Last steps
Required documents
Important
Submitting documents
Congratulations! If you see the ‘Accepted’ status in the Online Application System (IRK), it means you have secured a place at the University of Silesia in Katowice. You must now officially confirm your intention to study and provide us with hard copies of the documents by the specified deadline.
3 GOLDEN RULES OF ENROLMENT:
01. ALWAYS CARRY THE ORIGINALS WITH YOU
You bring photocopies of your documents, but you must have the originals with you for inspection (our staff will verify their authenticity on the spot).
02. EVERYTHING IN ONE FOLDER
Submit your documents in a properly labelled folder.
Download the folder label template (doc, 24.5 kB).
03. REMEMBER YOUR ID
When submitting your documents, we will ask you for your ID card or passport.
Can’t come in person?
A relative or friend can submit the documents on your behalf. However, they must have a printed authorisation form signed by you.
Download the authorisation form (pdf, 150 kB)
Important: This person cannot sign other university documents on your behalf!
List of required documents
1st cycle studies and long-cycle studies
Mandatory set of documents:
- Personal questionnaire
Printed directly from your account in the IRK Online Application System.
Remember to upload a digital photo to the system first – you will print it together with the questionnaire.
- Digital photo
Before printing the questionnaire, upload a photo to the system (it will be printed together with the questionnaire). Click here to check the format and examples of photos.
- Photocopy of your school leaving certificate (or IB/EB diploma)
Remember to bring the original for inspection! Our staff will verify the authenticity of the copy on the spot.
- Annex or certificate of the secondary school-leaving exam results
If you have retaken your school-leaving exams and have an annex to your certificate or a separate certificate of results for individual subjects – please also bring photocopies of these (and the originals for inspection).
Additional documents (only if applicable to you):
- Medical certificate
Only if your degree programme requires it. You can find the list of programmes on this webpage: Admission process step by step
- Are you under 18?
Written consent to undertake studies, signed by your legal guardian (separately by each guardian), is required
Download the consent form (pdf, 160 kB).
- Can’t submit the documents yourself?
Fill in the authorisation form if someone close to you is submitting the documents on your behalf.
Download the authorisation form (pdf, 160 kB).
Remember that this person cannot sign documents on your behalf.
- Members of religious orders
If you are applying for Theology, you will need the consent of your immediate superior to take up studies.
- Winners and finalists of national-level Olympiads
Please bring a certificate confirming your achievement.
- Winners and finalists of international and national competitions
Please bring a document confirming your achievement.
Sports (winners and finalists of the Polish AMP Championships in youth categories)
Document issued by a Polish sports association confirming participation in the Polish Championship finals.
Note: The document must be verified by the Centre for Physical Education and Sport of the University of Silesia.
2nd-cycle studies (Master’s degree)
Mandatory set of documents:
- Personal questionnaire
Printed directly from your Online Application System account (remember you must already have a digital photo uploaded and approved – it will print with the questionnaire).
- Graduation diploma
Photocopy of the diploma (Bachelor’s, Engineer’s, or Master’s degree).
Remember to bring the original for inspection!
- Diploma supplement
A photocopy of the supplement (and the original for inspection) – if required by the eligibility criteria for your degree programme.
Just defended your thesis?
What to do if you don’t have your diploma yet:
Instead of the diploma, bring a statement from your university confirming that you have completed your studies. The document confirming that you have completed your studies must include details of the level, degree programme, professional title and final grade.
Important
You must submit the actual diploma to the dean’s office no later than 30 days from the date of issue. If you fail to do so, you will be dismissed from studies.
Additional documents (only if applicable to you):
- Confirmation of your grade point average You only need it if your grade point average from your studies was taken into account during the admission process for your degree programme, and it is not listed on your diploma supplement. The document is issued by the university you previously attended.
- Medical certificate
Only for degree programmes that require it. You can check out the list of degree programmes on the following webpage:Admission process step by step.
- Are you a minor?
Written consent, signed separately by each of your legal guardians, is required.
Download the consent template (pdf, 160 kB).
- Members of religious orders
If you are applying for Theology, you will need the consent of your immediate superior to take up studies. - Can’t submit the documents yourself?
Fill in the authorisation form if someone close to you is submitting the documents on your behalf.
Download an authorisation form (pdf, 160 kB).
Remember that this person cannot sign documents on your behalf.
Foreign school certificate or foreign degree, and foreign nationals
Rule 1: If you have a school certificate or degree diploma from abroad, you must provide the standard documents for a 1st or 2nd cycle degree (listed above) AND the documents from the list below.
Remember: bring photocopies and show the originals to our staff for inspection!
- Procedures relating to a school or degree diploma (for holders of foreign documents)
- Apostille or legalisation
You must confirm the authenticity of your school/degree diploma.
Check whether your country issues Apostille (Hague Convention).
- Sworn translation
If your documents are in a language other than Polish or English, you must provide a sworn translation into Polish.
- Confirmation of eligibility to study
Your school/degree diploma must clearly state that it entitles you to study in the country where it was issued. If this information is not included on the document (and there are no separate international agreements governing this), you must provide an additional certificate from your school or local authority.
- Recognition of education (so-called nostrification)
A decision confirming that your diploma entitles you to study in Poland (if this is not automatically granted by law).
Can’t get it in time? Don’t worry – you can apply to the Rector for an extension of the deadline for submitting this decision, even until the end of the first semester!
- Proof of language proficiency
Select the option that applies to your studies:
- Studies conducted in English:
All you need is a document confirming your knowledge of English (unless we have already assessed your proficiency during the entrance exams). - Studies conducted in Polish (minimum B1 level required)
In the case of Polish citizens, foreign nationals holding a Polish school-leaving certificate, and citizens of EU, EFTA and EEA countries applying on the basis of educational documents issued in the EU, OECD, EFTA or EEA, the following documents are accepted:
- a Polish Matura or Polish degree certificate,
- an IB or EB diploma showing your score/grade in the Polish language exam,
- a certificate from a foreign school where 100% of classes were taught in Polish,
- a state language certificate (min. B1) or a certificate from the School of Polish Language and Culture (SJiKP) of the University of Silesia,
- a certificate of completion of a one-year preparatory course (e.g. accredited by the National Agency for Academic Exchange – NAWA),
- a degree in Polish studies (or linguistics with Polish),
If you do not have any of these documents, the Admissions Committee may accept a different document. If in doubt, we may simply invite you to take a short exam at our university language school (SJiKP).
- Additionally, ONLY for foreign applicants submitting educational documents issued in countries outside the EU, OECD, EFTA, EEA and in countries not covered by international agreements
Important! The regulations for the 2025/2026 academic year have changed. Read about important changes for international applicants.
Depending on your situation, please include the following in your documents folder:
- Basis for admission to studies and enrolment
E.g. a decision by the NAWA director (if you are a scholarship holder). Please bring a photocopy of the document and the original for inspection.
- Declaration of holding a Polish Card
Please bring the original with you for inspection.
- Declaration of exemption from fees
If you are entitled to free tuition under Polish law, submit the relevant declaration and show us the documents that confirm it.
Legal basis: Article 79(1)(3) and (5) of the Act on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1668)
Check the detailed list of documents for foreign nationals on the webpage for international students.
Withdrawing from the admission list
Have your life plans changed and you’ve decided to take a different path? It happens, and we fully understand!
We have just one request: please let us know as soon as possible after receiving notification of your acceptance. Your prompt response will give someone on the waiting list the chance to pursue their dream studies.
How do I submit my withdrawal?
Download, print and sign the short [Withdrawal Statement], then send it to us in the way that suits you best:
- uickly (by email): scan the signed statement and send it to your Admission Committee (you will find the address in the Online Application System (IRK), under the ‘Contact the committee’ tab for your course).
- in person: bring the printed document to the relevant Dean’s Office.
- by post: send the signed statement by post to the faculty’s address.
Your photo in the Online Application System (IRK)
To print the personal questionnaire, you must first upload your photo to the IRK system. This will also be the photo on your student ID card.
Don’t leave this until the last minute. Every photo must be approved by a University of Silesia staff member. If you upload it too late, you won’t be able to print the questionnaire in time.
How to prepare your photo
The photo should meet the same requirements as a photo for an ID card or passport (biometric photo):
- format: JPG file, min. 400 x 500 pixels (aspect ratio 4:5),
- taken no longer than 6 months ago,
- colour (no black-and-white filters or sepia tones), sharp and in natural colours,
- framing and background: face facing forward (should occupy 70–80% of the frame), plain and light background without shadows. Natural facial expression (closed mouth, open eyes, no headwear or dark glasses).
See examples of correct photos (document available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, pdf).
