Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

ADMISSION PROCESS

I want to study at the University of Szczecin. Where and how can I apply?

What documents do I need to attach to my application?
The specific documents that you need to submit online via the ERK system depend on many factors that our Admissions Office staff will inform you about once you apply for studies. In general, the basic set of documents you need to upload consists of:
1. Application form (personal questionnaire available in your ERK account) with a legible signature of your name and surname;
2. Proof of application fee payment – 85 PLN for every programme you apply for (no screenshots);
3. *Secondary school-leaving certificate with a transcript of grades
  or *Bachelor diploma and diploma supplement
  + Polish translation of these documents by a sworn translator;
4. Polish/English certificate (level B2 or higher)
  or another document which confirms proficiency in that language
  or paid Polish/English language exam declaration – depending on the language of instruction of the programme you’re applying for;
5. Photo (passport requirements);
6. Health insurance policy valid in Poland for the time of study
  or health insurance declaration (in which you declare that you will join the National Health Fund upon the start of the academic year).
Depending on the programme you’re applying for and other factors, you may be asked to submit other documents as well.

*You may need these documents to have an apostille or legalization from the Polish embassy before having them translated.

Do I need an apostille or legalization from the Polish embassy on my document?
Candidates for BA studies:

In 2023, you didn’t need the apostille or the legalization if the secondary school-leaving certificate you were applying with had been issued in one of the countries that are member parties to:
- the European Union,
- the European Economic Area (EEA),
- the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
- the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD
and in countries such as:
- Ukraine.
Candidates for MA studies:

You don’t need the apostille or the legalization if the diploma you’re applying with has been issued in one of the countries that are member parties to:
- the European Union,
- Swiss Confederation,
- the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Due to the Russian aggression on Ukraine, we did not require apostille on Ukrainian diplomas in 2023.

If your document is from any other country, you need an apostille or a legalization from the Polish embassy.

Should I send my original documents to your office?

Do I need the decision from the Education Office (kuratorium oświaty)? How do I get it?

If your document of education is from a country other than Ukraine or not part of the EU, OECD, EFTA or other international agreement, you need a decision of recognition on the document from Education Office (kuratorium oświaty). It may be possible that after a successful admission process you will receive a letter of conditional acceptance for studies from the University of Szczecin. In your case, the condition for acceptance is that you will submit the document of decision from the Education Office in Szczecin by the specified date (usually, the date is the end of the winter semester – you can see the exact date on your letter of acceptance from the University of Szczecin).

To get the decision document, once you’re in Poland, you need to go to the Education Office in Szczecin which is located at ul. Wały Chrobrego 4. You will need to fill out the “Application for recognition/approval of education on the basis of a foreign certificate” and bring it to the Education Office together with the documents mentioned in the application. If you have any questions about the process, contact the Education Office.

It may take some time for the Education Office to process your application.

It is not possible to postpone the date of the submission of the recognition document, so make sure you apply for this document as soon as possible.

AFTER ADMISSION

I have been accepted for studies. What now?
If you need a visa to come to Poland and you need to pay the tuition fee for your visa application, e-mail the Admissions Office staff with a request of the tuition fee transfer data. Depending on what amount of tuition fee your visa application requires, you can pay the semester fee or the year fee.

If you don’t need a visa, you will pay any required tuition fees once the academic year starts via the student account in the e-Prodziekan system.
All candidates:

Wait for the arrival of your official decision on acceptance and certificate of acceptance for studies.

If during the registration in the ERK system you specified that you want to apply for a place in the student residence hall (dormitory), you will be informed if your application has been processed positively.

You will receive an e-mail with login information to your e-Prodziekan system account which is a system for students. There, you will find the information about your student bank account number for any potential payments (e.g. tuition fees, class re-take fees, etc.), history of your grades and classes throughout your academic career, and so on.

Go to the adaptation days to meet your tutor and fellow students in your programme. After the meeting, you will go to the Dean’s office of your Faculty to sign the student oath. Take with you your passport and the set of original copies of the required documents which you have uploaded in the ERK system during your admission process; the staff in the Dean’s office will verify them right away.

When do I pay the tuition fee?

If you need a visa to come to Poland and you need to pay the tuition fee for your visa application, e-mail the Admissions Office staff with a request of the tuition fee transfer data. Depending on what amount of tuition fee your visa application requires, you can pay the semester fee or the year fee.

If you don’t need a visa, you will pay any required tuition fees once the academic year starts via the student account in the e-Prodziekan system.

What are Adaptation Days? Do I need to attend them?

Adaptation Days is a set of days at the end of September when you meet your tutor and classmates and learn more about your programme and the year schedule. There, you can ask any questions about your studies and programme. You will be guided through the faculty and to the dean’s office of your programme where you will sign the student oath. The dean’s office staff will verify the documents you uploaded in the ERK system after the meeting so remember to take with you your passport and the full set of original documents.

In 2023, Adaptation Days took place on September 27-29. Detailed schedule for each programme was available in September.

Find out more about this topic on dniadaptacyjne.usz.edu.pl (PL)

When do classes start?

STUDENT MATTERS

Who should I contact for help if I've already signed the student pledge?

If you’ve already signed the student pledge, please contact the dean’s office (Student Support Unit) of your faculty with any student-related questions. For English-language programmes, vist in person or write an e-mail to:

Cukrowa Campus
dos.cukrowa@usz.edu.pl
+48 91 444 32 14
ul. Cukrowa 8 (room: 015)
71-004 Szczecin
Programme(s): Business Management

Krakowska Campus
dos.krakowska@usz.edu.pl
+48 91 444 32 54
+48 91 444 33 55
+48 91 444 33 79
Krakowska 71-79 (room: 161)
71-017 Szczecin
Programme(s): Social Sciences

Mickiewicza Campus
dos.mickiewicza@usz.edu.pl
+48 91 444 19 23
Mickiewicza 64 (room: 120)
71-101 Szczecin
Programme(s): Economics and IT Applications, International Economics

Piastów WH Campus
dos.piastow@usz.edu.pl
+48 91 444 27 09
al. Piastów 40B, building no. 6 (room: 22)
71-065 Szczecin
Programme(s): Baltic Region Studies, Borders and Boundaries, Global Communication

Wąska Campus
dos.waska@usz.edu.pl
Wąska 13 (room: 15, 16)
71-415 Szczecin
Programme(s): Hydrobiology

The full list of dean’s office contact information is available here.

Can I transfer to your university?

Can I apply for any scholarships or financial support from the University?

You can apply for the 9-month financial help grant (stypendium socjalne) if you’re a citizen of a European Union (EU) member state, the Swiss Confederation, or a member state of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) or you’re a family member of such a citizen residing in Poland.

At any time during the academic year, you can apply for one-time financial support (zapomoga).

You can apply for the Rector’s scholarship for the best students (stypendium rektora) after completing the first year of studies with a GPA of at least 4,001 (BA programme) or at the beginning of the first year of your MA programme (only if you have graduated with a Bachelor degree no more than one year earlier).

To read more about this topic, visit the relevant website (Polish, English).

For help and information regarding financial support, please contact the Student Financial Support Department.

STUDENT RESIDENCE HALL (DORMITORY)

I want to live in the dormitory. Can I get a place?

To request a place in the dormitory, during the registration in the ERK system you need to choose the option “Yes” when asked whether you would like to apply for a place in dormitory. Choosing this option does not mean you will receive a place for certain. The number of places is limited and the places are allocated to candidates accepted for studies based on the order of acceptance. If you do receive a place in the dormitory, you will be informed of it soon after receiving information on your acceptance for studies.

My friend is also applying for a dormitory. Can I request to share a room with them?

I said that I wanted a place in the dormitory, but I don't need it anymore. Should I do anything?

I received a place in the dormitory. What should I do now?

If you have received a place in the dormitory, Admissions Office will issue a certificate in which the following information is stated:
– which dormitory building you have received a place in;
– the monthly fee for living in the dormitory;
– instructions on dormitory fee payment.

You can check into the dormitory room in the final week of September (dates to be added here, please check later).

When you check in for the first time, have with you the following documents:
– passport;
– photo (2 copies, passport requirements);
– (if you’re underage) consent of the legal representative which you have uploaded in the ERK system as one of the required documents.

Moreover, if you don’t already have a PESEL number, after checking in at the dormitory you will have 7 days to apply in Urząd Miasta Szczecin (Szczecin City Hall) to get it and submit it to the staff at the dormitory. Read more about how to obtain a PESEL number here.

There are no places left in the dormitory. What can I do now?

If you haven’t received a place in the dormitory due to no places left, we will put you on the waiting list for a place. As soon as a spot is freed, we will e-mail you with a question whether you are still interested in living in the dormitory. In the message, we will give you a deadline to reply; if you don’t meet it, we will contact the next person on the waiting list instead.

In many cases, the people who receive a place in the dormitory during the first wave of admission results later resign from taking up studies or inform us that they have found another form of housing and they don’t need the place in the dormitory anymore. Don’t lose hope!

Can I give up my place for a friend who is also applying for studies?