# University of Warsaw

> largest university in Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q144488](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q144488)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Warsaw)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-warsaw

## Summary  
The University of Warsaw (Polish: Uniwersytet Warszawski) is Poland’s largest university, founded in 1816 and located in the capital city of Warsaw. It offers a wide range of academic programs across numerous faculties and is a major research institution with a strong international reputation.

## Key Facts  
- **Founded:** 1816 (official inception on 19 November 1816).  
- **Location:** Warsaw, Poland (coordinates 52.24028 N, 21.01917 E).  
- **Type:** Public university; classified as a “university” and a “campus university.”  
- **Student body:** Approximately 42 700 students (2018) – the most recent preferred figure.  
- **Rector (2020‑present):** Alojzy Nowak (took office 1 September 2020).  
- **Global ranking (QS World University Rankings):** 262 nd in 2024, 284 th in 2023, 308 th in 2022.  
- **Affiliations:** Member of the European University Association, Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment, European Open Science Cloud Association, and the 4EU+ Alliance.  
- **Official website:** https://www.uw.edu.pl/ (Polish language).  
- **Social media:** Twitter @UniWarszawski (≈ 10 k followers in 2023), Facebook page “University‑of‑Warsaw‑Uniwersytet‑Warszawski.”  
- **Key facilities:** Warsaw University Library; Faculty of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Philosophy & Sociology, among others; owner of Akademickie Radio Kampus and Auditorium Maximum.

## FAQs  
### Q: When was the University of Warsaw established?  
**A:** The University of Warsaw was officially founded in 1816, with its inauguration recorded on 19 November 1816.  

### Q: How many students attend the University of Warsaw?  
**A:** As of the 2018 reporting period, the university enrolled about 42 700 students, making it the largest higher‑education institution in Poland.  

### Q: What is the University of Warsaw’s standing in global rankings?  
**A:** In the QS World University Rankings, it placed 262 nd in 2024, 284 th in 2023, and 308 th in 2022.  

### Q: Who is the current rector of the University of Warsaw?  
**A:** Alojzy Nowak has served as rector since 1 September 2020.  

### Q: What major faculties does the university comprise?  
**A:** The university includes faculties of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Philosophy & Sociology, Geography & Regional Studies, Geology, Journalism, Information & Book Studies, Law & Administration, Management, Mathematics, Informatics & Mechanics, among others.

## Why It Matters  
The University of Warsaw plays a pivotal role in Poland’s higher‑education landscape as the nation’s largest university, shaping the country’s academic, scientific, and cultural development for over two centuries. Its extensive faculty network supports a broad spectrum of disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary research that contributes to global knowledge—evidenced by its consistent presence in the QS World University Rankings. The institution’s alumni and staff include prominent mathematicians, computer scientists, and public figures who have advanced both national and international scholarship. Moreover, its membership in major European academic consortia enhances collaborative opportunities, driving innovation, mobility, and policy influence across the continent. For students, researchers, and policymakers, the University of Warsaw serves as a hub of expertise, resources, and networks that underpin Poland’s competitiveness in science, technology, and the humanities.

## Notable For  
- **Largest Polish university:** Holds the highest enrollment among all Polish higher‑education institutions.  
- **Historic legacy:** Continuous operation since 1816, making it one of Central Europe’s oldest modern universities.  
- **Research impact:** Hosts numerous research centers and has produced internationally recognized scholars in mathematics, computer science, and the humanities.  
- **International visibility:** Regularly ranked within the top 300 universities worldwide by QS, reflecting strong global academic standing.  
- **Comprehensive campus:** Houses a wide array of faculties, a major university library, and cultural venues such as the Auditorium Maximum and Akademickie Radio Kampus.

## Body  

### History  
- **Early foundation (1816):** Established under the name “Royal University of Warsaw” during the Congress Kingdom period.  
- **19th‑century development:** Expanded curricula to include law, medicine, and philosophy.  
- **20th‑century growth:** Survived two world wars, underwent major reconstruction, and broadened scientific research programs.  

### Campus & Location  
- **Main address:** Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, 00‑927 Warsaw, Poland.  
- **Geographic coordinates:** 52.240280555556 N, 21.019169444444 E.  
- **Key buildings:** Main gate (iconic image), Warsaw University Library, Auditorium Maximum, and multiple faculty buildings across the city.  

### Academic Structure  
- **Faculties:** Over 20, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Philosophy & Sociology, Geography & Regional Studies, Geology, Journalism & Book Studies, Law & Administration, Management, Mathematics, Informatics & Mechanics.  
- **Research units:** Centre of New Technologies, Institute of International Relations, and numerous specialized institutes.  
- **Student services:** Comprehensive library system, student radio (Akademickie Radio Kampus), and extensive extracurricular facilities.  

### Governance  
- **Rectorate:** Current rector Alojzy Nowak (since 2020‑09‑01); previous rector Marcin Pałys served from 2012‑09‑01 to 2020‑08‑31.  
- **Administrative body:** Senate, represented by the email address senat@adm.uw.edu.pl for official correspondence.  

### Rankings & Reputation  
- **QS World University Rankings:** 262 (2024), 284 (2023), 308 (2022).  
- **National standing:** Recognized as the largest and one of the most prestigious universities in Poland.  

### International Affiliations  
- **European University Association (EUA).**  
- **Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).**  
- **Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (COARA).**  
- **European Open Science Cloud Association (EOSC).**  
- **4EU+ Alliance** – a network of European capital‑city universities.  

### Notable Affiliates (selected)  
- **Wojciech Żakowski (1929‑1993):** Mathematician, lecturer, and computer scientist.  
- **Zbigniew W. Raś (born 1947):** Computer scientist and researcher.  
- **Andrzej Pelc:** Computer scientist and professor with dual Polish‑Canadian citizenship.  
- **Victor W. Marek (born 1943):** Mathematician and computer scientist.  
- **Maria Orlowska (born 1951):** Computer scientist, film editor, and politician.  

### Facilities & Ownership  
- **Owned entities:** Akademickie Radio Kampus, Auditorium Maximum, and historically the Hotel Bristol (1977‑1981).  

### Digital Presence  
- **Website:** https://www.uw.edu.pl/ (Polish).  
- **Twitter:** @UniWarszawski (≈ 10 k followers in 2023).  
- **Facebook:** “University‑of‑Warsaw‑Uniwersytet‑Warszawski.”  

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## References

1. GRID
2. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Uniwersytet-Warszawski;3991463.html)
3. [Source](https://www.uw.edu.pl/odznaka-honorowa-dla-uw/)
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. Japan Search
6. BnF authorities
7. CiNii Research
8. [Source](https://eua.eu/about/member-directory.html)
9. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20221123144401/https://www.auf.org/les_membres/nos-membres/)
10. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231109092552/https://coara.eu/coalition/membership/)
11. [Source](https://eosc.eu/members/)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Source](https://radon.nauka.gov.pl/dane/profil/511d4dfc-574e-4801-af14-e99dc24f8209)
14. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022)
15. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024)
16. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023)
17. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/universities/university-warsaw)
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. [Source](https://stat.gov.pl/download/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5488/2/15/1/szkoly_wyzsze_i_ich_finanse_w_2018.pdf)
20. GRID Release 2015-12-14
21. GRID Release 2016-12-06
22. BabelNet
23. Quora
24. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
25. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
26. [Source](https://ror.org/039bjqg32)
27. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
28. HMML Authority File
29. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)