1. THE STRUCTURE OF POLISH
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

2. MATURITY EXAMINATION DOCTORAL STUDIES MIDDLE SCHOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL
SUPLEMENTARY MASTER STUDIES
BACHELOR/ENGINEER STUDIES
MASTER GRADUATION STUDIES
MATURITY EXAMINATION
POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SUPPLEMENTARY GENERAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
SUPPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS
POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS
POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SECONDARY SCHOOL
SPECIALIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL
TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
BASIC VOCATION SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
PRIMARY SCHOOL

3. PRIMARY SCHOOL (SZKOŁA PODSTAWOWA)
Duration – 6 years
Kids 7-13 years old
Divided into two cycles I-III forms (an integrated cycle)
IV-VI forms (a block - based cycle)
Those graduating from the 6 year primary school are awarded the certificate of completion of education in the primary school which provides access to gymnasium

4. MIDDLE SCHOOL (GIMNAZJUM)
Duration 3 years
All primary leavers continue their education in the gimnasium
Teenagers years old
Education in the gymnasium ends with an examination which covers
knowledge and skills in humanities, matematics and natural science.
The examination is compulsory.
Gymnasium leavers are awarded the certifieate of completion of education in the gymnasium

5. GENERAL SECONDARY SCHOOL (LICEUM OGÓLNOKSZTAŁCĄCE)
Duration 3 years
Students take Maturity Exam in the final form (although it is not compulsary)
The graduates obtain the certificate of completion of education in the general secondary school,which conferns neither rights to gain access to higher education institutions nor vocational qualifications. Whereas these graduates who have passed the maturity examination obtain the maturity certificate of the general secondary school
Graduates of General Secondary School can continue their education either at university (higher education) or in the past-secondary school.

6. SPECIALIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL
(LICEUM PROFILOWANE)
Duration 3 years
Provides education in a dozen of general vocational specializations corresponding to the existing fields of economy and the labour market needs.
Currently, there are the following specializations: chemical examination of environment, economy and administration, electronic, electronic and technical specialization, clothes design, landspace architecture, forestry and wood technology, mechanic production techniques , mechatronics, food and agriculture, social science, transport and dispatching, services and economy, information menagement, artistic and appiled crafts in metal. The establishment of this type of school resulted from the necessity of facing such modern chalenges of the labour market as multiple change of vocational qualifications during whole professional career of individuals.

7. SPECIALIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL
(LICEUM PROFILOWANE)
The graduates- having passed the maturity examination in accordance with the new formula – will be awarded the maturity certificate of the specialised secondary scoool. Holders of this maturity certificate may apply for admission to higher education institution. The graduates who will not take the above maturity examination will be awarded the certificate of completion of education in the specialised secondary school, which is a document confirming the secondary education and general vocational preparation of its holder. However it does not entitled its holder to apply for admission to a higher education institution.

8. TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL (TECHNIKUM)
Duration 4 years
The graduates of technical secondary schools, who do not enter for the maturity examination, obtain the certificate of completion of education in the technical secondary school. Whereas the graduates who have passed the maturity examination, obtain a maturity certificate of the technical secondary school, which entitles them to apply for the admission to higher education institutions and having passed the vocational examination- the diploma of vocational title

9. BASIC VOCATIONAL SCHOOL (ZASADNICZA SZKOŁA ZAWODOWA)
Duration 2 years
The certificate of completion of education in the basic vocational school confirms that its holder has been awarded the title of skilled worker or worked with equivalent qualifications. The certificate also entitles its holders to apply for admission to general or vocational secondary schools where courses are organised as a follow-up to the basic school curriculum.

10. SUPPLEMENTARY SECONDARY SCHOOL
(UZUPEŁNIAJĄCE LICEUM OGÓLNOKSZTAŁCĄCE)
Duration 2 years
For those who wish to continue their education on secondary level. After 2-year education its graduates may sit the maturity examination, and having passed it may by awarded the maturity certificate of the general secondary school, entitling them to apply for the admission to a higher education institution.
Those who not enter for the maturity examination will obtain a certificate of completion of education in the general secondary school.

11. SUPLEMENTARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL (TECHNIKUM UZUPEŁNIAJĄCE)
Duration 2 years
After the 2 year education its graduates may sit for the maturity examination and having passed it may be awarded the maturity certificate of the technical secondary school, entitling them to apply for the admission to a higher education institution and having passed the vocational examination – the diploma of vocational title.
Those who not enter for the maturity examination will obtain a certificate of completion of education in the technical secondary school.

12. MATURITY EXAMINATION
Maturity examination- is a form of assessment of the level pupils general education; it checks knowledge and skills definded in the examination requirements standards; it consists of a written and oral part.
However the examination requirements standards are developed with regard to so called core curriculum for the respective levels of education – it means the canon basic teaching contens.

13. POST-SECONDARy SCHOOLS
(Szkoły policealne)
Duration 2 years, for nurses and midwifes 2,5 years
Post secondary schools are divided into where applicants are required to hold only the certificate of completion of secondary education, and where the requirement admission is the maturity certificate.
Those graduating from a Post-secondary school are awarded the certificate of completion of education and those graduating from a (for nurses and midwifes) obtain the diploma of completion of education.

14. HIGHER EDUCATION (STUDIA WYŻSZE)
Nearly all higher education institutions offered only uniform master-level courses lasting 4, 4.5 or 5 years which end with students writing and defending a master thesis. Graduates are awarded the professional title of Master of Arts (magister) or magister inżynier in a given specialisation. Those who had completed these master-level courses are entitled to apply for admission to doctorate studies which end with students writing and defending a doctoral thesis, taking examinations, and subsequently being awarded the academic degree of doctor. The only type of a higher vocational education school is a 4-year school of engineering where courses led to the diploma of engineer.