www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
FIND OUT ABOUT:
• Torun School of Banking
• Studying in English
• International exchange experience
• Your finances
• Valuable practical information
• Pearl of the North
• Torun – city of student’s choice
Welcome to Torun School of Banking
Torun School of Banking
“WSB in Torun is impressive in many
aspects. The most valuable things are
excellent educational facilities - modern
buildings, modern technologies and
most importantly, intelligent and
committed students. I have visited WSB
in Torun many times while conducting
guest lectures. Students have many
opportunities here to develop theirs
potential”.
Prof. Charles Szymanski
Michigan State University, USA
BRIEF HISTORY – THE WSB GROUP
Torun School of Banking is one of the eight higher education
institutions that make up Poland’s largest network of university
schools of business.
All the Schools of Banking countrywide were founded by the
TEB Education Corporation. Created in 1994, the Corporation
is now among the biggest privately-run educational institutions
in Poland.
Torun School of Banking was founded in 1998 as Torun’s
first privately-owned and operated institution of higher business
education (under the Law on Higher Professional Education
of 26 June 1997). Established on the decision of the Minister
of National Education of 4 July 1998, it was entered into
the Register of Higher Professional Education Institutions
on 27 August 1998.
ACCREDITATIONS AND RANKINGS
Torun School of Banking has received several European
Medals in recognition of its achievements:
• for its state-of-the art educational services – first-cycle
(Bachelor’s) study programs, postgraduate courses and
training courses
• for the Extranet – an internet-based internal information
system for the School’s staff and its students
• for the innovative services of the Office for the Professional
Promotion of Students and Alumni (the Careers Center)
• and, last but not least, for its library services.
In the 2007 in the university ranking published by the Wprost
magazine, the Torun School of Banking was ranked number one
among private university schools of business and management
in Kujawsko-Pomorskie region, while the Home&Market
magazine ranked it in the top position among “Private
universities with best teaching staff” in the region.
THE SCHOOL AND ITS STUDENTS
Over the years past, the School has continually developed
its program offer and increased its student base. Today it has
a student population of 6,000 in its first- and second-cycle higher
education programs and postgraduate courses, and it is proud
of its modern teaching facilities, library and reading room.
The teaching staff includes seasoned academics – university
professors and senior lecturers – alongside outstanding
business practitioners: managers of banks, financial institutions
and government offices. The quality of their work has been
acknowledged by a number of awards and distinctions won by
the School’s students in national competitions, such as “Primus
Inter Pares”, “Accountant of the Year”, or “Enterprise as the Key
to Young People’s Success”. The collaboration with the Warsaw
Stock Exchange, which was initiated nearly 3 years ago, has
resulted in the setup of the Stock Exchange School in the city
of Torun.
FACULTY IN BYDGOSZCZ
Torun School of Banking has a campus in
Bydgoszcz. Bydgoszcz School of Banking was
founded by TEB Education Corporation (TEB
SA) as Faculty of Torun School of Banking under
the decision of Ministry of Science and Higher
Education no. DSW-2-01-4001-72-06)
of 2nd February 2007.
The School offers MA studies in Finance
and Accounting and undergraduate studies in:
• Management
• Finance and Accounting
• Administration
• Logistics
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more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
Studying in English
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Torun School of Banking offers a wide choice of courses
taught in English and specifically addressed to international
students. It delivers two complete higher education programs
in English: Business Management and International Business.
You may freely pick courses and modules from either of these
two programs.
Incoming Erasmus students should be able to communicate
in English, and their command of the language should enable
them to participate in classes taught in English.
Incoming students admitted on a “study abroad” basis
should at least demonstrate the level of English described as
B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (i.e. equivalent to FCE or IELTS 5.5). Students who
do not have a relevant certificate of language competence will
be given an English test by the Torun School of Banking. In
case their language skills are not good enough, they may take
a special one-year preparatory course provided by the School.
COURSE: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Winter semester
Modern Solutions in Marketing and Management
Strategic Management
Business English
TOTAL SEMESTER
Summer semester
Business Mergers and Acquisitions
Instruments of Strategic Management in Enterprise
Corporate Finance
International Commercial Law
Derivatives
Business English
ECTS
6
12
6
24
ECTS
6
6
12
6
6
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A course of the Polish language (4 ECTS) is also available.
The course is provided by Nicolaus Copernicus University in
Torun and it costs about EUR 140 per semester.
In every semester, one-week series of lectures are given in
English by foreign visiting professors (2-3 courses per semester,
3 ECTS each).
BENEFITS
• Instruction in English lets you combine business studies with
language study as you learn all the professional vocabulary.
• Classes are taught by the School’s own teaching staff as well
as by invited lecturers from partner universities.
• Practical experience gained during the studies will help you
prepare for work in an international environment and for
a career with international companies.
VISITING PROFESSOR
„I have been coming to WSB in Torun for the last 5
years and I like working here very much. I am very
satisfied about the scheduling of my lessons. This is
not easy to do because normally I am working in the
Netherlands. If there is a problem the staff is very
helpful. I am happy with the level of English of my
students and the knowledge of basic subjects like
mathematics or macro-economics is quite good. So
all in all WSB Torun is an excellent school.”
Victor Hermans, Ph.D.
The Hague University
– visiting professor at WSB
more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
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International exchange experience
„I am an Erasmus student from
the University of Santiago de Compostela
in Spain. I am here to study at the Torun
School of Banking for all the academic
year 2008/09. Torun is a very beautiful
city, with a historical center and lots
of monuments. The teaching facilities are
modern, the professors are very friendly,
and the Polish students are really helpful
and nice. I am very glad to be studying
in Poland, in Torun. I think that this is
one of the best and most important
experiences in my life. I recommend
studying here to students from
all over Europe.”
Angel Neira Garcia
The Torun School of Banking currently has 21 partner
universities throughout Europe.
Around 20 of our home students go to study abroad every year.
The School also offers work placements in companies across the
United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Greece and Finland.
In addition, the School’s students can enter a direct-entry
program which allows them to do part of their studies at Coventry
University or at IPAC Group in Annecy and earn two diplomas –
of the Polish and the British or France university.
Each year, we host foreign students from Europe and Asia, too.
THE RELATIONS - INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS OFFICE – SERVICES
AND ASSISTANCE
Our International Relations Office takes care of all incoming
international students. We will help you organize your curriculum,
find accommodation, and deal with all formalities relating to your
stay in Poland.
The International Relations Office staff will give you a tutor
who will help you with any aspect of your stay and will make
it fast and easy for you to become part of the student
community. Your tutor will also show you round the city
and take you to all the places that are popular
with local students.
Assistance for Erasmus exchange students:
Ania Kepa:
[email protected],
phone +48 56 66 09 236
Assistance for “study abroad” programs:
Przemyslaw Kwiatkowski:
[email protected],
phone +48 56 66 09 236
Setubal
Cities of WSB Torun’s partner universities
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more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
Your finances
TUITION FEE
International students received within the framework of the
Erasmus program do not pay any tuition fee.
Students from EU countries admitted outside the Erasmus
program will pay the same fees that apply to Polish students,
about 500 € per semester.
NON-EU STUDENTS
Non-EU students will pay USD 4,000 for the preparatory
language course and a fee of USD 5,000 per year.
Non-EU students can find more information at
www.wsbuniversity.edu.pl
COST OF LIVING
The Polish currency is called zloty. The current exchange
rates are published by the National Bank of Poland at
http://www.nbp.pl/Kursy/Kursya.html
The cost of living in Poland approximates EUR 350 per
month. You will have no problem using electronic cards to pay at
shops. Opening a bank account is fairly easy, too – all you need
to do is go to a bank with your identity card and/or your passport.
Accommodation
• room in a student apartment: from EUR 100 to EUR 120
• room in a student hostel: from EUR 80 to EUR 100
Utility bills
• electricity, gas, water: from EUR 20 to EUR 25
• cable television, Internet link: from EUR 15 to EUR 17
Phone
• mobile phone: from EUR 10 to EUR 13
Food
• breakfast in a restaurant: from EUR 3.00 to EUR 5.00
• dinner in a restaurant: from EUR 5.00 to EUR 7.00
• bread: EUR 0.50
• milk: EUR 0.70
• chicken: EUR 4.5
• pint of beer at a pub: from EUR 1.00 to EUR 2.00
Transport
• bus/tram ticket: EUR 0.50 (student ticket: EUR 0.25)
• monthly student pass: EUR 10.00
You should also be aware that, as a student, you are entitled
to a 37% reduction from the price of a train ticket. In addition,
you will be offered various discounts at hairdressers’, cinemas,
pubs, restaurants, etc.
Entertainment
• cinema/theater ticket : from EUR 3.00 to EUR 4.00
BASIC PHRASES IN POLISH
How much is it? – Ile to kosztuje? (eele to koshtooye)
Where is the cashpoint? – Gdzie jest bankomat?
(gdye yest bankomat)
I don’t have any loose change – Nie mam drobnych
(nye mam drobnih)
Do you accept credit cards? – Czy akceptujecie karty
kredytowe (chi acceptooyetche karti kreditove)
What does it mean? – Co to znaczy? (tzo to znatchi)
Do you speak English? – Czy mówisz po angielsku?
(chi moovish po angyelskoo)
More slowly please – Wolniej proszę (wolnyey proshe)
See you – Na razie (na razye)
I am from… – Jestem z… (yestem z)
I am a student – Jestem studentem (yestem stoodentem)
more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
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Valuable practical information
HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE
ACCOMMODATION
Before you come to Poland, you should obtain a European
Health Insurance Card in your home country. Both the EHIC and
the ISIC cards are recognized in Poland. It is also advisable to
buy insurance cover against accidental injury. You can do it while
in Torun, too. The International Office staff and you tutor will help
you deal with the paperwork.
Torun is full of students. Lots of them live in hostels and
dormitories or rent apartments. You will also be offered a room in
a student apartment. The International Office staff will help you
find one.
LEGALIZING YOUR STAY
If you are a EU citizen, you can stay in Poland for up to 3
months simply as a tourist. After that, however, you should
obtain a permit from the City Hall to extend your stay for a
specified length of time. The International Office staff and your
tutor will help you with any paperwork involved in the procedure.
Non-EU students must apply for a temporary ID card within
three days of their arrival in Poland. The document will be issued
by the City Hall.
For an extension of your visa, you should apply to the
Department for Foreigners of the Voivodeship Office (a regional
level government authority).
WEATHER
Poland has a moderate climate. There are four seasons:
spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The coldest month
is January, with the average temperature around minus 5
degrees Celsius, and the hottest month is July, with the average
temperature of 19 degrees Celsius. In spring and in summer, the
temperatures often rise to about 25-30 degrees. In autumn, you
will need an umbrella and a raincoat. To last through the Polish
winter, you should get warm clothes and good shoes.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
A monthly city pass (valid for all public transport – buses,
trams) is about EUR 10.00. You can purchase it on any day
of the month at Miejski Zaklad Komunikacji (City Transport
Company). Please note that a passport photo will be required.
The International Office staff and your tutor will assist you with
paperwork.
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ENTERTAINMENT
In the city center there is a great variety of restaurants and
student clubs. Everyone will find something to suit his/her taste.
Torun’s biggest cinema called Cinema City is student-friendly,
too. Furthermore, Torun has a number of small cinemas, such as
Nasze Kino or the arthouse cinema at the Center of Modern Art,
where you can enjoy a private atmosphere while watching films
from all parts of the world.
Films in Poland are shown with subtitles, so the knowledge
of Polish is not necessary to enjoy most of them.
POLISH LANGUAGE COURSE
All interested students may take a one- or two-semester
course of the Polish language, which is delivered in cooperation
with Nicolaus Copernicus University. 4 ECTS points are awarded
to all attendees. The Polish course costs approx. EUR 140
per semester. Part of the cost is covered by the Torun School
of Banking.
BASIC PHRASES IN POLISH
Yes – Tak (ttak)
No – Nie (nye)
Hello – Cześć (cheshch)
Good morning – Dzień dobry (djen dobry)
Good bye – Do widzenia (doveedzenya)
Thank you – Dziękuje (djenkooye)
My name is – Nazywam się (nazivam shye)
How are you? – Jak się masz? (yak shye mash)
I don’t understand – Nie rozumiem (nye rozoomyem)
I understand – Rozumiem (rozoomyem)
Sorry – Przepraszam (psheprasham)
You’re welcome – Proszę (proshe)
more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
Pearl of the North
Torun, one of the most visited historical sites in Poland, is
also called the Pearl of the North. Seated on the banks of the
Vistula river, cozy, green and full of unique monuments, it is
famous for being the birthplace of the seminal astronomer
Nicolaus Copernicus and a Major Hansa centre for trade and
craftsmanship since the Middle Ages. No tourist can leave
Torun without a package of gingerbread cookies whose tradition,
dating back to 14th century, makes them the most celebrated
gingerbread in Poland.
Torun also attracts tourist with the well-preserved, genuine
Gothic and Renaissance architecture of its Old Town, which
has endured more than 700 years to survive until present day.
In 1997, Torun’s Old Town was entered in the UNESCO World
Heritage list.
Torun is a medium city with 250,000 citizens and is an
important university center, having therefore a very young
population.
Every year about 1.5 million tourists visit Torun. Romantic
cafes, restaurants and summer open air pubs lure tourists with
their ambience teeming with life till late-night hours.
Other well known Torun traditions are the meetings at the
Polish most famous monument of Nicolaus Copernicus, Rafter’s
Fountain and the monument of Filus, the dog – a cartoon
character. In the heart of the Old Town one can find the Torun
planetarium, a former gasworks building, which is one of the
most eagerly visited landmarks of the city.
CULTURAL LIFE – CALENDARY
Torun also offers tourist its rich cultural life. It has become
the venue of prestigious events such as:
• “Kontakt” Theatre Festival - May
• “Probaltica” – the Festival of Music and Art of the Baltic
countries - May
• Ecumenical Festival “Song of Songs”- June
• Torun Music and Architecture Festival – June - August
• Pipe Organ Festival on Saint John’s Day - June
• Haendel Festival - June
• Torun Festival of Science and Art - April
• The Gingerbread Festival - June
more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng
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Torun – city of students’ choice
Torun was ranked in the top ten of student-friendly cities
in “A City of Students’ Choice” rating by the Polish portal
Students.pl. Students appreciated the affordable cost to rent an
apartment, a rich variety of cultural events, as well as the city’s
unique atmosphere. The main streets teem with young people
as the student community represents nearly 25% of the city’s
population.
HOW TO GET HERE
• The School is situated in the city center. Once you are on the
Old Town square you can get here walking in 10 minutes
• You can get from the railway station to the School by buses
number 12, 14, 22 or 27
• The nearest airport is situated in Bydgoszcz, within less than
30 miles (48 kilometres) from Torun. The main railway station
is near the center of Torun and you can get there by bus No. 27
straight from the School of Banking.
OLD
TOWN
1. BUILDING B AT 2G DEKERTA STREET
2. MAIN SCHOOL BUILDING
AT MLODZIEZOWA 31A STREET
3. BUILDING F AT 2-4 REJTANA STREET
4. CONFERENCE CENTER
AT GRUDZIADZKA STREET
5. TOWN HALL
6. ARTHUS COURT
7. RUINS OF THE TEUTONIC KNIGHTS CASTLE
8. RAILWAY STATION – PKP
9. BUS STATION – PKS
10. SHOPPING CENTER AMC
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more info www.wsb.torun.pl/wwweng