Polish education ladder
Each step up is a new stage, left to right is age. After primary school the path splits into general, technical and vocational tracks, which meet again at the matura or the labour market.
Early years
Preschool is for ages 3 to 6. The final year, year zero at age 6, is compulsory and prepares children for school.
Eight-year primary school
Everyone attends the same primary school from 7 to 15: grades 1 to 3 with one teacher, then grades 4 to 8 with subjects. It ends with the national 8th-grade exam.
Choosing a secondary path
Students pick a 4-year liceum, a 5-year technikum, or a 3-year vocational school that can be followed by 2 more years. Technical and vocational students earn a professional diploma, and all paths can reach the matura.
Higher education
With the matura, students enter universities: a bachelor's then a master's, or a long-cycle master's in fields like medicine and law. A doctoral school leads to a PhD.
Work and compulsory learning
Post-secondary schools, vocational diplomas and degrees all lead to work. Learning is compulsory until age 18.