Comparing Educational Standards in Poland vs other countries

At the risk of starting yet another us versus them versus them cyber war, I would like to understand your opinions on the comparative strengths and weaknesses of higher (i.e university) education in Poland when compared with other countries that are represented on the Forum. This is partly fuelled by the perceived decline in academic standards in the UK but mainly out of curiosity.

We're better :)

I am many years out of school (yes that means that I am old :) but from what I've seen and heard of the University in Poland - many a USA student would have great difficulties with this type of curriculum! Even the testing to be admitted to the University is very strict

thats actually saying very little tam

Why though?

In the USA you can basically pick your courses so that you have as little challenge as you like - there are always requisite courses but compared to what is expected from students in Poland - it is small

Seriosly It depends what you mean, quality of students, quality of teaching or how hard they have to learn...

yup... educated in the UK... :) rightbackattcha

I guess I need to explain a liitle more. I think I am looking to understand the differences between the academic content and level of the degrees. Talking to lectureres over here in the Uk I get the distinct impression that they have seen a significant fall in the knowledge of their students when they arrive. Typically they say the first year is spent bringing them up to a consistent level of knowledge that in years gone by they would have not needed to do. Result is a 3 year degree becomes a 2 year degree. From talking to Polish friend about my degree subject (Maths, which is good 'benchmarking' subject) I get the distinct impression that what they were taught (many years after me) is roughly comparable to my degree but is more advanced than the Maths degrees in the UK today. I am just interested from maybe Polish people who have compared their degrees to non Polish friends.

You could compare how many Polish students know foreign languages versus how many American (or students from other countries) know foreign languages. Young Poles after high-school know at least one foreign language well.

But for Americans or British It's not that important, because they already know English... and Dutch or Sweds are definately much better than Poles in case of foreign languages.

That is exactly what I mean. I think that much more is expected from the students and due to how difficult it is to achieve a place in the University, most students are much more "advanced" .

Whats the percentage of people who do a university degree in Poland?


I have to disagree that Maths is a benchmark degree. Its to specialised.

Not within the branches of maths. There is an internationally recognised consistency within them. Sure you specialise but within the specialism there are very distinct levels. That's what makes comparison easier than say Geography IMHO

Ok, good point. As its not a practical degree though its not necessary a good sign of an education system. Old communist eduction systems were always said to be good for the fundamentals, whereas what might be needed is more practical subject or teaching.

Good point too. That is why I hoped to get others' views.

I think that the greatest problem of education in Poland and EU (don't know if US too) is this 3 year degree - complete bullsh*t for me - what can you learn in that short period of time? As szarlotka said it is even less than 3 years because students doesn't have enough informations :) Lucky me - I'm last year in old 5 year system. It's paranoic that you can actually teach in school just after 3 years education. It's avalanche effect because poor teachers will produce even worse students... I agree that educational system in Poland is a little bit rusty but still it's better than one we are trying to copy from "great west". In education "strong hand" is still better than freedom. When you're a teenager you can offcorurse dissagree but in time it changes.

5 Years? so you finish University aged about 23?

It depends :) if you're fast it can be 4 years
23-24 yes

yes, 3 yrs, but how many hours you do here per week and how many in Poland, huh?

How many? :)

Even in high school, only on POLISH language (jezyk polski) you HAVE to know- Molier, Szekspir, Byron, Bulhakow, Goethe,Kafka,Boccaccio, Sofokles etc etc , sometimes they can ask you about small detail from the book and check have you read it or no. For me my study was a real challange, many hours of different subjects, complicated programs, kilos of books. My friends study here managment and just bored, before coming here were absolutely scary!. I think we are much better in theory, we have got wider knowledge about various subjects, but you are more practical and you have got more practises then theory.

This is programm from my university always around 40 hrs, I'll check exact amount of houurs

Subjects:

grade
six (celujacy) - value 6.0 - A (Magnificent)
five (bardzo dobry) - value 5.0 - A (Excellent)
four plus (dobry plus) - value 4.5 - B (Very good)
four (dobry) - value 4.0 - C (Good)
three plus (dostateczny plus) - value 3.5 - D (Satisfactory)
Three (dostateczny) - value 3.0 - E (Sufficient)
two (niedostateczny) - value 2.0 - F (Fail)

Bachelor and master’s degrees

Master degree with overall grade A (6) Magnificent (pedagogy of upbringing and education)

year 1 semester 1
biomedical aspects of education
cultural anthropology
educational psychology
general didactics and methodology
history of education
social pedagogy
sociology
special pedagogy

year 1 sem 2
comparative pedagogy and European Integration
introduction to care and educational work
logopedics
master's seminar
methodology of nursing and educational work
pedagogy of labour
pedagogy of reclamation of convicts
prevention of addictions
revalidation
sociology of education

year 2 sem 3
ecological education
educational diagnosis with elements of educational therapy
family and education law
introduction to creative work
legal and organisation aspects of education
master's seminar
methodology of nursing and educational work
modern pedagogical disciplines
pedeutology

year 2 sem 4
designing of creative situations
gerontology
health education
master’s seminar
media in education
occupational counselling
pedagogic diagnosis II

Bachelor degree with overall grade A (5) Excellent (psychopedagogy)

year 1 semester 1:
philosophy
general psychology
introduction to pedagogy
logigs
history of arts
artistic animation workshop

year 1 sem 2
philosophy
general psychology
introduction to pedagogy
psychology of development and upbringing
teacher's skills workshop

year 2 sem 3
philosophy of man
andragogics
social pedagogy
general sociology
history of education for adults
creative thinking and acting
teacher's skills workshop

year 2 sem 4
philosophy of man
history of education for adults
theory of education
modern tendencies in adult education
creative thinking and acting
teacher's skills workshop

year 3 sem 5
methodology of pedagogical research
diploma seminar
work with adults
preparation of educational offers
pedagogical counselling
monographic lecture

year 3 sem 6
diploma subject: psychology of selfrealization
optional subject: sexology
diploma seminar
diploma desiration
modern history
modern tendencies in education
legal grounds for setting up and pursuing pursuing business
ethics
monografics lecture

education starting to be a product in our new reality,like a car,i don't mean corruption,but i think that scholl and academical teacher shouldn't have only sattisfaction but also money for they huge efforts.

exactly in poland teachers have no got exact wages. BTW what do you study? How many hours have you've got and how many subjects?

Depends on the course, the University and how much coursework you had to do. My engineering degree was about 30hours lectures and maybe 15 hours coursework.

You can always get a postgraduate if you want. I can't see the point.

in poland, do most undergrad and/or postgrad programmes require you to write a dissertation or thesis...?

what word count would normally be required?

My cousins came to visit from Poland when I was in 7th grade here in the US. The youngest one was in 2nd and learning the same thing. :( I felt retarded.

That's why I want to go to a university in Poland.

When I was in London last year I've seen books preparing for exams ( A exam I quess - can't remember) and it was quite funny for me :)

But still knowldge how to deal with higher maths often change nothing in our foture life...
and still we have idiots - exactly the same as everywhere :)

P.S. I've heard that in GB the're going to stop teaching about Sheakspear because it's too hard and complicated for students :))))))))

to all Brits, true or not?

University in the US is a 4-year program. I went for 6 years because I had several minors. Veterinary and medicine schools last 6 years, because the first two years are pre-vet or pre-medicine.

So I wouldn't say they are dumber in the US, but they don't cram it in all at once but instead attend college longer. And more people attend College in the US than Poland because it's easier to get into.

In Poland we always were thinkink that universities here are on so high level, and studying here is so complicated. Now many Polish ppl studying here, because some of them find it easier and they want to come back with english diploma believing it will be more appreciate than Polish one, so they prefer easier and better