Poland

Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine and Belarus to the east; and the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) and Lithuania to the north. Poland is the 34^th most populous country in the world, the sixth most populous member of the European Union. Poland is a unitary state divided into 16 administrative subdivisions.

Despite the vast destruction the country experienced during World War II, Poland managed to preserve much of its cultural wealth. Since the end of the communist period, Poland has achieved a very high ranking in terms of human development, as well as gradually improving economic freedom. Poland is the sixth largest economy within the European Union and among the fastest rising economic states in the world. The country is the sole member nation of the European Union to have escaped a decline in GDP and in recent years was able to create probably the most varied GDP growth in its history.

Primary School

• It starts at 6 years of Age
• It is divided in to 2 cycles of 3 years. The first cycle is “integrated”, with one teacher handling alone all the subjects, while the second cycle offers a subject-based teaching.
• Young children often spend 1 – 2 years voluntarily in kindergarten before starting their primary education.

Middle School

• Middle School covers lower secondary education and 3 years long.

Upper Secondary Education

• It prepares students for direct entry in to labour market and/or tertiary education. Upper secondary education has many forms and duration varies for each form.
• General Education can be pursued in general secondary schools. After 3 years, students can pass the ‘Matura’, which grants access to higher education.
• Vocational and Technical Education is provided by Technical schools and/or Basic Vocational Schools.Technical Schools are of 4 years and lead to the Matura. Their primary goal is to teach students for various occupations and trades.
• Basic Vocational Schools are of 2 years and grant a certificate of competence in various fields. Graduates from basic vocational schools can pass the Matura after an extra-curriculum of 2 years in a general secondary school or of 3 years in a Technical school.
• General Secondary Schools provide vocational education in 3 years, but only in fields described by the Polish Classification of Activities

Tertiary / Higher Education

• Bachelor Degree : 3 years
• Master Degree : 2 years
• Doctoral programmes are achieved in about 3 years.