""
Language skills
required, minimum level of B2
Programme length
Full time study for one academic year
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
Overview

  • Would you like to learn Polish?
  • Are you interested in learning more about Poland?
  • Would you like to explore Polish culture and society?
  • Do you want a programme made up of a major and a minor?

A full-time student can complete the programme in one year, but it is also possible to study part time and take two years.

Course topics include

  • Practical Polish
  • Grammar, reading and writing
  • Polish culture and history

The programme coordinator supports all students in Polish studies.

If you plan to graduate with a Bachelor's degree, you must also take a 120 ECTS major in another subject.

Other

Many schools allow students to take a major in one subject and a minor in another subject at a different school. However, students must always seek permission from the faculty if the minor is taught at a different faculty or school. 

More about Majors and minors under Helpful content below. 

Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf: school leaving examination from secondary school) or equivalent qualification.

To complete the minor in Polish Studies the student must complete all the courses specified in the programme structure.

Programme structure

Check below to see how the programme is structured.

This programme does not offer specialisations.

First year | Fall
Practical Language I (POL102G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course is for anyone interested in Polish. No prior skills or experience are required as this course is intended for absolute beginners. Students practice all language skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing), but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.

The course is held over a 6-week session during the first half of the autumn semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week. The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught first half of the semester
First year | Fall
Practical Language II (POL103G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course is intended for anyone interested in Polish who has completed POL101G Practical Language I or has prior basic knowledge of the Polish language (in agreement with the course instructor). Students practice all language skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing), but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.
Prerequisites: POL102G Practical Language I. The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

The course is held over a 6-week session in the second half of the autumn semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught second half of the semester
First year | Fall
Grammar, Reading and Writing I (POL104G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course covers introductory Polish grammar in detail. Students practice reading and writing simple texts. Inflection rules, morphology, syntax and spelling are covered. Students do practical exercises in writing and reading comprehension. The languages of instruction are English and Polish. No prerequisites are required.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
First year | Fall
Polish Culture and History I (POL105G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course provides an overview of the history of Poland up to WWII. Special attention is given to the historical events that have defined Polish culture, and students are introduced to the main artistic works that have shaped the Polish national spirit throughout the centuries. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary and the course is taught in English.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
First year | Spring 1
Practical Language III (POL203G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course is for anyone interested in Polish who has completed Practical Language I and II or has comparable prior knowledge of the Polish language (in agreement with the course instructor). Students practice all skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing), but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.

The course is held over a 6-week session in the first half of the spring semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week.
Prerequisites: POL103G Practical Language II
The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught first half of the semester
First year | Spring 1
Practical Language IV (POL204G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course is intended for anyone interested in Polish who has completed Practical Language I, II and III or has comparable prior knowledge of the Polish language (in agreement with the course instructor). Students practice all skills but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.  

The course is held over a 6-week session in the second half of the spring semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 PM – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week. 

Prerequisites: POL203G Practical Language III.

The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught second half of the semester
First year | Spring 1
Grammar, Reading and Writing II (POL205G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course is a continuation of Grammar, Reading and Writing I and continues the study of Polish grammar. Students receive further practice in reading and writing. Rules of inflection, morphology, syntax and spelling are covered. Students do practical exercises in both writing and reading comprehension.

Prerequisites: POL104G Grammar, Reading and Writing I.

The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
First year | Spring 1
Poland Today (POL206G)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course covers the history of Poland from WWII to the present day. Subjects discussed include history, politics and culture (with an emphasis on literature, film and music). The course is taught in English.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
First year
  • Fall
  • POL102G
    Practical Language I
    Mandatory (required) course
    5
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    5 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course is for anyone interested in Polish. No prior skills or experience are required as this course is intended for absolute beginners. Students practice all language skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing), but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.

    The course is held over a 6-week session during the first half of the autumn semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week. The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
    Course taught first half of the semester
  • POL103G
    Practical Language II
    Mandatory (required) course
    5
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    5 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course is intended for anyone interested in Polish who has completed POL101G Practical Language I or has prior basic knowledge of the Polish language (in agreement with the course instructor). Students practice all language skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing), but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.
    Prerequisites: POL102G Practical Language I. The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

    The course is held over a 6-week session in the second half of the autumn semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
    Course taught second half of the semester
  • POL104G
    Grammar, Reading and Writing I
    Mandatory (required) course
    10
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course covers introductory Polish grammar in detail. Students practice reading and writing simple texts. Inflection rules, morphology, syntax and spelling are covered. Students do practical exercises in writing and reading comprehension. The languages of instruction are English and Polish. No prerequisites are required.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • POL105G
    Polish Culture and History I
    Mandatory (required) course
    10
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course provides an overview of the history of Poland up to WWII. Special attention is given to the historical events that have defined Polish culture, and students are introduced to the main artistic works that have shaped the Polish national spirit throughout the centuries. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary and the course is taught in English.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • POL203G
    Practical Language III
    Mandatory (required) course
    5
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    5 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course is for anyone interested in Polish who has completed Practical Language I and II or has comparable prior knowledge of the Polish language (in agreement with the course instructor). Students practice all skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing), but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.

    The course is held over a 6-week session in the first half of the spring semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week.
    Prerequisites: POL103G Practical Language II
    The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
    Course taught first half of the semester
  • POL204G
    Practical Language IV
    Mandatory (required) course
    5
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    5 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course is intended for anyone interested in Polish who has completed Practical Language I, II and III or has comparable prior knowledge of the Polish language (in agreement with the course instructor). Students practice all skills but particular emphasis is placed on oral proficiency and pronunciation.  

    The course is held over a 6-week session in the second half of the spring semester, twice a week for 80 minutes, 4:40 PM – 6:10 PM plus one practice lesson in pronunciation per week. 

    Prerequisites: POL203G Practical Language III.

    The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
    Course taught second half of the semester
  • POL205G
    Grammar, Reading and Writing II
    Mandatory (required) course
    10
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course is a continuation of Grammar, Reading and Writing I and continues the study of Polish grammar. Students receive further practice in reading and writing. Rules of inflection, morphology, syntax and spelling are covered. Students do practical exercises in both writing and reading comprehension.

    Prerequisites: POL104G Grammar, Reading and Writing I.

    The languages of instruction are English and Polish.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • POL206G
    Poland Today
    Mandatory (required) course
    10
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course covers the history of Poland from WWII to the present day. Subjects discussed include history, politics and culture (with an emphasis on literature, film and music). The course is taught in English.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
Additional information

The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities all over the world. This means UI students have unique opportunities to take part of their programme at a university abroad, acquire international experience and carve out a niche for themselves.

UI students are generally able to take exchange studies, traineeships or summer courses. Study abroad must, however, always be approved by the faculty.

Students can transfer credits completed abroad to their programme at UI, meaning that going on exchange does not extend the duration of the programme.

Knowledge of the Polish language and culture is useful for working in business, international affairs and tourism, to name a few examples. 

An education in this area can open up opportunities in:

  • Tourism
  • International affairs
  • Tour guiding
  • Translation 
  • Interpreting
  • Business 
  • Imports and exports

This list is not exhaustive.

  • Linguae is the organisation for foreign language students at UI.
  • Linguae organises events for foreign language students, providing them with opportunities to take a break from their studies, socialise and relax.
  • Linguae Facebook page.

More about the UI student's social life.

Students' comments
Alexia
This course is enjoyable and provides a strong foundation. Learning this language is a lot of fun, and the teachers ensure we understand the material.
Helpful content
Aurora Cooperation

Study wheel

What interests you?

Aurora Cooperation

How to apply

Follow the path

Contact us

If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.

School of Humanities
Weekdays: 10-12 am and 1-3 pm
General Service

Students can use the Service Desk as the point of access for all services. Students can drop in at the University Centre or use the WebChat on this page.

""

Share

Did this help?

Why wasn't this information helpful

Limit to 250 characters.