AGH University of Science and Technology

AGH University of Krakow, (abbreviated as AGH University; formerly: AGH University of Science and Technology or AGH UST; in full the Stanisław Staszic Mining and Metallurgical Academy in Kraków (Polish: Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. Stanisława Staszica w Krakowie)) is a public university in Kraków, Poland. Founded in 1913, its inauguration took place in 1919. The AGH University focuses on innovative technologies, its research profile also includes engineering disciplines, exact sciences, Earth sciences, and social sciences.

The AGH University is one of 10 Polish higher education institutions that has been granted the status of a research university. It has 18 faculties, the AGH University Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, and numerous didactic centres. It offers three levels of education: first-cycle, second-cycle, and third-cycle (doctoral schools). The AGH University educates more than 21,000 students and employs more than 2,300 academic staff (including more than 260 professors and more than 500 associate professors).

The AGH University regularly ranks first among Polish technical universities in the Center for World University Rankings or the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Governance

The Rector is a one-person university body; the AGH University collegial bodies include: University Council, Senate, and Scientific Discipline Councils.

The Rector serves as the executive head of the AGH University, plays a prominent representative role, and acts as the governing body over staff, students, and doctoral students. The Rector has five Vice-Rectors who aid in governing the AGH University.

The AGH University Council comprises six people appointed by the Senate (including three people from outside the academic community) and the chairperson of the student government.

The Senate comprises:

• Rector as the Chairperson
• Professors and Associate Professors
• Academic teachers
• Non-academic staff

Students and doctoral students who constitute, one student for each faculty, and at least one doctoral student's representative.

For a scientific discipline that is classified at least into category B+ (by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education), a Scientific Discipline Council is established. Currently, there are 17 scientific discipline councils at the AGH University.

Rankings

The Center for World University Rankings, CWUR (2026 edition) – 1st place among Polish technical universities; world rank: 627th place.

ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities 2026 World Top 1000, Shanghai Ranking (2026 edition) – world rank range: 701–800. 1st place among Polish technical universities.

CWTS Leiden Ranking (2025 edition) – global ranking: 500th place.CWTS Leiden Ranking Open Edition (2025 edition) – 1st place in Poland according to the scientific impact indicator – the top 1% most frequently cited in Mathematics and computer science, 3rd place in Poland according to the scientific impact indicator – the top 1% most frequently cited in Physical sciences and engineering.

University Ranking by Academic Performance, URAP (2025–2026 edition) – world rank: 703. URAP by field rankings (2024–2025 edition): Metallurgy Engineering – rank: 59, Energy & Fuels – rank: 195, Mechanical Engineering – rank: 210, Chemical Engineering – rank: 248, Materials Engineering – rank: 278, Physical Sciences – rank: 295

GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, developed by the team preparing the so-called "Shanghai Ranking" (2025 edition): Mining & Mineral Engineering – rank 37 Metallurgical Engineering – rank range 51–75, Mathematics – rank range 101–150 Physics – rank range 151–200, Instruments Science & Technology – rank range 151–200, Artificial Intelligence – rank range 201–300.

THE Times Higher Education World University Ranking by subject (2026 edition): Computer Science – rank range: 601–800, Business and Economics – rank range: 601–800, Engineering – rank range: 801–1000, Physical Sciences – rank range: 801–1000, Social Sciences – rank range: 801–1000.

Research University

In 2019, the AGH University received the title of a research university. The laureates of the project titled Initiative for Excellence – Research University, launched by the Polish Ministry of Science and Education, are the 10 best Polish higher education institutions.

Accreditations

ABET accreditation

In 2017, the first- and second-cycle Mechatronic Engineering programmes of study at the AGH University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, with English as the language of instruction, received ABET accreditation. The AGH University was able to obtain accreditation as the first university in Poland and one of a few in Europe.

ENAEE accreditation

Four first- and second-cycle programmes of study at the AGH University received accreditation from the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education, namely, Mining Engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, Technical Computer Science, Materials Engineering, and Metallurgy at the Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science.

International cooperation

The AGH University has concluded more than 280 general agreements on cooperation with higher education institutions around the world. The AGH University has partners in more than 60 countries.

The AGH University participates in international programmes, such as Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate (EMJD), SMILE, CEEPUS, T.I.M.E., VULCANUS in Japan, HUSTEP, SIT, NAWA, and Spinaker.

The AGH University is a member of the following international organisations: ACRU, EUA, IAU, SEFI, AEUA, KMM-VIN AISBL, C-MAC NSU NPO, T.I.M.E., Magalhaes Network, EIT InnoEnergy, CEEPUS, UNIVERSEH (the European Space University for Earth and Humanity), IROs Forum, SPIRE, and UN Global Compact.

Business cooperation

Cooperation with the economic sector, higher education institutions, and research institutes, as well as participation in Polish and international scientific and industrial consortia allows the AGH University to carry out numerous projects and implement them to the market. Annually, the AGH University concludes about 100 contracts, letters of intent, and agreements on cooperation with industry, central administration, and business environment institutions. Additionally, the AGH University implements about 1,000 research and development contracts annually, among which more than 75% are commissioned by industry.

The innovative potential of the AGH University is based on its intellectual property, which is expressed in the number of obtained patents, trademarks, and utility models, as well as the know-how and experience of its scientists and students. Each year, the AGH University obtains nearly 100 patents and grants several dozens of licenses.

Campus

The AGH University Campus is located in the centre of Krakow. All teaching facilities, seats of faculties, administration, and student organisations, as well as the largest in Poland AGH University Student Campus, together with student clubs and sports and recreation facilities constitute a compact 40-hectare hub.

The Main Building (A-0) was erected between 1923 and 1935. The winning building design was presented at a competition organised in 1913 and won by an architect from Krakow – Sławomir Odrzywolski. After the First World War, the project served as a starting point, and Wacław Krzyżanowski was asked to cooperate thereon; he designed the façade and the interior of the building. The monumental edifice serves as a perfect example of academic classicism in Poland, in style during the 1920s. Currently, the building houses the AGH University's central authorities and administration, the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics, and Environmental Protection, and the Geological Museum.

With the development of the AGH University after the war, the campus began to grow. A prospective construction plan of the AGH University, aimed at expanding its premises, was initiated by Professor Walery Goetel and continued throughout the following decades.

In 1964, construction of the student campus began. To date, it remains the largest academic settlement of this kind in Poland. Its designer was Professor Tomasz Mańkowski. Until the end of 1979, 21 student dormitories were erected.

The beginning of the 21st century marks an intense expansion of the entire campus. More than a dozen modern buildings were constructed, and the numerous existing ones have been extended or modernised.

AGH University Main Library

The Main Library of AGH University is the largest technical library in Krakow and one of the largest in Poland.

The library was established in the academic year 1921–22 and its initial loci were 18 Loretańska Street and subsequently 7 Smoleńsk Street. In 1929, the library collection was transferred to a room within the newly built main building of the Mining Academy at 30 Mickiewicza Avenue. In 1938, the book collection amounted to more than 17,000 volumes. During World War II, the collection was deposited at the Jagiellonian Library. Despite the prohibition introduced by the General Government administration, the books were secretly lent out to MA students and employees. After the war, the collection, reduced by 25%, returned to the main building of the academy.

In 1966, a new free-standing library building was opened, erected due to the efforts of Władysław Piasecki, the library head. Since then, the library has begun to develop dynamically. As a result of launching new programmes of study at the Mining Academy, the library's book collection grew and its thematic scope broadened.

History

Efforts to establish the Mining Academy

The efforts to establish a Polish mining school in Krakow and to appoint suitable teaching staff began in the second half of the 19th century and intensified when Galicia gained autonomy in 1860. This endeavour involved Polish engineers – miners and metallurgists, Galician representatives, and Krakow authorities. Concentrated diplomatic action was taken in Vienna to win the favour of the Austrian government.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of prominent engineers and mining activists, led by engineer Jan Zarański, went to great lengths to obtain approval for establishing a higher education institution in Krakow to educate mining engineers. These efforts were successful, and on 10 July 1912, Krakow authorities received a permit to open an academy.

1913 – institution of the Mining Academy

In April 1913, the Ministry of Civil Engineering in Vienna appointed the Organising Committee of the Mining Academy in Krakow, chaired by Professor Józef Morozewicz.

The document that confirmed the establishment of a higher school of mining in Krakow was signed on 31 May 1913, by emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

The outbreak of World War I made it impossible to inaugurate the first academic year of the newly established academy in October 1914. The minutes from a conference at the President of Krakow, Juliusz Leo, contain a footnote related to the Mining Academy. A magistrate official, probably reorganising documents, wrote an additional note at the bottom of one of them that said: ‘Due to the outbreak of war, the Mining Academy was not opened, the whole matter being postponed to more peaceful times, 21st March 2015.’

1919 – the opening of the academy

When Poland regained its independence in 1918, the Organising Committee of the Mining Academy in Krakow recommenced its work.

On 8 April 1919, the Council of Ministers put forward an official motion to establish and open the Mining Academy in Krakow. On 1 May 1919, the first six professors of the Mining Academy were appointed.

On 20 October 1919, Józef Piłsudski officiated a celebratory inauguration of the Mining Academy in the main hall of the Jagiellonian University.

Polish-Soviet War

Students of the Mining Academy took active part in the Polish-Soviet war in 1920. These events were described by Professor Antoni Hoborski: 'our youth submitted to voluntary conscription, which I witnessed; then, on the 19th day of July 1920, they all went to their camps (only 6 were deemed unfit for military service)’.

Development in the interwar period

On 15 June 1923, with the participation of the contemporary President of the Republic of Poland, Stanisław Wojciechowski, and numerous representatives of the world of science and mining industry, the cornerstone of the new main building of the academy was laid.

University symbols

Emblem

The AGH University emblem shows a stylised eagle with a crown, head turned right, and a shield with Hammer and Pick (symbol of mining), as well as AGH University initials.

The present version of the emblem was designed on the basis of a drawing made in 1925 by Bogdan Treter. The AGH University emblem ought to be used exclusively to promote the history and scientific legacy of the AGH University.

Graphic symbol

The AGH University graphic symbol is the only sign used for everyday visual identification of the AGH University. It has replaced the AGH University emblem in this role. The ideogram represents a stylised eagle, which is an allusion to the AGH University emblem. In its coloured version, the ideogram has three colours.

Colors

AGH University colors are green, black and red in reference to the tradition of mining and metallurgy. Green being a symbol of nature, black symbolizing mines, prudence and wisdom and red being a symbol of fire and molten iron.

Traditions

Mining Ceremonies

Barbórka (English: St. Barbara's day) is a mining holiday, deeply embedded in the AGH University tradition, drawing on the customs of old Austrian mining schools, which were transplanted onto the Krakow soil by the AGH University professors. Each year, on 4 December, Pochód lisów (English: March of the Foxes) – a mining procession parades through the streets of Krakow. 'Foxes' are newly admitted students who enter the mining tribe. On this day, in St. Anna's Collegiate Church a ceremonial mass is said. The highlight of the celebration is held in the Assembly Hall. Subsequently, in the Main Hall, the traditional skok przez skórę (English: leather jump) takes place, which consists in jumping over the miner's apron (a short leather apron traditionally worn to protect the miners' clothing as they sat or knelt while working). For first-year mining and geology students, the jump constitutes a rite of acceptance as a miner. The celebration is accompanied by the recurrent Mining Division Student Research Clubs Conference and the International Exhibition and Trade Fair of Minerals, Fossils, and Jewellery. The culmination of the celebration is the annual meeting of the gwarki (English: guilds).

Metallurgy Ceremonies

Another remarkable celebration held at the AGH University is the Metallurgist's Day. The way in which it is celebrated is very similar to the mining ceremonies. The event takes place annually in May, and in addition to the official ceremonies in the Assembly Hall, the programme includes, among other things, the Metallurgy Division Student Research Clubs Conference and an academic conference. Metallurgical traditions, which are nurtured at the AGH University, include the Metallurgist's Vowing ceremony, which takes place in the Main Hall of the AGH University Main Building. Traditionally, the celebration is accompanied by a meeting of academic staff and students during the so-called karczma hutnicza (English: metallurgy tavern).

Hoborski Science Days

Each year, in October, the AGH University holds Science Holidays – better known as Hoborski Science Days. The event aims to popularise science and its technical applications, simultaneously commemorating the figure of Professor Antoni Hoborski, a prominent Polish mathematician, the first rector of the Mining Academy.

Эх сурвалж: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)