The academic year 2012/2013, just like the previous one, brought success to engineering colleges. It was the engineering studies to which the largest number of candidates applied, with the most popular universities of technology located in Warsaw, Gdańsk, Poznań and Łódź. The economic crisis and the demand for scientific minds might be the reason for students to make that choice. According to experts, the trend will continue for a few more years. The leading majors in engineering colleges have not changed for many years. Among them are: construction engineering, architecture and urban-planning, cartography, and the 2011/2012 enrollment hit – surveying.
Surprisingly among the most popular majors and specialisations, there were some that were offered for the first time. An example of this occurred at the Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznań, where the sound engineering department received ten applicants for each spot.
Philological courses are prevailing in universities that are losing their popularity. Current situation favours travelling abroad for various reasons, and language is a fundamental issue for this type of journeys. The year 2012/2013 has brought fewer places for philological departments, as many universities lowered their admission limits. Courses on journalism and pedagogy, which were very popular in 2011/2012, have both seen declines.
Law and medicine are the majors that continue to hold their high position. Over 20 people competed for each spot for a chance to study dentistry at the Medical University of Łódź.
For many years the most popular university in the country has been the University of Technology in Warsaw, having an average number of around 8-9 candidates per place. It is followed by the universities of technology in Gdańsk, Poznań and Łódź and the University of Warsaw.
Young people also have a chance to study in so-called ordered specialties, which are established by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education with the main purpose to provide properly trained specialists in hard sciences and closely-related disciplines. The characteristic feature of the program is that students who major in the eligible disciplines receive a grant of 1000 złoty per month. The academic year 2012/2013, marked the fourth year of this government program. It includes such fields of study as mathematics, technology, and natural sciences. The main reason for creating these courses is to encourage young people to study the subjects that are key to the development of the Polish economy.
Sources: Edulandia.pl and Wirtualna Polska
Photo © Anna Karahan