Go to main content

University of Silesia in Katowice

  • Polski
  • English
search
Logo European City of Science 2024

Your doors to the future are here

07.07.2025 - 09:26 update 31.07.2025 - 15:54
Editors: OO

Going to university this year, but still wondering what the ideal degree programme might look like? One that does not limit, but propels you into action. Or perhaps an idea has popped into your head where the lecture theatre turns into a fascinating research expedition, and you imagine yourself in a state-of-the-art laboratory where you are working on a groundbreaking scientific project? If so, you are in the right place! At the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Silesia, your ideas can become a reality.

dwoje młodych ludzi w laboratorium
Photo by Szymon Nawrat

Do you want to become a full-fledged scientist?

Science has the power to change the world. For this to happen, however, we need a growing community of scientists. They, in turn, need an environment where development opportunities, access to modern solutions and the exchange of ideas are commonplace. And that (and much more) is exactly what we want to offer you.

  • Work with our scientists on Polish and international research projects. Observe, remember and learn from the best.
  • Take advantage of modern research infrastructure. Test, experiment, and put textbook knowledge into practice.
  • Discover the world by participating in field classes and research expeditions in Poland and abroad. This is not only valuable scientific experience but also an opportunity to create memories that will stay with you long after you graduate.
  • Let science be a part of your life. Join student research groups, get involved in the life of our faculty and feel its atmosphere.

Have fun participating in events that promote science. GeoPiknik na Żylecie and Biologists’ Night have become permanent fixtures in the faculty calendar.

model anatomiczny płuc i skóry
Photo by Olimpia Orządała

A trip to South Africa or maybe an internship in the USA? We are here to help

Our students know that science knows no borders. Not only do they take full advantage of what the world has to offer, but they also have something to contribute. Take Agnieszka Bylina, a geology student whose list of scientific interests includes astrobiology. She participates in many programmes that allow her to continuously develop, acquire and share knowledge, including at Polish and international scientific conferences. In search of answers to pressing questions, she has visited South Africa, among other places, and her research is recognised by world-renowned specialists.

Agnieszka Gąska, who studied biotechnology and environmental biotechnology at our faculty, is also successfully pursuing her dreams. Thanks to the BioLAB project, she completed an internship at the University of Virginia in the United States.

‘My task was to sequence a single yeast cell and trace the ageing process of its genome. The research and observations are promising in that if we manage to build an accurate diagram of the ageing process of the entire genome, it may be possible in the future to transfer this research diagram to animal and even human genomes. The next stage would then be to trace the development of diseases that result from human ageing. The main goal of this research is to understand the ageing process, identify individual diseases and develop a means of inhibiting their development, giving people the opportunity to live a life free from many diseases’, explains Agnieszka Gąska.

It is worth noting that the group of outstanding students and graduates of our faculty is much larger. We would not have enough space or time to tell you about all of them… so we have a proposal – join us and find out for yourself!

Biotechnology, geology, or perhaps environmental protection? Choose your dream degree programme

Speaking of joining our world, you can choose from the following degree programmes:

  • Aquamatics – interdisciplinary management of water environments (programme taught in Polish and English),
  • Biology,
  • Biotechnology (taught in Polish and English),
  • Environmental protection,
  • Geography,
  • Geology,
  • Applied Geology,
  • Environmental Hazard Engineering,
  • Tourism.

Depending on the chosen programme, classes are held in either Katowice or Sosnowiec.

Interesting fact – one of the faculty buildings, located at ul. Będzińska 60 in Sosnowiec, known as ‘Żyleta’ (Razor), is the tallest academic building in Europe. From the viewing platform located at a height of 100 m, you can see the entire GZM Metropolis, the Beskids and even (a few times a year) the Tatra Mountains! The skyscraper is also the star of one of the events that has made it onto the list of GeoPiknik attractions. ‘Conquer the Żyleta Summit’ is a spectacular race in which daring participants must run up a set of stairs all the way to the 18th floor of the building – it is as difficult as it sounds!

pięcioro studentów patrzy w górę na wysoki budynek
Photo by Szymon Nawrat

Don’t wait, join us

The Faculty of Natural Sciences is a place where a passion for discovery meets a real impact on the future of the environment, agriculture, climate and the planet. We prefer action to sitting idly by, which is why our scientists are involved in many innovative research projects – from plant genetics and microbiology, through geology and palaeobiology, to ecology and climate research.

Let’s look at some specifics – below you will find a few (of many) interesting projects our team is currently working on:

  • Molecular biology and plant genetics – we analyse how plants respond to environmental stress, including climate change and soil salinity, and investigate their resistance and adaptation mechanisms, which may be crucial for the future of agriculture.
  • Extreme environments and polar research – our researchers are helping to create a European polar research area and participating in international research projects in places such as Svalbard.
  • Space ambitions – we conduct pioneering research in space biology in cooperation with the European Space Agency, studying, among other things, tardigrade genes and their response to extraterrestrial conditions.

Our projects are funded by, among others, the National Science Centre, the European Space Agency, the National Fund for Environmental Protection, and the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes.

Become part of a team that can make a real difference to the environment, the climate and our planet.

zbliżenie na probówkę trzymaną pod mikroskopem
Photo Olimpia Orządała

Studying is just the beginning of your scientific adventure

Graduates of our faculty are able to use their acquired knowledge and scientific curiosity to build their professional careers. The Faculty of Natural Sciences has a high employment rate in fields that are in line with the profile of education.

Career opportunities include work in:

  • health care institutions,
  • pharmaceutical, food and agricultural industries,
  • control and measurement laboratories (monitoring stations, quality control institutions, e.g. water, food),
  • biotechnology industry,
  • institutions related to animal husbandry,
  • the forestry and agricultural sector,
  • plant breeding stations,
  • state services: meteorological, hydrological, geological, as well as Regional Development Agencies, Statistical Offices and Geodetic and Cartographic Offices.

In addition, our department cooperates with many companies and institutions that actively support the professional development of students. One example is GBA Polska, a nationwide environmental laboratory. Thanks to this cooperation, students have access to modern analytical technologies. We also work with Energopomiar sp. z o.o., Eurofins Polska Sp. Z o.o., the Silesian Zoological Garden in Chorzów and the City Botanical Gardens in Zabrze.

How to join the Faculty of Natural Sciences?

It’s easy!

Select the programme or programmes that interest you and mark 2 June 2025 in your calendar. That is the day when admissions will begin, starting at 12 noon. Then, apply through the Online Application System (IRK) system.

For all the info you need about recruitment and other study-related matters, check out the website of the University of Silesia. A handful of tips also awaits you on our social media, on the profile dedicated to admission to our university.

Join the Faculty of Natural Sciences and become part of a team that shapes new answers to global challenges. Study at a place where science meets the future.

University – there’s #more to it!

troje studentów pozuje do zdjęcia, w tle dinozaur

fot. Szymon Nawrat

return to top