Poland - first cycle programmes

First level studies are organized both by university-type higher education institutions and the institutions of higher professional education (wyższe szkoły zawodowe).

The graduates are awarded the professional title of licencjat (after 3 years of study) or inżynier (after 3.4 or 5 years of study) following a thesis or diploma project. Until 2004, they obtained the dyplom ukończenia studiów wyższych (diploma of completion of higher studies). Since 2005 the name of the qualification awarded is dyplom ukończenia wyższych studiów zawodowych (diploma of completion of higher professional studies).

The graduates can continue their education at university-type institutions and non-university-type institutions in complementary courses of the second level and obtain the title of magister or equivalent. The professional title of licencjat has been awarded since 1992. Additionally, since 2005 the title of licencjat położnictwa is awarded to graduates of higher professional studies in midwifery and the title of licencjat pielęgniarstwa in nursing. The graduates of higher professional studies in architecture are awarded the title of inżynier architekt.Military schools and the School of Police award the title of oficer dyplomowany to the graduates of first level studies. The Main School of Fire Service grants them the title of inżynier pożarnictwa.