The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin is the largest public university in Poland on the eastern side of the Vistula River. It is an institution deeply rooted in the region, where since 1944, it has been serving as a cultural and opinion-forming factor. It also makes a significant contribution to building a knowledge-based economy.
A comprehensive educational offer and rich experience are the strengths of the university. UMCS provides education at 11 faculties in Lublin and the local faculty in Puławy, 80 fields of study and nearly 250 specializations. Every year, the educational offer is enriched with new, interesting fields of study, and the already conducted specializations are improved using unique and practical specializations. Almost 150 research clubs and university-wide organizations at UMCS gather active young people organizing interesting initiatives. The Children's University has also been very active in our Alma Mater since 2012. We also patronize the Third Age Universities in Lublin, Puławy, Końskowola and Biecza.
The scientific and research potential of UMCS is growing. The university has modern laboratories and also invests in infrastructure and modernization of existing facilities. The Institute of Computer Science, the Centre for Functional Nanomaterials at the Faculty of Chemistry or the Media and Art Incubator. With four research and development units, the Analytical and Program Centre for Advanced Environmentally Friendly Technologies ECOTECH-COMPLEX was established, equipped with innovative laboratories and high-level equipment, including the only high-field magnetic resonance in this part of Europe.
UMCS also maintains active contacts with foreign research centres. An important event in 2017 was establishing the Polish-Chinese Research Centre Green Pharmaceuticals (green pharmacy). It is the first Polish-Chinese research institution of this type. There is also cooperation with many institutions, local government authorities and entrepreneurs, foreign partners from the European Union countries, and Ukraine and China.
In 2017, UMCS received the HR Excellence in Research Logo awarded by the European Commission. It confirms that the university provides researchers with the best working conditions and provides transparent recruitment rules and an appropriate space for the development of science, in line with European standards. So far, the university has also won many significant titles and distinctions, such as: "University of Leaders", "Aurea Praxis", "Good University - Good Job". UMCS is also a laureate of the competition "The most innovative and creative university in Poland in creating career prospects".
In February 2020, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University was awarded the prestigious title of the Ambassador of the Lublin Province. The honorary committee decided to award the university an award in the "Institution" category while appreciating the enormous, long-term contribution to the multifaceted development of the region. This award is granted to outstanding organizations and institutions for the special promotion of the Lublin region in the country and abroad. UMCS has built a strong scientific, didactic, organizational and social capital, creating a complete university that promotes the region not only thanks to the development of research and high-level education but also a modern approach to culture and popularization of sport.
In total, nearly 20,000 students study at UMCS, including 1,800 foreigners (i.e. 10% of all people studying at the university) representing nearly 50 countries worldwide. For comparison: in the academic year 2010/2011, only about 200 foreigners from abroad studied at our university.
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, among other universities in the region and Poland, is distinguished by a unique student campus located in the city centre, consisting of didactic buildings, clubs, sports and cultural facilities. We can boast of 9 dormitories, in which we offer over 2,500 high-standard places adapted to the needs of disabled people.
In September 2020, there was a ceremonial opening of modern teaching facilities of the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism and the Institute of Psychology at the West Campus of name Union of Lublin. The investment at ul. Głęboka Street included the construction of three functionally connected facilities. The six-story building of the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism is located on the west side, and the Institute of Psychology, which has five floors, in the eastern wing. There are common parts in the so-called connector, such as the library, bar, and technical rooms. Within 18 months, a modern didactic complex with a total area of over 11,000 sqm was built. Thanks to the investment, students have the opportunity to benefit from exceptionally comfortable conditions of education. Apart from modern lecture halls, lecture halls, and seminar rooms, both facilities also have specialist rooms, strengthening the practical aspect of didactic classes. The rooms of research clubs, the seat of the Academic Legion, students' own workrooms and TV studios are available in the new seat of the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, and in the facility of the Institute of Psychology, among others: the psychological tests laboratory or the room of the Academic Support Centre. The facilities are accessible to people with disabilities to ensure the comfort of work and study. There are also buildings with interesting, modern architecture and interior design, modern equipped.
Student cultural life is concentrated around the “Chatka Żaka” UMCS Academic Cultural Centre. The modernization, renovation and equipment works, which lasted almost 2 years, were completed in September 2020. The modernized part "A" of Chatka Żaka is the famous auditorium. The renovated part "B" in the back of the hall. After renovation, the auditorium resembles the original appearance (immortalized on a postcard with the famous photograph by Zbigniew Siemaszko from 1967), provides seats for 372 people and uses the necessary solutions in the field of stage technology. Inside, digital projectors and an analogue projector make it possible to display films in both formats and screens for front and rear projection. In the renovated part "B", rooms were created, such as dressing rooms with full sanitary facilities, two instrumental rehearsal rooms, an art studio, three workshop rooms and a darkroom, and the main hall was also renovated. The storeys of the building are served by a newly built elevator. The building retains all the characteristic elements of the modernist finish, including mosaic in the hall or spiral staircase. ACK Chatka Żaka is a place created for students, and thanks to them, it is vibrant with life. Various artistic groups and innovative university media of information and education character function there: Academic Radio Centre and Academic Television TV UMCS. Every year there are also well-known events in the country and abroad, including the Festival of Student and Tourist Song "Bakcynalia", the Polish Folk Music Festival "Mikołajki Folkowe" or the Student Review of Alternative Music "SPAM". ACK Chatka Żaka is also a space conducive to learning together and spending time with friends.
Another such place is undoubtedly the cult academic canteen "Trójka" located between the dormitories of UMCS. The place refers to the famous canteen- "Trójka" (Number Three), which students used since the 1970s. Until now, university graduates have fondly remembered this characteristic building, thanks to its architecture. When reactivating the academic canteen in October 2019, the university authorities listened to the voice of students who, in a special poll, expressed their support for the need to restore such a place on the university campus. The property has undergone extensive renovation both inside and out. It is a completely new space where students, PhD students, university employees, and Lublin residents can eat healthy and tasty meals. In addition to the gastronomic part, the new space also has a special coworking zone for students to study freely, work individually or together, and relax.
Students can also use the Physical Culture Centre equipped with a swimming pool of international standards, and soon at the West Campus, the name of Union of Lublin, an innovative Academic Sports Centre, will be established. Students can participate in classes in over 30 sports sections conducted by the AZS UMCS University Club. In addition, there are 8 advanced sections at AZS UMCS, and the club itself has over 1,300 members. Basketball players Pszczółka Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin have successfully played in the women's basketball league in Poland - Energa Basket Women's League. In the 2019/2020 season, the team took 4th place in the final table, a historic result for the team. In addition, AZS UMCS Lublin has been at the forefront of the best teams in such disciplines as athletics and swimming for many years. Club players are, among others, Malwina Kopron - bronze medalist of the World Hammer Throw Championships and gold medalist of the Taipei Universiade, Paulina Guba - European Champion in the shot put, Sofia Ennaoui - finalist of the 2016 Olympics and silver medalist of the 2018 European Championships at a distance of 1500 m, Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik - European Champion in the 4x400m relays, as well as Konrad Czerniak and Jan Świtkowski - bronze medalists of the European Swimming Championships. Recently, the Club has an e-sport section, which is very popular and responds to the growing interest in virtual sports.
