The Rules and Regulations of Study – FAQ

A person admitted to the study shall acquire student rights upon the taking of the oath.

A student shall receive their student ID card upon acquiring the rights of a student, i.e. after the taking of the oath.

A student ID card shall remain valid no longer than until the day of:

1. completing studies,
2. suspension of rights of a student or
3. removal of a person from the list of students.

In the case of graduates of first cycle studies, a student ID remains valid until October 31st of the year of completing studies.

The student is not required to return a student ID which is no longer valid.

As a general rule, a student’s rights and obligations shall cease upon graduation or removal from the list of students, whereas the right to resume studies shall cease 10 years after the day of the first removal from the list of students in a particular field of study. A person who has completed studies of the first cycle shall retain full student rights until 31 October of the year when the studies were completed, excluding the right to the social scholarship, scholarship for persons with disabilities, allowances and the Rector’s scholarship.

Yes. Upon request, a student may receive a student credit book which shall remain his/her personal property.

The student credit book shall not constitute official documentation of a course of study, but it may constitute an evidence of the course thereof. Entries in the student credit book shall be made upon a student’s request.

In accordance with paragraph 14 section 1 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, the following conditions must all be satisfied for the HTU to issue a positive decision on the change to a different field of study:

✔ occurence of circumstances which may be recognised as a “justified instance”,
✔ consent of the competent HTU,
✔ completion of the first study term by a student.

The same criteria shall also apply to a request to move to another field of study made by a student pursuing individual interdisciplinary studies.

The HTU shall determine curricular differences to be made up by the student changing the field of study. The HTU shall take into account learning outcomes of the student up to that date. In the decision on the change of field of study, the HTU shall consider the need to complete courses supplementing curriculum differences and the deadline for obtaining credits for these courses.

In accordance with paragraph 15 of Rules and Regulations of Study, the following conditions must be satisfied for changing the form of studies involving the transfer of a student from full-time studies to part-time studies:

✔ completion of the first year of study,

✔ meeting the criteria for changing a form of study determined by the relevant teaching council.

Other than the abovementioned criteria, a request for changing the form of study by transferring a student from part-time studies to full-time studies is further conditional on the obtainment of significant learning achievements.

Similarly to changing the field of study, the HTU shall determine any additional curricular differences   to be completed by a student changing their form of study. The HTU shall take into account learning outcomes of the student up to that point. In the decision on the change of field of study, the HTU shall determine the courses supplementing any curricular differences and the time-frame for obtaining credits for these courses.

In accordance with paragraph 12 section 6 of Rules and Regulations of Study, a student may be admitted to a study programme by means of transfer from another university, but not before completing the first year of study. The Senate shall determine the limit of admissions, and any applicable procedures and principles for the transfer from another university to individual fields of study. For more information about transfers, please contact the Admissions Office.

Enrolment for classes in each semester are held in at least two rounds. After the first round of enrolment, elective classes whose start is not expedient due to insufficient enrolment shall be withdrawn from the curriculum offerring. The modified offer shall be announced no later than two weeks before the commencement of classes.

A student may change their class enrolment choices up until a maximum of three weeks after classes start. Enrolment changes shall not apply to laboratory-based classes. In particularly justified instances, the HTU may consent to a later date for making registration changes.

The schedule of exams in an examination session shall be announced by the HTU after consultation with the competent students’ self-government body. The schedule shall be announced no later than one month prior to the beginning of the session.

In the case of studies organised in the Polish language, selected classes and the diploma exam may be held in a foreign language. A diploma thesis may also be written in a foreign language.

In the case of studies organised in a foreign language, all classes specified in the study curriculum shall be held in that foreign language. The diploma thesis and the diploma exam shall also be prepared in that foreign language.

Individual interdisciplinary studies permit the obtainment of a diploma confirming the completion of studies in more than one field of study. A student may pursue individual interdisciplinary studies under the supervision of an academic tutor, and based on an individual study curriculum and plan.

The HTU of the unit organising individual interdisciplinary studies shall approve the scientific tutor of a student pursuing these studies.

The student together with their scientific tutor shall jointly determine an individual study curriculum and plan for the next teaching cycle. The study curriculum and plan are subject to approval by the HTU of individual interdisciplinary studies.

A student may enroll on courses included in the curriculum of another field of study in case of meeting the following cumulative conditions:

1. obtaining consent of the individual leading the particular course;
2. satisfying any prerequisites for participation in the course;
3. there are free places in the course (priority is given to students for whom participation in the course is mandatory for successfully completing the study term).

Obtaining credit for a course shall be conditional upon enrolling on the course in compliance with the principles for enrolling specific to that course. As such, in the case of failure to enroll on a course, a student shall not obtain credit for it. However, registration for classes covered by the study curriculum of a particular term may also be undertaken by the HTU. In such the case, an automatic notification shall be sent to the student via the IT study support system (USOS).

‘Linking’ refers to the allocation, completed on the IT study support system, of the course to the particular study curriculum, and in the case of courses allocated to the particular term in the study plan – also to this term.

Within the time limit set by the Rector (in accordance with the academic calendar), the student shall declare a given course as:

1) part of the study curriculum; by linking the course to this curriculum. If the student pursues studies in more than one field, he/she should indicate the one within which the course is taken;

2) included in the study plan of the current term, by additionally linking the course to this term. This requirement shall apply to each course covered by the study plan for the current term.

Yes, at the student’s request. A request to delete a link from a student’s study plan can be lodged prior to a deadline set by the Rector (in accordance with the academic calendar).

No. As a rule, all courses in which the student has chosen to obtain credits shall carry a performance grade except for:

1. physical education classes;
2. degree seminars;
3. courses preparing for university studies in any field and listed in a relevant ordinance of the Rector.

The HTU may correct links made in breach of the Rules of Study, in particular by deleting the links to courses for a given study term if the courses are not covered by the study plan for this term, and linking courses included in the study plan to the study term. In such cases, an electronic notification shall be sent to the student.

A request for conditional enrolment for the upcoming study term can be accepted if the total number of ECTS credits allocated to uncompleted courses does not exceed 1/3 of total ECTS credits included in the study plan for the particular term.

Conditional enrolment for a subsequent study term shall be refused if:

✔ if the student failed to obtain credits for particular courses which must be completed before consent can be given to enrol in the subsequent study term, or

✔ if the student failed to obtain credits for particular courses which must have been completed when permission was granted to repeat a given study term, or

✔ failure to obtain credits for particular courses hinders the continuation of the study curriculum in the subsequent study term.

The request for repeating a study term can be approved when:

✔ the total number of ECTS credits allocated to uncompleted courses exceeds 1/3 of total ECTS credits included in the study plan for the particular study term or failure to obtain credits for courses prevents continuation of the study curriculum during the subsequent study term; or

✔ the student failed to obtain credits for the previous study term; or

✔ the student failed to obtain credits for courses, the completion of which was required before issuing consent to enrol in the next study term.

Any student who has already been given the opportunity to repeat a study term shall not be entitled to a second opportunity to repeat that study term.

✔ sick leave, due to chronic illness or disability;

✔ research leave, for the pursuit of other studies, studies at another university
or research;

✔ special leave in other justified cases.

In addition, pregnant students and students who are parents shall be entitled to:

✔ leave from classes;

✔ leave from classes with an option to verify learning outcomes stated in the
study curriculum.

During periods of leave, students shall retain student rights. At the request of a student, the HTU shall immediately issue the certificate confirming leave granted. Addditionally – in accordance with paragraph 43 section 6 of the Rules and Regulations of Study – when granting leave, the HTU may grant consent to obtaining credits for selected courses included in the study plan during the period of leave. Use of the term “selected” in this regulation shall be taken to mean that the head of the relevant teaching unit shall not grant consent to obtaining credits for all courses which must be awarded credits for a given study term.

A decision on granting sick leave is of a discretionary nature. The HTU may grant students sick leave for the period of sickness, treatment or rehabilitation, temporarily excluding or seriously impeding the continuation of studies. The decision to grant sick leave shall be taken by the HTU based on the opinion of the OPD (the Office for Persons with Disabilities) and issued on a basis of the student’s medical documentation.

A student may submit a request for sick leave to the HTU via the OPD. Any student applying for sick leave should submit the request as soon as they are able to do so, without delay.

A decision on granting students research leave or any other special leave is of a discretionary nature. The HTU may grant students special leave in justified cases, other than those which form the basis for granting sick leave or research leave. Research leave may be granted for the pursuit of other studies, studies at another university or for research purposes. Students may be granted research or special leave for a period not exceeding one year and in the case of first cycle students or long second cycle studies, after obtaining credits for at least the first study term. Subsequent periods of leave may only be granted upon completion of another study term.

In addition to the possibility to apply for sick leave, research leave or special leave, pregnant students and students who are parents shall be also entitled to:
1) leave from classes;
2) leave from classes with the option to verify learning outcomes defined in the
study curriculum.

The Head of the Teaching Unit is obliged to grant leave referred to points 1 and 2 to:

1) pregnant students, for the period lasting until the child’s birth;
2) students who are parents, for a period of one year from the date of submission of
the request for leave.

In accordance with paragraph 44 section 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, students who are parents may submit a request for leave within one year from the date of the child’s birth and – in accordance with paragraph 44 section 4 – if the leave ends mid-semester, the HTU, at the student’s request, shall extend the leave until the end of the semester.

In accordance with paragraph 26 section 1 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, a student may pursue studies organised on an personalised basis. In paragraph 26 section 4 of this act the catalogue of entitled persons is determined. Use of the term “in particular” in this regulation shall be taken to mean that the list is not closed.

A decision on granting consent to individual study organisation shall be issued by the HTU. Such decisions are discretionary other than for individual study organisation granted to pregnant students and students who are parents.

While granting consent to individual study organisation the HTU shall apply specific criteria in this respect. In accordance with paragraph 26 section 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, individual study plans shall comprise:

1) an individual study curriculum implemented in cooperation with the academic tutor; or
2) an individual study plan; or
3) an individual process and time frame for obtaining course credits; or
4) an individual study process for students with disabilities or students suffering from a
chronic illness.

Notice that pursuing studies with an  shall not be taken to mean  a release from achieving learning outcomes defined in the study curriculum.

Grounds for removing a student from the list of students are indicated in Article 108 of Law on Higher Education and Science and specified in paragraph 41 of Rules and Regulations of Study. These grounds are divided into obligatory and optional. More details can be found in the next sections of FAQ.

Neither the Law on Higher Education and Science nor implementing acts specify what may be recognised as grounds for the HTU to determine a failure to undertake studies – the legislasture has not indicated examples of situations which may be recognised as failure to undertake studies either. However, in accordance with paragraph 41 section 1 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, failure to undertake studies is ascertained, in particular, when a person enrolled to study has failed to confirm the oath in writing or failed to enrol in courses included in the study plan for one month following the beginning of the semester. Use of the term “in particular” in the regulation indicates that the list of grounds for ascertaining failure to undertake studies is not closed.

The decision on removal from the list of students due to failure to undertake studies may be issued one month following the beginning of the semester at the earliest.

In accordance with Article 108 section 1 point 2 of the Law on Higher Education and Science, a student shall be removed from the list of students in the event of resignation from studies. Paragraph 41 section 1 point 2 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, specifies that the HTU shall remove a student from the list of students in the case of a written resignation from studies duly submitted by the student.

Resignation from studies shall be submitted in writing, and including a handwritten signature of the student. Alternatively, the resignation may be submitted through the e-PUAP system. Submitting a resignation by email or through the USOS system is not sufficient. Once the formal requirements have been met, the HTU is obliged to remove a student from the list of students.

As a rule, a student is obliged – pursuant to paragraph 47 section 1, in conjunction with paragraph 48 section 2 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, to submit a degree thesis to the HTU no later than 14 days before the scheduled time for study completion. In accordance with paragraph 47 section 1 of these Regulations, a degree thesis shall be submitted to the HTU no later than 14 days before the scheduled date of the diploma examination, where pursuant to paragraph 48 section 2 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, the diploma examination shall be held no later than within three months of the submission of the degree thesis, but not later than on the day preceding the scheduled graduation date.

An exception to this principle is allowed when a student submits an application – under paragraph 47 section 2 or 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study – to extend the duration of studies and that application has been approved. In such a case, the student shall submit their degree thesis to the HTU no later than the day indicated in the decision on extending the duration of studies set as a maximum time limit for submission of the degree thesis (furthermore, any extension of studies may not be longer than 3 months).

In the case of failure to submit a degree thesis within the timeframe referred to above, the HTU is obliged to remove a student from the list of students.

In accordance with article 108 section 1 point 3 of Law on Higher Education and Science, a student shall be removed from the list of students in the event of failure to submit their diploma thesis within the deadline or failure to pass the diploma examination. Paragraph 41 section 1 point 4 of the Rules and Regulations of Study specifies that the HTU shall remove a student from the list of students in the case of failure to pass the diploma examination within the scheduled timeframe for study completion or the timeframe determined by § 51 s. 2 of these Rules.

Pursuant to paragraph 41 section 1 point 4 and paragraph 51 section 2 and 4 of the Rules and Regulations of Study:

✔ if a student was awarded an unsatisfactory grade on the first diploma examination attempt or failed to take the examination without an permitted excuse, a second diploma examination date shall be set,

✔ the second diploma examination date shall be held no later than within three months of the
scheduled study graduation date,

✔ if the student was awarded an unsatisfactory grade on the second diploma examination attempt or failed to take the examination without a permitted excuse, they shall be removed from the student register on the grounds of failure to pass the diploma examination.

In accordance with article 108 section 1 point 4 of Law on Higher Education and Science, a student shall be removed from the list of students in the event of being punished with a disciplinary penalty of expulsion from the higher education institution. Once the decision on a disciplinary penalty  becomes final, the HTU shall issue a decision on removal from the list of students without delay.

In accordance with paragraph 41 section 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, failure to participate in obligatory courses shall be identified by the HTU when the number of absences hinders fulfilment of duties specified for the particular study cycle. This shall be determined by taking into account course syllabuses, and based on declarations of at least three academic teachers, each of whom runs a difference course included in the study plan for the particular term. Provisions included in the course syllabus shall also be taken into account – according to paragraph 2 section 17 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, course syllabus shall contain e.g. a description of requirements for class participation, including the permissible number of explained absences.

The decision on removal from the list of students due to failure to participate in obligatory courses shall be taken by the HTU only after the expiry of at least six weeks from the beginning of the particular study cycle, but not before the expiry of 14 days of submitting a notification to the student on the intent to remove him/her from the list of students.

In accordance with paragraph 33 of Rules and Regulations of Study, a student shall be obliged to immediately explain their absence from classes included in the study plan, in keeping with the principles set out in the course syllabus, while the request to excuse absences shall be submitted without delay to the person leading the classes, presenting a true and reliable justification for absences.

In accordance with article 108 section 2 point 2 of the Law on Higher Education and Science, a student may be removed from the list of students in the event of displaying a lack of progress in learning. The term “lack of progress in learning” is very general, and as a result it is specified in paragraph 41 section 2 point 1 of the Rules and Regulations of Study that a lack of progress in learning can only be ascertained if the student has failed to obtain credits for a given study term on more than one occassion. In the case of a first-year student of first-cycle studies or long second-cycle studies, lack of progress in learning is ascertained if the study curriculum completion status excludes the awarding of credits for the study term.

The decision on removing a first-year student of first-cycle studies or long second-cycle studies from the list of students in the event of lack of progress in learning may be issued before the Summer examination session is concluded (even if the reference period in a particular teaching unit is an academic year and not a single semester).

In the case of other students, a lack of progress in learning is ascertained if a student has failed to obtain credits for the same study term at least twice.

In accordance with article 108 section 2 point 3 of Law on Higher Education and Science, a student shall be removed from the list of students in the event of failure to successfully complete a semester or year within a prescribed period. Pursuant to paragraph 37 sections 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, meeting all the requirements provided in the study plan for a given study term and stipulated in the Rules shall result in obtaining credits for that study term. Additionally, paragraph 37 sections 2 of the Rules and Regulations of Study requires that all courses covered by the study plan for a given study term (i.e. linked to the curriculum and the study term), excluding courses referred to in paragraph 32 section 2 and 3, shall be included within that term. Finally, paragraph 32 section 1 stipulates that participation in courses not covered by the study plan of the current term or resignation from obtaining credits for completing a course included in the study plan shall not change the requirements which have to be met to be awarded credit for the relevant study term.

Verification of circumstances constituting the basis for removing a student from the list of students in accordance with article 108 section 2 point 3 of Law on Higher Education and Science shall take place prior to the end of the academic year (if the reference period in a given field is a full academic year) or until the end of the semester (if the reference period in a given field is a single semester).

Resumption of study does not have the same meaning as the admission to studies as defined in article 69 of Law on Higher Education and Science, since it refers to an existing legal relationship with the higher education institution. As such it is better to refer to a reactivation of existing studies. In such situations, not all rights which the student benefited from before being removed from the list of students shall be reactivated. Pursuant to paragraph 13 section 1 of the Rules and Regulations of Study, upon resumption of studies all decisions issued during the period of studies prior to the student’s removal from the list of students shall remain effective.

As a rule, resumption of studies shall be effective no sooner than from the beginning of the following semester after the date of removal. It is possible to resume studies earlier if:

✔ removal resulted from the failure to pay applicable fees

✔ removal resulted from the failure to submit a thesis or to take the diploma examination within the required timeframe and the student submitted their application for study resumption within the nonextendable period of two years from being removed from the list of students or

✔ in the event of well justified cases referred to in the final sentence of paragraph 13 section 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study.

In the case of a different curriculum applying in the academic year of study resumption compared to the study curriculum upon removal from the list of students, the student shall be obliged to complete the curriculum differences defined in the decision of the HTU, though this does not apply to cases referred to in paragraph 13 sections 5 and 6 of the Rules and Regulations of Study.  The HTU shall specify the timeframe and method of completing the curriculum differences, taking into account learning outcomes of the student up to that point.

The obligation to complete curriculum differences does not apply to:

✔ students who had been removed from the list of students due to their failure to take the diploma examination within the required timeframe, submitted the application for study resumption within the nonextendable period of two years from being removed from the list of students and using the mechanism of resumption of study for the first time or

✔ students who had been removed from the list of students due to failure to submit a degree thesis within the required timeframe, submitted the application for study resumption within the nonextendable period of two years from being removed from the list of students and using the mechanism of resumption of study for the first time.

The following positive grades shall be used for assessment: excellent, very good, good plus, good, satisfactory plus, satisfactory. The negative grade use for assessment: unsatisfactory.

The grades shall correspond to the following numerical values:
1) excellent (5!) – 5;
2) very good (5) – 5;
3) good plus (4.5) – 4.5;
4) good (4) – 4;
5) satisfactory plus (3.5) – 3.5;
6) satisfactory (3) – 3;
7) unsatisfactory (2) – 2.

A diploma with distinction shall be awarded to graduates who:

1) have completed their studies within the time period specified by the study plan or the time periods specified in paragraph 43 section 8 and paragraph 47 sections 2 and 3 of the Rules and Regulations of Study;

2) have obtained a grade average of over 4.6 on all exams and on courses that do not conclude with an exam;

3) have been awarded a final grade of 5.0 on the diploma thesis and at least a very good grade on the diploma examination;

4) have not violated the principles included in the oath, in particular have not been punished with a disciplinary penalty.