A significant part of Poland’s international academic mobility is conducted within multilateral initiatives.

The leading one is the European Union’s Erasmus programme (http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/erasmus_en.htm ). In the academic year 2009/2010 some 14,000 Polish students moved to foreign HEIs to study  and some 6000 Erasmus students chose Polish HEIs (the data includes mobility related to both studying and internships).

Another noteworthy example is the CEEPUS programme (Central European Exchange Program for University Studies – http://www.ceepus.info/). Some 600 students from Poland participate in these academic exchange networks every year.

As for bilateral academic exchange programmes, there are partnerships with the USA, Germany and France. Below you will find some data concerning the cooperation with the USA.

The Polish-American partnership is conducted as part of the Fulbright Program (http://www.fulbright.edu.pl/ ). The Polish-US Fulbright Commission administers the largest Fulbright budget in the region (6.1 million in 2011). Since its launch in 1959, almost 2500 Polish nationals and some 1500 US citizens have participated in the program. This long lasting partnership strengthens the ties joining the Polish and American academic communities. Moreover, it facilitates the cooperation of the two nations and offers a solid foundation for bilateral partnerships in other areas (e.g. economics, politics).

Each bilateral partnership may be slightly different as it offers mechanisms adjusted to the needs of the partner countries – for example some may establish a legal framework for joint degree programmes.

There is no official ranking of HEIs in Poland. There are of course numerous university rankings (both national and international), but the Ministry of Science and Higher Education does not support any of them. All Polish HEIs have equal status with regard to the law.

As to the quality of teaching, it is the Polish Accreditation Committee that is the only statutory body responsible for evaluating HEIs (its opinions and resolutions have a legally binding effect).

However, some funding mechanisms used by the Ministry might indicate which HEIs are the leading ones (though not necessarily in the form of a simple ranking). This may be true in case of Leading Domestic Research Centres (in Polish Krajowe Naukowe Ośrodki Wiodące, abbreviated to KNOW). KNOW is a support mechanism funding the best faculties of HEIs in order to facilitate additional improvements and development in the following areas: R&D capacity, human resources for S&T, improving working conditions, strengthening brand names, increasing salaries and employing leading foreign scientists. The KNOW label may be awarded for up to 5 years with funding of up to PLN 10 million each year.

Please check Tuition fees & scholarships and Define your status.