University of Silesia in Katowice
Logo and location
- country: Poland
- language: Polish
- currency: PLN
- WWW: www.us.edu.pl/en
- contact: transform4europe@us.edu.pl
CZEŚĆ!
The University of Silesia is the largest university in the Silesian Voivodeship and one of the leading universities in Poland. It has been an important scientific and cultural hub for over 50 years, supporting the development of the region and Poland.
As of May 2024, the University of Silesia is an educational home to 22,000 students from all around the world. It offers 86 degree programmes, including 72 1st cycle and long-cycle studies and 61 2nd cycle studies carried out by 1,871 academics supported by the administrative staff of 1,369. Nearly 260,000 students have graduated from the University since 1968.
The University engages in a dynamic international collaboration with 255 bilateral agreements with 61 countries and 826 agreements with 48 countries within the Erasmus+ programme. Having 3,500 international mobility programmes, the University has become a centre for cultural exchange, improving therefore the quality of education and research.
In 2023, the University of Silesia made significant progress in implementing the Development Strategy for 2020-2025; joining Transform4Europe and awarding Katowice the title of the European City of Science 2024 were the key events in this regard. Additionally, employment procedures have been organised, gender equality policies have been fostered, and the number of publications and scientific grants have increased.
The University has been introducing the New Concept of Studies, adjusting programmes to hone skills desired in the labour market. Within the so-called third mission, the University carries out science communication activities such as the Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE.
The Festival was an important piece in the efforts by the City of Katowice and the Academic Consortium in awarding Katowice the title of the European City of Science 2024.
Detailed information at:
KATOWICE - EUROPEAN CITY OF SCIENCE 2024
Katowice was announced as the European City of Science 2024 (ECS 2024). The title is awarded by EuroScience in cooperation with the European Commission.
The greatest goal of the ECSK 2024 is to transform the region through science, providing residents with access to knowledge and turning it into a tool for civic dialogue. ECSK2024 is to show the riches of Silesian science in the European research arena and bring them closer to the residents.
We will not improve the quality of life in Silesia without science, which is key to the future of residents and is more important than fossil fuels. The City of Science is to make science the new industry, solving everyday problems and answering questions.
The framework is based on three pillars:
- European City of Science 2024 Programme of Events built around 50 weeks of science.
- Scientific Excellence and the EuroScience Open Forum,
- Infrastructure of the City of Science, i.e. establishing the Green Science Zone in Katowice and the Network Science Centre.
The thematic paths of the European City of Science Katowice 2024 concern Climate and Environment, Industries of the Future, Social Innovations, Industrial and Cultural Heritage, and Creation and Criticism.
Detailed information at https://us.edu.pl/en/europejskie-miasto-nauki
University in a nutshell
Location
The University of Silesia encompasses 8 faculties and 2 doctoral schools and is located in four cities of the Upper Silesia region – Katowice, Chorzów, Sosnowiec and Cieszyn.
Upper Silesia, with its capital city Katowice, is located in the southern part of Poland at one of the main crossroads of Central Europe. The main road and rail arteries run through the city and region in the West-East direction, linking Germany with Ukraine, and North-South linking the Scandinavian countries with Vienna and the south of Europe.
Campus maps
- Katowice – download a map (pdf, 403 kB)
- Chorzów – download a map (pdf, 443 kB)
- Cieszyn – download a map (pdf, 350 kB)
- Sosnowiec – download a map (pdf, 845 kB)
Transportation
You can travel to Katowice most conveniently by the following means of transport:
From the Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport
- by public transportation:
Bus lines AP, M11, M19 from the airport to the centre of Katowice. More information: Lines to the airport · ZTM (metropoliaztm.en)
- by shuttle bus:
There is a wide array of private-owned shuttle buses offering transportation services to the centre of Katowice and neighbouring cities in less than one hour.
From the Kraków-Balice Airport
- by train to the centre of Kraków
Train/route number SKA1 | Wieliczka Marketplace Salt Mine – Kraków Main Station – Kraków Airport
- by bus from the centre of Kraków to the centre of Katowice
From the Warsaw-Chopin Airport
- by train
Line S2 and S3 to Warszawa Wschodnia
More information : https://www.skm.warszawa.pl/en/category/timetables-and-line-maps/
- by train from Warszawa Zachodnia to the centre of Katowice
Timetable and tickets: Buy a ticket – PKP Intercity
The railway station in Katowice is only a few minutes walk from the main University buildings. There are direct rail services from main European cities such as: Paris, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and others. Rail connections with major cities in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków and others) are available several times a day by InterCity trains.
Timetable and tickets: Buy a ticket – PKP Intercity
There are low-cost direct coach connections between Katowice and numerous European cities offered by e.g. FlixBus.
Public transport, including bus, tram and train services, is quite good in the area. Transport within the city area is much cheaper with a monthly ticket.
Buses and trams: timetable
Local trains: timetable
Please note: The student discount is available only to students below the age of 26 who have a valid ID card issued by the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Learn Polish
At the beginning of each semester, students are welcome to join Orientation Week, a combination of a Polish language course and afternoon lectures and seminars about Poland, Polish culture, traditions and customs, films made in Polish, in Poland and about Poland. Additionally, students can visit some landmarks of the region. Students who complete the Polish language course during the Orientation Week get 1 ECTS credit.
Students participating in short-term mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ can take advantage of a semestral Polish course offered by the School of Polish Language and Culture.
The course is free of charge and is arranged two times during the academic year: from the beginning of October to the end of January and from the second half of February till the end of June.
There are 4 hours a week (2 meetings lasting 2 hours), which makes it 60 hours of classes per semester.
For class participation, students get 6 ECTS credits.
More information: szkola@us.edu.pl
Accomodation app
Each country offers different options for you to stay during your time at the host university. At Transform4Europe, we have created an application to provide you with all the information about the options available to you.
Get to know the app: https://proyectoue.ogpi.ua.es/accommodation/
T4EU Buddy Program
Why the University of Silesia in Katowice
Discover what students and staff members in the alliance think about the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Photo gallery
Discover Katowice
Katowice City Break App
- Android: Katowice – City Break – Aplikacje w Google Play
- iOS: Aplikacja Katowice City Break w App Store (apple.com)
Welcome to Katowice – discover the city
Tourist attractions
Beboki is a relatively new attraction, present in Katowice since 2021.
Beboki are unique, handmade figurines associated with Silesian folklore and local legends, which can be found in various locations around the city. The search for the figurines thus encourages visitors to explore and learn more about the city.
Each of the figurines tells its own story, inspiring one to discover the rich culture and traditions of the region. The Beboks have their own names, most often referring to people known and loved in Katowice. They are an expression of local identity, combining elements of history, art and craftsmanship.
The initiator of the whole project is Grzegorz Chudy, an artist from Nikiszowiec, one of the districts of Katowice.
