The Higher Education System in Poland currently includes the following types of programmes:

• College programmes (ISCED 5B) classified as tertiary education for international comparisons, but not recognized as such in the national legislation;
• Degree programmes (ISCED 5A) provided by both public and non-public university-type and non-university higher education institutions, including:
  first-cycle (Bachelor’s degree) programmes;
  second-cycle (Master’s degree) programmes;
  long-cycle (Master’s degree) programmes.
• Third-cycle or doctoral programmes (ISCED 6).*

*The System of Education in Poland, Polish EURYDICE Unit, 2012

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Poland are divided into:

• state (public)
• and private (non-public) institutions.

There are two main categories of higher education institutions:

• university-type
• and non-university institutions.

In the university-type HEIs, at least one unit is authorized to confer the academic degree of Doctor (PhD), i.e. offers at least one doctoral programme.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA, Licencjat)
  3-3,5 year-long vocational/technical college studies
• Bachelor of Science (BSc, Inżynier)
  3,5-4 year-long college studies in technical sciences, economy and agriculture
• Master (MA, MSc, Magister, Magister Inżynier)
  Equivalent degrees: Master of Art, Master Engineer, Master Engineer Architect, qualified physician, dental surgeon or veterinarian. Granted following the completion of 5-6 year long uniform university studies. The MSc may also be obtained following the completion of 2-2,5 years-long supplementary Master’s degree studies which may be taken by persons with a college diploma.
• Doctor (PhD, Doktor)
  After passing the doctoral exam and successfully defending dissertation, you have a degree of doctor. To qualify for the academic degree of doctor one must hold a master or equivalent degree.

The structure of studies - http://www.studyinpoland.pl/

The Polish State Accreditation Committee is in charge of monitoring and controlling educational standards in Polish institutions of higher education. The Committee is cooperating with accreditation offices in other countries. For more information see: www.pka.edu.pl