FAQ

Below you will find some common questions which will help you to prepare for Erasmus Programme at TEU

 

1. Who is an exchange student?

An exchange student is a student who has been nominated by his or her home university to study at a foreign university for a period of up to one year. The home university has a bilateral exchange agreement with the foreign university in question.

 

2. What to do before arrival?

Before your departure to Poland make sure to:

• Contact the International Office at your Home University for confirmation that you are an Erasmus (or other exchange)  student.
• Have your Learning Agreement signed by the Erasmus Coordinator (or, if you are a non-Erasmus student - make sure that your home university has approved the study program which you want to pursue at TEU)
• Complete and send in the admission form and all requested documents to Tischner European University.
• Collect the European Health Insurance Card at your local insurance office (for EU member states)    
• Visit: http://www.wse.krakow.pl/en/erasmus  for more information

Useful tips:

• Remember to keep the application deadlines.
• Don't forget to check validity of your passport / identity card.
• Have a number of passport photographs made.
• Start to look for an accommodation as early as possible.

 

3. How can I apply for TEU studies?

Application requirements and the list of documents for one semester/one year study programme at TEU can be found on our website: http://www.wse.krakow.pl/en/Useful_Information/artykuly/art,266,application_requirements.html

 

4. Which courses can I take?

An overview of courses available for Erasmus students could be found on: http://www.wse.krakow.pl/en/Useful_Information/artykuly/art,267,semester_schedule.html

For further questions please contact Erasmus Coordinator at TEU.

 

5. What about accommodation for exchange students?

TEU does not have its own hall of residence. However, we offer assistance in finding a flat for incoming students, who tick suitable answers in application forms. Krakow as an academic centre, offers various forms of student accommodation A TEU mentor - an individual carer of every incoming student - also helps with finding a flat.

 

6. Do I have to speak Polish to study at TEU as an exchange student?

Knowledge of Polish is not a prerequisite to study at our university. All classes and lectures for Erasmus students are held in English. Those who know Polish well enough, can choose courses conducted in Polish.

 

7. Can I learn Polish at TEU?

TEU does offer Polish language courses for international students only if we manage to gather a group of 12 student on the same level willing to learn at the same pace. Experience has proved, that this might be difficult, but even if no Polish class opens at TEU,  students can attend courses run by School of Polish Language and Culture at Jagiellonian University. We help you find the appropriate group, and Erasmus students can also apply at TEU for a small grant partly covering the tuition fee.

 

8. Can I attend foreign language courses at TEU?

TEU offers various language courses for international students. Students may choose the course free of charge in English, German, French or Spanish, if there are places in groups matching their level. There is also the chance to take part in more than one foreign language course at a preferential rate (6-8 PLN per hour).

 

9. Where can I find general information about Krakow (cost of living, transportation, etc.)?

Arrival information, details about travel, visas and residence permits etc., can be found on the TEU website in"Living in Krakow" section: http://www.wse.krakow.pl/en//Erasmus_program

10. How can a student mentor help me?

Since it is not always easy to adapt to the new social and academic environment, especially when cultural and language barriers are significant, TEU has launched a Mentor program to help foreign exchange students to acclimatize and make the most of their stay in Cracow.

Mentor programme aims to give support to the Erasmus students during their study period at TEU, through the attribution of a mentor, who is a student volunteer. Mentors accompany their fellow-students during "Orientation Week", support and guide them through administrative details, which they encounter, during their first steps in Cracow and the university. They also help them to adapt to the new environment and integrate into the student life in the city. International exchange students can always count on help and advice from Polish students.

For more information such as a sample "Orientation Week" timetable, as well as other details visit our website: http://wse.krakow.pl/en/Erasmus_Programme/artykuly

 

11. Are scholarships available for exchange students?

Exchange agreement between the TEU and each partner university means, that neither students coming to TEU, nor students going abroad from TEU will have to pay tuition fees. Therefore if you are an exchange student, your tuition fee is fully waived. The TEU also offers partial coverage of tuition fee to those Erasmus students, who wish to participate in a course of Polish language, even outside the TEU. However, we do not grant any extra scholarships to exchange students, covering travel or subsistence.

 

12. What is Academic Transcript of Records?

In the European ECTS system, Transcript of Records (ToR) are used to document the performance of a student over a certain period of time by listing the course units or modules taken, the credits gained, and the grades awarded. The Transcript of Records provides a standard format for recording all study activities carried out by students. It is an essential tool for academic recognition. 

 

13.  What needs to be done at the beginning of the semester?

• Deliver to the International Office one copy of Learning Agreement signed by the Erasmus Coordinator (or partner university's representative) at the home university.
• Find accommodation and move into your room after signing the lease contract.
• Register for classes (if necessary).
• Register your stay (if longer than three months) by obtaining Temporary Residence Card at the local Voivodship Office.
• Contact your Erasmus coordinator.

 

14.  What is the start/end date of my program?

At TEU the full-time studies academic year is divided into two semesters (every semester lasts 15 weeks), each followed by an exam and retake exam sessions. The first semester (autumn semester) starts in October and the second one (spring semester) - in February. The completion period at TEU is one semester. The closing date for taking exams in the autumn semester is usually around March 15th, in the spring semester - September 30th.

For additional information download "Academic Calendar" (http://www.wse.krakow.pl/en/Erasmus/do_pobrania)

15. How can I prolong my stay at TEU?

Erasmus students coming to Krakow for the winter semester can prolong their stay at Tischner European University only for the summer semester. Students enrolled for the summer semester cannot prolong their stay within the framework of Erasmus Programme for another semester.

If a student decides to prolong his/her stay at TEU, an approval from home university is required. Such confirmation from home university should be obtained at least one month before the end of stay at TEU. Afterwards, a list of courses taken in the second semester have to be consulted with Erasmus Coordinator at TEU.

16. What should I do before leaving Krakow?

Filled examination card should be brought to the Erasmus Coordinator at TEU by the end of your stay. If you still have not received grades at the time of your departure, please include the course information in the examination card. We will send the updated transcript with stamp and signature by fax and additionally by post to Erasmus Coordinator at your home university.

Erasmus students are also asked to fill in evaluation forms concerning his/her stay at TEU, mentor help, attended courses and other relevant information.

 

17. Where can I get information if  I have some more questions?

All necessary information for incoming students can be found in TEU Handbook. For further questions please contact Erasmus Coordinator.