Practical Information
Documents for incoming students:
The academic year lasts from the 1st of October to the 30th of September. Classes are given in two semesters of 15 weeks each, followed by periods of preparation and exams in January and June.
The first semester starts around 1 October.
The second semester follows a winter break and starts around 15 February.
The International Relations Office can book rooms for Erasmus students in either the Student Dormitory “Za Kolumnami” or the University Hotel “Krakowiak” (www.ap.krakow.pl/ach). Both are situated within a walking distance from the University. The cost of accommodation in the dormitory is about 320 PLN / month whereas the cost of accommodation in a hotel is:
for a place in a single room: 1.200 PLN
for a place in a double room: 900 PLN
Expenses for utilities (electricity, water, and heating) are included in the prices.
Deadline for all incoming students (either for the first or the second semester) is 15 September.
If students do not want to stay in the hotel nor the dormitory, the International Relations Office staff can help them to find private accommodation, but you must be aware of the fact that it is extremely difficult. Cracow is a city of many universities and thousands of students. Most of them want to rent a flat or a room, and most of them plan to stay there for a few years. Therefore, it is hard to find a place for a student who wants to stay only for three or six months.
Upon arrival, incoming students will receive their student ID cards. The IDs entitle students to a 50% fare reduction on the public transport system (a monthly travel card costs around 40 PLN) as well as on domestic train travel.
In order to enter Poland you need a valid passport. To make sure whether you need a visa, check with your local Polish Embassy. In most cases, students willing to study in Poland up to 3 months do not require a visa, but if you are planning a longer stay, you need to apply for a student visa at a Polish Embassy / Consulate in your country of residence. In addition, upon arrival in Cracow, you must register at the Census Department - Wydział Ewidencji Ludno¶ci al. Powstania Warszawskiego 10
office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
This must be done within 48 hours after crossing the Polish border.
In case you have not obtained a visa prior to arrival in Poland or you want to extend your student visa (before the expiration date of the visa received in your country of residence) you need to apply for it at the Department of Citizen Affairs - Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich ul. ¶w. Sebastiana 9-11
office hours: Monday 9:00 am - 17:00 pm
Tuesday - Friday 8:00 am - 15:00 pm
The following documents are required:
a statement from the Pedagogical University of Cracow certifying your student status - to be obtained at the International Relations Office
a visa application form filled in legibly in block letters, in Polish - available at the visa office
one current passport photograph
a passport or another travel document
a certificate of residence registration
For further details contact Polish diplomatic and consular establishments, or the Visa Section of the Department of Citizen Affairs (tel. +48 12 422 09 13).
Foreign Embassies / Consulates In Cracow:
- Austria
ul. Cybulskiego 9
tel. +48 12 421 99 00
- France
ul. Stolarska 15
tel. +48 12 422 33 90
- Germany
ul. Stolarska 7
tel. +48 12 421 89 80
- Hungary
ul. Mikołajska 26
tel. +48 12 422 56 79
- Russian Federation
ul. Buskupia 7
tel. +48 12 422 26 47
- Ukraine
ul. Krakowska 41
tel. +48 12 429 60 66
- United Kingdom
ul. ¶w. Anny 9
tel. +48 12 421 70 30
- United States of America
ul. Stolarska 9
tel. +48 12 429 66 55
Ø Both state and private health care is available in Cracow. First Aid is provided free of charge. Other treatments may be subject to a fee. Payment is generally required in advance. It is advisable to have insurance coverage.
Ø Please, remember that we cannot cover health insurance expenses for incoming students. Therefore, it is better to have it paid before coming to Poland (Form E-111). In addition, students who would like to take up school practice are required to have special “accident” insurance. Make sure in your country of origin, prior to coming, whether the form E-128 is acceptable.
Ø The ambulance service is on call 24 hours a day and should be contacted in case of an accident or emergency.
Ø Treatment of the majority of minor cases is available at the 24-hours pharmacies.
Ø Foreign visitors may seek medical assistance in local hospitals. They should carry a passport for identification and be able to pay in cash for treatment.
Ø As a result of international agreements, citizens of the following countries are entitled to free hospital treatment while in Poland:
- Belarus
- China
- The Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- Mongolia
- Sweden
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom
- Countries of the former Yugoslavia
Ø Telephone Directory for Hospital Emergency Services and 24-hour Pharmacies: 4220511
Ø 24-hour Pharmacies:
· ul. Dunajewskiego 2, tel: 422 65 04
· ul. Mogilska 21, tel: 411 01 26
· Nowa Huta, os. Centrum A, blok 3, tel: 644 17 36
Ambulance (pogotowie ratunkowe): 999
Fire brigade (straż pożarna): 998
Police (policja): 997
Although Cracow is said to be one of the safest cities in Poland, general safety rules apply here as everywhere.
! Beware of pickpockets - especially on trams and buses. Do not leave your belongings unattended !
Ø There are many Exchange Offices (kantor) in the city centre. They offer more favourable exchange rates than banks.
Ø Credit cards are accepted by many shops and restaurants. Cards can be used in banks and at cash point machines (bankomat) to withdraw cash.
Ø The Polish unit of currency is the ZŁOTY, abbreviation zł
one ZŁOTY equals 100 GROSZY, abbreviation gr
1 USD is c.a. 4,0 PLN
1 EUR is c.a. 3,9 PLN
but of course these rates change!
Ø Museums & Art Galleries (M&AG):
most of state M&AG: closed on Mondays
most of private AG: closed on Sundays
Ø Food shops: 6/7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Ø Other shops: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Weekdays
10 a.m. - 2/5 p.m. - Saturdays
some are open on Sundays
Ø Banks: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Weekdays
8 a.m. - 1/2 p.m. - Saturdays
closed on Sundays
Banks, shops, restaurants, and other public institutions do not close for lunch.
Ø You may choose between using a public telephone and going through the operator service at the post office.
Ø There are no coin-operated telephones. A card or a token must be used instead. You can get them at newsagents or post offices.
Ø There are three types of telephone tokens: A, B, C (use C for international calls); and three types of telephone cards: 25, 50 or 100 units.
Ø For local and international calls there is a uniform tariff. However, inter-city calls are charged according to the time of day:
peak time is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. - 25 per cent off the peak tariff
- between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. - 50 per cent off the peak tariff
Ø There are several post offices in the centre of Cracow as well as in all housing estates.
Ø The Main Post Office is situated at the junction of Westerplatte and Wielopole streets. It is open longer than all the others and some counters are open 24 hours a day. You can send letters, telegrams, and parcels as well as make national money transfers, use operator-initiated calls, and send a fax or telex.
Ø Stamps can be purchased at post office counters and at selected newsagents.
Ø The green post boxes are for local letters whereas the red ones are for all other post.
Ø It usually takes about a week for international mail. To make it shorter, send a letter by Express service or Courier service, which is the fastest, but may be very expensive.
Ø Urgent letters and small packets can be sent by PKP, the Polish State Railways. Trains providing the service are indicated on the train time-table by the letter K (kurierskie)
Courier Service is available from:
· Main Post Office, ul. Westerplatte 20, tel: 422 48 11
· Main Railway Station post counter
· DHL, ul. Balicka 79, tel: 638 67 75