Considering doing a PhD in Poland: ECTS doctoral studies

I once undertook PhD studies in Scotland, submitted, defended and was "invited to rewrite and resubmit".

For several reasons this didn't happen, so no PhD and no other piece of paper.

Considering doing a PhD in Poland in a completely different field. Does anyone know if there is any kind of credit transfer possible in such cases?

Not sure what, if any, advantage it might have (maybe get me off a few of the 'additional' things like a language or philosophy exam) but worth asking.

Did you actually get any credits awarded? I didn't know that they used the credit system for post-Masters courses - but if they did, it shouldn't be difficult to get it transferred. I think though, the Polish system relies on you going to the lecturer in question and asking for exemption rather than any formal transfer of credits.

Whatever you do - don't come to Gdansk. The University is awful here.

I told you to come to Poznan ;)

I have absolutely no idea how it works.
My uni didn't do credit system at that time, anyway (not sure it does now in its own system). According to the Bologna website there is no general agreement about use of credits for '3rd cycle' degrees (PhD etc) but it says 'in theory' it is possible.


Oh, I'm surprised to hear that. Mind you, I'm approaching Warsaw mainly (although it's hard finding a supervisor).

I doubt it if it's in a completely different field. Were you awarded a MPhil instead? That might be transferable. Otherwise, I'd imagine they'd ask you to start from scratch (or near enough).

No, looking into it now but might have been too long. Mind you, first year of the course was an MSc by research (which I do have).

Received this interesting little note today from an official site. Might be of use to someone else too.

[b]if you have carried out part of your doctoral studies in UK you may try to have the credits recognised towards a doctoral programme in Poland. In this case you have to contact the university. In Poland one can start doctoral proceeding without having done doctoral studies. According to art. 12. of the Act of 14 march 2003 on the academic degrees and the academic title as well as on the degrees and the title within the scope of art.

The degree of doctor shall be awarded to a person, who:

1) holds a professional title of magister, magister inżynier, lekarz or another equivalent title;

2) has passed successfully doctoral examinations within the scope defined by the council of an organizational unit;

3) has presented an defended a doctoral dissertation.

The doctoral examination shall be held in the scope of:

1) basic discipline corresponding with the subject of the doctoral dissertation;

2) additional discipline;

3) modern foreign language.

In this case you have to go directly to the faculty or scientific institute authorised to award a degree of doctor.

More detailed information regarding recognition of foreign qualifications in Poland are available on the following website:

nauka.gov.pl

I would like to complete my PhD in psychology in Poland. Are there any programs that will accept transfer credits?

You would have to discuss it with the professor you would like to study under, who would have to discuss it with their department head, who would have to discuss it with the university rector, who would probably have to discuss it with the Ministry of Education. What answer comes back is anyone's guess. Things like this are handled on a case by case basis, and the results vary widely from case to case.

I returned two weeks ago from my Polish misadventure. I visited the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, University of Warsaw, Medical School in Gdansk, and the SWPS in Warsaw. For a country who I THOUGHT was trying to attract foreign students, I certainly got the run around. The psychology webpage for KUL is still under construction. I'm still trying to find a school that will permit me to finish my studies. Pray for me.