General Information
Academic Calendar for year 2008/2009
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
Winter semester: 01.10.2008 - 08.02.2009
Exam period: 26.01.2009 - 08.02.2009
Brake between semesters: 09.02.2009 - 13.02.2009
Spring semester: 16.02.2009 - 07.06.2009
Exam period: 08.06.2009 - 28.06.2009
Public holidays:
- All Saints’ Day – November 1, 2008
- Independence Day – November 11, 2008
- Christmas – December 25-26, 2008
- New Year’s Day – January 1, 2009
- Easter – April 12-13, 2009
- Labour Day – May 1, 2009
- Constitution Day – May 3, 2009
- Corpus Christi - June 11, 2009
Courses choice
In case of long term students, please be aware that a student workload per semester is 30 ECTS credits. Prepare a list of courses you would like to take during your stay at the University of Silesia. If you have any remarks or questions regarding your choice of courses, please contact a CEEPUS local coordinator: jolanta.burda@us.edu.pl.
Your study plan will be then discussed and worked out via mail with you and your local Coordinator. For more information about study program click here: ECTS.
Students participating in the ECTS system receive total credit amount for a defined and successfully accomplished period of study in a host academic centre abroad. Obtained credits can be transferred from the host university to the home university on the basis of previously accepted learning agreement, signed by both universities and the student. Upon the student’s return, the system guarantees academic recognition of studies abroad. In this way students can continue their education without a loss of time or previously obtained credits.
Don’t forget to take 2 photos (1 for student card, 1 for student book “index”)
Student Card
Student card is issued by the Dean’s Office. The card gives you a discount for train and bus/tram tickets and for entrance to museums. All of cinemas also offer discount prices for card holders. The student card is valid for one semester and then it must be prolonged at the Dean’s Office.
Language Requirements
The courses for exchange students are offered in English. You need to have good knowledge of the English language to follow lectures, prepare papers and presentations and take examinations. If you have sufficient knowledge of the Polish language, you can choose among programs offered in Polish.
Polish Language Courses
The University offers free Polish language courses for the exchange students. The courses are provided during each semester and have several levels for the student to choose. The course content will also help you to get acquainted with the Polish culture.
For more information: www.sjikp.us.edu.pl/indexa.php.
Accommodation at the Campus
The Campus is located right next to the Faculty.
Offer
University of Silesia provides accommodation for most of exchange students in the University’s dormitories.
Students will be accommodated depending on personal requests and available conditions.
Rooms for exchange students may be booked in one of the available dormitories (no 2, 3, 4 and 5). All dormitories are situated on campus, near each other. Dormitories no 3 and 4 have unified conditions. Both of them have double rooms, shared bathrooms and kitchen on each floor. Rooms are equipped with new furniture, washbasins, bed linen and electric kettles. Students are asked to provide plates and dishes on their own. Dormitory no 2 is the most comfortable. There are single and double rooms with bathrooms. In dormitory no 5 there are suites consisting of one single and one double room with a shared bathroom.
The dormitories have also computer rooms, TV rooms, and free access to the Internet in each room.
Cost
The costs are as follows:
Dormitory no 2:
- single room - 420 PLN per month
- double room – 345 PLN per month (for one person)
Dormitory no 3:
- double room – 300 PLN per month (for one person)
Dormitory no 4:
- double room – 300 PLN per month (for one person)
Dormitory no 5:
- single room – 330 PLN per month
- double room - 330 PLN per month (for one person)
Total cost of your accommodation in a semester is not bound to the length of the semester, but is fixed on real time of accommodation, i.e. if you come for a period shorter than one semester you pay for the actual number of months and days you stayed at the dormitory.
Method of Payment
Payment should be made in cash at the Dormitory Office in each dormitory.
Canteen and Cafeteria
The main student canteen is placed in the Campus and offers hot meals for lunches (approximately 12 PLN), hot and cold drinks. Another Cafeteria is situated in the Faculty building.
Smoking
Smoking indoors is prohibited, both in the city and at the campus. At restaurants and cafés, smoking is usually allowed in special sections.
Important Telephones:
- Ambulance: 999
- Fire Brigade: 998
- Police: 997
Currency
The Polish unit of currency is the zloty (PLN), made up of 100 groszy (gr).
1 EUR corresponds approximately to 3,4 PLN.
Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 PLN, and coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 PLN and 1, 2, 10, 20 & 50 gr.
Costs of living
The cost of living varies considerably between the cities and the rural areas, with Warsaw being by far the most expensive location.
Typical costs include:
- 1 litre of milk ~2.6 PLN
- Loaf of bread (1/2kg ~2.5 PLN
- 1.5 litres of mineral water ~1.5 PLN
- 1 kg applies ~ 3 PLN
- 0.5 kg pasta ~4 PLN
- 1 litre petrol ~4.2 PLN
- butter 2-5 zł
- Small bottle of beer ~2.80 PLN
- Cafe meal 10-20 PLN
- Restaurant meal 25-50 PLN
How to get to Sosnowiec?
Sosnowiec is situated close to Katowice, which has an international airport (Katowice-Pyrzowice) with direct flights from many national and European cities. If you plan to access Sosnowiec by train you should get off at Katowice Station or at Sosnowiec Station. Local coordinator will take you to your place of accommodation and give you all the necessary information you need to get settled.
Don't forget to inform the local coordinator about the exact time of your arrival!
Local Transportation
You can use buses and trams for travelling around Silesian aglomeration. The student card gives you 50% discount on public transportation. A single ticket is valid for one entrance to a bus or a tram and costs 1.20 PLN. It is better to buy a monthly travel card issued for your name (bilet imienny) which costs approximately 50 PLN.
In case of special requests please fill free to contact the local CEEPUS coordinator: jolanta.burda[at]us.edu.pl.