How to Get a Rector’s Scholarship at UJ, AGH, UEK & PK: Criteria & Thresholds

The Jagiellonian University uses a system that sums up points for the weighted average and points for scientific, artistic and sports achievements reported by the USOSweb system of the Jagiellonian University.

1. How is the average at the Jagiellonian University calculated?

The Jagiellonian University takes into account the weighted average of all grades in the subjects covered by the study plan in the previous academic year (the weight of the grade is the number of ECTS credits assigned to the course).

2. Scoring for scientific achievements at the Jagiellonian University:

• Scientific publications: From 5 to 30 points (depending on the score of the journal/publishing house of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education).

• Participation in scientific conferences: From 3 to 15 points for presenting a paper (national and international conferences).

• Work in scientific circles: Points for the implementation of documented research projects or the organization of conferences.

3. Estimated thresholds and amounts at the Jagiellonian University (2026/2027):

• Average thresholds (no additional achievements):

  • Faculty of Law and Administration (WPiA): approx. 4.75 – 4.88

  • Faculty of Philology / History: approx. 4.65 – 4.80

  • Collegium Medicum UJ (Medicine/Pharmacy): approx. 4.70 – 4.85

  • Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science: approx. 4.55 – 4.70

• Estimated scholarship amounts at the Jagiellonian University: From PLN 1,000 to 1,800 per month (divided into 2–3 amount thresholds depending on the position on the ranking list).

Rector’s Scholarship at AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH)

AGH UST in Krakow has a very precise, algorithmic system of calculating achievements, aimed at promoting activity in scientific circles and academic sports (AZS AGH).

1. Points for scientific achievements at AGH:

AGH UST scores highly on activities within the AGH UST Scientific Clubs (e.g. construction of a fireball, rocket, solar boat):

• Participation in Rector’s Grants for Scientific Clubs.

• Authorship or co-authorship of patents/patent applications.

• Publications in journals with a list to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and speeches at student sessions of scientific circles (SSKN AGH).

2. Estimated thresholds and amounts for AGH UST (2026/2027):

• Thresholds (Arithmetic/Weighted Average):

  • WIEiT (Computer Science, Electronics): approx. 4.70 – 4.90

  • WFiIS / WMIiP: approx. 4.50 – 4.65

  • WGGIOŚ / WGGiIŚ: approx. 4.40 – 4.60

• Estimated scholarship amounts at AGH: From 900 to 1,700 PLN per month.

Rector’s Scholarship at the Cracow University of Economics (UEK)

The Cracow University of Economics awards scholarships on the basis of applications submitted by USOSweb UEK. Points are awarded for weighted average and organizational, scientific and sports activities.

1. Criteria and scores at the CUE:

CUE is distinguished by its appreciation of activity in student business and scientific organizations.

• Listed points for activities in UEK scientific circles and organization of international conferences on the campus at Rakowicka Street.

• Conversion rate for high-level language and industry certificates (e.g. ACCA, CFA, CIMA).

2. Estimated thresholds and amounts for the CUE (2026/2027):

• Weighted average thresholds:

  • Finance and Accounting / Market Analytics: approx. 4.65 – 4.82

  • Management / Marketing: approx. 4.60 – 4.75

  • International Economic Relations: approx. 4.55 – 4.70

• Estimated scholarship amounts at CUE: From 850 to 1,600 PLN per month.

Rector’s Scholarship at the Cracow University of Technology (PK)

The Cracow University of Technology (campuses at Warszawska Street and in Czyżyny) evaluates applications based on the total number of points awarded for the average grade and engineering and scientific achievements.

1. Achievements scored in particular at the PK:

• Awards and distinctions in national and international architectural and engineering competitions.

• Participation in research projects financed from external funds (NCBR, NCN).

• Sporting successes in the colors of AZS PK (Polish Academic Championships).

2. Estimated thresholds and amounts for PK (2026/2027):

• Medium thresholds:

  • Faculty of Architecture (WA): approx. 4.60 – 4.80 (very high competition)

  • Faculty of Computer Science and Telecommunications (WIiT): approx. 4.65 – 4.85

  • Faculty of Civil Engineering (WIL) / Mechanical Engineering (WM): approx. 4.35 – 4.55

• Estimated scholarship amounts at PK: From 800 to 1,500 PLN per month.

Comparison of Krakow universities – Table (2026/2027)

How to document achievements and not lose points? (Errors in the applications)

Every year, hundreds of applications for the Rector’s Scholarship in Krakow are rejected due to formal errors.

Instructions for attaching attachments correctly:

• Scientific publications: Attach a scan of the first page of the article with the title, authors, name of the journal, ISSN/ISBN number, year of publication and a statement on the score of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• Scientific conferences: Attach a personal certificate from the organizer confirming active participation (presentation of a paper or poster presentation) along with the conference program.
• Certificates and competitions: Attach a scan of the diploma/certificate with a clearly indicated place (I, II, III place or distinction) and the scope of the competition (nationwide/international).

Erasmus+ and the MOST Programme and the Rector’s Scholarship – Transcription of grades and conversion rates

Going on a foreign exchange under the Erasmus+ program or a domestic exchange of MOST is a challenge for students from Krakow when applying for the Rector’s Scholarship. Grades obtained at the partner university must be converted into the system of the home university (JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, AGH, UEK, PK), which often generates procedural delays.

How do Krakow universities convert Erasmus grades?

• Jagiellonian University (UJ): The recalculation of grades is carried out by the Faculty Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Programme on the basis of the ECTS equivalents table. If a foreign university uses a letter scale (A, B, C, D, E), the grade A usually corresponds to 5.0, B – 4.5, C – 4.0.
• AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH): The Dean’s Office settles the semester on the basis of the Transcript of Records (ToR) document. Only subjects approved in the Learning Agreement (LA) document are included in the scholarship average.
• University of Economics ( UEK) and Cracow University of Technology (PK): If the recalculation of grades takes place after 15 October (after the closure of the application system), the student must submit a written request to the Dean to enter the grades retroactively and include them in the ranking list of the Rector’s Scholarship.

Publications on the List of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Co-authorship – How to count points in Krakow?

Publication activity is the strongest point of a scholarship application, allowing you to leapfrog students with only a high grade point average. Universities in Krakow are guided by the official Exclusive List of Scientific Journals and Peer-Reviewed Materials from International Conferences of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

The principle of co-authorship conversion (scholarship mathematics)

If the scientific article was written as a co-author (e.g. with a supervisor or other students from the research group):

• Jagiellonian University and CUE: They require the attachment of a Statement on the percentage of author’s contribution signed by all co-authors. If your contribution is 40%, you receive 40% of the points assigned for a given publication in the scholarship regulations.

• AGH UST and PK: They use a reduction formula dividing points by the number of co-authors or award a fixed fraction of points to a student-co-author (e.g. 50% of the value of the publication if the co-author is a researcher).

Conditional enrolment and repetition of a course and the right to the Rector’s Scholarship

Having a so-called “condition” (conditional enrollment for the next semester) in the vast majority of cases excludes the possibility of receiving the Rector’s Scholarship in Krakow, but there are important exceptions to this.

Recruitment for second-cycle studies from another university (e.g. from the CUE at AGH UST or from PK to the Jagiellonian University)

Moving from one university to another after completing first-cycle studies raises doubts about the calculation of the grade point average for the purposes of the Rector’s Scholarship in the first year of master’s studies.

Performing the recalculation of external ratings:

• Differences in the grade scale: If you have completed first-cycle studies at a university that uses a grade scale of up to 5.5 (e.g. Wrocław University of Technology) and you submit an application to AGH UST or the Jagiellonian University (where the scale is 5.0), the Scholarship Committee will make a linear calculation of your average according to the mathematical formula specified in the Benefits Regulations.

• Academic achievements from the diploma: Only scientific, sporting and artistic achievements obtained in the last year of first-cycle studies (in the period from 1 October to 30 September of the academic year preceding the commencement of master’s studies) can be included in the application for the first year of second-cycle studies.

Appeal Procedure – What to Do When the Scholarship Committee Makes a Mistake?

Decisions on granting or refusing to award the Rector’s Scholarship are delivered in electronic form (via the USOSweb / e-PUAP system) or in writing. The decision of the OKS (Scholarship Appeal Committee) may be appealed.

The most common legal grounds for an effective appeal:

• Error in the calculation of the weighted ECTS average: Failure to take into account the grade in the transferred subject or incorrect ECTS point weight in the USOSweb system.
• Omission of a documented achievement: Countless points for a scientific publication or conference diploma despite attaching full documentation.
• Violation of competition rules: An erroneous attitude of the committee to the 10% limit in a given field of study (e.g. due to an incorrect calculation of the total number of students in a field of study).

Complaint to the Provincial Administrative Court in Krakow (10 Rakowicka Street)

Complaint to the Provincial Administrative Court in Krakow (10 Rakowicka Street) If the Scholarship Appeals Committee upholds the unfair decision, the student has the right to file a complaint with the Provincial Administrative Court in Krakow (10 Rakowicka Street, 31-511 Krakow). A complaint shall be filed within 30 days of the delivery of the decision of the OKS through the Rector of the given university. The Provincial Administrative Court is examining the case in terms of compliance of the decision with Act 2.0 and the Code of Administrative Procedure (KPA).

Tax Issues: Is the Rector’s Scholarship subject to PIT taxation?

Many students wonder whether the Rector’s Scholarship should be reported to the Tax Office and accounted for in the annual PIT-37 return.

Income Tax Exemption (Article 21(1)(40) of the PIT Act)

In accordance with Article 21(1)(40) of the Personal Income Tax Act of 26 July 1991, the provision of material assistance to students (including the Rector’s Scholarship) is completely exempt from income tax.

• No PIT-8C declaration: Universities (JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, AGH, UEK, PK) do not issue a PIT-8C declaration to students for receiving the Rector’s Scholarship.

• Impact on the Social Scholarship: The Rector’s Scholarship is not included in the family income when applying for the Social Scholarship in the following academic year! This amount is a benefit excluded from the income structure in accordance with the regulations on social assistance and family benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (Krakow)

When should I apply for the Rector’s Scholarship in Krakow?

At most Krakow universities (JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, AGH UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS, UEK, PK), electronic applications are submitted in the USOSweb systems between 1 and 15 October (the exact schedule is announced by the Student Affairs Departments at the end of September). A printed and signed application (if required by the university) must be submitted by mid-October.

Can the Rector’s Scholarship be combined with a Social Scholarship?

Yes. Possession of the Rector’s Scholarship does not exclude the receipt of a Social Scholarship or a Scholarship for a Person with Disability. However, the total sum of all scholarships from the Scholarship Fund may not exceed the amount specified in the Act (in 2026, this is the total limit of PLN 3,560.70 per month).

Can I get the Rector’s Scholarship after changing my field of study or university?

The Rector’s scholarship is awarded at a given level of study for a total period of 12 semesters (6 years). If you have changed your field of study (e.g. you moved from PK to AGH), the period of receiving scholarships in your previous field of study is included in this limit.

What if I am 0.01 short of the scholarship threshold?

Ranking lists are automatically generated. If you are not in the top 10% of students, the decision of the ODM (Scholarship Appeals Committee) can be appealed, but a change of decision is possible only if there is an error in the calculation of the average on the list or if the correctly documented achievement is not taken into account.

Do retake colloquia and exams reduce the chance of receiving a scholarship?

Unsatisfactory grades (2.0) are counted towards the grade point average for the semester, which drastically lowers the weighted average. In order to have a real chance of receiving the Rector’s Scholarship at the Jagiellonian University, AGH, UKE or PK, you need to pass all subjects in the first terms with very good grades (4.5 and 5.0).

Receiving the Rector’s Scholarship in Krakow requires planning throughout the academic year. Maintaining a high grade point average should be combined with activity in scientific clubs, publications or representing the university in the AZS. Remember to keep an eye on the deadlines in the USOSweb system at the beginning of October and complete all certificates in advance.