History of Gdańsk School of Higher Education

Gdańsk School of Higher Education (Gdańska Szkoła Wyższa, GSW – in Polish) based in Gdańsk was established in 2002. Initially, it was named Gdańsk College of Administration (Gdańska Wyższa Szkoła Administracji). However, in 2012 due to its academic development – the extension of faculties and fields of study including engineering studies – the School, by the power of the decision of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 20 December 2011, changed its name to Gdańsk School of Higher Education. GSW is entered in the register of non-public higher education institutions and non-public higher education institutions associations held by the Minister of Science and Higher Education with entry no. 244. Gdańsk School of Higher Education was founded in the first period of existence of the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) and therefore, its application for granting authorization to establish a higher education institution was subject to a compulsory opinion from the Committee. The motion received a positive opinion, which constitutes recognition for GSW’s unique degree programs and for competent and dedicated teaching staff of high scientific achievements and academic experience.

About the campus

The campus of Gdańsk School of Higher Education is a magnificent 3-storey restored building of a historic redoubt, fragmentarily surrounded by historic walls. The building is entered in the public register of objects of cultural heritage. The campus is located at the top of Bishop’s Hill (Biskupia Górka) in the heart of downtown Gdańsk (Gdańsk Śródmieście). The campus is conveniently accessible by car (two large parking lots) and public transport (railway, tram).

Mission and Vision

The mission of Gdańsk School of Higher Education is to educate professionals serving the needs of a modern state and region – the structures within the united Europe. The goal of education is to equip graduates with comprehensive knowledge, skills and competencies necessary in social and economic life based on knowledge. GSW prepares graduates to undertake various administrative, pedagogical and engineering activities, which involve solving complex problems of economic, social and technical nature at the local and regional level.
The next decade of GSW’s development will be characterized by a new quality in education, scientific research and cooperation with the environment. Research will be conducted using modern methods and will comprise new areas to meet the needs of a modern region, country and the world.

Certificates

Gdańsk School of Higher Education was awarded the title of “Quality of the Year 2012” as well as certificates of “Reliable School” and “Good Higher School Good Work” for the academic year 2014-2015. The School has received certificates since the 2005-2006 academic year, every year; this means that Gdańsk School of Higher Education operates on a firm legal basis, has adequate educational facilities, provides comfortable conditions for studying, creates prospects for employment. The students can actively participate in research circles, student organizations, sports clubs and publishing house.

Faculties and Fields of Study

Gdańsk School of Higher Education provides education of first-cycle studies – Bachelor’s degree program (6 semesters) and engineering degree program (7 semesters). The studies lead to the professional title of Bachelor (licencjat) and Engineer (inżynier) in the field of engineering).

Gdańsk School of Higher Education provides education of second-cycle studies – Master’s degree program (4 semesters) that lead to the professional title of Master (magister).

The School offers a wide range of postgraduate courses (of 2, 3 and 4 semesters) in unique and attractive areas of study that allow the graduates to acquire additional qualifications in a specific field of study. A graduate obtains a postgraduate certificate. The courses are held full-time (daily) and part-time (weekend).

Owing to GSW’s rich experience and highly qualified teaching staff, education is provided in principal academic units:

  • Faculty of Social Sciences;
  • Faculty of Engineering Sciences;
  • and off-Campus Faculties in Koszalin, Olsztyn, Słupsk, Kartuzy and Tczew.

Gdańsk School of Higher Education offers education in the following fields of study:

  • Administration;
  • Tourism and Recreation;
  • Arts Education in the Field of Arts;
  • Management and Production Engineering;
  • Spatial Planning and Landscape Architecture.

Educational Offer. First-cycle studies – BACHELOR

Field of study: Administration. Specializations:

  1. Public Administration
  2. European Administration
  3. Finance and Accounting
  4. Public Safety
  5. Public Health Administration
  6. Criminology
  7. Information Management
  8. Senior Citizens Policy

Field of study: Tourism and Recreation. Specializations:

  1. Tourism Management

Field of study: Arts Education in the Field of Arts.

Field of study: Criminology.

Educational Offer. First-cycle studies – ENGINEER

Field of study: Management and Production Engineering. Specializations:

  1. Management and Production Engineering
  2. Mechatronics
  3. Environmental Protection Engineering
  4. Structural Engineering
  5. Information Technology in Industry

Field of study: Landscape Architecture. Specializations:

  1. Landscape Engineering

Field of study: Spatial Management. Specializations:

  1. Urban Planning
  2. Real Estate Management

Educational Offer. Second-cycle studies

Field of study: Administration. Specializations:

  1. Administration
  2. Management
  3. Psychopedagogy of Work

Field of study: Management and Production Engineering. Specializations:

  1. Occupational Health and Safety
  2. Logistics and Transport Management
  3. Renewable Energy Sources

Educational Offer. Postgraduate courses

Accessible to graduates with first-cycle or second-cycle program degree.

  1. Education and Rehabilitation of People with Intellectual Disabilities Oligophrenopedagogy
  2. Surdopedagogy and Typhlopedagogy
  3. Occupational Safety and Health
  4. Diagnosis and Pedagogical Therapy
  5. Rescue and Care for the Elderly and Disabled
  6. Sociotherapy
  7. Logopaedics
  8. Logopaedics in School
  9. Pedagogical Preparation
  10. Business Psychology for Managers
  11. Government Procurement
  12. Public Administration and Management
  13. Management of Educational Institution – Education Manager
  14. Health Care Management

Applications to Gdańsk School of Higher Education are accepted twice a year – for the winter semester starting in October and for the summer semester starting in February (March).

Library and Reading Room

Gdańsk School of Higher Education has a specialized scientific library. The library collection, of over 13 thousand volumes, offers a wide range of subject areas including: computer science, computer programs, science and knowledge, technology, industry, mathematics and natural sciences, physics and astronomy, chemistry, man and the environment, mathematics, statistics, earth sciences, marketing and management, economy, economics, administration, law, sociology, philosophy, international relations, European Union, the state and law, history, language learning books, public relations, dictionaries, handbooks, etc. The library constantly develops, introduces new sections and increases its collection. The greatest importance is attached to the acquisition of literature recommended by the academic staff. We gather collections that successfully meet the research and educational requirements. Students benefit from enlarged library and reading rooms organized at GSW’s premises. The Reading Room (of approx. 100 m²) can seat 60 people; it is possible to increase the number of seats depending on the needs.

Publishing House

GSW’s Publishing House (Wydawnictwo GSW), established in 2003, regularly publishes monographs (scientific papers, habilitation dissertations), academic textbooks written primarily for our students, and scientific papers:

  1. Zeszyty Naukowe Gdańskiej Szkoły Wyższej (Scientific Papers of the Gdańsk School of Higher Education), ISSN 2300-9055
  2. Eco-Energetics: technologies, environment, law and economy, ISSN print 2657-5922, ISSN online 2657-7674
  3. also Zeszyty Studenckie Gdańskiej Szkoły Wyższej (Student Papers of the Gdańsk School of Higher Education), ISSN 2451-2893, where students (or graduates) can publish their articles.

Scientific Conferences

GSW’s location in the Coastal Landscape Park provides students with exceptionally favorable conditions for both learning and relaxation. In addition to cultural and sporting events, GSW also arranges sessions and conferences for students and staff, providing an opportunity for students to develop their research interests and passion. Conferences organized by Gdańsk School of Higher Education are local, nationwide or international, and cover a diverse range of issues from scientific areas related to the fields of study and specializations offered in GSW.

Students Research Circles

Students of Gdańsk School of Higher Education can develop their scientific interests and broaden their knowledge being active in various research circles in the fields of: administrative law, “ius publicum”, management and production engineering, managerial, public relations, sociological and philosophical, information technology, knowledge of defense. The research circles are designed to stimulate and expand academic passion and professional interests of our students, to develop knowledge and analytical skills for selected problems and to acquire new inspiring experiences and contacts useful in professional career and public activities. The Deans of the Faculties work closely with the research circles and each circle has their own academic tutor. Members of the research circles publish their scientific publications in student papers. Additionally, students can participate in sports sections: volleyball and shooting sports.

Student Organizations

GSW Students Union represents the interests of the whole student community and is a natural platform between the students and authorities of Gdańsk School of Higher Education.

See GSW in the Erasmus+ Programme