New format of education at the Silesian University of Technology
Recruitment for first and second cycle studies at the Silesian University of Technology has started. There are over 50 fields of study waiting for candidates, including those in English. This year's educational offer of the university includes 15 integrated, flexible fields of first-cycle engineering studies.
This is a pioneering and unique format of study, which the Silesian University of Technology is introducing as the first technical university in Poland. From the new academic year, it will cover the following fields of study: Industrial automation and computer science; Industrial automation and robotics; Power engineering; Technical Physics; Geodesy and Cartography; Geoengineering and exploitation of raw materials; Security Engineering; Aerospace Engineering; Material Engineering; General Engineering; Production and Management Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Industrial Mechatronics; Transport; Railway transport. It will be developed in the coming years.
– We are moving away from narrow specialization in favour of an interdisciplinary approach. We shape the programs of integrated fields of study and select new forms and methods of education in such a way that the student becomes the subject, not the object of education, and the academic teacher becomes a guide in this process - says prof. Wojciech Szkliniarz, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education.
What is a flexible education system? Simply put, it enables students to compose their engineering studies in accordance with the needs and expectations in building their own professional career. In the program, 70% are compulsory, partly elective courses, and 30% are freely elective modules. -- During the first two years of studies, students takes general, basic and major classes, mostly of an obligatory nature, while from the 5th semester they decide what they want to learn. He/she selects a module-based, defined degree program and completes it until the end of the studies. In addition, the student composes their own diploma range, choosing modules or single classes from different diploma areas. All the classes they will carry out will be documented in the supplement - adds Vice-Rector W. Szkliniarz.
– Modular education consists in dividing classes into thematic blocks. In a given period, students assimilate content related to each other and belonging to one module. Thanks to this, the whole thing is much clearer and simpler to comprehend, as well as easier to understand. Modular education is also a great relief for students in terms of the number of credits and exams – explains Prof. W. Szkliniarz.
Among the fields of study proposed by the Silesian University of Technology is, among others, General Engineering – a field of study unique in Poland, including an interdisciplinary study program related to various engineering disciplines. It guarantees graduates a very useful and expected on the future labour market interdisciplinary education, carried out according to selected or composed by students study and diploma scopes, approved by career advisors. From the academic year 2023/2024, the field of General Engineering plays a special role, as it can be joined by students who are still not sure which field they want to study or need more time and more information to make an informed choice. Introducing first-year students in the field of General Engineering to the wide spectrum of engineering fields available at the Silesian University of Technology (15) and the support of experienced advisers will enable them to make an informed decision regarding the choice of the right field of study at the end of the first year and transfer to this field without any curriculum differences.
The new education format was consulted with the student community. It received positive opinions from both the Student Parliament and the Student Council of the Silesian University of Technology: - We believe that based on how the profile of the candidate is currently changing and how our student and graduate are changing, these changes are necessary. We need to be more open to the individual needs of students, so that they can create their own study program, and not implement the one imposed in advance. Students in general are now, after a long period of time, discouraged by the limitation of choice. Meanwhile, this is the generation that needs such an independent choice. We want to decide for ourselves what we will do in life. With the help of such an elective, flexible study model, in which the student, with the help of a consultant, will create a program for himself, choosing from the available modules and subjects those that will suit him, such independence will be possible - says Katarzyna Ptaszyńska, president of the Students' Council of the Silesian University of Technology.
What's new in the educational offer of the Silesian University of Technology in the academic year 2023/2024
- New recruitment portal: https://irk.polsl.pl/en-gb/
- Declaration on the launch of all first-cycle study programs offered.
- Scholarships and free places in dormitories for the best candidates.
- Improved curricula of most offered fields of study:
- reducing the number of hours in the first and last semester,
- free compensatory classes in mathematics and physics in the study plan,
- mathematics and physics in a more student-friendly form,
- Communication techniques and tools in the first semester of studies,
- making the first year of studies more flexible,
- enabling the use of the university database of elective courses,
- orientation of classes to the student - modular education,
- increasing the flexibility of education,
- new forms of classes and the possibility of choosing teachers.
The Silesian University of Technology has prepared nearly 7,000 places for first-year students. There are 49 and 14 first- and second-cycle majors, including 12 conducted in English. New in the coming semester, apart from the flexible, modular, elective format of education, are two fields of study: at the first cycle - Cognitive Technologies and Social Media, and at the second - Industrial Chemistry. We are also launching new, unique specialties - in the field of Transport, you will be able to choose the prestigious specialties of Air Traffic Controller and Service of Ground Flight Security Systems.
Students who choose the Silesian University of Technology carry out some classes within the so-called PBL (project / problem-based learning) - it is learning how to solve research problems in practice and implement projects by working in interdisciplinary teams, under the supervision of a mentor. Every year, the Silesian University of Technology implements about 200 such projects, financed from the "Excellence Initiative - Research University" program.
The offer of the Silesian University of Technology also includes social support, and scholarships and free places in dormitories for the best candidates.
Activity | Scholarship | Accommodation in Student Houses |
Representing Poland at international Olympics | 1.500 PLN | Full financing of accommodation for one year |
Central Olympiad Winner | 1.100 PLN | |
Finalist of the Olympics of the central level | 700 PLN | |
Winner of a nationwide competition organized by the Silesian University of Technology | 500 PLN | |
A person obtaining 100% of points in the recruitment process | 500 PLN | |
A person obtaining more than 85% of points in the recruitment process | - | Financing of accommodation up to PLN 750 per month |
A person meeting the conditions of accommodation in SD | - | Guaranteed place in Student Houses |
Modern education at the European University EURECA-PRO
European University EURECA-Pro, together with the Silesian University of Technology, is created by 9 universities from the European Union - EURECA-PRO is a network of universities - a European university, a recognized teaching and research and innovation centre, operating around broadly understood issues related to sustainable consumption and production of goods, in the areas of engineering and technical, exact and social sciences- says prof. Anna Chrobok, director of the College of Studies at the Silesian University of Technology.
What do the associated universities get from co-creating such a European university?
Development of joint education programs (PhD, MSc, BSc)
- Traditional exchange program (Erasmus) - students enrol in an existing program at their home university and spend a semester at another university
- Traditional DOUBLE DEGREE diploma (between two partners) - students spend a year at the partner university
- Traditional JOINT DEGREE diploma (between some partners) - students spend min. 1 semester with 2 partners
- Eureca-Pro DEGREE (our goal) - Students can study at any partner university.
EURECA-PRO is a key academic innovation hub in Europe contributing to the implementation of the principles of the EU Green Deal, developing new technologies, processes and systems, as well as defining and promoting responsible consumption behaviour, which together enable dynamic social and economic development with the efficient use of natural resources in care for the environment and climate.
More info on the website:
Undergraduate studies search engine - Recruitment at the Silesian University of Technology (polsl.pl) .
The schedule is available on the website:
Schedule - Recruitment at the Silesian University of Technology (polsl.pl) .
