Lecture Classes Tutorial Form of completion ECTS Contemporary Political Movements 30 h   Credit/grade 4 Dynamics of Party System 30 h 15 h   Credit/grade 6 1) Political Systems in Central and Eastern Europe  or 2) Economic and Energy Policy in Central and Eastern Europe   30 h  Credit/grade 5 1)Contemporary Polish Political History  or 2) Political System of Poland     30 h Credit/grade 5 Optional course     Credit/grade 4 Optional course     Credit/grade 4 Foreign Language     60 h Credit/grade 2 Sport course   30 h   Credit                   Total (per semester): 225 hours (without optional courses), 30 ECTS Semester IV Subject Lecture Classes Tutorial Form of completion ECTS Social Psychology 30 h  Credit/grade 4 Political Philosophy 15 h 15 h   Exam 6 1) Foreign and Security Policy in Central and Eastern Europe 2) Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU     30 h Credit/grade 4 Foreign Language       Credit/grade 2 Foreign Language Exam       Exam 2 1) Process of Globalization or 2) Transnational Conflicts     30 h Credit/grade 4 Optional course     Credit/grade 4 Optional course     Credit/grade 4

Total (per semester): 180 hours (without optional courses), 30 ECTS

THIRD YEAR

Semester V

Subject	Lecture	Classes	Tutorial	Form of completion	ECTS
Democracy: Theory and Practice			30 h	Exam	7
1)    Middle Eastern Politics and Societies  or 2)    Central Asian Politics and Society			30 h	Exam	5
Political Analysis		30 h		Credit/grade	4
General Univ. Subject				Credit/grade	3
General Univ. Subject				Credit/grade	3
Diploma Seminar I		30 h		Credit	6

                      Total (per semester): 120 hours (without the general univ. subjects), 30 ECTS.

                      

 

Semester VI

Subject	Lecture	Classes	Tutorial	Form of completion	ECTS
Central Asian Politics and Societies	30 h	15 h		Exam	7
Political Rhetoric			30 h	Credit/grade	6
General Univ. Subject				Credit/grade	3
Diploma Seminar II		30 h		Exam	10

                   Total (per semester): 105 hours (without general univ. subjects), 30 ECTS  

 

Overall number: 1230 hours (without general univ. courses and optional courses) and 180 ECTS.

Any person who completed a secondary school in Poland or in another country is eligible for admission. The programme language is English; therefore, a candidate should speak English fluently enough to be able to study in this language.

Candidates will be admitted on the basis of the submission of the required documents.

1. A secondary school leaving certificate or an IB Diploma (a copy certified by the University of Warsaw) and, in the case of foreign certificates:

• legalisation or an apostille, if the document was issued by an educational institution of a country that is a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 112, items 938 and 939)

• a sworn translation of the certificate into Polish (if it was made in a foreign language); in exceptional cases, the certificate in English or its sworn translation into English may be accepted a confirmation from the high school or any other educational institution in the given country that the high school diploma gives full rights to apply for BA studies in the country of issuing the diploma.

2. An application for admission printed out from the Internet Candidate Registration system

3. An application for an Electronic Student ID Card printed out from the Internet Candidate Registration system together with the application for admission (after the student’s photograph has been uploaded to the system)

4. A copy of the ID used to register in the Internet Candidate Registration system

5. A written pledge to pay tuition fees regularly

6. A payment receipt for the administrative fee, if the payment was made abroad (after the registration)

7. A medical certificate stating no contraindications for undertaking studies, provided with a translation, if it was issued in a language other than Polish (applies to foreign nationals)

8. A photocopy of a residence permit in Poland (applies to foreign nationals)

9. Certificate confirming the knowledge of English or any other equivalent document in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 12 October 2006 . On taking by foreigners study and training , and their participation in research and development work , as amended.

When the number of candidates is greater than the limit of places candidates will be qualified based on the average ratings of all the subjects to be taken at the high school. On the basis of the scores obtained by the candidates the recruitment commission creates a ranking list by descending order of the number of points obtained. The list determines the order accepting candidates within the limit of seats. The final result is the number of points in the range of 0 to 100.

Candidates should also register on-line (https://irk.uw.edu.pl/?change_lang=en), fill in an application form and pay a non-refundable application fee (80 PLN). See more: http://rekrutacja.uw.edu.pl/en/index.php/application-and-tuition-fees/


About the Institute of Political Science

Institute of Political Science at University of Warsaw was founded in 1967 - initially as a part of the Philosophy Faculty.

Currently, the Institute operates in the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies. The Institute is the oldest, largest and - for several years - has been rated the best of all political science centres in Poland. The Institute of Political Science provides teaching and research of the highest standard. It has undergone voluntary academic audit procedures and has received the Teaching Quality Certificate from the University Accreditation Committee - with distinction. This enabled the Institute to receive the pro-qualitative financial support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education given only to the best Faculties in Poland.

The teaching includes political science studies in the following programs: BA and Master's degree studies (both in Polish and English), different postgraduate studies in Polish and doctoral studies (in Polish and English). Moreover, the Institute offers BA and Master's degree studies in Internal Security (Polish and English). We have also the agreement with the University in Konstanz (Germany) on the double MA diploma. The Institute employs over 80 academic staff.

Several factors contribute to the high level of teaching, among which is the location of the Institute in Poland's capital, its tradition, experience and prestige. The Institute readily adapts to the changing world modifying existing curricula and embracing new teaching methods. Political Science has become one of the most popular subject areas, providing qualifications and expertise from the pursuance of various careers in the public sphere.

Many different job opportunities are available for Political Science graduates. Political parties and state institutions, local governments and schools of higher education, banks and offices, companies and media, the diplomatic service and international organizations all require employees with political science diplomas. Understanding problems of the world we live in gives the graduates a head start in today's competitive labor market and makes them capable of meeting the demands of every employer in Poland and abroad.