Semestrze

Semestrze is the locative form of the Polish noun semestr, meaning in the semester. The term semestr (semester) denotes a fixed period within the academic calendar used by many Polish colleges and universities. The word semestr is borrowed from Latin semestr e, through French and English, reflecting the shared concept of a half-year term.

In Poland, the academic year is commonly divided into two semesters: zimowy (winter) and letni (summer). Each semester encompasses a set of courses, seminars, and laboratories that a student attends, and assessments—such as exams, tests, coursework, and projects—are conducted during or after the term. Courses are typically credited in line with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), with students earning credits for the work completed within a semester.

The length of a semester varies by institution but is generally several months, including teaching weeks and an assessment period. The phrase w semestrze (in the semester), or w semestrze zimowym (in the winter semester), is used to refer to activities, schedules, or syllabi belonging to that term. Some universities experiment with alternative calendars, such as trimesters or quarters, or use different names for terms, but the basic concept of semi-annual divisions remains widely understood.

See also: rok akademicki; ECTS; harmonogram zajęć.