International cooperation

Internationalization of scientific and educational activities is one of the priority directions of development of the University of Silesia. The University has concluded over 440 bilateral agreements with almost 300 institutions from 40 countries around the world. These partnerships permit the exchange of students and teachers, as well as joint research and educational initiatives. Our partners are universities, research centers and enterprises in Germany, France, Italy, Russia, USA, Spain, China and many other countries.   The University of Silesia benefits from multiple projects financed by the European Union and other international programmes in almost every field of academic life: scientific research, education, and development.  Cooperation conducted within international research projects includes realization of common research activities and dissemination of results though seminars and conferences as well as joint publications. Scientists profit from scholarships and internships at prestigious research institutions around the world, which significantly influence the development of their professional career.

International educational projects implemented by the University of Silesia aim at improving the quality of education with the elaboration and introduction of innovative teaching programmes, adapted to expectations of the labor market and fostering academic mobility. In cooperation with foreign partners the university is opening up new fields of studies addressed also to students from abroad. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) greatly facilitates international student exchange realized mainly within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme/Erasmus. From the beginning of the programme more than 2000 students o  the University of Silesia have profited from the chance for study or placement abroad, and about 600 faculty members have gained didactic experience at European partner universities.

Within the framework of the European Union projects, various investments are realized, targeting the modernization of the existing didactic infrastructure as well as the construction of new, highly functional student facilities which meet the highest European standards.

The university is a member of various international organizations, among them the European University Association.