University of Lodz (UŁ)
The highly respected University of Lodz is one of the leading institutions of higher education in Poland. It was established in 1945 as a successor of educational institutions active in Lodz in earlier times. The 12 faculties of the University provide programmes in 90 fields of study and 165 specializations. In addition, the University offers doctoral programmes, more than 56 postgraduate curricula including an MBA programme, and programmes financed by the ESF. About 10,000 students complete their programmes at the University of Lodz every year. Our students, together with those studying in Lodz within exchange programmes, come from about 90 different countries. In this truly international atmosphere everyone can experience the cultural diversity of both the city and the institution.
The 37,000 students that attend classes at different faculties of the University are taught by 2,214 academic teachers, 611 of whom bear the highest academic rank. The interest in studying at the University of Lodz is determined not only by high quality of instruction, but also by modern programmes of study offered in Polish, English, French or Russian, and adapted to the changing demands of the labour market. The University treats international cooperation as a way to foster its development and continue the city’s tradition. Our institution regularly hosts guest speakers, renowned politicians, businessmen and cultural representatives from Poland and abroad. The University is repeatedly ranked among the top higher education institutions in Poland, and it especially excels in such fields of study as management, law, and economics. UL is one of only six Polish Universities which gained a place in the QS World University Rankings.
The University of Lodz boasts the oldest and most recognized School of Polish for Foreigners that has educated over 22,000 students since 1952. The School runs 1-month, 5-month and 9-month courses which prepare foreign students for future studying in Poland. It offers basic courses of Polish as well as thematic Polish language courses in history, geography, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and philosophy to provide prospective students with the knowledge needed in their future academic settings. After completion, the students are given right to be admitted without extra examinations to many Polish institutions of higher education.
International relations of the University are visible in various areas. Currently, within direct cooperation agreements, the school cooperates with 200 partner institutions from all over the world. Within the Erasmus Programme, the University has so far signed 600 agreements with 300 partner institutions. These institutions give our students, whether local or foreign, the possibility of spending a semester, or a year, abroad, and, in return, we welcome many guests from abroad spending a period of their studies in Lodz. The University of Lodz takes part in other exchange and research programmes such as Erasmus+, Campus Europae, Scholarship and Training Fund, Compostela Group of Universities, Erasmus Mundus.
As a result of cooperation with a number of foreign universities such as Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, Université François – Rabelais (Tours), University of Texas in Austin, Westfälische Wilhelms – Universität Münster, the R. H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, University of Regensburg and Centria University of Applied Sciences (Kokkola, Finland) students of the University of Lodz can graduate with dual diplomas.
The University Library is one of the biggest and most modern academic libraries in Poland. At present, its total collection amounts to 3 million volumes. The University Campus offers modern rooms within walking distance from most faculties. The University provides access to a state-of-the-art Sports Centre. Apart from abundant opportunities for social life (countless pubs), the students can join about 120 societies, scientific clubs, associations and other academic organizations.
Opportunities for the student mobility outside the EU include different universities in the Latin America as well as Eastern Europe (together with the Caucasus region), via the partnership within five projects of the Erasmus Mundus Action 2: EMBER, IANUS II, EFFORT, EURICA, PUEDES.
The University of Lodz coordinates exchange programme called Mobility Direct which allows a tuition-free semester for all students at a partner institution anywhere in the world.