University

Ignatianum University in Cracow is an catholic institution with state rights, run by the Province of Southern Poland of the Society of Jesus. The university's activity is based on the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Episcopal Conference. It establishes the legal status of universities founded and run by the Catholic Church, including universities, individual faculties and diocesan seminaries, as well as the mode and scope of the state recognition of degrees and titles given by those universities (Journal of Laws of 1999, No. 63, item 727).

Ignatianum University in Cracow confers doctoral and postdoctoral degrees in six disciplines, contained in three fields of science: in the humanities, in the social sciences and in the family sciences. In the humanities, the disciplines are: philosophy and cultural and religious sciences. In the field of social sciences, the disciplines are: pedagogy, political science and administration, and psychology. Meanwhile, in the field of family sciences, the discipline is: family sciences. Ignatianum also operates a Doctoral School with Training Pathways in all disciplines in which it confers doctoral and postdoctoral degrees.

Regarding history, the beginnings of the Kraków Center for Science and Education run by the Jesuits dates back to the 19th century. In 1932, the authorities of the Society of Jesus erected the Philosophical Faculty of the Society of Jesus in Cracow.

In 1989 the state authorities of Poland recognized this academic institution and the Philosophical Faculty of the Society of Jesus in Cracow was able to inaugurate education for lay students. Over the next ten years, the Philosophical Faculty developed and opened up new fields of study. In 1999 it evolved into the academic institutions bearing the name: College of Philosophy and Education ‘Ignatianum’. The name ‘Ignatianum’ was introduced in the early 90’s and referred to the founder of the Jesuit Order St. Ignatius of Loyola. From October 1, 2011, the College was promoted and allowed to use the name: Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie (Jesuit University Ignatianum in Cracow), which is the equivalent of the rank of university.

By the Decree of the Superior General of the Society of Jesus – the Grand Chancellor of the Academy Ignatianum in Cracow, Arturo Sosa SJ – on the change of the name of the University, from October 1, 2023, the Academy Ignatianum in Cracow changed its name to the Ignatianum University in Cracow.

Ignatianum University in Cracow is one of nearly two hundred Jesuit universities around the world, known for their prestige and high quality education.