Language skills
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:
- 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. The programme is designed to suit students with no prior knowledge of Polish.
Course topics include
- Practical Polish
- Grammar, reading and writing
Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf: school leaving examination from secondary school) or equivalent qualification.
To complete the diploma 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
- Practical Language II
- Grammar, Reading and Writing I
- Polish Culture and History I
- Spring 1
- Practical Language III
- Practical Language IV
- Grammar, Reading and Writing II
- Poland Today
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
- POL102GPractical Language IMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse 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 learningPrerequisitesCourse taught first half of the semesterPOL103GPractical Language IIMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisitesCourse taught second half of the semesterPOL104GGrammar, Reading and Writing IMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisitesPOL105GPolish Culture and History IMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
POL203GPractical Language IIIMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisitesCourse taught first half of the semesterPOL204GPractical Language IVMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisitesCourse taught second half of the semesterPOL205GGrammar, Reading and Writing IIMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisitesPOL206GPoland TodayMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis 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 learningPrerequisites
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.
Students appreciate the University of Iceland for its strong academic reputation, modern campus facilities, close-knit community, and affordable tuition.
Study wheel
What interests you?
How to apply
Follow the path
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.
