Polish
Bring Polish into everyday life.
Polish is widely spoken in Central Europe and has a strong presence in the UK.
You may want to speak with Polish-speaking relatives or friends, strengthen a link to your heritage, spend time in Poland or simply take on the challenge of another language.
You’ll get to grips with Polish vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation while learning to make yourself understood and follow what others are saying.
With continued study, you’ll rely less on translation and use Polish more independently.
Courses are available for complete beginners and those who already have some knowledge.
Available study options:
- Full-year study – two semesters (September to May), with 3-contact hours per week.
- Polish 1 and Polish 2 are taught online.
- Polish 3 is taught on campus.
Levels available range from absolute beginner to B1 standard as per the Common European Framework.
Full-year study courses (online)
Course overview
- Credits: 20
- Pre-requisite: This unit is suitable for those who have never studied Polish before.
- Co-requisite: If you are studying a Modern Languages Degree, either single or joint honours, please refer to relevant guidance about eligibility for LEAP units on your programme structure.
- Taught during: Both semesters (September to May).
- Level of attainment: (A1) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: See timetable information
Course description
This course is for absolute beginners. It is designed for those who wish to attain a basic understanding of the Polish language covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
It aims to introduce students to the Polish alphabet, the basic language structure and the basics of Polish grammar.
Students will also acquire limited vocabulary to be able to read simple texts and conduct basic conversation in key areas of everyday communication.
The course provides students with a solid foundation for further language learning.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- handle some of the basic grammatical structures of Polish;
- understand and read, some familiar and daily expressions used in common everyday situations and write very simple messages;
- communicate orally at a basic level in a limited number of common everyday situations;
- have some understanding and knowledge of Polish life and culture.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
Pair and teamwork, focussed listening, informal presentations, language awareness, and cultural appreciation.
Teaching and learning methods
This course combines asynchronous (pre-recorded) and synchronous (live) learning for a flexible yet structured approach.
Course Structure:
- 1 hour asynchronous learning – Students receive a pre-recorded lesson to study at their own pace independently before each live session.
- 2 hours synchronous face-to-face instruction – Face-to face interactive learning (live sessions are not recorded in compliance with data protection best practices).
This course will be delivered online.
- Data Protection Notice:
All personal data and session materials are processed in accordance with GDPR and UK data protection laws. - Recordings (asynchronous content) are stored securely and accessed only for educational purposes on Canvas.
- Live sessions operate under a no-recording policy to protect participant confidentiality and encourage open participation.
- For full details, please refer to The University of Manchester’s Data Protection Policy.
This will also include online digital learning available through the University VLE platform and will be supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.
Teaching hours
69 hours (3 hours per week) including assessment time.
Independent study hours
131 hours (not including assessment time).
Assessment
*All assessments for credited students are summative and will take place on campus during the official exam period. This includes written and speaking exams.
Non-credit students and members of the public need to be aware that written exams will not take place during lesson time.
However, assessments for non-credit students and members of the public are not compulsory, but they have the option of taking the exams on campus during the exams official period or sit an online written exam (dates to be confirmed).
Please refer to LEAP assessment policy for Non-Standard students.
Semester 1
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 1 exam period in January
Semester 2
- Speaking exam; 30% weighting; held in week 12
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 2 exam period in May/June
Dates to be confirmed.
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Convenor
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Maximum entry
21 per group online
Set texts
Hurra!!! Po polsku 1. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa Edycja. M. Małolepsza and A. Szymkiewicz, Kraków 2023, ISBN 9788367351225, 978-83-958337-2-4 (Lekcje 0-10)
Recommended texts
Hurra!!! Po polsku 1. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa Edycja. M. Małolepsza and A. Szymkiewicz, Kraków 2023, ISBN 9788367351225, 978-83-958337-2-4 (Lekcje 0-10)
Next pathway
ULPL51020 - LEAP Polish 2 (A2)
Course overview
- Credits: 20
- Pre-requisite: ULPL51010 - LEAP Polish 1 (A1), or equivalent e.g. GCSE grade 4 or 5 taken in the last three years.
- Co-requisite: If you are studying a Modern Languages Degree, either single or joint honours, please refer to relevant guidance about eligibility for LEAP units on your programme structure.
- Taught during: Both semesters (September until May).
- Level of attainment: (A2) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: See timetable information
Course description
This course is designed for students who already have some knowledge of the Polish language, who are already familiar with the script, and who have a basic understanding of the grammar system.
The course aims to develop skills acquired in ULPL51010 - LEAP Polish 1 (A1) in speaking, listening, reading and writing. It lays emphasis on communication and comprehension skills but also builds on the fundamentals of grammar already acquired.
The course introduces students to a wider range of vocabulary to enable them to read longer texts and conduct a more general conversation on familiar topics of everyday communication.
Topics covered in ULPL51010 - LEAP Polish 1 (A1) will be revised and extended and new themes will be introduced which will develop understanding of the society and culture of contemporary Poland.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate better understanding and knowledge of key grammar points with appropriate usage;
- demonstrate reasonable competency in comprehension and listening through accurately extracting key information from written and audio sources on specific familiar topics;
- communicate orally in simple, routine situations and handle short social exchanges about familiar topics.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
Pair and teamwork, focused listening, informal presentations, language awareness, and cultural appreciation.
Teaching and learning methods
This course combines asynchronous (pre-recorded) and synchronous (live) learning for a flexible yet structured approach.
Course Structure:
- 1 hour asynchronous learning – Students receive a pre-recorded lesson to study at their own pace independently before each live session.
- 2 hours synchronous face-to-face instruction – Face-to face interactive learning (live sessions are not recorded in compliance with data protection best practices).
This course will be delivered online.
Data Protection Notice:
- All personal data and session materials are processed in accordance with GDPR and UK data protection laws.
- Recordings (asynchronous content) are stored securely and accessed only for educational purposes on Canvas.
- Live sessions operate under a no-recording policy to protect participant confidentiality and encourage open participation.
- For full details, please refer to The University of Manchester’s Data Protection Policy.
This will also include online digital learning available through the University VLE platform and will be supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.
Teaching hours
69 hours (3 hours per week) including assessment time.
Independent study hours
131 hours (not including assessment time).
Assessment
All assessments are summative.
Non-credit students and members of the public need to be aware that written exams will not take place during lesson time.
Semester 1
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 1 exam period in January
Semester 2
- Speaking exam; 40% weighting; held in week 12
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 2 exam period in May/June
Dates to be confirmed.
Non-credit students and members of the public need to be aware that written exams will not take place during lesson time.
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Convenor
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Maximum entry
21 per group online
Set texts
Semester 1: Hurra!!! Po polsku 1. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa Edycja. M. Małolepsza and A. Szymkiewicz, Kraków 2023, ISBN 9788367351225, 978-83-958337-2-4 (Lekcje 0-10).
Semester 2: Hurra!!! Po polsku 2. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa edycja by A. Dixon and A. Jasińska, Kraków 2022 (Second edition), ISBN 9788396353092 (Lekcje 1-9).
Recommended texts
Hurra!!! Po polsku 1. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa Edycja. M. Małolepsza and A. Szymkiewicz, Kraków 2023, ISBN 9788367351225, 978-83-958337-2-4 (Lekcje 0-10)
Hurra!!! Po polsku 2. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa edycja by A. Dixon and A. Jasińska, Kraków 2022 (Second edition), ISBN 9788396353092 (Lekcje 1-9)
Next pathway
ULPL51030 - LEAP Polish 3 (A2/B1)
Full-year study course (on-campus)
This course will not be running in the 2026/27 academic year.
Course overview
- Credits: 20
- Pre-requisite: ULPL51020 - LEAP Polish 2 (A2) or equivalent e.g. GCSE grade 6 or above taken in the last 3 years.
- Co-requisite: If you are studying a Modern Languages Degree, either single or joint honours, please refer to relevant guidance about eligibility for LEAP units on your programme structure.
- Taught during: Both semesters (September to May).
- Level of attainment: (A2/B1) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2/B1 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: See timetable information
Course description
The course aims to further develop the skills acquired on LEAP Polish 1 & LEAP Polish 2.
It extends the emphasis on communication and comprehension skills through the use of high-frequency language expressions used to describe topics of personal interest, current affairs and specific themes.
This will enable students to conduct longer oral exchanges related to limited specific topics or themes or to give a short presentation or information about an event.
It also further consolidates the grammar already acquired, and enhances students’ skills in reading and writing by equipping them with a broader range of vocabulary to enable them to read and write longer and more complex texts.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- demonstrate greater understanding and knowledge of language structure and handle further grammatical rules;
- demonstrate competency in comprehension and listening through accurately extracting key information from written and audio sources on specific familiar topics related to personal interest and current affairs;
- recognize and use known expressions and fundamental phrases used in everyday situations;
- to communicate orally in simple, routine situations and handle short social exchanges about familiar topics with reasonable fluency;
- independently write short texts on limited familiar topics using a variety of vocabulary and formulaic expressions.
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A2/B1 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
Pair and team work, focussed listening, informal presentations, language awareness, and cultural appreciation.
Teaching and learning methods
One three-hours or two 90 minutes seminars per week, delivered through blended learning which integrates on campus and on-line instruction as necessary.
This will also include online digital learning available through the University VLE platform and will be supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.
Teaching hours
69 hours (3 hours per week) including assessment time.
Independent study hours
131 hours (not including assessment time).
Assessment
All assessments are summative.
Non-credit students and members of the public need to be aware that written exams will not take place during lesson time.
Semester 1
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 1 exam period in January
Semester 2
- Speaking exam; 40% weighting; held in week 12
- Written exam; 30% weighting; held in university's Semester 2 exam period in May/June
Dates to be confirmed.
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Convenor
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Maximum entry
23 per group
Set texts
Hurra!!! Po polsku 2. Podręcznik studenta. Nowa edycja by A. Dixon and A. Jasińska, Kraków 2022 (Second edition), ISBN 9788396353092 (Lekcje 10-20)
Recommended texts
Klara Janecki, 301 Polish Verbs, Barrons Educational Series, 2000, ISBN 978-0764110207.
Next pathway
None
Timetables – 2026/27
Please note the timetable is subject to change up to and including the start of courses. Please check these pages regularly and check your personal timetable ahead of classes.
Find your classrooms and make your way around campus quickly with our interactive map.
Polish 1 and Polish 2 online courses are comprised of 1 hour asynchronous study per week (a pre-recorded lesson, which students study at their own pace) ahead of a 2 hour synchronous session delivered remotely by the tutor.
Courses are taught in 2 or 3 hour sessions – view the timetables below:
Course code: ULPL51010/ULPL71010/ULPL50010/ULPL90010
Online – Wednesday, 4–6pm
Course code: ULPL51020/ULPL71020/ULPL50020/ULPL90020
Online – Wednesday, 6.30–8.30pm
Polish 3 is not offered in the 2026/27 academic year.
Hear from our students
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us by phone or email leap@manchester.ac.uk.