Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

History and Facts

• The University is located in the capital city of Poland, Warsaw. It consists of 12 faculties, 6 interfaculty units and 2 MBA Programs.
• Since September 2007 the University is a member of the network of the EUROLEAGUE of the leading Universities of Life Sciences (Swedish Agricultural University- SLU; Copenhagen University; BOKU - University of Life Sciences in Vienna; Wageningen University; Hohenheim University; Prague Agricultural University).
• The new campus of SGGW University is located in Ursynow.
• 1927 - The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was established. It is the oldest of its kind in Poland and possesses a leading role in the research and development of veterinary science, participating in many research and educational programmes.

University Advantages

• In contrast to all other Universities, the study course takes five and a half years, as opposed to the usual six years.
• The University has recently invested millions in purchasing the newest equipment.
• The 10:1 student-teacher ratio at the faculty promises a personal education, while an increasing number of international lecturers ensure that students get exposed to the latest techniques from around the world.
• Students participate in labs, become experts with modern diagnostic equipment and hone their practical skills at six University-owned farms and forests.
• The University cooperates within the framework of Socrates/Erasmus Programme, and it has developed an intensive cooperation with numerous foreign institutions.
• The campus is lovely and it is made up of 47 buildings among them student dormitories, the Palace of Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz which serves as the main building, the SGGW Hotel and a number of other facilities.
• The Veterinary programme is accredited by the National Accreditation Committee (PAKA).
• 2002 - The Veterinary Medicine SGGW was the first in Poland to be accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).

Course Offered

• Since the academic year 2007/2008 one course in Veterinary Medicine is offered specifically to international students. The study course takes five and a half years (11 semesters) and is intended for secondary school graduates of studies leading to a Veterinary Surgeon degree (pol: Lekarz Weterynarii, lek. wet., am.: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, D.V.M.). The course is taught exclusively in English and the graduates are awarded the EU scheduled qualification [Dyplom lekarza weterynarii / Diploma of Veterinary Surgeon]. According to EU regulations it enables to practice legally in the European Community member countries. The VS degree program at SGGW consists of 75 total obligatory courses and electives held in Warsaw, Poland. The VS diploma is received upon successfully passing all the exams. Each academic year is divided into two semesters.

In general, the study program follows the basic outline below:

Year I

Students develop a basic understanding of the Life Sciences underpinning veterinary medicine and become familiar with veterinary and medical terms. The animal anatomy, histology and embryology courses give the chance to get the profound knowledge on the composition of the animal's body.

Semester 1 (405 h, ECTS 30):
Obligatory subjects: animal anatomy, histology and embryology, cell biology, biology, informative technology, biophysics, Latin, chemistry, sport activities.
Facultative (optional) subjects: Subjects for choice from several options in Polish language, social sciences, and cell physiology. Semester 2 (405 h, ECTS 30):
Obligatory subjects: animal anatomy, histology and embryology, biochemistry, general and veterinary genetics, environment protection, biostatistics and documentation methods, history of veterinary and deontology, agronomy, sport activities.
Facultative (optional) subjects.

Year II

Students delve more deeply into the Life Sciences, particularly anatomy, physiology and veterinary immunology. Students start studying microbiology and learn about animal breeding and nutrition. The introduction to animal well-being and ethology helps to understand future clinical courses.

Semester 3 (450 h, ECTS 30):
Obligatory subjects: biochemistry, animal physiology, breeding and animals farming, technology in animal production, ethology, well-being and protection of animals, veterinary economy, Polish language, microbiology.
Facultative (optional) subjects in comparative anatomy.
Semester 4 (420 h, ECTS 30):
Obligatory subjects: animal physiology, microbiology, animal nutrition and food science, veterinary epidemiology, Polish language, immunology, topography anatomy.
Facultative (optional) subjects in animal physiology (e.g., physiology of the neonate, digestive physiology).

Year III

Students leave the basic courses and enter the preclinical courses. Students are exposed to imaging diagnostics, and focus on clinical diagnostics and public health protection.

Semester 5 (420 h):
Obligatory subjects: pathophysiology, pharmacology, pharmacy, parasitology, pathomorphology, Polish language, clinical and laboratory diagnostics.
Facultative (optional) subjects in veterinary bacteriology, mycology and virology.
Semester 6 (435 h):
Obligatory subjects: pharmacology, pathomorphology, general surgery and anaesthesiology, pictorial diagnostics, public health protection in the conditions of threats, Polish language, parasitology.
Facultative (optional) subjects in veterinary immunology, parasitology, pathophysiology, dietetics, and veterinary administration.

Year IV

Students continue working in the field, honing their skills and learning new ones as they work on a variety of animals, from fish to ruminants and swine.

Semester 7 (420 h):
Obligatory subjects: farm animal diseases, hygiene of slaughter animals, hygiene of animal feeds, judicial veterinary medicine, fish diseases.
Facultative (optional) subjects in veterinary pharmacology and hygiene of hunted animals.
Semester 8 (420 h):
Obligatory subjects: horse diseases, hygiene of animal products, hygiene of milk, zoonoses, toxicology, andrology and insemination. Facultative (optional) subjects in laboratory analyses of meat.

Year V

Contagious and internal diseases, and surgery techniques become a main focus in the fifth year of studies, as students investigate various animal diseases as well as learn animal obstetrics and gynaecology. Important parts of education are stages in the faculty clinics and cooperating farms.

Semester 9 (405 h):
Obligatory subjects: dog and cat diseases, dietetics, bird diseases, administration and veterinary legislation, fur animal diseases. Facultative (optional) subjects in toxicology and laboratory diagnostics.
Semester 10 (455 h):
Obligatory subjects: bee diseases, veterinary prevention, placement - bird diseases, placement - farm animal diseases, placement - dog and cat diseases, placement - horse diseases.
Facultative (optional) subjects in food, pharmaceutical and veterinary EU legislation, dietetics, veterinary obstetrics, pathomorphology, clinical endocrinology, veterinary dermatology, veterinary oncology, veterinary ophthalmology, veterinary cardiology.

Year VI

The final semester brings several stages in the faculty clinics and farms and more specialist topics on the subjects of choice.

Semester 11 (450 h):
Obligatory subjects: placement - dog and cat diseases, placement - horse diseases, placement - farm animal diseases.
Facultative (optional) subjects in food policy, exotic and laboratory animal diseases, veterinary clinic management, sheep and goat diseases, biotechnology of reproduction, farm animal health management, poultry and pigeon diseases, veterinary stomatology, dog and cat surgery, dog and cat anaesthesiology and intensive therapy, dog and cat orthopaedics, horse anaesthesiology and intensive therapy.

Application Requirements for Initial Application

• Completed SGGW short application form
• A 12 year proof of Secondary Education. High School Certificate and grades - (with certified translation by a sworn translator into Polish language)
• Proof of payment of application and registration for the exams fee. [Early Admissions €165 (01.01.08 - 30.04.08) and Late Admissions €180 (01.05.08 - 31.07.08). If a student wishes to apply to three Universities then he could pay the amount of €195]
• A' levels are not required as it is an International programme. Nevertheless it is advisable that the students follow courses in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in their school, as that would allow them to do better in their exams.
• There is no English Requirement, as the student is requested to pass the Examination which is in English. If the applicant passes the exam successfully it is a proof of English literacy.
• Once the student has passed the exams and has been accepted then she/he is required to submit additional papers.

Application Procedure

• Submission of application form and supporting documents
• Enroll in to the Premedical Preparation Course (optional). It is a nine week Prep course that is offered twice a year and it is held in the Slovak Republic, Israel and Ireland. It is designed to help students master the basic concepts in the Life Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), so that they are prepared to pass the Examination. The course is for those who a) lack prerequisite skills in the Life Sciences b) failed one or more entrance exams c) want to refresh their knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Fees for the Prep Course is €2,700 (education only)
• Pass the Entrance Examination. Students that have a BSc degree in Life Sciences may be exempt from the Entrance Exam requirement, depending on each individual case. The exam is in English and questions are in 'multiple choice' and/or 'fill in the blanks' form. Answers must be given in English. Students have approximately 2 hours to complete each exam.
• After passing the Entrance Exam and being accepted to the University, the student is requested to send additional documentation [a) Completed Medical Report Form with certified translation into Polish language, b) Copy of passport, c) 4 ID size photographs and electronic version, d) Completed SGGW application form, e) Proof of Passing the Entrance Exams or proof of exemption from the examination, f) Secondary school certificate with a certified translation into polish language, g) CV, h) Certificate of Tetanus vaccination with a certified translation into Polish language, i) Visa or residence permit], and pay €500 Registration Fee (due September 1st 2008).

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are calculated per academic year and cover the cost of education only. Students are required to pay a one-time registration fee to secure their place at SGGW. The tuition fee per academic year is €6.500 for September 2008. Per year the tuition fees vary, nevertheless, tuition fees will be fixed for all years of study according to the valid fees of the year of registration.

Cost of Living

The Polish zloty (PLN) is tied to the Euro (€); In November-December 2007 the average exchange rate was 3.6 PLN to 1 EUR, fluctuation is limited to ±10%.

Costs per month	€
Accommodation in student dorm	120
Course material, books	20
Food and drink	160
Total costs per month*	300

*Excluding clothing and personal needs.

The University provides students with accommodation in the university's dormitories in double rooms for circa €120 per month (price includes water, heating and electricity). Rooms include a cooker, table, refrigerator and optionally Internet connection. The dormitories are located in the SGGW campus at a distance of 200 to 300 meters from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and sport facilities. In the dormitories, there is a central kitchen and dining room where it is possible to prepare a dinner. It is also possible to rent an apartment in the city for about €400-€600 per month (excluding electricity, gas, phone, cable TV, Internet), however, it is strongly advised to live in SGGW campus for the first semester.