Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


I thought it was every weekend and from 9 till 5 which equates to 16 hours a week.

You have to also know most European countries have a 5 years Masters system (3 yrs bachelors + 2 years masters) similar to Poland (unlike orthodox English way of 4 years Hons + 1 year Masters, totalling to 6 years)

Anyway, I don't want to argue if this gives you (or doesnt) a good laugh but believe me my friend, Polish Magister are academically and practically equal to British Masters Degrees.

But I say again, not all could be of same quality though. (so I can completely understand your "anger" on Polish people with Licencjat studying Masters Degrees and with Magister studying MPhil/PhD in Britain - similarly, on those Polish with a Licencjat doing the same job as a British BA(Hons) holder does.

Refer to my post #133

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


I am not trying to prove if it is superior or inferior. See, you guys haven't understood my whole point. I am only trying to show what are their equivalence.

For a Masters Degree which needs a British BA (Hons) as entry requirement, a Polish Licencjat of similar grades does the purpose.

For a job in UK (or anywhere in the world) which needs a Bachelors Degree as minimum education requirement, a Polish Licencjat does the purpose.

I know the quality of some "higher schools" and universities in Poland are way below standards but this doesnt mean all the qualification can be tarred with the same brush.

The Polish qualifications are worth exactly the same as other similar level European qualifications for "entry requirement" in job market or academia, but the main point is the persons ability (and in most cases knowledge of local language) to gain the entry.

Equivalence wise, the Magister from Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ukraine, Latvia, and Slovakia are the same as Masters Degree in English speaking world, magistères in France, candidate in Denmark & Norway and so on.


I do not have a Polish Qualification either Jonni, infact I have all British Degrees and I aint trolling, I am providing genuine references and arguments. Please see my post above.

Hope all of you will understand my point, and I say again, I am not here to say which qualification is superior and which is inferior. I only wish to picturise their equivalence in "real life".

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Do you know that Polish students do not pay fees? They are no Hen Laying Golden Eggs for British HEIs as international students from outwith EU who pays £10,000 a year for a Degree (which I did in my time once).

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Why don't you check them out. I work in British academia and I am using the fact that I know and have seen, heard and experienced.


So have you ever thought why all of them "suddenly" decided to use Polish Licencjat (post 2003) as equivalent to British Bachelors Degree and Polish Magister (post 2003) as equivalent to British Masters Degree? Just for fun, perhaps!

Oh, I am tired of trying to light the darkness.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


So you are implying that all the British Universities use their own way while admitting Polish students and completely disregard the "official recognition".

If you have read or seen these "official recognition" somewhere then I feel sad to let you know that this recognition is not recognised by your British HE institutions.


Only to prove that you are wrong and that officially Licencjat = British Undergraduate Degree & Magister = British Masters Degree.

But please do refer to my post #95, I do not want to defend the quality of Polish qualifications, I was only making my point clear about the official recognition and the equivalence of these Polish degrees in the UK.

Why don't you make an effort and see the websites I have copied above.

Or do you still want to argue that all these British Universities are wrong and you are right. If the latter is the case, then you are only here to prove your English superiority (if you are English) and not have a friendly discussion with reference and crediblity.

I thought there are smart people in this forum, but having said this I do not mean that I didn't meet any nicer folks!

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Haha, when you start seeing my references, you cannot just start using bigger words mate!

These are the few I found in the last 5 minutes.

Goldsmiths, University of London


cms.gold.ac.uk/eu/poland/

Brunel University


brunel.ac.uk/international/informationbycountry/cdata/europe/Poland#requirements

University of Southhampton


soton.ac.uk/international/countrypages/countrypages2009/Poland2009.shtml

University of Westminster


westminster.ac.uk/study/international/country-pages/europe/poland

Coventry University


wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/international/Europe/Poland/Pages/EntryRequirements.aspx

NEED I SAY MORE?

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]



Phasic, please read this post as well.

See Nottingham University Information for Students from Poland : nottingham.ac.uk/internationaloffice/prospective-students/your-country/poland.aspx#ug


The above case is similar to British graduates, if they have a good BA(Hons) they "can" gain direct entry to Phd but mostly this is difficult and they study Masters and then enter to Phd.

Which is why I said, may be the older Polish qualifications weren't as know and I know nothing about it BUT now-a-days, the case is different.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Yes but our discussion here was about the time taken to attain a degree, doesnt matter if it is clear cut or otherwise.

I was trying to show that one can get a MSc Degree in 4 years after passing school.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


I will give you an example.

Stow College
HND Accounting = 2 years
Entry reruirement: Ideally 1 Higher Grade pass which should demonstrate good communication skills.

stow.ac.uk/courses/coursedetails.php?ccode=HNCDACC&cmode=FT

University of West of Scotland
BA Business Studies = 1 Year
Entry requirement: Year 3 Entry with an HND in an appropriate subject.

uws.ac.uk/courses/ug-courseinfo.asp?courseid=706

University of West of Scotland
Postgraduate Diploma Financial Services = 8 months FT
Entry requirement: Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma should normally possess an Ordinary degree.

Diploma students who satisfy the progression requirements will then be eligible to pursue the MSc.

uws.ac.uk/courses/pg-courseinfo.asp?courseid=528

MSc = PG Diploma + Dissertation (ie, 8 months + 4 months)

Total Time taken to get a MSc Degree in Financial Services starting with a HND Accounting = 4 years.

The above was for illustration purposes only.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Seanus, usually it is 3 Years BA and 4 years BA(Hons). But using some universities who offer top up award as BA(Hons), this can be done as 3 years.

For example, if you graduate with good grades in HND from Stow College (and some other colleges) in Glasgow, you can join the "Top Up" year at University of the West of Scotland or Glasgow Metropolitan University (and a few other universities).

This "top up" is 1 year long and when you graduate you will have a BA(Hons).

Total time = 2 yrs HND + 1 yr Top Up = 3 yrs BA(Hons)

Furthermore, you can join Masters programme which will last for 1 year.
This way, you can see that 3 qualifications can be completed in a period of 4 years, viz, HND, BA(Hons), MA.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]

However my whole point point is, some Polish qualifications can be (or are) of less quality, but this doesn't mean that all the Polish qualification can be tarred with the same brush.

And officially Licencjat = British Undergraduate Degree & Magister = British Masters Degree (but Refer to my post #95)

And if the above statement is wrong, then the Polish students are studying in the UK illegally or the British Universities' Admissions Departments & the UCAS has absolutely NO IDEA in what they are doing and are taking students with Polish matura to Undergraduate Degrees. (similarly, students with Polish Licencjat to Postgraduate Degrees)

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Yes and there are many universities who allow students completing HND to the third year of their Degree programme - sometimes called the "Top Up" Award.

This way a good student from Standard Grade can finish his BA Degree in 3 years after compulsory (secondary) education.

If you talk about England & Wales, student who have finished their GCSEs can enroll in Foundation Degree (FdSc, FdA) for 2 years and transfer to 3rd yr of a Degree programme. This way a student can also get the BA (Hons) in 4 years after GCSE.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


If you see most countries' education there is a 12-year schooling period before university. Since we were talking about international context, I presumed you counted A Level as schooling as well.

If you did Standard Grade as School +5 years (Two Years at college level AND Three Years Ordinary Bachelors) - then I agree, you might have spent five years for a BA.

Otherwise, in Higher Education terms BA is still 3 or 4 years.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]

100% true but I don't know from where they get the reference that a Licencjat is needed to be enrolled in a British BA degree and a Magister is needed to get enrolled in a British Masters degree.

I am a Research Fellow at a Scottish University and I have never heard of this before. Infact, all the Polish students who are doing Masters have completed their Licenjat in Poland and all the undergraduate students have a matura from polish high school.

I donot know about the old Polish education system, but contemporarily, Licencjat = British Undergraduate Degree & Magister = British Masters Degree.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


I don't know from where and how you guys get reference to such statements. But for me it is hard to agree as I have experienced otherwise.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]

Dear Phasic,

I will laugh at your comments and I agree that many others will.

Being a FE Teacher, I am surprised of how uninformed you are.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


University of Aberdeen. Fit like?

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


I agree with you Seanus.

But MA(Hons) in 4 years is awarded by ancient universities and others who graduate from "non-ancient" universities get their BA(Hons) in 4 years (3+1) or BA (ord) in 3 years and then MA in additional 1 year FT.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


My cousin in law who graduated from Wyższa Szkoła Europejska im. ks. Józefa Tischnera (not even a "university") with a Licencjat is studying his Masters in LSE now.

LSE's website says
Poland


but you will also have to know that it has higher entry requirements for other European candidates too.
Austria


Netherlands


Belgium


So only because LSE has a higher entry requirement mean that all European qualifications are worthless?

Please show me where it says (in LSE and Cambridge website) that Magister is the same as "English" BA?

Leave the "few" universities as "LSE and Cambridge" (wow!) on the side, and all other universities in Britain accepts Polish Licencjat (pre-2006) as entry qualification for Masters Degree.


Exactly. Same here. I wonder where Harry studied his FIVE years BA :)

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


You must be joking! Minimum five years for an "English" BA? Read yourself first what you've typed before posting pal.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


And I was refering to the definition AFTER the signing of the Bologna declaration by Ministers of Education from 29 European countries (including Poland) in 1999.

At present, it is impossible for anyone with a British BA Degree to have it officially recognised as a Magister in Poland.