University of Silesia in Katowice

The University of Silesia in Katowice is the ninth higher education institution established in Poland. Found in 1968, the government-owned university has built its reputation over the years for being one of the leading research organisations in the country. 

The university's origins can be traced back from 1928 and the foundation of the Institute of Education in Katowice, which was at the time the only academic institution in south-east Poland. In the 1960s, the Jagiellonian University, also based in Katowice, merged with the institute to form the University of Silesia in Katowice.

The higher education institution has campuses in five Polish cities including Katowice, Sosnowiec, Cieszyn, Chorzów, and Rybnik. 

The University of Silesia in Katowice has 13 faculties covering a broad spectrum of subjects including fine arts and music; biology and environmental protection; ethnology and educational science; philology; computer science and materials science; mathematics, physics and chemistry; Earth sciences; social sciences; pedagogy and psychology; law and administration; theology; and radio and television. 

As part of a drive to attract international students, the university has begun providing Polish language lessons to overseas students. The Polish Ministry of Education approves every degree programme, while the State Accreditation Committee scrutinises university practice across the country. 

The University of Silesia in Katowice maintains a strong connection with a number of international partners such as Free University of Brussels, University of Leipzig and Moscow State University. 

Famous former students of the university include the politician Krystyna Bochenek, journalist and radio presenter Tomasz Beksinski and movie director Michal Rosa.