The University of Rzeszów () is a public university located in Rzeszów, Poland. It was established on September 1, 2001 through the merger of several higher education institutions in the city, including the Rzeszów branch of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Pedagogical University of Kraków, and the Department of Economics of the Hugo Kołłątaj University of Agriculture in Kraków. Its main campus is located within the city of Rzeszów.
Location
The University of Rzeszów is located in the city of Rzeszów, the capital of the Subcarpathian Voivodeship in southeastern Poland. Its main campus is situated at Aleja Tadeusza Rejtana 16C, in an urban setting that offers students access to a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. The geographical coordinates of the university are approximately 50°01′48″N latitude and 22°00′56″E longitude. All facilities and grounds belonging to the University of Rzeszów cover an area of 437 acres (177 hectares).
Leadership Since its establishment, the University of Rzeszów has been led by the following rectors:
Professor Tadeusz Lulek (2001–2002) Professor Włodzimierz Bonusiak (2002–2008) Professor Stanisław Uliasz (2008–2012) Professor Aleksander Bobko (2012–2015) Professor Sylwester Czopek (2015–2024) Professor Adam Reich (2024–present)
Units As of January 2025, the University of Rzeszów comprises fifteen faculties: Collegium Medicum Faculty of Biotechnology Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Physical Culture Sciences Faculty of Biology, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development Faculty of Economics and Finance Faculty of Education and Philosophy Faculty of Exact and Technical Sciences Faculty of Fine Arts Faculty of Humanities Faculty of Law and Administration Faculty of Music Faculty of Philology Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Technology and Life Sciences
In addition to its faculties, the university hosts several interfaculty units, including the Physical Education and Recreation Centre, the Centre for Foreign Language Studies, and the cultural and educational centre Resovia Saltans
The University Hospital named after Fryderyk Chopin in Rzeszów is a leading teaching hospital and medical centre in the region. It offers a wide range of health care services, including oncology, surgery, rehabilitation, and genetic diagnostics. The hospital collaborates closely with the University of Rzeszów, providing medical students with opportunities for practical clinical experience and engage in scientific research. The University Hospital is a key component of the region's healthcare infrastructure.
English-language degree programmes The University of Rzeszów currently offers three degree programmes taught in English:
Media, Visual and Social Communication Medicine Physiotherapy
Lifelong learning The university provides a variety of programs and initiatives focused on lifelong learning. These programs are intended to support professionals in developing skills relevant to contemporary demands. The university's lifelong learning initiatives seek to contribute to professional development and the advancement of a knowledge-based society.
The concept of lifelong learning at the University is implemented through various educational pathways and institutions, including the following:
The ‘Small University’ of Rzeszów The Children's Technical University The Bilingual University Secondary School First- and Second-Cycle Studies as well as Long-Cycle Master's Degree Programmes The Rzeszów University Doctoral School Postgraduate Studies The University of the Third Age
These activities also involve collaboration and partnerships, increased investment in human resources, and the development of advisory services.
Partnerships The University of Rzeszów maintains a network of partner universities around the world. Through programmes such as Erasmus+, the university collaborates with institutions in countries including Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Spain, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, and Italy.
These international partnerships support student and staff exchanges, joint research projects, and other collaborative initiatives that enhance the educational experience and broaden the university's global reach.
Impact on the region and country The University of Rzeszów plays a vital role in the development of the Subcarpathian Voivodeship and Poland as a whole. Its research and educational activities contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas, support local industries, and address region-specific challenges.University of Rzeszów – Strategic development plan or regional cooperation reports.
Through collaboration with local government authorities and the business sector, the university helps foster innovation and stimulate economic growth, positioning itself as a key actor in the region's development strategy.
Global scientific contributions The University of Rzeszów is recognized for its contributions to global scientific research. It ranks among the top universities in Poland and maintains a strong presence in various research domains, including biology, liberal arts, social sciences, and environmental science. University researchers participate in projects that address global challenges and expand knowledge across disciplines. Eleven researchers from the University were listed in a ranking of the world's most influential scientists.
Research
The University of Rzeszów conducts high-level scientific research across multiple academic disciplines. It holds the authority to confer both doctoral degrees and postdoctoral degrees in numerous fields. Academic staff at the university lead a wide range of research projects funded by national and international institutions.
One of the university's most notable achievements is the discovery of a Scythian settlement in Chotyniec, a finding that received significant attention within the archaeological community and beyond.
A key component of the university's research infrastructure is the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer in Technical and Natural Sciences, which supports applied research and promotes collaboration with the business sector. The university also hosts modern laboratories in areas such as biotechnology, physics, chemistry, materials science, medicine, and the natural sciences, facilitating the implementation of projects of both regional and international significance.
Research and development cooperation and commercialisation
University Centre for Technology Transfer The University of Rzeszów engages in a wide range of applied research and development initiatives through the University Centre for Technology Transfer (UCTT), which facilitates collaboration between academia and industry. These are some examples of such collaboration:
Preparation and submission of field protocols, including geocoded photographs and data from ichthyofauna monitoring conducted at 99 sites, for the Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute – National Research Institute in Olsztyn (2021–2023). R&D project titled “Development of soluble plant extracts enriched through ozonation” for the company OSMO.PL, involving the development of extraction technologies using cranberry and pine bioactive compounds, preservation methods, and sensory evaluation (2021–2023). Ongoing cooperation with prosecutor's offices, courts, the Polish Forensic Association, and private clients in the preparation of expert opinions, document analysis, and fingerprint examinations. Biochemical evaluation of new pasta products developed by Makarony Polskie S.A. for the prevention of chronic diseases, leading to the commercial launch of the following: Novelle DIABETIC (type 2 diabetes prevention, 2022), Novelle CARDIO (prevention of atherosclerosis, 2023), Novelle FIT (prevention of obesity, 2023), in collaboration with the university's special-purpose entity, InventUR.
InventUR Through its special-purpose vehicle InventUR, the University of Rzeszów strengthens cooperation with industry. Noteworthy examples include the following:* Signing of a cooperation agreement in September 2024 with Veolia EKOZEC Sp. z o.o. for the development of environmentally sustainable solutions, including the utilisation of biomass combustion by-products and flue gas desulphurisation waste, as well as the production of granulated fertilisers from stabilised sewage sludge. A 2023–2024 study evaluating the recycling potential of kitchen and garden bio-waste in household composters in Rzeszów, commissioned by the Municipal Waste Management Company – Rzeszów Sp. z o.o., which included aspects of vermicomposting. Development of the Social Problem Solving Strategy for the City of Rzeszów (2023–2030) in cooperation with local authorities, addressing demographic trends, labour market needs, childcare availability, and mapping of health, education, cultural, and social support services. Ongoing collaboration with COLLINS Aerospace, regional vineyards, and land surveying companies, including the provision of commissioned research and consultancy services.
The University of Rzeszów maintains active collaboration with local government units, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), business enterprises, and various public institutions. This cooperation supports joint research projects, knowledge transfer, student internships, and numerous social and educational initiatives.
A major strategic development was the acquisition of the Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 1 named after Fryderyk Chopin in Rzeszów in 2023. This decision significantly enhanced the capacity of the university's Medical College, opening new opportunities for both medical education and clinical research.
Central library (RUCL)
The Rzeszów University Central Library (RUCL) is the central library of the University of Rzeszów, operating as a university-wide academic, research, and service-oriented institution. It plays a key role in supporting academic research, education, and the dissemination of science and culture both within the university community and among the residents of Rzeszów and the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. It is one of the largest libraries of its kind in the region.
The origins of the RUCL trace back to the 1960s, beginning with the establishment of the Regional Branch of the Kraków Teachers’ College in Rzeszów in 1963, and the Rzeszów Higher School of Education in 1965. The modern RUCL was officially formed in 2001 following the foundation of the University of Rzeszów, which resulted from the merger of three institutions: the Higher School of Education, the Rzeszów branch of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, and the Faculty of Economics of the Hugo Kołłątaj University of Agriculture in Kraków. The consolidation of their academic libraries led to the creation of a unified central library.
In 2004, RUCL moved to its new headquarters at ul. Cegielniana 12 (now ul. Prof. Stanisława Pigonia 8), housed in a modern, fully accessible facility. One of the notable innovations was the implementation of an electronic book ordering system.
Collections and services
Currently, the RUCL holds approximately 750,000 volumes, over 121,000 periodicals, and around 30,000 items in special collections. It also offers access to 33 electronic databases available via a proxy server. Collections can be accessed in specialised reading rooms, or through local and interlibrary loan services. The RUCL provides a wide selection of both printed and digital resources that reflect the academic and research profile of the university.
RUCL also serves as a training centre, offering free workshops, courses, and seminars—on-site and online, in Polish and English—primarily for UR students, researchers, and staff, but also for high school students and members of partner research centres.
Mission and priorities