The English Philology programme lasts six semesters, after which the students are awarded a bachelor’s degree (licencjat). They have a very good command of spoken and written English as well as a broad knowledge of linguistics and culture, literature and civilisation of English-speaking countries .

In the course of study the students also develop the skill of translating a variety of texts both from English into Polish and from Polish into English working in state-of-the-art language and computer laboratories.

Additionally, they acquire pedagogic qualifications and can work as fully qualified teachers of English. They are also well-prepared to work in other sectors where a good knowledge of English is required.

Aside from the obligatory courses the students are offered a wide selection of elective courses run by Polish and foreign researchers in many philological fields. Thanks to these courses students have a great opportunity to develop their interests. In the academic year  2009/2010, the elective courses on offer include: Introduction to Interpreting, Business English, Modern Information Technology and the Internet in Teaching English, British Civilization, Australia, Understanding Canada, Jokes and Humour in the English Language, Modern American Novel, Holocaust, American Pop Culture, Advertisements and their Language, Linguistic Pragmatics and Stylistics with Elements of Rhetoric.

Students of years 2 and 3 can apply for scholarships to study in many European countries, such as Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia as part of the Erasmus Students’ Exchange Programme, as well as in the USA.

Specialized course of study: Double-Language Course in Translation and Culture

Starting from the 2010/2011 academic year, the Faculty of Humanities offers a new specialized course of study: the Double-Language Course in Translation and Culture.  Students can select two languages from English, German and Russian. Students wishing to enroll  should be reasonably fluent in one of the languages, but could be beginners in the other. Fluency in Polish is essential as most of the translation will be done between Polish and two of the three other languages.

Graduate profile

The course aims at developing fluency in two languages and preparing students for the work in translating profession, with the emphasis on all type of non-literary texts.  Having completed six semesters of study, the translation work experience and diploma thesis, as well as having passed the final exam, the graduate will receive an undergraduate diploma and the professional title of licencjat. They will have acquired their first non-native language (B) at the C1 level of fluency according to the Common European Framework of Reference of the Council of Europe, they will be able to use the specialized language in the field of expertise of their choosing, and they will have knowledge of literature and culture of the countries where the language is spoken. This will allow them to speak on any topic, write texts of any length and read many types of texts in that language. The comprehensive knowledge will also enable them to master the skills of translating and interpreting into and from the language. The practical study of the students’ first non-native language, particularly the writing, translating and conversation courses,  will include a large proportion of economic and legal topics. The study of the second non-native language (C) can be started from the beginner, pre-intermediate or intermediate level The course aims at the graduate reaching the B1+ level of language fluency as set by the Common European Framework of Reference of the Council of Europe.

Having completed four semesters of the course, the students are required to spend 4 weeks doing their translation work experience. The translation work experience could be completed in translation agencies, international companies operating in Poland, publishing houses, mass media, banks, insurance companies, transportation firms, travel offices and any other businesses which cooperate with foreign partners.  The practical training could also be completed in public and local administration offices, associations and foundations which cooperate with foreign institutions. Graduates can apply to be employed by all companies and institutions of that kind.

Further education

The course meets all the requirements contained in the standards of education for Philology issued by the Polish Government. The graduates of the Double-Language Course in Translation and Culture will be able to continue their education at the Master’s level in any university in Poland which offers the study in the same or related field. In addition, the large number of hours spent on practical translation from and into two non-native languages during the course will considerably facilitate further training in translation and interpreting in any post-graduate school for translators and interpreters.  The graduates may also broaden their qualifications by enrolling (during or after the course) for strictly pedagogical courses required of professional teachers by the Polish Government standards of education.