Law Programme code: W5-NMPR19.2025

The Law program lasts five years (10 semesters). Graduates are awarded the professional title of Master of Law. The program consists of two types of modules: compulsory and elective. Compulsory modules include general and introductory subjects that form the foundation for the study of dogmatic disciplines and illustrate the structure and evolution of society (e.g., Roman law, legal history, evolution of state systems, political and legal doctrines, introduction to jurisprudence, logic for lawyers). These modules aim to teach students that legal norms regulate social life and must meet the needs of society as a whole, individuals, and collective entities at a given stage of social development. The core of the compulsory modules comprises dogmatic subjects that enable students to understand and interpret legal texts in line with academic achievements and practical needs (e.g., civil law, criminal law, commercial law, labor law, administrative law). Particularly important are modules covering procedural matters (criminal procedure, civil procedure, administrative procedure, and administrative court proceedings). By addressing the specificity of various areas of law, the program prepares graduates to handle diverse legal norms and to use legal and juridical language proficiently. Students also gain knowledge of the main fields of Polish law, European Union law, and key international legal acts. In addition to compulsory modules, the curriculum includes elective modules. These are divided into a fixed list and a variable list of electives. The fixed list is organized into thematic “baskets,” each allowing students to flexibly explore interests across distinct legal fields (private law, public law, business sector). The variable list includes offerings such as monographic lectures and seminars, adapted to the evolving needs of the modern world. A unique feature of the curriculum is the Law Clinic module, also available as an elective. It gives students hands-on experience in the legal profession, including courtroom simulations, and the development of negotiation and mediation skills. Graduates achieve learning outcomes in knowledge, skills, and social competencies that directly respond to the needs of the changing socio-economic environment. These outcomes were developed in consultation with external stakeholders and reflect their input. Legal education aims to produce professional lawyers who effectively apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired during their studies. Graduates possess not only an understanding of legal norms but also an advanced ability to relate them to real-life scenarios, construct legal arguments, evaluate legal conditions, and justify legal positions. The program teaches students to independently use legal literature and case law to develop positions on specific cases and engage in debates consistent with adversarial legal procedures. Graduates leave the program with an awareness of the complexity of legal norms. This is achieved through a wide range of original, author-led courses that present individual approaches and research findings not yet included in textbooks. Foreign language proficiency is also crucial for professional development. Graduates achieve at least a B2+ level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, along with knowledge of legal terminology in their chosen language. The theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired during the program enable graduates to pursue various career paths, including doctoral studies, legal apprenticeships, and independent professional work in public or private institutions and organizations.

The condition for admission to the diploma examination is to achieve the learning outcomes provided for in the study program, to obtain a certificate of an appropriate level of language proficiency in a foreign language and to obtain positive grades for the diploma dissertation. The condition for graduation is to pass the diploma examination with at least a satisfactory result. A graduate receives a higher education diploma confirming obtaining the qualifications of the appropriate degree. Detailed rules of the diploma process and the requirements for the diploma thesis are set out in the Rules and Regulations of Studies at the University of Silesia and the diploma regulations.

Internships are an integral part of the study program, carried out by students in individual fields, levels, profiles and forms of study. Internships are to help in confronting the knowledge acquired during studies with the requirements of the labour market, acquiring skills useful in the profession, learning about practical issues related to working in positions for which the student is prepared during the course of studies. The internship is to familiarize the student with professional language relevant to a specific industry and work culture. The rules for the organization of internships are set out in the Rector's ordinance. Detailed rules of apprenticeship taking into account the specifics of particular fields of study are set out in the field's of study apprenticeship regulations, in particular: learning outcomes assumed to be achieved by the student during the apprenticeship, framework apprenticeship program including a description of issues, dimension of apprenticeship (number of weeks of practice); form of internship (continuous, mid-year), criteria for choosing the place of internship, obligations of the student staying in the internship, obligations of the academic tutor, conditions for completing the internship by the student and conditions for exemption from the internship obligation in whole or in part. The number of ECTS and the number of hours are specified in the course structure.

The Law degree program offered by the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Silesia in Katowice is closely aligned with the University’s mission and development strategy. Its primary aim is to educate students at the highest scientific, substantive, social, and ethical levels, while also ensuring a comprehensive education that takes into account specialized competencies and skills specific to individual fields of study. Faculty staff not only fulfill educational tasks and conduct scientific research but also play an important societal role in fostering personal development and forming creative attitudes and aspirations among students, addressing current and future needs of the region and the country. They also enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of legal studies. The Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Silesia is committed to conducting research and educating future lawyers, as well as promoting the achievements of legal science. Its goal is to create optimal conditions for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and social competencies necessary for the legal profession. Law studies provide opportunities to broaden cognitive horizons while respecting different ideological and methodological approaches. Courses allow students to develop the ability to ask questions and seek answers collaboratively. The study program provides essential knowledge for practicing law, tailored to graduates’ individual interests and labor market demands. Moreover, law studies help students gain knowledge, skills, and social competencies that enable flexible career planning. They also foster openness to lifelong learning and readiness for retraining or knowledge expansion depending on life or professional contexts. One of the missions of university education in the field of law is to embrace the value of every individual without neglecting the increasing educational needs of society, all while maintaining the highest standards of research and teaching quality. The strategic goal of the University of Silesia is to transform into a research university of international significance and prestige. The University emphasizes the importance of research and gives equal priority to teaching, which is essential to its identity as a place of knowledge transmission and academic values to future generations of students and doctoral candidates. The legal education program aligns with the University’s Development Strategy, reflecting its core values: Educating and fostering intellectual and civic virtues, including integrity, critical thinking, respect for others, and the protection of human and civil rights and freedoms; Impacting the University’s environment by promoting knowledge and humanistic values, contributing to its development through scientific, educational, and artistic achievements, and cooperating with the economy, public institutions, and civil society organizations. These values translate into the following initiatives within the law program: Education: Optimizing the teaching offer, including for international students; Involving students in research projects; Flexible management of teaching assignments; Aligning teaching with priority research areas; Introducing tools to enhance teaching innovation; Creating attractive teaching and training offers for students and staff; Building a network of foreign institutions and experts collaborating with the law program; Linking education with the socio-economic environment and involving external experts in teaching; Hosting lectures by renowned visiting professors; Increasing participation in student and faculty exchange programs (Erasmus+ and others); Individualized and project/problem-based education; Expanding the use of online and modern educational platforms. Staff Development: Supporting professional development and enhancing teaching competencies; Training staff in managing challenging educational situations; Hiring new highly qualified employees. Research: Engaging students in research projects; Providing accessible information resources to support learning. Infrastructure: Enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities; Increasing the number of well-equipped teaching rooms. External Collaboration: Leveraging the program’s expert potential for external stakeholders; Expanding business and international partnerships; Improving graduate tracking and using insights to refine the curriculum. Visibility: Promoting the law program through various communication channels, primarily online; Expanding public outreach initiatives to boost program visibility. The law curriculum was developed through consultations with external stakeholders, utilizing the expertise of the Expert Council—an advisory body of the Dean composed of representatives from government, local administration, the judiciary, NGOs, and businesses. Internal stakeholders, including academic staff and the student council, were also involved. The curriculum integrates all key modules essential for a legal professional, with particular emphasis on thematic continuity across semesters. It also includes a new concept of elective modules, covering digital skills, networked activity, and soft skills. The program reflects both the scientific research conducted at the Faculty and the practical experience of its staff, many of whom are practicing legal professionals, entrepreneurs, or collaborators with public administration. Faculty staff conduct extensive research, as evidenced by publications and participation in national and international conferences and programs. Research outcomes inform curriculum development and help students build research competencies. These findings are incorporated into teaching, and the Faculty's achievements are recognized nationally and internationally. The Faculty aims to involve students in research. Thanks to experienced academic staff, students succeed in national and international competitions and actively engage in scientific research through student organizations. Another strategic goal is innovative teaching and a modern curriculum. The Faculty ensures graduates possess not only specialized knowledge but also social and practical skills needed for the legal profession. The program prepares students for bar exams and future employment or entrepreneurship. The study program’s innovation lies in the logical sequencing of mandatory content, supplemented by modules tailored to students’ career plans. It prepares students for various paths: continuing legal education, working in public administration or NGOs, starting a business, or pursuing a unique career trajectory. Modern teaching methods help students adapt to evolving labor markets and societal demands. Acquired skills like logical thinking and multidimensional analysis distinguish graduates and prepare them to navigate complex legal regulations. The Faculty continually enhances its educational offer with a rotating list of elective modules. Students may participate in foreign-language courses, gaining access to international legal databases and publications. They also achieve B2+ proficiency in legal terminology according to the CEFR. International cooperation with other academic centers is reflected in both outbound Erasmus exchanges and courses taught by visiting professors. The Faculty actively collaborates with social and economic partners, including business associations and public institutions. This collaboration involves conferences, training, seminars, and joint research, the results of which are widely disseminated. This integration of legal theory and practice in student education prepares them for legal roles in society. Well-educated and professionally prepared graduates enrich the labor market with reliable knowledge and skills. Equally important is using research and project-based insights in teaching. The staff’s practical legal experience, including work with businesses and public administration at all levels, ensures students benefit from both doctrinal knowledge and its social, economic, and ethical contexts. The law program responds to the growing need for professional legal services and applies modern teaching approaches. A rich curriculum and elective courses connect theory with practice, equipping graduates with the skills needed for various legal careers. The Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Silesia in Katowice is renowned not only regionally but also nationally and increasingly internationally. This is due to the academic and professional activity of its staff and the high-level training of young lawyers, as reflected in graduate achievements and the Faculty’s strong rankings among law schools in Poland.