Poland - Master's studies

The studies of the second stage are organized in the university-type and non-university-type higher education institutions as uniform studies lasting for 5-6 years or as complementary studies lasting for 1.5 - 2 years. They are offered to holders of the professional titles of licencjat or inżynier or equivalent.

The graduates are awarded the title of magister or one of its equivalents after submitting and defending a thesis or a diploma project (with the exception of studies in medicine). Until 2004, the graduates of magister-level courses obtained the dyplom ukończenia studiów wyższych (diploma of completion of higher studies). Since 2005, the graduates of uniform magister-level studies obtain the dyplom jednolitych studiów magisterskich (diploma of completion of uniform master-level studies) and the graduates of complementary magister-level courses obtain the dyplom ukończenia uzupełniających studiów magisterskich (diploma of completion of complementary magister-level studies). The holders of the title of magister or its equivalent may continue their education at postgraduate level.The professional titles that are equivalent to the title of magister are awarded by different kinds of second level higher education after studies usually lasting for 5 years.