English Studies - Linguistics, full-time, second cycle
In power from: 1 Dec 2025
Registration criteria
Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas
There are two phases of the qualification procedure: a written examination in the English language at the C1 level and an oral examination in the field of English Studies – Linguistics.
Phase I: Written examination in the English language at the C1 level
It is an advanced written exam at the C1 level according to CEFR (i.e. the fifth of six levels, with the second highest degree of difficulty). Duration: 150 minutes.
Components:
- Listening comprehension (25% of the total score)
- Reading comprehension (20% of the total score)
- Use of language structures (55% of the total score)
Requirements:
- Knowledge of English allowing efficient functioning in a social, professional and academic context - the level of lexical-grammatical and phraseological competence required to successfully complete undergraduate studies conducted in English can be used as the reference level.
- In the area of reading and listening, understanding formal and academic discourse with a significant degree of lexical and structural complexity (e.g. lecture, interview, panel discussion, and press, literary and popular-science publication).
Candidates are required to obtain the minimum result of 60% on the C1 English exam. Candidates who pass the C1 English exam move on to the 2nd phase.
The score in the C1 English exam is not counted in the final qualification result.
The result of the exam is valid for 5 years from the date it was taken. This provision is also applicable to the results of C1 exam received by the graduates of the BA programme in English Studies in the Institute of English Studies of the University of Warsaw. The result of a candidate’s exam must be valid on the day on which the admission results are announced. In order for the Admissions Committee to recognize the result of a previously taken exam, a suitable application must be submitted via the IRK system no later than on the last day of registration of candidates for full-time second-cycle studies.
Candidates who hold one of the certificates listed below are exempt from taking the C1 exam:
- Certificate in Advanced English / Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) / C1 Advanced issued by Cambridge Assessment English (previously Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
- Certificate of Proficiency in English / Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) / C2 Proficiency issued by Cambridge Assessment English (previously Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
- C1 Business Higher / Cambridge English: Business Higher (BEC Higher) issued by Cambridge Assessment English (previously Cambridge English Language Assessment and University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
- Certificate on the C1 or C2 level issued by University Council for the Coordination of Foreign Language Teaching and Language Proficiency Certification
- C1 exam conducted by the UW Institute of English Studies
- ECL Language Test level C1 (min. score 80), issued by European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages
- Edexcel ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Level 2 issued by Pearson
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic (min. score 64) issued by Pearson
- International English Language Testing System Academic (min. score 7) issued by International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (min. score 94) issued by Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Phase II: Oral examination
The oral examination is designed to test:
- ability to present the candidate’s scholarly interests, including a proposal of the Master's Thesis project;
- basic knowledge in linguistics, including key concepts, themes, theoretical approaches and research methodologies;
- ability to formulate ideas and arguments in spoken English (including language accuracy and language fluency).
The maximum number of points to be scored for the 2nd phase is 50. To pass, the candidate has to score at least 30 points (i.e. 60% of the total score).
Qualification is determined by the place on the ranking list created on the basis of the results of the 2nd phase of the qualification procedure.
Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas
The admissions criteria are the same as for candidates with Polish diplomas.
Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification [more]
The admissions criteria are the same as for candidates with Polish diplomas.
Checking the candidates' competence to undertake studies conducted in the English language
Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification
Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here
Important! C1 level is required
Foreigners (does not apply to citizens of EU/EFTA) with foreign diploma from EU/EFTA/OECD/recognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification
Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here
Important! C1 level is required
Deadlines
C1 Level English Exam: 16th of July, 2026
Exam checking Candidates' preparation for second-cycle studies in English philology: 16th, 17th of July, 2026
Announcement of results: 22nd of July, 2026
Reception of documents:
- I round: 23rd-24th, 27th of July, 2026
- II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 28th-29th of July, 2026
- III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 30th-31st of July, 2026
- additional rounds will be announced in case of not fulfilling the limits
Payments
The studies are payable for citizens of Non-UE/EFTA countries (EEA parties) and Switzerland - tuition fees
Required documents
List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies
Additional information
Find us on the map: Institute of English Studies